Posting Language
Title
Authorize a contract for construction services for a new ammonia removal facility and certain drainage improvements at the Hornsby Bend Biosolids Management Plant for Austin Water with Matous Construction Ltd., in the amount of $29,915,026 plus a $2,991,503 contingency for a total contract amount not to exceed $32,906,529. Funding: $32,906,529 is available in the Capital Budget of Austin Water.
Body
Lead Department
Austin Financial Services.
Managing Department
Capital Delivery Services.
Fiscal Note
Funding is available in the Capital Budget of Austin Water.
Procurement Language:
Austin Financial Services issued an Invitation for Bids solicitation IFB 6100 CLMC1165 for the Hornsby Bend Biosolids Management Plant Process Ammonia Removal Facility and Drainage Improvements Project. The solicitation was published on June 29, 2026, and closed on August 13, 2026. Of the two bids received, the bids submitted by the recommended contractor was the lowest responsive bid. A complete solicitation package, including a tabulation of the bids 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=143984.
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 5.34% MBE and 15.48% WBE participation.
For More Information:
Direct questions regarding this Recommendation for Council Action to the 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:
November 10, 2026 - To be reviewed by the Water and Wastewater Commission.
Additional Backup Information:
This request is for authority to execute a construction contract for the Hornsby Bend Biosolids Management Plant Process Ammonia Removal Facility and Drainage Improvements Project.
The Hornsby Bend Biosolids Management Plant and Bird Observatory is located on a 1200-acre site that stretches along 3.5 miles of the Colorado River, approximately eight miles east of downtown Austin. The Plant has grown into a nationally recognized and award-winning biosolids recycling facility and previously the recipient of a first-place award by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its recycling program.
The Plant was established in the 1950’s and receives and treats biosolids generated by Austin’s two regional wastewater treatment plants. The treatment process includes thickening, anerobic digestion, dewatering, composting, effluent ponds, and on-site irrigation. The treated sludge is recycled into a stable organic product marketed under the trade name Dillo Dirt™ that can be used safely as a fertilizer for City park facilities and sold to the public as an EPA-certified soil conditioner.
The Hornsby Bend Biosolids Management Plant is a non-discharge facility, which does not discharge into waters of the US, per its Texas Commission on Environmental Quality permit. Currently, there is a side stream treatment plant and pond system that treats ammonia and nitrogen resulting from the main treatment process. The Ammonia Removal Facility will provide enhanced ammonia and nitrogen treatment to significantly reduce the ammonia and nitrogen levels being treated by the pond system.
This item includes five allowances:
• An allowance of $6,072,526 will be used to address provision of a complete De-ammonification System.
• An allowance of $59,500 will be used to address provision of a complete Vertical-shaft Hyperbolic Mixer.
• An allowance of $50,000 will be used to address contaminated soil or groundwater that is unexpectedly encountered during construction.
• An allowance of $150,000 will be used to address rip rap to reinforce the pond berm.
• An allowance of $83,000 will be used to address security upgrades.
An allowance is an amount that is specified and included in the construction contract or specifications for a certain item(s) of work when details are not determined at the time of bidding.
Due to the potential for encountering unforeseen conditions during construction, a 10% contingency in funding has been included to allow for the expeditious processing of any change orders to cover any unforeseen construction costs associated with the project. By authorizing the additional contingency funding, Council is authorizing any change orders within the contingency amount.
There will be no impact to the public as all work will be done on City property that is closed to the public.
If Council does not approve this item, ammonia and nitrogen levels would continue to be treated solely by the existing pond system, which may not achieve the desired environmental outcomes.
The contract allows 660 calendar days for completion of this project.
This project is located within zip code 78725 (District 2), within the City’s Extraterritorial Jurisdiction.