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Utility board approves $1.3M emergency pipeline repair and $202,850 piggyback service contract
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Summary
The Riviera Beach Utility Special District approved an emergency purchase order for $1,300,459.65 to replace a failing force main and a piggyback purchase order of up to $202,850 for maintenance services; both resolutions passed unanimously at the March 18 meeting.
The Riviera Beach Utility Special District voted March 18 to authorize two procurement actions: an emergency purchase order to Murphy Pipeline Contractors for $1,300,459.65 to repair a failing force main, and a piggyback contract with R and M Service Solutions LLC not to exceed $202,850 for contract services.
Resolution 11-26UD authorized an emergency purchase order and a piggyback agreement using the City of Clearwater contract vehicle to fund work on a force main that runs from Singer Island to Lift Station 1A. Assistant Utility Director Richard Glenn described multiple major breaks in the line over the prior year and said the project will use a pipe-bursting method to replace the old 1950s-era pipe with a fused HDPE (high-density polyethylene) pipe. Glenn said the replacement will route wastewater to a gravity system during installation and that the new fused pipe should provide decades of service.
Glenn explained the operational rationale: repeated breaks have led to significant wastewater releases and recurring service disruptions; replacing the segment reduces spill risk and lowers long-term repair costs. The board approved the emergency purchase order by unanimous voice vote.
The board then considered Resolution 12-26UD to adopt a piggyback agreement with R and M Service Solutions LLC using the Town of Jupiter’s solicitation and to approve a purchase order not to exceed $202,850. City Manager Jonathan Evans and staff said piggybacking shortens procurement time and can yield lower prices because larger contracts achieve economies of scale. Board members asked staff to include a brief justification in future piggyback items explaining the decision to use an existing cooperative rather than issuing a local competitive bid; staff agreed.
Why it matters: the emergency repair addresses an aging force main that has failed multiple times and resulted in wastewater releases; the piggyback item signals the city will continue to use cooperative purchasing when staff can demonstrate time or cost savings.
What’s next: crews will proceed with the force-main replacement under the emergency order; staff will bring the wellfill master-plan and procurement-justification summaries back to the board in upcoming meetings.
