Tippy-Chapman Sewer Bids Below Estimate
By Deb Patterson
InkFreeNews
NORTH WEBSTER — The first of three preselection bid proposal packages came in 32% lower than the engineer’s estimate for the Tippecanoe & Chapman Regional Sewer District project, according to a report by Steve Henschen, Jones Petrie Rafinski engineer. Henschen presented the report Monday, June 14, at the district’s regular meeting.
The grinder station preselection proposals were submitted by two companies, each receiving approval by the district board. The purpose of the equipment preselection is to lock in pricing of equipment for contractors during the bidding process, ensure the system design will work with selected equipment and ensure the equipment is reliable, supported and serviced in a timely manner.
The three-member district engineering committee — Jon Tyler, Brian Davison and Jeff Thornburgh — opened the proposals on May 19 and reviewed and scored the details based on five criteria areas.
Environment One’s grinder stations’s quote of $3.5 million was accepted for type one and two stations (one or two single family connections) and Crane Pump Systems’ quote of $143,000 was accepted for type three and type four stations (multifamily and commercial connections). There will be close to 400 type one/two stations and approximately 30 type three/four stations.
JPR had estimated $5.2 million for the type one and two stations. However, the estimates for type three and four stations was estimated at $140,000.
Tyler noted the scoring was close on both companies, but the committee was unanimous in its decision. “Thirty-two percent (under) was surprising …” said Tyler. Davison pointed out the electrical costs to operate the pumps were considered as well.
Henschen explained NIPSCO provides a flat rate for 1.1 horsepower pumps or less. REMC charges for a meter plus the electric. E1 quoted a one horsepower pump, while Crane’s quote was for a two horsepower pump. It was noted the district can have no more than four pumps on a meter, while the plan is to gang up with as many as possible on the REMC system. The district is equally split on the electric providers.
Preselection packages will be prepared for quotes in August on flow meters and air release valves. A third preselection package will be prepared to receive quotes in October on numerous other items including valves, pump station equipment and standby generator sets.
Open House
Open house dates were set at 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, July 31 and Aug. 28, for people to come and ask questions.
It was noted this would not be a meeting, but an informational session. Stations will be set up where people can get engineering and legal questions answered. There may be brief presentations made during that time frame.
The open house will be held in the gymnasium at the North Webster Community Center.
JPR staff will also be available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday starting July 12, and from 8:30-11:30 a.m. Saturday, July 17, 31 and Aug. 14 and 28, for future customers to come in and ask questions. The JPR staff will be in the district’s office in the North Webster Community Center. The weekday hours may go beyond Labor Day.
Work is in the process of getting a phone line connected to the district’s office.
During other matters, the board heard the monthly report from JPR that included information about the state revolving fund application for funds. Henschen stated the district’s project will be evaluated for placement on the project priority list by the end of June and notice of funding commitment would be made the end of July or early August.
With the easement/land acquisition work nearing completion around Tippecanoe Lake, documents regarding easements and/or land acquisition will soon be going out to property owners. Work around Chapman Lake is over halfway completed. Documents will be sent to those residents once 90% of the work is completed. The documents will come on the letterhead of the office of the district’s legal counsel.
A rate report update will be presented tentatively in August, after information regarding the SRF funding is received.
The next regular meeting of the board will be 6:30 p.m. Monday, July 12, in the banquet room at the North Webster Community Center.