Manassas Park approves $228,888 Meeker Court sewer rehab via state job-order contract

Manassas Park’s governing body on Dec. 16 authorized a $228,888.05 work order to the Matthews Group for the rehabilitation of a 150-foot section of sewer on Meeker Court, using DGS contract CTR025591, and approved a program-administration fee of $11,444.41 to Gordian.

Mark Closure, the city’s general services administrator, told council the city is using job-order contracting (JOC) under the Virginia Public Procurement Act to access prequalified contractors through a program administrator. “Job order contracting … is procuring construction projects by going to a list of prequalified construction firms,” Closure said, framing JOC as a way to fill the procurement gap between small purchases and full design-bid projects. Closure said the JOC contracts allow individual projects up to $1,000,000 and regional contract caps that the Commonwealth manages.

Calvin O’Dell, director of community development, described why the work is necessary: televising of the line revealed offsets at multiple joints that expanded an intended point repair into a 150-foot replacement, with excavations about 8–10 feet deep. O’Dell said the contractor will set up bypass pumping for roughly 10 homes so service is maintained and that staff does not expect “major interruption of sewer service to any of the residents” beyond temporary lateral tie-in impacts.

O’Dell said the city will schedule the work to coincide with the reopening of asphalt plants so streets can be repaved promptly; resurfacing beyond the trench will be handled by a local contractor the city has on fixed price terms. He also said resident communications will be required and reviewed by staff and provided in both English and Spanish. Council members asked how Gordian selected the Matthews Group and how the city would ensure competitive pricing and contractor accountability; staff responded that Gordian recommended available, qualified firms from the prequalified list and that the Matthews Group will sign a city contract and be held to the contract terms.

The motion to authorize the contract and fee was moved, seconded and carried on a voice vote. The contract term as referenced by staff runs through April 2026; staff said Gordian’s program-administration work is paid only if the council approves the construction work.