Posting Language
Title
Authorize a contract for the overhaul of the vertical turbine pump for Austin Water with Marine Services LLC d/b/a North Star Industries, for an amount not to exceed $93,950. Funding: $93,950 is available in the Operating Budget of Austin Water.
Body
Lead Department
Austin Financial Services.
Client Department(s)
Austin Water.
Fiscal Note
Funding in the amount of $93,950 is available in the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Operating Budget of Austin Water.
Procurement Language:
Austin Financial Services issued an Invitation for Bids solicitation IFB 2200 CSH1055 for these services. The solicitation was published on February 23, 2026, and closed on April 16, 2026. Of the two offers received, the bids submitted by the recommended contractor was the lowest responsive bids received. 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=143710.
MBE/WBE:
This solicitation was reviewed for subcontracting opportunities in accordance with City Code Chapter 2-9B (Minority-Owned and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Procurement Program) and subcontractor goals were applied to the solicitation. The recommended contractor provided sufficient evidence of good faith efforts and the resulting contract will include no subcontracting goals.
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:
July 15, 2026 - Recommended by the Water and Wastewater Commission on an 8-0 vote, with three absences.
Additional Backup Information:
This contract will provide the full overhaul of Washwater Return Vertical Turbine Pump #1 located in the Recycle Pump Station at Handcox WTP. This pump is one of two vertical turbine pumps designed to operate at 1,100 gallons per minute (GPM) and plays a critical role in returning backwash water to the head of the plant for reuse. The pump station operates in a lead/lag configuration based on wet well levels or to maintain a percentage of the plant's flow rate.
Pump #1 is over 10 years old and has reached the end of its recommended service interval. A full overhaul is necessary to restore performance, prevent mechanical failure, and ensure continued compliance with operational and environmental standards.
If this contract is not approved, Austin Water risks mechanical breakdown of the pump, which could compromise washwater return operations at Handcox Water Treatment Plant.