Agenda Item Wording:
title
Award Contract for Solids Handling Improvement Project - Authorize the City Manager to award a construction contract to WM Lyles in the amount of $13,744,000 for the Solids Handling Improvement Project at the Visalia Water Reclamation Facility.
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Prepared by: Rehana Cale, Senior Project Manager (559) 713-4176, rehana.cale@visalia.city; Ben Litwack, Public Works Manager (559) 713-4716, ben.litwack@visalia.city
Department Recommendation: Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to award a contract to WM Lyles in the amount of $13,744,000 for RFB 24-25-11 - Solids Handling Improvement Project.
Summary:
The Solids Handling Improvement Project, CP0636, is estimated at $19,100,000, budgeted in Fiscal Year 2025/26. Construction, construction management, and materials testing services are included in this budget. The Request for Bids for the Solids Handling Improvement Project, RFB 24-25-11, was sent out on May 19, 2025 and the bid closing was July 16, 2025.
WM Lyles was determined to have submitted the lowest responsive bid of $13,744,000. Staff recommends awarding the construction contract to WM Lyles in the amount of $13,744,000.
Background Discussion:
The Water Reclamation Facility (WRF) has, and is currently, experiencing capacity and operational challenges in its solids handling processes due to aging infrastructure, existing and projected increased flows and constituent loadings, and operational limitations of existing systems. In response, the City contracted with Carollo in 2023 to conduct a condition assessment and development of both a near-term Facility Plan and a 20-year Master Plan. Carollo identified $70 million in near-term projects, including upgrades to sludge systems, UV disinfection capacity, and construction of a new anaerobic digester, with $24,760,000 recommended for immediate action. On June 26, 2024, Council adopted the updated Master Plan, that included these projects. On June 2, 2025, Council approved updates to the Fiscal Year 2025/26 Wastewater Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Budget and appropriated $24,760,000 from the Wastewater Fund (431).
RFB 24-25-11 for the Solids Handling Improvement Project was advertised beginning May 19, 2025 and the RFB closed on July 16, 2025. The project received the following 6 bids:
|
Proposer’s Name |
Location |
Total Bid Amount |
|
WM Lyles |
Fresno, CA |
$13,744,000 |
|
GSE Construction Company |
Livermore, CA |
$13,993,100 |
|
Clark Brothers Inc |
Fresno, CA |
$14,749,000 |
|
Mountain Cascade Inc |
Livermore, CA |
$17,092,925 |
|
Thompson Builders Corp |
Novato, CA |
$18,255,000 |
|
Unified Field Services Corp |
Bakersfield, CA |
$19,756,845 |
WM Lyle’s bid proposal was determined to be the lowest responsive bid and as part of the review process, the references they provided were verified. The references provided included the City of Imperial, CA, the City of Roseville, CA, and the Inland Empire Utilities Agency. These references were called by City staff with favorable responses from all parties. Additionally, WM Lyles and all of their listed subcontractors are properly licensed As a result, staff recommends that the construction contract be awarded to WM Lyles.
Fiscal Impact: The total cost of this contract with WM Lyles is $13,744,000, which will be funded through the Solids Handling Improvement Project CP0636 within the Wastewater Fund 431.
Prior Council Action: April 3, 2023 - Council approved a contract with Carollo to perform a Condition Assessment, Facility Plan, and Master Plan Update for the WRF.
December 18, 2023 - Council approved Contract with Carollo for engineering services related to the identified near-term projects.
December 18, 2023 - Council approved a request from the Goshen Community Services District to increase sewer discharge capacity.
February 20, 2024 - Council received a report and presentation on the Facility Plan, Condition Assessment, and Master Plan update for the WRF.
June 2, 2025 - Council approved updates to the Fiscal Year 2025/26 Wastewater Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Budget, and appropriated $24,760,000 from the Wastewater Fund (431). The Solids Handling Improvement Project, CP0636, was included in the budget update, comprising of $19,100,000 of the $24,760,000 budgeted for Fiscal Year 2025/26.
June 17, 2025 - Council approved a contract with NV5 for Construction Management and Materials Testing services for the Water Reclamation Facility’s Solids Handling Improvement Project in the amount of $1,243,847.69.
Other: N/A
Alternatives: None recommended.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I move to authorize the City Manager to award a contract to WM Lyles in the amount of $13,744,000 for RFB 24-25-11 - Solids Handling Improvement Project.
Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: Notice of exemption 2024-41 was prepared for the updated Master Plan and submitted on 9/6/2024, and received no responses.
Deadline for Action: 8/4/2025
Attachments:
Attachment 1: WM Lyles’s Bid Proposal
Attachment 2: RFB 24-25-11 Solids Handling Improvement Project