CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
title
Approve the award of Bid 23-012, 2023 Sanitary Sewer Smoke Testing-Tributaries of South Wastewater Pump Station, to RJN Group Inc. for an amount not to exceed $309,132, plus a 5% contingency
body
DEPARTMENT: Water Utilities
SUBMITTED BY: Darrell Blenniss, Director
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
N/A
BACKGROUND:
The objective of the smoke testing program is to identify defects in the sanitary sewer system. Smoke testing is a relatively simple process consisting of blowing smoke mixed with large volumes of air into the sanitary sewer lines, usually induced through the manholes. The smoke travels the path of least resistance and quickly shows in areas that allow surface water to inflow into the sanitary sewer system. The smoke will identify broken manholes and improper connections, including roof drains, sump pumps, storm sewer connections, yard drains, uncapped lateral lines and even will show cracked mains and laterals. If the pipeline has openings leading to the surface or a storm sewer, the smoke will follow the pathway and be visible at ground level. This program is part of Naperville’s ongoing effort to identify sources of rainfall-derived infiltration and inflow (RDII) in areas experiencing elevated flow during wet weather events.
In February 2023, the Water Utilities issued Bid 23-012 seeking a qualified contractor to provide smoke testing of approximately 172,699 linear feet of existing six 42-inch diameter sanitary sewer pipelines.
DISCUSSION:
The areas targeted for the project are Old Farm, Winchester Place, Waterfront Estates, Baileywood and Maplebrook East. The sanitary sewer smoke testing program is part of the Water Utilities IEPA required 10-year infiltration and inflow reduction program.
Advertisement Date: 02/21/2023 Bid Opening Date: 03/06/2023
Notices Sent: 224 Plan holders: 14
Bid Received: 2
Bid were received from the following vendors:
|
Firm Name |
Unit Price |
Bid Amount |
|
Duke’s Root Control, Inc. |
$ 0.75 |
$129,524.25 |
|
Engineers Estimate |
$ 1.75 |
$302,223.25 |
|
RJN Group, Inc. |
$ 1.79 |
$309,131.21 |
Staff’s review of the bids determined that, Duke’s Root Control, Inc. the apparent low bidder, did not meet the minimum qualifications. Specifically, the bid required the contractor to have successfully completed at least three municipal sanitary smoke testing projects of comparable size and scope. Therefore, Duke Root Control, Inc is determined to be non-responsible to perform this work.
The second bidder RJN Group has performed this work for the last two years and their work has been satisfactory. The winning bids in 2021 and 2022 were $1.10 and $1.62, respectively. There were two bidders in 2021 and one bidder in 2022.
The completion date of this contract is October 31, 2023.
FISCAL IMPACT:
CIP: N/A
Smoke testing for the sanitary sewers is expensed to the account number listed below for a total budget of $440,000 in 2023. The requested award including the contingency is accommodated within the budget
|
Account NumberFund DescriptionTotal Budget Amount |
|
|
|
41251520-531301 |
Water Utility Fund |
$620,000 |
Per Council directive, contingency on construction projects is set at 3% on projects over $500,000 and 5% on projects under $500,000.