PREPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: DENIX D. ANBIAH, PE, Director
Capital Projects Department
PAUL AMICO, PE, Director
Department of Public Utilities
BY: CASSIE L. SCHOLZ, PE, Assistant Director
Capital Projects Department, Utilities Project Management Division
CHARLES MASTERS, Engineer II
Capital Projects Department, Utilities Project Management Division
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the Replacement of One Makeup Air Unit and Two Air Handling Units in the Headworks Building at the Fresno-Clovis Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility (Bid File 12601341) (Council District 3)
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15301/Class 1 (Existing Facilities) and Section 15302/Class 2 (Replacement or Reconstruction) of the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines, Environmental Assessment No. TC00176-HC003
2. Award a Construction Contract in the amount of $833,658 to Strategic Mechanical Inc., of Fresno, California, as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends City Council (1) adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15301/Class 1 (Existing Facilities) and Section 15302/Class 2 (Replacement or Reconstruction) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, Environmental Assessment No. TC00176-HC003, (2) award a Construction Contract in the amount of $833,658 to Strategic Mechanical Inc., as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the Replacement of One Makeup Air Unit and Two Air Handling Units in the Headworks Building at the Fresno-Clovis Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility (Project), and authorize the Capital Projects Director or designee to sign and execute all documents on behalf of the City of Fresno (City).
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Project will replace critical ventilation units in the Fresno-Clovis Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility (RWRF) Headworks Building that are original to its 1993 construction. These units maintain temperature in electrical rooms and control ventilation in the Headworks Building. The scope of work includes removal of existing units, furnishing and installing replacement units, and providing temporary units during construction. The Capital Projects Department seeks to award a Construction Contract to Strategic Mechanical Inc., of Fresno, California, following a competitive bidding process that identified them as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder in the amount of $833,658. Funding for the Project is included in the Fiscal Year 2026 Capital Improvement Budget within the Wastewater Management Division’s Wastewater Operating Fund.
BACKGROUND
The first stage of treatment for wastewater at the RWRF occurs in the Headworks Building, which was constructed in 1993. The building houses the initial stages of the wastewater treatment process, and it includes screening, grit removal, and chemical injection before pumping the wastewater into the treatment process. Ventilation and climate control in the building are critical and are provided by four makeup air units (MAU) and two air-handling units (AHU). The units are susceptible to shortened service lives based on the highly corrosive environment in the Headworks. Units MAU-002, AHU-001 and AHU-002 have reached end of life and replacement is necessary.
On April 2, 2024, the City entered into an Agreement with Pcubed Associates Inc. to provide engineering design services for an amount not to exceed $143,195. The scope of services included the design of replacement units in compliance with current development codes.
Upon completion of the design, the Project was advertised for construction. A Notice Inviting Bids was advertised and published on the City’s website and Planet Bids on March 24, 2026. The Project plans and specifications were distributed to 15 prospective bidders and posted at three (3) Building Exchanges. Two (2) sealed bid proposals were received and publicly opened on April 28, 2026, with bids ranging from $833,658 to $1,025,000, with Strategic Mechanical Inc. established as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder in the amount of $833,658. The bids are set to expire on July 1, 2026.
Staff now recommends City Council adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15301/Class 1 (Existing Facilities) and Section 15302/Class 2 (Replacement or Reconstruction) of the CEQA Guidelines, Environmental Assessment No. TC00176-HC003, approve a Construction Contract in the amount of $833,658 to Strategic Mechanical Inc. as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the Project, and authorize the Capital Projects Director or designee to sign and execute all documents on behalf of the City of Fresno (City).
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved the Standardized Construction Contract as to form.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Staff has reviewed the scope and nature of this Project and determined that it is categorically exempt from the requirements of CEQA pursuant to Section 15301/Class 1 (Existing Facilities) and Section 15302/Class 2 (Replacement or Reconstruction) of the CEQA Guidelines. These exemptions apply because the improvements to the Project serve the existing purpose of the facility, and do not provide any expansion of existing use. The Project does not have the potential to have an adverse effect on the environment and will be compliant with CEQA §15300.2.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Strategic Mechanical Inc. of Fresno, California is a local business, as defined by the Fresno Municipal Code.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Project is in Council District 3 and has no impact on the General Fund. Funding is included in the Fiscal Year 2026 Capital Improvement Budget within the Wastewater Management Division’s Wastewater Operating Fund.
Attachments:
Environmental Assessment
Bid Evaluation and Fiscal Impact Statement
Standardized Construction Contract
Vicinity Map
Location Map