SFPUC approves up to $42 million construction‑management contract for Southeast biosolids digesters

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission voted May 8 to approve awarding professional services contract PR0068 to Arcadis U.S. Inc. for construction‑management staff augmentation on the Southeast biosolids digester facilities project, with an amount not to exceed $42,000,000 and a maximum duration of seven years, pending Board of Supervisors approval where required.

Carolyn Chu, project manager for the biosolids digester facilities project, said the contract brings onto the project team construction manager and resident engineer capabilities to augment city staff during construction. "With this approval today, you will be able to bring on basically the last members of the project team who will help us implement and construct this project at the Southeast plant," Chu said.

Commissioners probed how the $42 million figure was developed and noted there was only one bidder on the RFP. Chu said the amount stems from a staffing plan that compared city resources and the additional expertise needed; staff said many potential bidders were conflicted and that the Arcadis team includes key subconsultants HDR and CDM Smith.

One commissioner asked about project scale; staff noted the overall biosolids project budget is $1,300,000,000. After a motion, second and no public comment, the commission approved the contract by voice vote.

The authorization allows the general manager to negotiate and execute the agreement; any Board of Supervisors or mayoral approvals required by city rules would follow.