Staff recommends $7.44 million award for 3.3-mile Caws Creek force main; item placed on consent

County public-works staff recommended awarding a $7,444,405 contract to Strickland & Sons Pipeline for the Caws Creek Water Reclamation Facility effluent force main during the Sept. 30 Oconee County Board of Commissioners meeting.

Staff said the project calls for a 24-inch effluent force main extending approximately 3.3 miles from the College Creek Water Reclamation Facility to the Oconee River and would enable discharge of up to 3,000,000 gallons per day of treated wastewater. Eight bids were received and staff determined Strickland & Sons was the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.

“My recommendation is to consider awarding contract to Strickland and Sons pipeline,” Adam, public-works staff, told the board. Staff reported the financial impact as $7,444,405 and said the request includes necessary budget amendments up to the contract amount for the life of the project.

Why it matters: The project increases wastewater conveyance capacity and is a significant capital investment for the county. Staff said the 24-inch pipe is sized for peak flows and may accommodate larger peak capacity; staff offered to follow up with the commissioners on exact peak-sizing details.

Procedure and next steps: Staff presented the item as part of the consent agenda. The transcript shows questions from commissioners about capacity and prior experience with Strickland & Sons, and staff said the county had contracted with the firm previously on the Watkinsville Sewer Project. The meeting record does not show a separate roll-call vote on the contract award within the portion of the transcript provided; the item was presented for approval as part of consent.

Ending: Staff will proceed with contracting steps consistent with the county’s procurement rules if the board approves the consent agenda; staff offered to provide additional detail on force-main sizing if requested.