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Council greenlights design‑build procurement step for new high‑efficiency wastewater plant
Summary
Bastrop approved engaging Trane Technologies under an Omnia Partners cooperative agreement to begin design‑build work and early design for a new high‑efficiency wastewater treatment facility; staff said the move shortens schedule and will be followed by cost estimates and funding options.
The City Council approved a resolution April 8 authorizing the city to use the Omnia Partners cooperative purchasing agreement to engage Trane Technologies for a design‑build approach to replace or expand the city’s wastewater treatment capacity.
Staff presented the item as an initial step to accelerate delivery of new prefabricated, high‑efficiency treatment elements and to obtain an opinion of probable cost. The cooperative (Omnia Partners) allows the city to select a pre‑qualified design‑build provider without a separate competitive solicitation for each procurement step, which staff said can shorten overall delivery time.
Council discussion focused on sizing and funding. Councilmember Lee asked whether the project being considered would reach 6 million gallons per day (MGD) capacity; staff answered that combining the city’s existing 2 MGD and the 4 MGD package under consideration would reach a combined 6 MGD but that final sizing and a firm price would follow further engineering and an opinion of probable cost. Staff said funding options will draw from potential partnerships, impact fees, developer contributions and other mechanisms; staff will return with a recommended funding plan following the opinion of probable cost.
Why it matters The city has been tracking wastewater capacity thresholds and staff said the design‑build path and use of cooperative purchasing will reduce lead time compared with a traditional design‑bid‑build approach. Council approval allows staff to proceed with design development and cost estimating and to negotiate a project development agreement (PDA) under the cooperative contract.
Next steps Staff will produce a refined cost estimate and funding plan, return to council with the PDA and proposed financing strategy, and proceed to construction once funding and final council approvals are secured.
