TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 4, 2025
COMMITTEE ON PROCUREMENT
Mr. John P. Murray, Acting Executive Director
Title
Authority to advertise Contract 23-379-3E Electrical Power Distribution and Phosphorus Removal Improvements, Kirie Water Reclamation Plant, estimated cost between $22,309,150.20 and $27,005,813.40, Accounts 401-50000-645650 and 645750, Requisition 1642737
Body
Dear Sir:
Contract documents and specifications have been prepared for Contract 23-379-3E Electrical Power Distribution and Phosphorus Removal Improvements, KWRP.
The purpose of this project is to replace the plant medium voltage switchgear (M11 SWGR), eight motor control centers (MCCs), install an enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) system, and other electrical improvements in various locations within the Kirie Water Reclamation Plant (KWRP). Also included under the contract is the installation of arc flash mitigation and feeder modification for the existing 480 Volt feeder at the Majewski Reservoir.
The existing ComEd Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) that switches between the two 34.5 kV plant electrical feeds is obsolete and is planned to be decommissioned by ComEd. Replacement of the manually operated M11 SWGR with a new modern switchgear will relocate the automatic transfer control scheme from the soon to be decommissioned ComEd ATS to our facility as well as provide additional benefits to enhance arc flash safety and reduce maintenance. Certain MCCs throughout the Influent Pumping Station (IPS) and Pre-Treatment Building (PTB) are critical to plant operations and are original to the plant placed into service 45 years ago. Like the KWRP MCCs, the Majewski Reservoir power feed does not have a single point of isolation.
The KWRP’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit requires a total phosphorus monthly average concentration effluent limit of 1.0 milligram per liter (mg/L) effective August 1, 2026. An effluent limit of 0.5 mg/L total phosphorus 12-month rolling geometric mean (calculated monthly) shall be met by January 1, 2030. Work required to meet these limits is based on pilot testing conducted from May 2015 to 2019. The EBPR system is required to be constructed to ensure continued compliance with the permit limits.
The project consists of the following:
A. The work at the Kirie Water Reclamation Plant is as follows:
1. Replacement of the existing M11 medium voltage switchgear with a modern switchgear with ATS functionality and all ancillary electrical equipment and distributed control system functionality.
2. Construction of a new M11 SWGR building to house the electrical equipment over the existing underground electrical vault.
3. Replacement of various MCCs throughout the IPS and PTB and provide operators with DCS monitoring and control of the new MCCs.
4. Replace non-functional IPS and PTB protective relays on the low voltage SWGRs.
5. Replace obsolete ground fault detectors for various MCCs throughout the entire WRP.
6. Perform Short Circuit, Coordination, and Arc Flash studies for the new switchgear and motor control centers.
7. Conversion of Battery A to an EBPR system to ensure continued compliance with the permit requirements.
B. The work at the Majewski Reservoir is as follows:
1. Provide a new outdoor switchboard panel on the exterior wall of the Majewski Control Building.
2. Provide a microprocessor type feeder protection device in the switchboard panel in order to protect equipment and reduce arc flash.
3. Perform Short Circuit, Coordination, and Arc Flash studies for the new switchboard and existing motor control centers.
It is estimated that 97 jobs will be created or saved as a result of the award of this contract with an estimated 26,267 man-hours of skilled trades utilized.
The estimated cost for this contract is between $22,309,150.20 and $27,005,813.40. The cost range will be stated in the advertisement for bids.
The bid deposit for this contract is $600,000.00.
The contract specifications require that all work commence 30 calendar days after approval of the contractor’s bond and shall be completed within 913 calendar days after approval of the contractor’s bond. Liquidated damages are $1,000.00 for each calendar day that the contractor is in default of the time specified for failing to achieve substantial work completion and $200.00 for each calendar day that the contractor is in default of the time specified for completion of the entire work.
An Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Construction Permit is required and has been received for this contract.
The Multi-Project Labor Agreement will be included in this contract.
The Affirmative Action Ordinance, Revised Appendix D, will be included in this contract. The type of work to be performed under the contract is within the “General Construction” category for establishing Minority-owned Business Enterprises (MBE), Women-owned Business Enterprises (WBE), and Veteran-owned Business Enterprises (VBE) utilization goals. The MBE, WBE and VBE utilization goals for this contract are 13 percent MBE, 7 percent WBE and 3 percent VBE.
The tentative schedule for this contract is as follows:
Advertise September 24, 2025
Bid Opening October 28, 2025
Award December 4, 2025
Completion June 22, 2029
Funds are available in Accounts 401-50000-645650 and 645750.
In view of the foregoing, it is recommended that the Director of Procurement and Materials Management be authorized to advertise Contract 23-379-3E.
Requested, Catherine A. O’Connor, Director of Engineering, CS:NBP:EJC
Recommended, Darlene A. LoCascio, Director of Procurement and Materials Management
Respectfully Submitted, Precious Brady-Davis, Chairperson Committee on Procurement
Disposition of this agenda item will be documented in the official Regular Board Meeting Minutes of the Board of Commissioners for September 4, 2025
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