Plymouth Utility Superintendent Donnie Davidson asked the Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety members last week to proceed with a planned capital improvement project.
Davidson explained that the Wastewater Department plans to renovate the primary anaerobic digester. “Phase number one is removing the material, power washing it and cleaning it as best as possible. Phase number two is performing the inspection and the third phase is doing the renovation.”
With it being a renovation project, there will be no engineering necessary and no IDEM permit needed as the city is not changing the process. Davidson recommended going through a guaranteed savings contract rather than the traditional bid process for the project.
“We would have the opportunity of saving on any type of work we were able to perform ourselves. It would be credited back to us. Once the inspection was made, then we wouldn’t be locked in to a traditional bid price on it. We would only be billed for the actual work performed.”
He added that the city can approve a state-approved contractor for the project.
The projected cost is about $800,000 which is a “worst case scenario” estimate, according to Davidson.
In addition to the request of going through the guaranteed savings contract, Davidson asked to advertise for a request for qualifications. Once they are available a committee will evaluate the contractors and then make a recommendation based on the evaluation point totals. The board members approved the requests with a unanimous vote.
