Board reviews GMP submission and discusses procurement options for new water plant

Riviera Beach officials heard updates Tuesday from the Haskell/CDM Smith joint team and staff on the Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) submission for the citys new water treatment plant and discussed procurement and financing options.

Suzanne McAleer of CDM Smith said the team has supported applications for state and federal funding streams, including the Florida State Revolving Fund; staff said the project team has requested approximately $157 million in SRF support as part of the funding strategy. City staff and consultants reported the current GMP and associated project components could range widely, with one total estimate discussed at about $451.8 million for the overall program (including raw/transmission lines, new wellfield, pumping, storage and demolition). Staff specifically discussed a figure in the vicinity of $280 million for the plant GMP component and roughly $40 million for raw and transmission works.

"GMP stands for guaranteed maximum price," Director Joshua Neiman explained to the public and the board, adding that the GMP process provides a capped price for the work defined in the GMP except for owner‑directed scope changes.

Board members expressed two parallel concerns: speed and competition. Several board members asked staff to negotiate with the JV now while also preparing bid documents so the city could put work to public bid if negotiations do not achieve an acceptable number. One member urged a 30‑day timeline to ready procurement documents; others cautioned about holiday schedule delays and recommended one‑on‑one briefings with staff to clarify board direction before protracted negotiations.

Mayor Douglas Lawson and other board members raised affordability concerns, noting that residents would ultimately pay for operations and capital costs and asking staff to return with a clear funding plan and off‑ramp options at the next meeting. Staff said they are reconciling prior solicitations and will provide cost comparisons to other recently built membrane facilities to give board members a clearer basis for decisions.

The board directed staff to schedule rapid briefings with individual members, to continue GMP negotiations with the JV team, and to prepare procurement documents so the board can opt for competitive bidding if it chooses. Staff also said they will provide an off‑ramp analysis and a more complete funding options memo at the next meeting.