REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
December 06, 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 7 at the Fresno/Clovis Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility (Bid File 3623) (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 $431,818 to Evoqua Water Technologies
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 7 at the Fresno/Clovis Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility (RWRF); award a contract in the amount of $431,818 to Evoqua Water Technologies, for cleaning and dewatering of Digester 7 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 7 at the RWRF in the amount of $431,818 to Evoqua Water Technologies.
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 is unique in that it is the only digester with a Dystor Membrane gas dome. This project will require the gas dome to be taken offline by a specialized crew and opened to allow for cleaning. The cleaning portion of the 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 September 5, 2018, and posted on the City’s website. The specifications were distributed to twelve prospective bidders and posted at eleven Builder Exchanges. One sealed bid proposal was received and publicly opened on October 23, 2018. The bid proposal was $431,818. The bid will expire within 64 days of opening, which is December 26, 2018.
Evoqua Water Technologies was the only responsive and responsible bidder with a bid of $431,818. The staff determination was posted on the City’s website on Friday, November 16, 2018. Staff recommends that the City Council award a contract in the amount of $431,818 to Evoqua Water Technologies, as the only responsive and responsible bidder. Their bid price is 7.95 percent above the original Engineer’s Estimate of $400,000.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Staff has performed a preliminary environmental assessment for cleaning and dewatering of Digester 7 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 applied as only one bid was submitted.
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 $2,814,300 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)