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Carroll County hires AECOM as owner’s representative for Piney Run Dam design; NRCS funding expected
Summary
The board approved a $75,000 owner's‑representative contract with AECOM to develop scope, coordinate with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Maryland Department of the Environment, and support solicitation of design consultants for Piney Run Dam rehabilitation. NRCS has indicated nearly $1 million in obligation for the next phase.
The Board of Carroll County Commissioners voted April 2 to award a contract to AECOM to serve as the county’s owner’s representative for design and permitting work related to Piney Run Dam.
Procurement and planning staff told the board AECOM previously completed the watershed study and has five years of project familiarity; the recommended contract is a single‑source award for $75,000 to help the county develop the design scope, work with NRCS and the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), and manage procurement of a design consultant. Staff said NRCS has obligated close to $1 million to support the county’s design and permitting phase.
Staff described the upcoming work as the second phase after the watershed study: “Their first order of business would be to develop the scope of work, work with NRCS…and get the application in with NRCS so we can get that million dollars to support the design work,” said a county planning official.
Officials said the owner's‑representative role is expected to be a cost‑plus arrangement used as needed over approximately the next two years. During the discussion, staff emphasized the technical complexity and the advantage of continuing with a firm familiar with the project, noting the county previously used open procurement for the watershed study.
The board’s motion to award the contract was moved and seconded; after a brief call for discussion the commissioners voted in favor and the motion carried.
Why it matters: Piney Run Dam was identified in 2018 as potentially not meeting modern design standards; NRCS program funding and county engagement will drive design, permitting and later rehabilitation work. Using a single‑source owner's representative can expedite coordination with NRCS and MDE but reduces competitive procurement for that specific assignment; county staff said AECOM’s prior project experience justifies the approach.
Next steps: staff will work with AECOM to finalize scope and pursue the NRCS‑supported design procurement and permitting activities.
