Fiscal Note
The proposed resolution authorizes a noncompetitive contract with Strand Associates, Inc., for professional engineering services for the Reservoirs 126 and 225 Recoating and Maintenance project at a total estimated cost not to exceed $112,000. Funding is available in the Madison Water Utility's 2026 Adopted Operating Budget. No additional appropriation is required.
Title
Authorizing a noncompetitive contract with Strand Associates, Inc., for professional engineering services for the Reservoirs 126 and 225 Recoating and Maintenance project (Districts 1 and District 3).
Body
WHEREAS, Madison Water Utility (MWU) owns and maintains multiple water storage reservoirs throughout its distribution system. These facilities require periodic maintenance, inspections, and recoatings to preserve their condition, extend their useful life, and maintain reliable water system operations; and
WHEREAS, Reservoir 126 (910 South High Point Road) is scheduled for recoating and maintenance work as part of MWU’s ongoing reservoir maintenance program; and
WHEREAS, Reservoir 225 (435 Milky Way) has similarly approached the typical milestones for recoating and maintenance and was previously included in the 2026 reservoir recoating and maintenance plans; and
WHEREAS, Strand Associates, Inc. (Strand) was competitively selected as the consulting engineer to complete design work for Reservoir 225 in 2025; however, MWU ultimately elected not to award the Reservoir 225 scope of work as the alternate bid scope; and
WHEREAS, MWU now intends to move forward with a new reservoir recoating and maintenance project for 2027 construction, with planning and design to begin in 2026. The project is anticipated to include Reservoir 126 as the base bid, and Reservoir 225 again as an alternate bid based on the overall facility needs from the respective reservoir inspections; and
WHEREAS, Strand has submitted a proposal to provide professional engineering services for the project. The proposed scope includes preliminary design, final design documents, WDNR permitting, bidding-related services, construction administration, part-time construction observation, substantial completion walkthroughs, project closeout, and WDNR tank inspection reports for both reservoirs; and
WHEREAS, continuing to use Strand is in the best interest of MWU because this is a similar and continuing project from work that they have already completed for Reservoir 225. Strand is already familiar with the project background, design approach, and bidding documents, and their continued involvement will provide consistency between the Reservoir 126 base bid documents, and the Reservoir 225 alternate bid documents which Strand has already prepared; and
WHEREAS, professional design continuity is economical to MWU on the basis of time and money. Selecting a new consultant would require that firm to review, recreate, and redesign much of the prior Reservoir 225 documents, resulting in unnecessary duplication of effort, additional cost, and potential schedule delays; and
Whereas, under MGO 4.26(4), service contracts of $50,000 or more that are not competitively selected must meet one of the exceptions listed in MGO 4.26(4)(a) and must be approved by the Common Council; and
WHEREAS, the proposed contract meets the exception in MGO 4.26(4)(a)7. for the use of a consultant who has provided services to the City on a similar or continuing project in the recent past, and where it would be economical to the City on the basis of time and money to retain that same consultant; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and City Clerk are authorized to execute a professional services contract with Strand Associates, Inc., for engineering services for the Reservoirs 126 and 225 Recoating and Maintenance project, at a cost not to exceed $112,000.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that contract amendments that do not exceed Madison Water Utility's approved operating budget or the scope of the design and construction of the Reservoirs 126 and 225 Recoating and Maintenance project as authorized by the Common Council may be executed by the Water Utility General Manager and City Finance Director and/or designee, and counter executed by Strand Associates, Inc. in a form approved by the City Attorney.