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Council accepts overestimate bid for BNR Plant 1 odor‑control and control upgrades to avoid further delay
Summary
City staff told council the only bid for the final construction package of the biological nutrient removal program exceeded the engineer's estimate by about $1.3 million; council accepted the lowest bid to avoid rebidding delays and potential loss of funding, with staff noting the increase remains within the program budget.
The Wichita City Council on Oct. 7 approved acceptance of the single bid submitted for the final construction package at Wastewater Treatment Plant 1 as part of the city’s biological nutrient removal (BNR) program.
Public works director Gary Janssen said the lone bid exceeded the engineer’s estimate by roughly $1.3 million — about a 12% increase — driven by work on active infrastructure, constrained shutdown windows and inflationary pressures in materials and labor. The item includes odor‑control upgrades and electronics/SCADA work at Plant 1. Janssen told council that accepting the low bid avoids a costly and time‑consuming rebid, which could delay work and risk funding.
Janssen noted the program’s overall budget (previously approved at about $387 million) still covers the revised estimate and that staff have used value engineering across packages to realize savings. Council members asked about schedule impacts and contingencies; staff said schedule disruption is not expected and that the project includes contingency funding that has been managed through value engineering and prior change orders.
Council approved acceptance of the bid by roll call (7–0). Staff said a change order related to other packages will come to council later and reiterated this award keeps the project moving toward odor‑control and infrastructure improvements for the surrounding neighborhoods.
