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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: David E. Schumacher, P.E., Superintendent of Water Production
DATE: January 10, 2022
SUBJECT:
Resolution to award a contract for the Normal Pressure System (NPS) Master Meter Replacement project in the amount of $367,800.00 for the Water Production Division.
PURPOSE:
To obtain City Council approval to award a contract to Performance Construction & Engineering, LLC of Plano, IL (PCE) for the Normal Pressure System (NPS) Master Meter Replacement project for the Water Production Division (WPD) in an amount of $367,800.00.
BACKGROUND:
All residents of the City of Aurora are provided with potable water from the city owned and operated Water Treatment Plant (WTP). The WTP was originally constructed in 1991/1992 and began operation in 1992. The water treated at the facility is then pumped to two distinct and separate pressure zones, the normal and high systems, which cover the entire City of Aurora. All the water that is pumped to the Normal Pressure System (NPS) flows through a single "master" flow meter which registers the amount of water pumped. This flow information is then used for multiple purposes such as reporting to regulatory authorities, monitoring quantities of water loss, and ensuring proper operation of the WTP's finished water pumps.
The NPS master meter has been in constant operation since 1992, and over the past several years it has shown decreased measurement accuracy and precision. Accordingly, the WPD has hired several experts from the flow meter manufacturing company to inspect the meter and perform various types of repairs. Unfortunately, the electrical windings in the NPS master flow meter are no longer salvageable and the flow meter is no longer functional. After 29 years of constant operation, the WPD believes that this meter is beyond its useful life and needs complete replacement.
DISCUSSION:
Due to the non-functional condition of the NPS master meter, the WPD hired Crawford, Murphy & Tilly, Inc. (CMT) to perform the necessary design, project administration, and construction observation professional services necessary to complete the project.
The contract to perform the rehabilitation work was publicly advertised on November 28, 2021 (Bid No. 21-76) and bids were opened on December 22, 2021. A total of four (4) bids were received and a bid tabulation is attached.
The total range of bids received is from $367,800.00 to $562,575.00. CMT provided an engineer’s estimate of $240,000.00 for this project. This estimate is significantly less than the lowest bid amount due to the unprecedented labor and supply chain shortages and the recent pandemic. Even with only four bids received, due to the tight grouping of the two lowest bids (within 7.9% of the lowest bid amount), the WPD and CMT believe the bids accurately and fairly reflect the actual construction cost for this project.
Performance Construction & Engineering, LLC submitted the lowest, responsive, responsible bid, in the amount of $367,800.00. CMT has stated that Performance Construction & Engineering, LLC has completed numerous underground piping projects with a similar scope of work and are qualified to complete this project. Therefore, the WPD recommends Performance Construction & Engineering, LLC as the lowest responsive, responsible bidder for this project.
The Local Preference Ordinance did apply to the bid, however, it did not impact the low bidder recommendation.
The WPD requested funding in the Capital Improvement Program to complete this work via CIP #I045 which was approved, and funding has been carried-over to the 2022 budget in the WPD's budget account 510-4058-511-32-23.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
Without completing this replacement project, the existing capital infrastructure (NPS master meter) will continue to remain non-functional.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That a contract be awarded to Performance Construction & Engineering, LLC, in the amount of $367,800.00 for the Normal Pressure System (NPS) Master Meter Replacement project for the Water Production Division. It is further recommended that this matter be forwarded to the Infrastructure & Technology Committee for their review and approval
cc: Infrastructure & Technology Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution to Award a Contract to Performance Construction & Engineering, LLC for the Normal Pressure System (NPS) Master Meter Replacement project in the amount of $367,800.00 for the Water Production Division
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WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, the Aurora Water Treatment Plant has been in continuous operation for 29 years since 1992; and
WHEREAS, all water pumped from the facility to the Normal Pressure System is metered by a single, distinct flow meter which is also 29 years old and currently non-functional; and
WHEREAS, replacement and relocation of a replacement meter is required for proper, accurate, and precise flow meter functioning into the future; and
WHEREAS, the Water Production Division seeks to complete a replacement project for the Normal Pressure System master flow meter; and
WHEREAS, bids were advertised, received, and publicly opened and read on December 22, 2021, for the Normal Pressure System (NPS) Master Meter Replacement project, Bid No. 21-76; and
WHEREAS, Performance Construction & Engineering, LLC, is the lowest, responsive, responsible bidder in the amount of $367,800.00; and
WHEREAS, budgetary authority is granted via CIP #I045 and funding has been provided in the 2022 budget in Account No. 510-4058-511-32-23;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: that its Director of Purchasing be and is hereby authorized to enter a contract and issue purchase orders for the Normal Pressure System (NPS) Master Meter Replacement project, to Performance Construction & Engineering, LLC, as bid per the contract documents, in a total amount of $367,800.00.