Background:
The City of Sunrise Utilities Department owns and maintains the Southwest Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP). The WWTP was constructed in 1973 and is permitted for an Annual Average Daily Flow (AADF) of 0.99 MGD, with treatment processes capable of meeting this capacity. However, disposal capacity has been severely constrained by the aging percolation ponds. Although routine maintenance has been conducted, their effective disposal capacity has been reduced to approximately 0.37 MGD due to high groundwater conditions, hydrogeologic limitations of the surficial aquifer and nearly 50 years of accumulated solids have reduced percolation rates. As a result, all wastewater flows exceeding 0.37 MGD must be pumped via force main to the Sawgrass WWTP for treatment and disposal. This requires additional pumping through a long-distance transmission system (approximately 6.5 miles) between the Southwest WWTP and the Sawgrass WWTP, resulting in increased operational costs and additional hydraulic loading on the lift station and force main system.
During the development of the 2020 Water and Wastewater Master Plan, effluent disposal capacity at the Southwest WWTP was evaluated. Initially, an alternative to construct a new percolation pond was selected. However, Broward County Code (Chapter 27-194) subsequentially no longer permitted new percolation pond disposal systems; only existing grandfathered facilities were permitted to continue operating. Since a new percolation pond was no longer a viable option, the Deep Injection Well (DIW) alternative was recommended in 2022, as the most feasible, cost-effective, and environmentally responsible solution. Following this recommendation the Southwest WWTP Deep Injection Well Capital Improvement Project (CIP) was established.
On April 25, 2023 the City Commission approved Project Agreement No. 23-009-HS with Hazen and Sawyer, P.C for the design, permitting, and bidding services for this project. The overall project was divided into two separate construction phases for bidding. Bid Package 1 consists of the construction of one Class I Deep Injection Well and one dual-zone monitoring well. Bid Package 2 consists of the Surface Facilities, including the Injection Well Pump Station (IWPS), associated surface piping and appurtenances, monitoring well surface facilities, and scarification of the existing percolation ponds.
The design, permitting, and bidding for Bid Package 1 was completed and on March 2, 2026, Bid No. 26-20-12-MS was issued for this work. A non-mandatory pre-bid meeting with a site visit was conducted on March 10, 2026, with two prospective bidders in attendance. The bid opening took place on April 1, 2026, and two bids were received.
Following the evaluation by the Purchasing Office, Utilities Department, and Hazen & Sawyer, P.C. (design consultant), it is recommended to award the contract to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, Youngquist Brothers, LLC. Youngquist Brothers, LLC’s total bid price is approximately 5.35% lower than the Engineer’s Opinion of Probable Construction Cost (OPCC), while the second-lowest bidder’s submitted price was 0.38% higher than the OPCC.
All references were favorable for Youngquist Brothers, LLC’s performance on other projects of similar type and scale with other entities. In addition, Youngquist Brothers, LLC successfully constructed two deep injection wells for the City at the Springtree Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Staff is requesting approval to award the bid to Youngquist Brothers, LLC. Following award by the Commission, the Contractor will be required to obtain an acceptable Public Construction Bond, an acceptable Certificate of Insurance, and an executed Contract within the timeframe stipulated in the Notice of Award. The construction contract and associated construction documents are available at the Purchasing Office upon request.
The City did not receive responses from City of Sunrise vendors that could provide this service.