REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
July 25, 2019
FROM: MICHAEL CARBAJAL, Director
Department of Public Utilities
THROUGH: DEJAN PAVIC, PE, Public Utilities Manager
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 the cleaning and dewatering of Digester 8 at the Fresno/Clovis Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility (Bid File 3673) (Council District 3):
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Class 1, Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) of the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines
2. Award a construction contract to Wastewater Solids Management Inc., in the amount of $196,960
3. Authorize the Director of Public Utilities, or designee, to sign the agreement on behalf of the City of Fresno
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that City Council adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Class 1, Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines for cleaning and dewatering of Digester 8 at the Fresno/Clovis Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility (RWRF) (Project); award a construction contract for the project to Wastewater Solids Management Inc., in the amount of $196,960; and authorize the Director of Public Utilities, or designee, to sign the contract on the behalf of the City of Fresno (City).
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Periodic cleaning and dewatering of the 13 mesophilic anaerobic 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 construction contract for the cleaning and dewatering of Digester 8 at the RWRF to Wastewater Solids Management Inc., in the amount of $196,960.
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 digester 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 RWRF. The interior of the digester 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 May 22, 2019, and posted on the City’s Planet Bids website. The specifications were distributed to six prospective bidders and posted at thirteen Builder Exchanges. Three sealed bid proposals were received and publicly opened on June 18, 2019. The bid proposals were $196,960, $323,800 and $689,667 respectively. The bid will expire within 64 days of bid opening, on August 21, 2019.
Wastewater Solids Management Inc. was found to be the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, with the bid amount of $196,960. The staff determination was posted on the City’s Planet Bids website on June 24, 2019. Staff recommends that City Council award a construction contract to Wastewater Solids Management Inc., in the amount of $196,960, as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. Their bid price is one percent above the Engineer’s Estimate of $195,000.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Staff has performed a preliminary environmental assessment for this Project in accordance with the CEQA requirements, and has determined that it falls within Categorical Exemption pursuant to Class 1, 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 the Council District 3. Funding for this Project is included in the Fiscal Year 2020 capital improvement budget within the Wastewater Management Division’s Sewer Enterprise Fund 40501.
Attachments:
Attachment 1 - Bid Evaluation and Fiscal Impact Statement
Attachment 2 - Sample Contract
Attachment 3 - Vicinity Map