NEWPORT, R.I. –It has become one of the city’s largest public infrastructure projects in decades; required by federal mandate and a centerpiece of the city’s desire to improve its public reputation.
And while it’s a top priority for the Department of Utilities, oversight of the project is beyond the scope of the city’s limited staff. And so, on Wednesday, Feb. 10, City Council members will be asked to approve a $4.3 million contract for professional services to engineering firm CH2M Hill of Boston, Mass., to oversee the implementation of the city’s long term combined sewer overflow (CSO) plan.
According to the city, the contract for Program Manager will be in place from the beginning of construction up to final compliance with federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state Department of Environmental Management (DEM) CSO policies. If approved, the contract would pertain to work to be conducted through June 30, 2011 at a maximum cost of $4,324,581.00.
With deadlines approaching for the first phase of the Final Corrective Plan agreement, the contract, which has been budgeted for, would ensure the proper oversight of the project. And as work will touch one of the most densely populated and touristed areas of the city, project management could be paramount to the city’s success, some say.
According to City Manager Edward F. Lavallee, “To assist the City with the implementation in accordance with the agreed upon time schedule and all requirements of the judicial consent order, the services of an experienced, licensed, and qualified engineering firm is recommended for the long term to serve as Program Manager.”
If approved, engineers from CH2M Hill will be responsible for the coordination of all items identified by the EPA and state DEM in the city’s Final Corrective Action Plan.
“The EPA and RIDEM in our discussions encouraged a Program Manager in order to maintain oversight for schedule purposes due to the simultaneous tasks that will be underway,” Lavallee wrote to council members.
The city issued a request for proposals (RFP) and received submittals from two firms on Dec. 14. Interviews with the two firms were conducted on December 21 and 22, with CH2M Hill ultimately currying favor.
$1,025,729 of the $4.3 million contract is scheduled for appropriation under the city’s FY 2010 budget. The remainder will fall under the FY 2011. It’s also worth noting that $2,139,141 o f the total fee represents fees associated with one year of critical flow monitoring in the sewer collection system and field investigation including CCTV inspections of sewer mains, manhole inspections, smoke testing, and house to house inspections.
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Newport, RI
