High Strength Waste Receiving and Storage Project - Request to Distribute RFQ and Create RFQ Review CommitteeCity of Dubuque
City Council Meeting
Consent Items # 22.
Copyrighted
February 7, 2022
ITEM TITLE: High Strength Waste Receiving and Storage Project- Request to
Distribute RFQ and Create an RFQ Review Committee
SUMMARY: City Manager recommending authorization to release an RFQ for
professional services for the High Strength Waste Receiving and
Storage Project and that the City Manager be authorized to negotiate,
award, and execute an agreement with the recommended consultant.
SUGGESTED Suggested Disposition: Receive and File; Approve
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Type
High Strength Waste Receiving and Storage Project
Request to Distribute RFQ and Create an RFQ Review City Manager Memo
Committee-MVM Memo
Staff Memo Staff Memo
THE CITY OF
Dubuque
DUB TEE1.
All -America City
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
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TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: High Strength Waste Receiving and Storage Project - Request to
Distribute RFQ and Create an RFQ Review Committee
DATE: February 1, 2022
Water & Resource Recovery Center Manager William O'Brien and Project Manager
Steve Sampson Brown recommend City Council authorization to release an RFQ for
professional services for the High Strength Waste Receiving and Storage Project and
that the City Manager be authorized to negotiate, award, and execute an agreement
with the recommended consultant.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
v
Mic ael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:sv
Attachment
CC' Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
William O'Brien, Water & Resource Recovery Center Manager
Steve Sampson Brown, Project Manager
THE CITY OF
DUBbE
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: William O'Brien, Water & Resource Recovery Center Manager
Steve Sampson Brown, Project Manager
SUBJECT: High Strength Waste Receiving and Storage Project - Request to
Distribute RFQ and Create an RFQ Review Committee
CIP 7102701
DATE: January 31, 2022
INTRODUCTION
Dubuque
All-AMINCa Cltg
2007.2012
2013.2017
The purpose of this memorandum is to request City Council approval to distribute a
Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for engineering services for the assessment, design,
and construction services associated with the high strength waste receiving and storage
capital improvements at the Water & Resource Recovery Center.
BACKGROUND
Construction of the City of Dubuque Water & Resource Recovery Center was
completed in 2013. The project updated nearly every segment of the aging, former
Water Pollution Control Plant. Several major treatment processes were enhanced with
the project. Wet -weather flow equalization was added, ultraviolet disinfection replaced
chlorine gas disinfection, and anaerobic digestion replaced sludge incineration. Addition
of anaerobic digestion and gas conditioning systems allow the facility to produce heat
and power with renewable biogas.
Taking advantage of spare digestion capacity, the facility began co -digesting high
strength organic waste, from local industries, providing a local, cost-effective disposal
point for industry, and an additional revenue stream for the City sewer utility. Since the
inception of co -digestion, loads of high strength waste have been offloaded into the
facility's blended sludge tank. The material is then mixed with primary and thickened
waste activated sludges and fed directly to the anaerobic digesters.
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The implementation of co -digestion significantly increased biogas production. The
facility was soon flaring a significant amount of surplus biogas. This additional
production drove the City to explore options for utilization of this additional fuel.
Following a search, an agreement with a private partner was established, leading to the
construction of a biogas upgrading system, and the production of pipeline quality
renewable natural gas.
Co -digestion has created challenges at the Water & Resource Recovery Center.
Blended sludge storage capacity is limited and was intended for sludges produced
through primary and secondary treatment. Volumes of high strength waste can, at
times, occupy needed space in the blended sludge tanks. To maintain sufficient
capacity in the blended sludge tanks, for primary and thickened waste activated
sludges, the blended sludge feed rate, to the anaerobic digesters, is often increased.
This increase in the loading rate often increases the acid to alkalinity ratio in the
digesters, leading to digester foaming, and resulting in operational challenges.
DISCUSSION
The schedule for the RFQ distribution and consultant selection is as follows:
RFQ Release to Public February 8, 2022
Response Due Date February 18, 2022
Consultant Interviews February 21-25, 2022
Recommendation to City Manager February 28, 2022
The recommend review committee for the submitted proposals is as follows:
• Deron Muehring, Civil Engineer
• Jill Connors, Economic Development Director
• Steve Sampson Brown, Project Manager
• William O'Brien, W&RRC Plant Manager
• Ken Miller, Solid Waste Agency Administrator
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City distribute the High Strength Waste Receiving and Storage
Project RFQ and solicit proposals from qualified consultants to provide the stated
professional services.
BUDGETIMPACT
The estimated cost for consulting services associated with the High Strength Waste
Receiving and Storage Project is $275,000.00 to $350,000.00.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN
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I respectfully request authorization to release an RFQ for professional services for the
High Strength Waste Receiving and Storage Project and that the City Manager be
authorized to negotiate, award, and execute an agreement with the recommended
consultant.
W O/wo
cc: Gus Psihoyos, City Engineer
Deron Muehring, Civil Engineer
Jill Connors, Economic Development Project Coordinator
Ken Miller, Solid Waste Agency Administrator
Tony Breitbach, Purchasing Coordinator
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