Posting Language
Title
Authorize a contract for construction services for the Crosstown Tunnel Centralized Odor Control Facility Project for Austin Water with Keeley Construction Group, Inc., in the amount of $15,121,200, plus a $1,512,100 contingency, for a total contract amount not to exceed $16,633,300. Funding: $16,633,300 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 an Invitation for Bids solicitation IFB 6100 CLMC1150 for these services. The solicitation was issued on January 12, 2026, and closed on February 26, 2026. Of the three bids received, the bid 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=143674.
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 8.53% MBE and 1.87% 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:
May 20, 2026 - Reviewed by the Water and Wastewater Commission.
Additional Backup Information:
Austin Water’s collection system is a large and complex, consisting of approximately 3,000 miles of wastewater mains and serving approximately one million customers, and is fundamental for the transfer of the wastewater to Austin Water’s treatment plants. The Crosstown Tunnel is a critical component of Austin’s wastewater collection system by collecting wastewater from most of north Austin for delivery to the Walnut Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant for treatment and discharge. Due to submerged and pressurized pipe sections near the Walnut Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant, the Crosstown Tunnel experiences odorous air releases and potential for infrastructure deterioration due to the harsh conditions and corrosive gases in the wastewater environment.
This project includes the construction of a centralized odor control facility to remove odorous and corrosive gases directly from the Crosstown Tunnel, treat these gases, and release the treated air into the atmosphere. The proposed system will consist of bio-trickling filter treatment units, blowers, reclaimed process water service, and associated electrical and controls infrastructure. This removal, treatment and disposal of the gases from the system will mitigate odor discharges from the system and mitigate corrosion issues along the tunnel’s length. This project supports Austin Water’s ongoing commitment to maintain a sustainable wastewater collection system.
This item includes one allowance of $75,000 to be used to address top end programming. 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 unforeseen and unknown site conditions and to minimize the potential for delays in completion of 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.
No impacts are expected as the project is entirely contained on city property that is not open to the public.
This construction contract is time-sensitive and is critical to the improvement of the infrastructure stability of Austin’s wastewater collection systems. A delay in contract approval increases the risk of further potential degradation to the collection system, and continuing odor complaints.
The contract allows 730 calendar days for completion of this project.
This project is located within zip code 78725 (District 1).