FROM: Robert Thompson, General Manager
Originator: Mike Dorman, Director of Engineering
SUBJECT:
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SECONDARY TREATMENT AREA CABLE REPLACEMENT AT PLANT NO. 1, PROJECT NO. FR1-0023
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GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
RECOMMENDATION: Recommend to the Board of Directors to:
A. Receive and file Bid Tabulation and Recommendation for Secondary Treatment Area Cable Replacement at Plant No. 1, Project No. FR1-0023;
B. Award a Construction Contract Agreement to Big Sky Electric, Inc., for Secondary Treatment Area Cable Replacement at Plant No. 1, Project No. FR1-0023, for a total amount not to exceed $298,102; and
C. Approve a contingency of $59,600 (20%).
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BACKGROUND
Orange County Sanitation District (OC San) operates an effluent junction box at Plant No. 1 that conveys treated effluent to the Plant No. 2 ocean outfall. OC San also supports the Orange County Water District’s (OCWD’s) Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS) by supplying electrical power from Power Building 8 to the GWRS Metering Vault located at Plant No. 1. After the initial construction of the GWRS, OCWD took over the operation of the metering vault.
RELEVANT STANDARDS
• Comply with California Public Contract Code Section 20103.8, award construction contract to lowest responsive, responsible bidder
• 24/7/365 treatment plant reliability
PROBLEM
The power cable to the effluent junction box shows signs of failure and the power and control cables serving OCWD GWRS metering vault at Plant No. 1 are damaged. The condition of these cables affects the reliability of electrical service needed to support effluent conveyance to Plant No. 2 and the transfer of flow to OCWD.
PROPOSED SOLUTION
Award a construction contract agreement to replace damaged power and control cables for the GWRS metering vault. These cables will be fed from the adjacent OCWD screenings electrical room instead of Power Building 8. This project will also replace power cables between the Plant No. 1 12kV Service Center and the effluent junction box.
TIMING CONCERNS
Delaying the project award increases the risk of additional power and control cable failure at the GWRS metering vault and a failure of the power cable to the effluent junction box.
RAMIFICATIONS OF NOT TAKING ACTION
If the damaged cables to the GWRS metering vault fail, OCWD will lose the flow signal to their control system and will need to manually operate the valve to control the flow from OC San’s Plant No. 1 trickling filters, and/or will need to pump out the metering vault with an external pump if it floods. If the power cable to OC San’s effluent junction box fails, flow to Plant No. 2 will need to be manually controlled.
PRIOR COMMITTEE/BOARD ACTIONS
N/A
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
OC San advertised Project No. FR1-0023 for bids on September 9, 2025, and two sealed bids were received on October 21, 2025. A summary of the bid opening follows:
|
Engineer’s Estimate |
$ 750,000 |
|
Bidder |
Amount of Bid |
|
Big Sky Electric, Inc. |
$ 298,102 |
|
Minako America Corporation, dba Minco Construction |
$ 877,700 |
The bids were evaluated in accordance with OC San’s policies and procedures. A notice was sent to all bidders on February 11, 2026, informing them of the intent of OC San staff to recommend award of the Construction Contract Agreement to Big Sky Electric, Inc. The difference between the engineer’s estimate and the contractor’s estimate was mainly due to the engineer’s estimate using higher markups, having longer generator rental durations, and over estimating subcontractor markups.
Staff recommends awarding a Construction Contract Agreement to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, Big Sky Electric, Inc., for a total amount not to exceed $298,102.
CEQA
The project is exempt from CEQA under the Class 1 categorical exemptions set forth in California Code of Regulations section 15301. A Notice of Exemption will be filed with the OC Clerk-Recorder and State Clearinghouse after OC San's Board of Directors approval of the construction contract agreement.
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS
This request complies with the authority levels of OC San’s Purchasing Ordinance. This item has been budgeted (Budget Update FY 2025-26, Page 33, Repairs & Maintenance) and the budget is sufficient for the recommended action.
ATTACHMENT
The following attachment(s) may be viewed on-line at the OC San website (www.ocsan.gov) with the complete agenda package:
• Construction Contract Agreement
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