REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
October 25, 2018
FROM: MICHAEL CARBAJAL, Director
Department of Public Utilities
THROUGH: DEJAN PAVIC, Supervising Professional Engineer
Department of Public Utilities - Utilities Planning & Engineering
BY: SARAH AGUILA, Supervising Engineering Technician
Department of Public Utilities - Utilities Planning & Engineering
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to cleaning and dewatering of Digester 5 at the Fresno/Clovis Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility (Bid File 3622) (Council District 3):
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption of Class 1, pursuant to Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) of the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines
2. Award a construction contract in the amount of $149,690 to Wastewater Solids Management, Inc.
3. Authorize the Director of Public Utilities, or designee, to sign agreement on behalf of the City
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that City Council adopt a finding of Class 1 Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines for cleaning and dewatering of Digester 5 at the Fresno/Clovis Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility (RWRF); award a contract in the amount of $149,690 to Wastewater Solids Management, Inc., for cleaning and dewatering of Digester 5 at the RWRF; and authorize the Director of Public Utilities, or designee, to sign the contract on the City’s behalf.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Periodic cleaning and dewatering of the 13 digesters at the RWRF is required to keep the plant functioning within regulatory requirements. The Department of Public Utilities, Wastewater Management Division, is seeking to award a contract for the cleaning and dewatering of Digester 5 at the RWRF in the amount of $149,690 to Wastewater Solids Management, Inc., as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.
BACKGROUND
The RWRF operates 13 mesophilic anaerobic digesters. The digesters range in size from 860,000 to 1,870,000 gallons. The digesters are used in the treatment of the solids generated at the RWRF to eliminate the pathogens and volatile organic compounds. Over the period of approximately seven years, these digesters accumulate debris associated with the treatment (i.e. solids consisting of sludge, sand, plastics, hair, etc.). This project will remove all the accumulated debris from the digesters and allow for the inspection of the interior surfaces for corrosion, wear, and structural stability. The debris will be screened and transported to an appropriate class landfill, and the sludge will be dewatered and processed along with the other dewatered biosolids from the facility. The interior of the digesters will be pressure washed and then inspected for any structural or coating issues.
Plans and specifications were prepared for the project. A Notice Inviting Bids was published on
August 22, 2018, and posted on the City’s website. The specifications were distributed to nine prospective bidders and posted at ten Builder Exchanges. Two sealed bid proposals were received and publicly opened on September 11, 2018. The bid proposals were $149,690 and $674,000. The Bid will expire within 64 days of bid opening, on November 14, 2018.
Wastewater Solids Management, Inc., was the lowest responsive and responsible bidder with a bid of $149,690. The staff determination was posted on the City’s website on Monday, October 1, 2018. Staff recommends that the City Council award a contract in the amount of $149,690 to Wastewater Solids Management, Inc., as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. Their bid price is 0.2% below the original Engineer’s Estimate of $150,000.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Staff has performed a preliminary environmental assessment for cleaning and dewatering of Digester 5 and has determined that it falls within Class 1 Categorical Exemption set forth in CEQA Guidelines, Section 15301 (Existing Facilities), because this contract involves normal operation and maintenance of existing public sewer facilities. Furthermore, none of the exceptions to Categorical Exemptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines, Section 15300.2 apply to this project.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not implemented because none of the bidders were local businesses.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no impact to the General Fund. The project is located in Council District 3. This project is identified in the five-year Capital Improvement Plan. Funds in the amount of $200,000 for the project are budgeted in the Fiscal Year 2019 Sewer Enterprise Fund No. 40501.
Attachments:
Bid Evaluation & Fiscal Impact Statement (Attachment 1)
Sample Contract (Attachment 2)
Vicinity Map (Attachment 3)