Authority Advances PR3 Reservoir and PRF Expansion Contracts, Authorizes Mitigation Deposit

The Peace River Manasota Regional Water Authority on Aug. 6 moved forward with multiple procurement and construction steps for its regional water projects, approving contractor prequalification, a construction guaranteed maximum price, an early‑works amendment, and authorization to place a deposit for mitigation bank credits if needed to secure permits.

For Reservoir Number 3 procurement, staff recommended three firms for prequalification to bid on the work: Barnard Construction Company Inc., Kiewit Infrastructure South, and Phillips & Jordan Inc. The board approved those prequalifications unanimously, authorizing staff to issue invitations to bid and return in December with the lowest qualified responsive bidders.

The board also approved a construction agreement/GMP with the construction manager at risk (Archer Western) for PR3 Volume 3 — the reservoir pump station — in an amount not to exceed $42,490,000, which staff said includes roughly $5 million in contingency. Mike Knowles described several value‑engineering measures that brought the package near earlier estimates, including revised piling and sheeting approaches, adjustment of pipe tie‑in locations and owner direct‑purchase packages. "This redesign has the same benefit expected life span as the secant pile wall that's currently in the design," Knowles said, noting the changes reduce cost while preserving long‑term performance.

On the Peace River Facility (PRF) expansion, staff presented Amendment No. 3 to the progressive design‑build agreement with Wharton Smith for the early‑works package in an amount not to exceed $13,809,472. The amendment covers site mobilization, temporary facilities, surcharging with on‑site fill (about 40,000 cubic yards), owner direct purchases and other early works; the motion to approve the amendment passed unanimously.

Jim Wheater, Director of Water Resources and Planning, briefed the board on wetland mitigation needs tied to PR3 permitting. Staff said the project footprint would create approximately 281 acres of unavoidable wetland impacts, translated to roughly 202 functional units, and that agency review may identify a shortfall of up to 20 mitigation units. Because the state ERP and the Corps' 404 permit are interdependent, staff requested authorization for the Executive Director to place a deposit with a mitigation banker if the shortfall is confirmed. Staff presented an illustrative figure: at $85,000 per credit, a 20‑credit scenario would cost about $1.7 million, and a 15% deposit on 20 credits would be $255,000. The board authorized the Executive Director to place a deposit up to $255,000 if needed.

All motions related to contractor prequalification, the GMP, the amendment and the mitigation deposit passed unanimously. Staff said permitting and procurement schedules target bid returns and additional approvals in December, with construction and early‑works activities continuing afterward.