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Commission awards water-generator bid; single rebid came in above FEMA estimate
Summary
The commission awarded a rebid to supply two water-utility backup generators after staff said the lone responsive bid exceeded the original FEMA grant estimate. Staff said PRPC will pursue additional grant coverage for the overage.
The commission awarded a contract for two backup generators for the city’s water system after staff reported the rebid returned a single responsive proposal that exceeded the original FEMA grant estimate.
Luke, a city staff member, told the commission the project was rebid after an April solicitation produced two disqualified bids and two bids substantially above budget. On rebid, only one contractor responded with a bid of $486,005.40, which staff said is higher than the original FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program award of $379,180 (the grant was previously approved, staff said).
Luke described the procurement as covering two generators: one for a north-area well (North Press Power) and one for Pump Station 6, the latter to be a mobile 600 kW unit capable of powering multiple pumps during an outage. The Pump Station 6 generator was described as mobile so it can be redeployed in a large emergency.
Staff said the FEMA award and the associated match (discussed during the meeting as a local share) were based on earlier pricing; inflation and market changes explain some of the gap. Luke said the city’s regional partner, PRPC, is assisting with grant administration and staff were “fairly confident” PRPC could seek additional funding to cover the overage, though staff noted larger jurisdictions requesting very large awards have faced constraints with FEMA.
The commission moved and seconded to award the project to the responsive bidder; the motion carried by voice vote.
Why it matters: the generators are intended to keep wells and pump stations operational during power outages and to protect the municipal water supply. Staff emphasized this project addresses a vulnerability when power loss disrupts water delivery from the Roberts County well field.
Staff noted the funding implications: the original FEMA grant was set some years earlier and includes a local match; the city would be responsible for its portion of the award and, if needed, any approved overage after PRPC’s grant work.
Ending: staff said they will proceed with the awarded contractor and continue coordinating with PRPC on grant paperwork and any request for additional FEMA funding to cover the higher bid.
