Posting Language
Title
Authorize a contract for construction services for the Ullrich Water Treatment Plant Inherently Safer Disinfection Conversion for Austin Water with MGC Contractors in the amount of $81,555,085 plus an $8,155,509 contingency for a total contract amount not to exceed $89,710,594. Funding: $89,710,594 is available in the Capital Budget of Austin Water.
Body
Lead Department
Austin Financial Services.
Managing Department
Austin Capital Delivery Services.
Fiscal Note
Funding is available in the Capital Budget of Austin Water.
Procurement Language:
Austin Financial Services issued a Competitive Sealed Proposal solicitation CSP 6100 CLMB344 for these services. The solicitation was issued on April 27, 2026, and closed on July 23, 2026. The recommended contractor submitted the only responsive offer. A complete solicitation package, including a log of offer 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=140457.
MBE / WBE:
This contract will be awarded in compliance with the City Code Chapter 2-9A (Minority-Owned and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Procurement Program) by meeting the goals with 10.54% MBE and 2.02% WBE participation.
For More Information:
Direct questions regarding this Recommendation for Council Action to Austin Financial Services - 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:
October 14, 2026 - To be reviewed by the Water and Wastewater Commission.
Additional Backup Information:
Ullrich Water Treatment Plant was commissioned in 1969 and supplies a large portion of potable water to the City of Austin. Ullrich Water Treatment Plant currently uses gaseous chlorine and anhydrous ammonia disinfection systems, which requires the bulk delivery, storage and handling of these hazardous chemicals.
This project is intended to convert from gaseous chlorine and anhydrous ammonia to on-site generation of sodium hypochlorite (OSGSH) and liquid ammonium sulfate (LAS), respectively, which are both inherently safer technologies for water treatment disinfection. The OSGSH system will use electrolysis to convert sodium chloride (salt) and water into 0.8% sodium hypochlorite. The LAS system will store and feed ammonia in a liquid, non-hazardous form. This project will eliminate the need for the use of gaseous chlorine and anhydrous ammonia for disinfection, representing a major safety improvement for the City and the surrounding community. A critical component of this project is the need to maintain operation of the plant, including disinfection processes, throughout these improvements. A temporary sodium hypochlorite storage and feed system will be utilized while the gaseous chlorine system is demolished and replaced with the OSGSH system.
Due to the potential for unforeseen conditions, a 10% contingency in funding has been included to cover any unforeseen construction costs associated with the project and 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.
This project will occur in a continuously operating water treatment plant but will work to minimize production interruptions during construction and any impact on customer service. The project does not currently expect any significant plant shutdowns that would negatively impact on customer service. There is no traffic impact on the community, as the project is with in Ullrich Water Treatment Plant.
If the contract is not approved, it would delay the elimination of gaseous chlorine and anhydrous ammonia usage for disinfection and the conversion to a new, safer form of disinfection.
The contract allows 840 calendar days for completion of this project.
This project is located within zip code 78746 (District 8).