Posting Language
Title
Authorize a contract for construction services for the McNeil Drive Water Transmission Main Project with Southland Contracting, Inc., in the amount of $50,734,011, plus a $5,073,401, contingency for a total contract amount not to exceed $55,807,412. Funding: $55,807,412 is available in the Capital Budget of the Austin Water Department. Related to Item #23.
Body
Lead Department
Financial Services Department.
Managing Department
Capital Delivery Services.
Amount and Source of Funding
Funding is available in the Capital Budget of the Austin Water Department.
Purchasing Language:
The Financial Services Department issued a Competitive Sealed Proposal CSP 6100 CLMB343 for these services. The solicitation was issued on November 18, 2024, and closed on February 27, 2025. Of the six offers received, the recommended contractor submitted the best evaluated responsive offer. A complete solicitation package, including a log of offers received, is available for viewing on the City’s website, This information can currently be found at https://financeonline.austintexas.gov/afo/account_services/solicitation/solicitation_details.cfm?sid=139078 .
MBE / WBE:
This contract will be awarded in compliance with City Code Chapter 2-9A (Minority-Owned and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Procurement Program) by meeting the goals with 7.56% MBE and 1.59% WBE participation.
Prior Council Action:
July 20, 2023 - Council authorized use of Competitive Sealed Proposal of contracting as the type of Alternative Delivery Method, item 49, Resolution No. 20230720-049. Approved on Consent.
For More Information:
Direct questions regarding this Recommendation for Council Action to the Financial Services Department - Central Procurement at: FSDCentralProcurementRCAs@austintexas.gov or 512-974-2500. Respondents to the solicitation and their Agents should direct all questions to the Authorized Contact Person identified in the solicitation.
Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action:
May 21, 2025 - To be reviewed by the Water and Wastewater Commission.
Additional Backup Information:
The McNeil Drive transmission main is a part of the transmission investments identified in the 2021 Winter Storm Uri After Action Report and the 2022 Ullrich Upset Boil Water Notice and is a critical transmission piece of the Northwest A Pressure Zone. Additionally, the McNeil Drive transmission main is a part of the Strategic Long Range Facility Plan.
Transmission capacity is currently limited from delivering water from the Handcox Water Treatment Plant across the Northwest A Pressure Zone and work is needed to extend the gravity flow from the Handcox Water Treatment Plant to allow for better management of Jollyville storage and Spicewood Springs pumpage and provide added supply reliability. After completion of the McNeil Drive Water Transmission Main, the existing main, also in McNeil Drive, will be converted to the Northwest B Pressure Zone. This will improve both system looping and service to the Northwest B Pressure Zone.
This project involves the construction of a 72-inch transmission main to service North and Northwest Austin. Project infrastructure includes 8,500 feet of 72-inch diameter tunneled transmission main along McNeil Drive from the 84-inch Jollyville transmission main to the 54-inch Martin Hill transmission main and multiple 24-inch transmission mains at Parmer Lane This project will also construct additional connectivity improvements at the Jollyville facility. The McNeil Drive 72-inch transmission main will resolve the current problem of inadequate transmission capacity of gravity flow, headloss, and increase flow from the Handcox Water Treatment Plant.
Due to the potential for encountering unexpected conditions during construction, a 10% contingency is included in the recommended contract amount to allow for the expeditious processing of any change orders. By authorizing the additional contingency funding, Council is authorizing any change orders within the contingency amount.
The project proposes lane closures and/or detours. The contractor will install appropriate traffic detour signs and barricades to direct traffic. The contractor will work to ensure that residents and businesses always have access to their driveways. If access cannot be maintained, written notice of limited access will be provided to the affected property owner(s) at least 24 hours in advance. In addition, there will be planned temporary water and wastewater service interruptions, primarily during pipeline tie-in and service reconnection. Residents and businesses will be notified at least 48 hours in advance of planned service interruptions.
Delay or deferral of this contract will have a negative effect on infrastructure reliability and decrease future water supply to North and Northwest Austin Water customers.
The contract allows 879 calendar days for completion of the project.
This project is located within zip code 78727 (District #6).