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CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL, ACCEPTANCE, REJECTION, AMENDMENT, AND/OR POSTPONEMENT OF BID-2021-35 AND THE NORMAN UTILITY AUTHORITY CONTRACT K-2021-70 WITH SOONER SIGHT UTILITY AND CONSTRUCTION IN THE AMOUNT OF $85,100; PERFORMANCE BOND B-2021-56; STATUTORY BOND B-2021-57; AND MAINTENANCE BOND MB-2021-43 FOR THE WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM SAMPLING STATIONS PROJECT.
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BACKGROUND: In order to meet federal and state requirements of the Revised Total Coliform Rule, staff must collect 90 bacteriological samples throughout the distribution system each month and report results to the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ). Currently, staff collects samples from businesses, schools, and homes, but many locations are not accessible at certain times of the year.
This project will install 43 sampling stations throughout the distribution system at ODEQ approved locations. These sites will provide staff easy access at all times of the year and will be tapped directly into a main water line. This will provide better representation of the water supplied by the City. Two stations are already existing, bringing our total number of stations to 45 once this project is complete. Two samples from each of the 45 stations will be collected each month in order to obtain 90 samples. Each station will be constructed of stainless steel, surrounded by a cover with Norman logo, locked with a padlock, and centered on a concrete pad. Norman Utilities Authority will purchase each station directly from an approved vendor, who will send the stations to the contractor for storage and installation.
DISCUSSION: The Invitation to Bid for Bid-2021-35 for Water Distribution System Sampling Stations project (Project WA0350) was published in the Norman Transcript on March 4 and March 11, 2021. Three contractors attended the optional pre-bid meeting held on March 15, 2021. Bids were opened on March 25, 2021, and eight contractors submitted bids. The bids ranged from $85,100 to $264,400. The bid results are shown in the attached bid tabulation.
Funding for the project is from the Water Fund (031) in the Water Distribution Sampling Station, Construction (Account 31993360-46101; Project WA0350) which has an available balance of $92,468.28.
The City of Norman is exempt from the payment of any sales or use taxes. Pursuant to Title 68 O.S., Section 1356 (10) and as allowed by Oklahoma Tax Commission Rules Part 27 Trust Authority 710:65-13-140, direct vendors to the NUA are also exempt from those taxes. A bidder and his subcontractors may exclude from their bid sales taxes on appropriate equipment, materials, and supplies that will not have to be paid while acting on behalf of the NUA. To minimize project costs, the NUA will make payment directly to vendors supplying equipment and materials for incorporation into the project.
Work on the project will commence in May 2021 after NUA approval of the contract and will continue for approximately 5 months.
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends the NUA accept bids meeting project specifications; award Bid-2021-35 to Sooner Sight Utility for Water Distribution System Sampling Stations in the amount of $85,100; approve Contract K-2021-70 and associated performance, statutory, and maintenance bonds; authorize execution of the contracts and bonds and the NUA to purchase equipment and supplies on behalf of the contractor for incorporation into the project.