Lead Water Main Replacement Project Engineering Design Services Contract Award Recommendation Copyrighted
May 4, 2026
City of Dubuque CONSENT ITEMS # 12.
City Council
ITEM TITLE: Lead Water Main Replacement Project Engineering Design
Services Contract Award Recommendation
SUMMARY: City Manager recommending City Council accept the RFQ
Committee recommendation MSA Professional Services, Inc.
of Dubuque, lowa for design of the Lead Water Main
Replacement Project (CIP No. 4281000024) and that the City
Council authorize the City Manager to enter into contract
negotiations to provide professional design services for the
project.
SUGGUESTED Receive and File; Approve
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
1. MVM Memo Lead Water Main Replacement Project - Authorization to Award
Engineering Design Services Contract
2. Lead WMR Authorize Design Award RFQ Memo
Page 238 of 668
Dubuque
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TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Lead Water Main Replacement Project - Authorization to Award
Engineering
Design Services Contract
DATE: April 24, 2026
Water Department Director Christopher Lester is recommending City Council accept the
RFQ Committee recommendation MSA Professional Services, Inc. of Dubuque, lowa
for design of the Lead Water Main Replacement Project (CIP No. 4281000024)
following a review of submitted qualifications as a part of a request for qualifications
(RFQ) process and that the City Council authorize the City Manager to enter into
contract negotiations to provide professional design services for the project.
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
Christopher Lester, Water Department Director
Jennifer Larson, Chief Financial Officer
Laura BendorF, Budget Manager
Max O'Brien, Assistant Public Works Director - Project Manager
Eldon Schneider, Water Project Supervisor
Carl Plumley, Water Distribution Supervisor
Page 239 of 668
Dubuque
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TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Christopher Lester, Water Department Director
DATE: April 24, 2026
SUBJECT: Lead Water Main Replacement Project - Authorization to Award Engineering
Design Services Contract
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this memorandum is to recommend MSA Professional Services, Inc. of
Dubuque, lowa for design of the Lead Water Main Replacement Project (CIP No. 4281000024)
following a review of submitted qualifications as a part of a request for qualifications (RFQ)
process and to request authorization from City Council to enter into contract negotiations to
provide professional design services for the project.
BACKGROUND
This project provides funding for the removal and replacement of the Water Department's
existing public lead water mains: May Place, Union Street, Austin Street, Washington Street,
and Roland Street. This project will eliminate the department's public lead line water mains that
were installed in the early 1920's. This project will also include replacement of lead service lines
affected by the main replacements.
The Lead Water Main Replacement Project (CIP No. 4281000024) includes a current FY26 total
expense budget $418,032.00 for the design and construction of portions of the total project, with
funding through the Drinking Water SRF program. The Water Department has requested
additional funds in FY27 to be able to complete construction at all of the replacement project
sites.
A design services RFQ was authorized by City Council and issued on March 20, 2026 with the
input of various City staff inembers making up the RFQ Committee. The RFQ Committee
consisted of the following members:
— Chris Lester, Water, Department Director
— Jennifer Larson, Finance, Chief Financial Officer
— Eldon Schneider, Water (Project Supervisor for the Project)
— Carl Plumley, Water
— Max O'Brien, Public Works
Page 240 of 668
DISCUSSION
Qualifications proposals were received on April 9, 2026 from five firms:
— Crawford, Muphy, and Tilly, Inc. of Davenport, lowa
— Fehr Graham of Manchester, lowa
— MSA Professional Services, Inc. of Dubuque, lowa
— Origin Design Co. of Dubuque, lowa
— Shoemaker Haaland of Cedar Rapids, lowa
The team reviewed qualifications and shortlisted two firms to interview. Based on the written
proposals and interviews, the RFQ Committee formulated a recommendation to enter into
negotiations with MSA Professional Services, Inc. of Dubuque, lowa.
PROJECT SCHEDULE
The desired project schedule for the initial phase is as follows:
RFQ Committee Completes Recommendation to City Manager April 24, 2026
City Council Authorizes Design Services Award May 4, 2026
RFQ Committee and Engineer Prepare Contract Scope Submittal May 15, 2026
RFQ Committee Completes Recommendation to City Manager May 25, 2026
City Council Authorizes Design Services Agreement Execution June 1, 2026
Design Engineer Completes Preliminary Engineering Report July 31, 2026
City Council Authorizes Submission of PER and IUP Application August 17, 2026
Water Department Submits SRF IUP Application August 21, 2026
Design Engineer Completes Final Design Documents October 30, 2026
All Permits Acquired December 4, 2026
City Council Authorizes Bid Initiation January 4, 2027
City Advertises for Construction Bids January 8, 2027
Council Advertises for Public Hearing January 8, 2027
City Council Holds Public Hearing January 18, 2027
City Conducts Bid Opening February 4, 2027
City Council Authorizes Construction Bid Award February 15, 2027
Contractor Mobilizes for Construction April 5, 2027
Contractor Completes Construction June 25, 2027
2
Page 241 of 668
BUDGET IMPACT
The original estimate of probable cost for the Lead Water Main Replacement Project (CIP No.
4281000024) is provided as follows:
Description Cost Estimate
Legal Expenses $0.00
Land and Easements $0.00
Professional Services (Report or Planning) $10,000.00
Professional Services (Design) $30,000.00
Professional Services (Construction) $40,000.00
Construction $590,000.00
Austin St $150,000.00
May PI $110,000.00
Roland St $120,000.00
Union St $100,000.00
Washington St $110,000.00
Equipment $0.00
Contingency $78,000.00
Total Estimated Project Cost $748,000.00
Budgeted Expenses for the Lead Water Main Replacement Project (CIP No. 4281000024) are
provided as follows:
CIP Fund Budgeted Expenses Amount
4281000024 SRF Consulting Engineer $2g,240.00
Desi n Phase
4281000024 SRF Construction $389,792.00
Total Project Budgeted Expenses $418,032.00
Proposed FY2027 Additions
4281000024 SRF Consulting Engineer $30,000.00
Construction Phase
4281000024 SRF Construction $300,000.00
Total Project Budgeted Expenses (pending FY27 Budget Approval) $748,032.00
3
Page 242 of 668
The proposed design phase funds will be pulled from the currently available FY26 Consulting
Engineer (Design Phase) line item which has a current available expense value of$28,240.00
and, if necessary, from the Construction line item.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN
I respectfully request that the City Council accept the RFQ Committee recommendation MSA
Professional Services, Inc. of Dubuque, lowa for design of the Lead Water Main Replacement
Project (CIP No. 4281000024)following a review of submitted qualifications as a part of a
request for qualifications (RFQ) process and that the City Council authorize the City Manager to
enter into contract negotiations to provide professional design services for the project.
Prepared by Eldon Schneider, Water Project Supervisor
cc: Jennifer Larson, Chief Financial Officer
Max O'Brien, Assistant Public Works Director- Project Manager
Eldon Schneider, Water Project Supervisor
Carl Plumley, Water Distribution Supervisor
4
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