Memorandum
City of Lawrence
Utilities
Please include the following item on the consent agenda for the May 9, 2006 City Commission meeting.
Authorize the Interim City Manager to execute a contract agreement and purchase order with Black & Veatch Corporation in the amount of $135,000.000 to complete predesign tasks for improvements to the Anaerobic Digester Process and small maintenance projects at the City of Lawrence Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Project Description :
The project involves converting an existing storage tank into a third anaerobic digester vessel and modifying the gas control building/equipment to allow processing additional digester gas. This is a Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) project that was recommended as part of the 2003 Wastewater Master Plan. Additional project scope includes replacing or upgrading aging and obsolete solids handling equipment. Solids handling modifications were originally small maintenance projects.
Project Status/ Details:
January 2006: The Utilities Department requested proposals and received a response from Black & Veatch Corporation (B&V). Camp Dresser McKee, Burns & McDonnell and Olsson Associates attended the mandatory site visit but elected not to submit proposals. Carollo Engineers did not respond to the RFP.
February 2006: Utilities staff evaluated the proposal and recommends negotiating a contract with B&V based on Black & Veatch’s familiarity with the City’s existing digester process, experience with similar digester upgrade projects, and ability to coordinate design at the Kaw Wastewater Treatment plant with regulatory matters and schedule for the future Wakarusa Wastewater Treatment Plant.
March/April 2006: Contract negotiations began in mid March. Black & Veatch and Utilities Department staff negotiated the final Predesign scope of services and fee; the requested contract amount includes laboratory services for digester gas testing.
Proposed Schedule:
Black and Veatch submitted the following preliminary schedule. Actual construction time will depend on the results of the project predesign phase.
Preliminary Design: May through July 2006
Final Design: July through December 2006
Construction: Mid 2007 though early 2008
Project Funding:
This project will be funded from the 2006 Utility Department Capital Improvement Project non-bonded construction fund.
Action Request:
The Utilities Department seeks approval from the City Commission to negotiate an Engineering Services Agreement with Black & Veatch to design modifications to the anaerobic digester process at the Kaw Wastewater Treatment Plant.