TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Allison Swisher, Director of Public Utilities
SUBJECT:
title
Award of Contract No. 2987-0726 for the Hickory Creek and East Interceptor Multisensor Inspection to Taplin Group in the Amount of $299,168.00 and an Award of Professional Services Agreement for Field Inspection Services to RJN Group Inc. in the Amount of $56,400.00
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BACKGROUND:
The annual sanitary sewer cleaning and inspection program focuses on both preventive maintenance and planning for future capital improvements. In 2025, the City completed small diameter sewer cleaning and televising for the system. The next phase of the program focuses on inspection and cleaning of large diameter interceptor sewers. In 2026, the City will complete CCTV, lidar, and sonar inspection of the Hickory Creek Interceptor and the East Interceptor. This multisensor inspection allows the City to calculate the amount of debris that is in these large diameter interceptors and prepare bidding documents for a sewer cleaning contract in 2027.
Design drawings and bidding documents for the Hickory Creek and East Interceptor Multisensor Inspection Project were prepared and the invitation to bid was advertised in the Herald News on Thursday, June 5, 2026.
The Public Service Committee will review this matter.
CONCLUSION:
On Thursday, July 2, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., two (2) sealed bids were opened for the Hickory Creek and East Interceptor Multisensor Inspection. The bid summary is as follows:
CONTRACTOR BID AMOUNT
Taplin Group $299,168.00
National Power Rodding $1,584,000.00
Engineer’s Estimate $546,700.00
The low bid from Taplin Group, in the amount of $299,168.00, is 45.3% below the engineer’s estimate. Taplin Group has completed similar services for municipalities and received a good reference from the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewage District. Funds will be charged to the Water & Sewer Operations Fund / Contractual Services (Org 50080020, Object 524200, $299,168.00).
Additionally, Staff requested a proposal from RJN Group Inc. to supplement City staff for field inspection and professional engineering services required for the project. RJN Group Inc. has assisted the City with its Sanitary Sewer Investigation and Rehabilitation Program since 2014. RJN Group Inc. provided a proposal in the amount of $56,400.00 to provide these services. The scope of work that RJN Group Inc. will provide generally consists of project management, field engineering services and completing GIS updates.
Section 2-438 of the City of Joliet Code of Ordinances states that purchases whose estimated cost is in excess of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000.00) may be awarded without written specifications or bidding under certain circumstances. Two (2) of these circumstances apply:
(f) Purchases when authorized by a concurring vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the Mayor and City Council;
(g) Purchases of Professional Services.
Funds will be charged to the Water & Sewer Operations Fund / Professional Services (Org 50080020, Object 523300, $56,400.00).
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Based on the above, it is recommended that the Mayor and City Council take the following actions:
1. Award the Contract for the Hickory Creek and East Interceptor Multisensor Inspection, in the amount of $299,168.00, to Taplin Group.
2. Award the Professional Services Agreement for Professional Engineering and Field Inspection Services, in the amount of $56,400.00, to RJN Group Inc.
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