Background:
The City of Sunrise Utilities Department requires a qualified contractor to perform construction services for the Sawgrass Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) Thickening Process Improvements Phase 1 project. The existing DAF system, which thickens waste activated sludge for downstream biosolids processing, is experiencing significant mechanical deterioration and has reached the end of its useful life. The two DAF units, installed in 1987 and 1996, include flotation tanks, skimmers, pumps, polymer systems, air compressors, and a canopy structure, all of which show substantial wear and require replacement to maintain reliable operations and permit compliance.
On August 10, 2021, the City Commission approved Project Agreement 21-009-HS with Hazen and Sawyer P.C. (Hazen) for the Sawgrass Wastewater Water Treatment Plant DAF Thickening Process Improvements project. Services included within the Project Agreement include engineering design, permitting, and bidding services.
The DAF improvements were originally intended to be completed as a single project and coordinated with the new Blower/Electrical Building under the Sawgrass WWTP Train A Secondary Treatment project, as portions of the work rely on new equipment to be housed in that facility. The new blower building is under construction but has an extended schedule for completion. In the interim, the DAF system has continued to experience operational failures, particularly with the east unit’s upper skimmer system. To avoid further delaying critical rehabilitation work, City Staff and Hazen identified portions of the project that could be constructed independently. As a result, the City amended the project agreement to divide the improvements into two phases, with Phase 1 addressing the most urgent equipment and structural needs. Included within the Phase 1 scope of work will be the replacement of instrumentation and control devices, new drive units with variable-speed motors, replacement of longitudinal upper skimmers, structural repairs to both DAF tanks, interior and exterior tank coatings, replacement of process piping and appurtenances, new canopy over the DAF tanks, along with associated electrical, instrumentation, and control work.
The DAF Phase 2 Improvements project is expected to be advertised in the future and will include the pressurization tanks, polymer systems, air compressor systems, pumps, motors, and associated equipment that depend on the Blower/Electrical Building currently under construction under a separate construction contract (Sawgrass WWTP Train A Secondary Treatment project).
On August 29, 2025, Bid No. 25-56-04-CM was issued for the DAF Phase 1 project. A mandatory pre-bid meeting with a site visit was conducted on September 9, 2025, with seven prospective bidders in attendance. The bid opening took place on October 8, 2025, and two bids were received.
Following the evaluation by the Purchasing Office, Utilities Department and Hazen, it is recommended to award the contract to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, RF Environmental Services, Inc. (RF Environmental).
Although the Engineer’s Opinion of Probable Construction Cost (OPCC) was $1,544,000.00 (Completed April 2025), material and equipment price volatility, inflation, limitation on pool of qualified contractors, and construction market condition costs have increased. Hazen and Sawyer analyzed the bids in detail and determined them to be reasonable within current market conditions, see attached Engineer’s Bid Price Review. Specifically, Hazen and Sawyer noted that the major price difference between the OPCC and the bid was related to the steel canopies and skimmer systems. Hazen and Sawyer stated that there is ongoing variability in the metals market, and limited competition with a constrained vendor pool. City staff recommend awarding Bid No. 25-65-06-CM to RF Environmental. Approval of this award will replace critical components of the DAF thickening system, restore reliable solids processing capacity, and ensure continued compliance with wastewater treatment requirements at the Sawgrass WWTP.
All references were favorable for RF Environmental's performance on other projects of similar type and scale with other entities. Additionally, RF Environmental has performed favorably on a previous contract with the City. Staff is requesting approval to award to RF Environmental contingent on receipt of an acceptable Public Construction Bond, an acceptable Certificate of Insurance, and an executed Contract within the timeframe stipulated in the Notice of Award.
The City did not receive responses from City of Sunrise vendors that could provide this service.
A companion item awarding a Project Agreement with Hazen for Construction Management Services is also being submitted for City Commission consideration at the February 10, 2026 City Commission Meeting.