Board awards downtown interceptor contract to Atlas Excavating, increases contingency

The Board of Public Works and Safety on May 21 voted to award the downtown interceptor construction contract to Atlas Excavating and to raise the project construction contingency to 10% because of the risk of unforeseen underground conditions.

City staff recommended awarding the base bid plus mandatory alternate number 4 to Atlas Excavating, which staff said is based in Lafayette, Indiana and has experience in deep-pipe work. Staff reported the base bid plus alternate 4 totals $51,303,121; because that amount is below the previously budgeted figure, staff recommended increasing the contingency from 5% to 10% for the underground work. The board approved the award and the contingency adjustment by voice vote.

Staff initially described other mandatory alternate deducts and credits tied to surface restoration at Summit Street and the Erie Lackawanna Trail, but later recommended proceeding with only alternate 4 given uncertainties with state-level funding for trail restoration work. The board also agreed to table a related task order and said it will take that up at the next meeting.

A utilities representative said the city held a round-table meeting with Atlas's leadership to review expectations and that staff and the mayor's office felt the contractor could meet performance requirements. The board approved the award and the contingency increase; staff will return with the tabled task order at the next meeting.