FROM: Robert Thompson, General Manager
Originator: Mike Dorman, Director of Engineering
SUBJECT:
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WETWELL LEVEL MONITORING UPGRADE AT COLLECTIONS PUMP STATIONS, PROJECT NO. FE23-03
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GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
RECOMMENDATION: Recommend to the Board of Directors to:
A. Find that the proposed actions are categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Section 15301 (Existing Facilities);
B. Receive and file Bid Tabulation and Recommendation for Wetwell Level Monitoring Upgrade at Collections Pump Stations, Project No. FE23-03;
C. Approve a project budget increase of $348,000 for Wetwell Level Monitoring Upgrade at Collections Pump Stations, Project No. FE23-03, for a new total budget of $3,008,000;
D. Award a Construction Contract to LEED Electric, Inc., for Wetwell Level Monitoring Upgrade at Collections Pump Stations, Project No. FE23-03, for a total amount not to exceed $1,517,948; and
E. Approve a contingency of $151,795 (10%).
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BACKGROUND
Orange County Sanitation District (OC San) operates collection pump stations that use wetwell level monitoring to control pump operation. Crystal Cove, Edinger, MacArthur, Main Street, and Slater Pump Stations currently use bubbler panels for wetwell level monitoring. Reliable wetwell level monitoring is critical to proper pump station operation.
RELEVANT STANDARDS
• Less than 12 events for the collection system, under normal operations
• Achieve less than 2.1 sewer spills per 100 miles
PROBLEM
The existing pump stations utilize a single bubbler panel to monitor wetwell levels and control pump station operations. These bubbler panels are aging and require significant maintenance to remain operational. The continued reliance on this aging equipment increases the risk of equipment failure and loss of reliable wetwell level monitoring, which could impact pump station operations.
The current project budget is insufficient to complete the project. Although two of the original seven pump stations were removed from the project during design, the remaining work became more complex when the new level transmitters were incorporated into the pump station control systems for pump control in addition to monitoring. This change requires additional controls, programming, system integration, testing, and commissioning. Of the $348,000 requested budget increase, $317,948 is required to fund the construction contract, and the remaining $30,052 is required for OC San labor and consultant services through project completion.
PROPOSED SOLUTION
Increase the project budget to fund the Construction Contract and remaining project costs. Award a Construction Contract to install new redundant level monitoring devices at the affected pump stations, providing redundant wetwell level monitoring to support continued pump station operation if a level monitoring device fails.
TIMING CONCERNS
Delaying the project budget increase or Construction Contract award could delay equipment procurement and extend project completion.
RAMIFICATIONS OF NOT TAKING ACTION
Without the project budget increase, the project would have insufficient budget to fund the Construction Contract and remaining project costs. Without award of the Construction Contract, the redundant level monitoring improvements would not be installed, and the affected pump stations would continue to rely on the aging bubbler panels.
PRIOR COMMITTEE/BOARD ACTIONS
N/A
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
OC San advertised Project No. FE23-03 for bids on July 14, 2026, and two sealed bids were received on September 1, 2026. A summary of the bid opening follows:
|
Engineer’s Estimate |
$ 1,430,000 |
|
Bidder |
Amount of Bid |
|
LEED Electric, Inc. |
$ 1,517,948 |
|
Minako America Corporation dba Minco |
$ 1,678,900 |
The low bid was $87,948, or 6.2 percent, above the Engineer’s Estimate. The bids were evaluated in accordance with OC San’s policies and procedures. A notice was sent to all bidders on October 1, 2026, informing them of OC San staff’s intent to recommend award of the Construction Contract to LEED Electric, Inc.
Staff recommends awarding a Construction Contract to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, LEED Electric, Inc., for a total amount not to exceed $1,517,948.
CEQA
The project is exempt from CEQA under the Class 1 categorical exemptions set forth in California Code of Regulations section 15301 (Existing Facilities). A Notice of Exemption will be filed with the OC Clerk-Recorder and posted on the State Clearing House website after the OC San's Board of Directors approval of the Construction Contract.
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS
This request complies with the authority levels of OC San’s Purchasing Ordinance. This item has been budgeted (Budget FY 2026-27 and FY 2027-28, Section 8, Page 8, Wetwell Level Monitoring Upgrade at Collections Pump Stations, Project No. FE23-03). This item will increase the project budget and will be funded from the CIP budget.
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
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