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M The Department ofUtility Services Staff and engineer have discussed and negotiated with Wharton - Smith, the lowest bidder, several ideas to reduce the cost without down -grading the quality of the delivered product. It was concluded that the contractor upon award of this project will let the County pay directly for the cost of the materials. This potentially could save the County over $170,000.00 in sales tax. However, the contractor has also asked the County's cooperation in processing the purchase order and payment in the most expedient way in order not to delay the project progress . ALTERNATIVE BID is is an addition of a chlorine containment with a scrubber system for evacuation of a hazardous gas. This is to eliminate the problem in the event of a chlorine gas leak. Presently the state does not regulate this issue, however we think it would be prudent to enclose the building. The Department of Utility Services Staff has considered the safety issues, and has asked the engineer (CDM) to specify a design to be included in the bid for the Board of County Commissioners to approve. The cost for chlorine containment (modify the existing open building) with a Scrubber System is $160,000.00. ALTERNATIVE BID IT: relates to the upgrade in the existing laboratory and office plant building. The existing window air conditioning unit is insufficient for the computer and electronic monitoring instrumentation that are going to be located in the building. The level of moisture in the building exceeds the allowable level for electronic instrumentation. Therefore, this upgrade, including central air condition installation, air duct distribution system is to protect the County's investment. The cost for alternative No. 2 is $20,000.00. RECOMMENDATIONS Staff recommends approval and award of the contract to Wharton -Smith in the amount of $8,527,000.00 which includes the base bid, alternative bid no. I and alternative bid no. 2. Also, the staff recommends that the Board of County Commissioners approve the attached agreement in form and authorize the chairman to execute the agreement after all requirements are submitted and approved by the County Attorney's office. In addition the staff asks the Board of County Commissioners to approve the direct purchase through the contractor by providing issuance of a purchase order and payment . Commissioner Adams questioned the 2 items back-to-back dealing with the South County Wastewater Treatment Plant, and SWDD Director Terry Pinto advised that the first item is for the award of the bid for the South County project,- constructiomafthe-plant, and the second item is for additional work performed by the consultant. Commissioner Adams wanted to know whether any equipment in this bid was single -sourced, and Director Pinto advised that the same process was used as with other treatment plants, the process is single -sourced but bidders bid based on construction costs. The process chosen lowered the cost because the costs are less than building a normal aeration process, the design took into consideration total construction and operating costs. There are substantial performance guarantees, as in the West County operation. Chairman Eggert commented that the process was previously agreed upon and wondered what the source of discomfort was. Commissioner Adams was uncomfortable due to the $8,000,000 involved and did not believe enough time had been spent reviewing the voluminous backup. She believed that perhaps her level of confidence had been eroded. County Administrator Chandler emphasized that the proposal is in accordance with the master plan. MAY 20, 1997 E �u 97