TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Allison Swisher, Director of Public Utilities
SUBJECT:
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Award of Contract for the Wesmere Valve Bolts Replacement Project to Stip Bros Excavating Inc. in the Amount of $1,139,875.00
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BACKGROUND:
The City has been experiencing an elevated number of water valve leaks and water main breaks in the Wesmere, Wedgewood Estates, Brighton Lakes, and Riverbrook Estates subdivisions. Upon investigation of the cause of these issues, it has been determined that regular steel bolts were used to assemble the water valves in these areas in lieu of the required stainless-steel bolts. Regular steel bolts rust and corrode, thus allowing the bolts to loosen and/ or fail. This causes leaks and water main breaks. Accordingly, these steel bolts need to be replaced with stainless steel bolts. This contract will replace all the nuts and bolts on approximately 400 water valves in the Wesmere, Wedgewood Estates, Brighton Lakes, and Riverbrook Estates subdivisions.
This work is best suited to be completed by a contractor as it requires specialized equipment and specialized safety skill sets to work at the depths that are needed on a live water main located in the parkway in close proximity to other utilities. The project has been phased to be completed over two years due to the volume of valves to be repaired. It is anticipated that on average, two valves will be repaired per day resulting in 100 workdays per year.
This project was advertised on Thursday, January 9, 2025.
The Public Service Committee will review this matter.
CONCLUSION:
On Thursday, January 23, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., seven sealed bids were received for the Wesmere Valve Bolts Replacement Project. The bid summary is as follows:
CONTRACTOR BID AMOUNT
Stip Bros Excavating Inc., Joliet, IL $1,139,875.00
Airy’s Inc., Joliet, IL $1,146,375.00
Superior Excavating Inc., Minooka, IL $1,148,500.00
Conley Excavating, Morris, IL $1,157,875.00
Steve Spiess Construction, Frankfort, IL $1,465,400.00
Austin Tyler Construction, Elwood, IL $2,764,875.00
M&J Underground, Monee, IL Rejected*
Engineer’s Estimate** $1,041,250.00
*M&J Underground’s bid was rejected because they did not acknowledge the addendum.
**The engineer’s estimate was revised from the as-read amount due to errors identified after the bid opening.
The low bid from Stip Bros Excavating Inc., in the amount of $1,139,875.00, is 8% above the engineer’s estimate. Stip Bros Excavating Inc. has satisfactorily completed similar work for the City.
This project will be completed over two years. Funds will be charged to the 2025 Water & Sewer Improvement Fund / Water Distribution / Construction (Org. 50180012, Object 557200, $569,937.50, Project Code 25002) and the 2026 Water & Sewer Improvement Fund / Water Distribution / Construction (Org. 50180012, Object 557200, $569,937.50, Project Code 25002).
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Based on the above, Staff recommends that the Mayor and City Council award the Contract for the Wesmere Valve Bolts Replacement Project, in the amount of $1,139,875.00, on behalf of Stip Bros Excavating Inc.
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