Agenda Item Wording:
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Award Contract for Engineering Services Related to the Design of Digester 9 - Authorize the City Manager to award a contract to Carollo in the amount of $3,873,767 for professional services related to the design of Digester 9 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 Carollo for design and engineering services in the amount of $3,873,767 under RFP-24-25-07 - Professional Services to Design Digester 9 at the Visalia Water Reclamation Facility.
Summary:
Professional Services to Design Digester 9 falls under CP0789 for Anaerobic Digestion Capacity Expansion (near-term) and is budgeted at $4,200,000 for Fiscal Year 2025/26. The Request for Proposals for Professional Services to Design Digester 9, RFP 24-25-07, was sent out on June 6, 2025 and the submission deadline was initially July 17, 2025; this deadline was extended via an addendum issued on July 10, 2025, to close on July 31, 2025.
Carollo was determined to be the most qualified proposer after reviewing submittals and conducting interviews. Staff recommends awarding the design and engineering services contract to Carollo in the amount of $3,873,767 for RFP-24-25-07.
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 (Digester 9).
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).
RFP 24-25-07 for Professional Services to Design Digester 9 was advertised beginning June 6, 2025 and the RFP closed on July 31, 2025. The project received the following 2 proposals:
|
Proposer’s Name |
Location |
|
Carollo Engineering |
Fresno, CA |
|
Blackwater Engineering |
Fresno, CA |
Proposals were evaluated based on the following criteria, which also included interviewing each proposer after proposals were submitted:
|
Criteria |
Explanation |
Weight |
|
Merit of Proposals Submittal / Presentation |
•Proposals submittal thoroughness |
15 |
|
Knowledge and Expertise of Personnel/Firm |
• Capability of personnel • Firm qualifications • Adequacy of Staff to perform the work • Firms’ expertise demonstrated by examples of similarly completed plans. |
25 |
|
Understanding of Project |
•Knowledge of project, requirements |
20 |
|
Timeline |
•Ability to meet City schedule |
20 |
|
Record of Past Performance |
• References • Ability to work effectively with City staff, other public agencies and related parties. • Demonstrated ability to complete work tasks within project timelines and budget. • Any design recognition |
20 |
|
Total Points Possible |
100 |
Carollo’s Fee Proposal for Design and Engineering services for Digester 9 is available as an attachment for reference. Please note: the engineering design work will be performed under a Fixed Fee, and the construction support and commissioning related tasks will be billed as needed. The current estimated construction cost of this project is $38,700,000. Carollo’s proposed costs to complete the design and provide support during construction and commissioning phases fall well within industry standards.
Carollo’s proposal was determined to be the most qualified for this project based upon the aforementioned criteria, and as a result, staff recommends that Council authorize the City Manager award a contract to Carollo for design and engineering services in the amount of $3,873,767 related to RFP-24-25-07 - Professional Services to Design Digester 9 at the Visalia Water Reclamation Facility.
Fiscal Impact: The total cost of this contract to Carollo is $3,873,767. Funds are budgeted in the Wastewater Fund (431) in the Capital Improvement Program under CP0789 - Anaerobic Digestion Capacity Expansion (near-term).
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.
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 Anaerobic Digestion Capacity Expansion (near-term), CP0789, was included in the budget update, comprising of $4,200,000 of the $24,760,000 budgeted for Fiscal Year 2025/26.
Other: N/A
Alternatives: Not recommended.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I move to authorize the City Manager to award a contract to Carollo in the amount of $3,873,767 related to RFP-24-25-07- Professional Services to Design Digester 9 at the Visalia Water Reclamation Facility.
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: 10/6/2025
Attachments:
Attachment 1: Carollo’s Proposal
Attachment 2: Carollo’s Fee Proposal
Attachment 3: Carollo’s Scope of Services
Attachment 4: RFP 24-25-07 Professional Services to Design Digester 9