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Durant City Utilities Authority awards $31.38 million wastewater plant contract to Drake General Contractors
Summary
The Durant City Utilities Authority voted unanimously to award Drake General Contractors a $31,377,000 contract to renovate the city's wastewater treatment plant, increasing treatment capacity by about 40% and aiming to meet current DEQ requirements. Contracting and mobilization are expected within weeks.
The Durant City Utilities Authority voted unanimously to award a $31,377,000 contract to Drake General Contractors for a renovation of the city's wastewater treatment plant.
Philip, a city staff member who presented the bids, said five contractors submitted proposals at a bid opening on the 12th and Drake was the low bidder. "I just recommend that we approve Jake Drake," Philip said, recommending the authority accept the lowest responsive bid.
City staff said the scope grew during permitting and design and that the work should be described as a renovation rather than a minor rehabilitation. "We are adding about 40% capacity," Philip said, noting the project will both replace aging systems and expand the plant's treatment capability to comply with Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) requirements and the 2025 regulations.
Staff told trustees the city has the funding on hand and will hold roughly $1.5 million to $2 million in contingency for the project; those contingency funds could be returned or reallocated after completion. Officials estimated a two-year construction timeframe, with contractor mobilization typically beginning roughly 30 days after contract execution; staff said they expect mobilization before May 1 once contracting is complete.
Trustees asked about Drake's experience with wastewater facilities. Staff said Drake had acquired Heritage Construction, a company that has done work for the city, and that engineers reported two recently finished wastewater jobs had gone well. City staff reported they had extensive conversations with Drake and felt confident in the bidder's preparedness.
A motion to award the bid to Drake General Contractors was made and seconded; the clerk recorded affirmative votes from Trustee Miller, Trustee Morrison, Trustee Shear, Vice Chairman Similelescu and Chairman Tucker, and the motion passed 5-0.
The authority also approved an administrative notice of award to notify the contractor; staff said execution of the contract documents and final contracting steps remain before work begins.
