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Valdosta council approves multiple sewer rehabilitation and emergency repair contracts totaling multimillion-dollar bids
Summary
Council approved awards and 10% contingencies for several sewer projects: Knights Creek Trunk Line Phase 2 (low bid RPI $2,644,124; not-to-exceed with contingency $2,908,536.40), Reamer Sanitary Sewer Phase 1 (single bidder JWA; amount not specified in the transcript), and Sugar Creek emergency repairs (apparent low bid recommended to RPI, roughly $2.96 million).
The Valdosta mayor and council on April 10 approved a bundle of sewer projects and emergency-repair contracting actions presented by City Engineer Ben O'Dowd, authorizing construction awards and standard 10% contingencies for several contracts.
Knights Creek Trunk Line (Phase 2): O'Dowd explained that open-cut replacement was chosen over slip-lining or bursting because of diameter constraints and cost. Staff recommended the apparent low bid from RPI for $2,644,124 and asked for a standard 10% contingency, which the staff presented as a not-to-exceed total of $2,908,536.40. Council discussed the risk that unforeseen field conditions could create change orders and asked staff to provide unit-price schedules to compare bidders; the council approved the award and contingency by voice.
Reamer Sanitary Sewer (Phase 1): O'Dowd said the project would line an existing 18-inch carrier pipe with HDPE and that JWA was the single bidder and identified as the lowest responsible bidder. Staff noted previous cost-share agreements in the area tied to a new apartment complex and recommended approval; council approved the bid and applied a 10% contingency as presented. The transcript does not record a dollar award for the Reamer bid.
Sugar Creek emergency repairs: Staff reviewed emergency repairs to a failed 30-inch trunk line along Sugar Creek discovered during a November storm, described permitting steps (including railroad permitting) and recommended moving ahead with procurement given long lead times for materials. O'Dowd said the apparent low bidder was RPI with an amount presented in the transcript as approximately $2,960,795.45; staff recommended a 10% contingency. Council approved the recommendation.
Council members pressed staff on contingencies and asked for unit-cost schedules and transparency on anticipated change-order exposures. Staff reiterated that contingencies reflect unknown field conditions and that the 10% contingency is their standard but can be increased if necessary and returned for council approval.
