Agenda Item Wording:
title
Replacement of two groundwater monitoring wells - Authorize the City Manager to award an agreement to Arsenal Well Drilling, in an amount not to exceed $98,600 for the replacement of two groundwater monitoring wells at the Water Reclamation Facility.
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Agenda Date: 08/17/2026
Prepared by:
Rehana Lustyan, Senior Project Manager Rehana.Lustyan@visalia.gov (559) 713 4176 Ben Litwack, Public Works Manager Ben.Litwack@visalia.gov (559) 713 4671
Department Recommendation: Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to award an agreement for RFB‑24‑25‑63, Replacement of Two Groundwater Monitoring Wells, to Arsenal Well Drilling of Visalia, CA, in an amount not-to-exceed $98,600.
Summary:
The City of Visalia is required by the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board to repair or replace groundwater monitoring wells that have gone dry for more than four consecutive semi-annual monitoring cycles. Wells MW-H1 and MW-M at the Water Reclamation Facility meet this condition and require replacement.
Following completion of the design and planning work provided by Kenneth D. Schmidt and Associates, the City issued RFB-24-25-63 for construction of the replacement wells. Four bids were received, with Arsenal Well Drilling submitting the lowest responsible and responsive bid of $98,600.00.
Staff verified contractor licensing, DIR registration, subcontractor compliance, bid completeness, and references. Staff recommends issuing a purchase order to Arsenal Well Drilling.
Background Discussion:
Design-Phase Procurement (2025)
In early 2025, staff initiated preliminary planning to determine the required replacement approach for wells MW-H1 and MW-M. In February 2025, staff contacted local hydrogeologists to request informal quotes for planning and design services, using the 2024 2nd Semiannual Groundwater Monitoring Report as the basis for scope definition.
Providers were instructed to:
• Review MW-H1 and MW-M conditions in the monitoring report
• Provide planning and design for replacement wells screened in the upper aquifer
• Provide no construction services at this stage
Three hydrogeologists submitted quotes. Kenneth D. Schmidt and Associates provided the lowest responsible quote and was selected in March 2025.
Kenneth D. Schmidt and Associates delivered the finalized planning documents and design package in May 2025, including the Workplan used to define the technical specifications for construction. Upon acceptance, Public Works transmitted the design materials to Purchasing for drafting and advertisement of the RFB.
RFB Advertisement & Addendum Timeline (2026)
The Notice Inviting Bids was published on May 29, 2026, with formal advertisement occurring on June 4 and June 9, 2026.
The initial bid deadline was June 30, 2026.
On June 22, 2026, Purchasing issued Addendum No. 1, extending:
• Bid deadline → July 21, 2026
• Question deadline → July 9, 2026
This extension allowed staff additional time to review technical questions and permitted bidders to submit additional clarification requests.
Addendum No. 2 addressed all technical questions submitted and incorporated final direction from Kenneth D. Schmidt and Associates regarding logging requirements, vault details, survey tolerances, development discharge procedures, and construction clarifications.
Bid Results
Four bids were received on July 21, 2026:
|
Bidders |
Location |
Total Bid Amount |
|
Arsenal Well Drilling |
Visalia, CA |
$98,600.00 |
|
Katch Environmental |
Fresno, CA |
$116,315.00 |
|
Bradley & Sons |
Del Rey, CA |
$126,550.00 |
|
Living Water Industries |
Merced, CA |
$129,550.00 |
Arsenal Well Drilling is the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. Staff verified the contractor’s CSLB C-57 license, DIR registration, subcontractor DIR registration, submitted addenda acknowledgments, and required certifications. Reference checks returned positive results, and staff determined Arsenal is qualified to perform the work.
Fiscal Impact: No additional appropriation is required. Adequate funds are available in Wastewater Fund 431 within CIP CP0438 to fully support the project.
Prior Council Action: None
Alternatives:
1. Reject all bids and re-advertise the RFB (not recommended; bids were competitive and conforming).
2. Delay award, which may impact regulatory reporting timelines.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I move that the City Council authorize the City Manager to award an agreement for RFB-24-25-63, Replacement of Two Groundwater Monitoring Wells, to Arsenal Well Drilling in an amount not-to-exceed $98,600.00, and authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all necessary documents related to this project agreement.
Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: This action does not constitute a project under CEQA, pursuant to PRC §21065 and CEQA Guidelines §15378. This replacement of existing monitoring wells is categorically exempt as maintenance of existing facilities. No further review is required.
Deadline for Action: 8/17/2026
Attachments:
1. RFB-24-25-63 with all Exhibits, Addenda with respective attachments, and the Notice of RFB-24-25-63
2. Bid Tabulation Summary for RFB-24-25-63
3. Arsenal Well Drilling Bid Packet
4. Project Agreement
5. Consultant Disclosure Form
Strategic Goal: Indicates which City Strategic Goal(s) this item supports. Check all that apply.
