Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Mayor and Council award Bid #11-10 to Humphrey and Son, Inc. of Laurel, Maryland, in the amount of $193,149.00 for the construction (replacement) of sanitary sewer mains along Blandford Street, South Stonestreet Avenue, and Grandin Avenue.

Discussion
Project Description:
Sanitary sewer mains along Blandford Street, South Stonestreet Avenue, and Grandin Avenue are in disrepair. These subject mains are made up of orangeburg pipe material that have exceeded their useful life. This project includes the replacement of sanitary sewer mains, manhole, and house connections. The orangeburg pipe will be removed and replaced with new PVC pipe.

Background:
The City of Rockville Department of Public Works (DPW) performs routine maintenance on it’s sanitary sewer system. DPW has identified several pipe segments that are comprised of orangeburg pipe material within the City's sewer system. Orangeburg pipe is made up of wood and coal tar manufactured by the Orangeburg Manufacturing Co., Inc. in Orangeburg, New York. Rockville's orangeburg sewer pipes were installed between the early 1950's and 1960's. The pipes deform and lose their circular cross-section, allowing infiltration and root intrusion. Due to the pipe becoming elliptical in shape and connections protruding into the main line, the use of lining technologies (i.e. in place rehabilitation) is not feasible.

Orangeburg pipes are prone to leaks, breaks, and sewer back-ups and failures have been documented throughout the country. The general problem with these pipes has been:

1. Tree roots invade the pipes, usually at the joints, and as they do, loosen or break apart pipe sections and restrict flow.
2. The piping material itself deteriorates over time. As the material deteriorates, it flattens due to the earth pressure around it and loses its circular cross-section. This circular shape is particularly needed at the bottom of the pipe where the sewage flows.
3. The deterioration is also caused by age and by the effects of improper disposal of cleaners and solvents.

Mayor and Council History
This is the first time this item has been brought before the Mayor and Council.

Public Notification and Engagement
Several neighborhood advisories were mailed out to the community. These advisories provided information to the affected residents such as details about the project and the impending field survey activity. A meeting in the field was held for each of the three projects. The meetings for South Stonestreet and Grandin Avenue were held on the evening of Monday, August 27 and the Blandford Street meeting was held on the evening of Tuesday, August 28. Another advisory will be mailed to the affected residents at least two weeks prior to construction.

Procurement Information
Bid #11-10 was solicited using the State of Maryland's e-Maryland Marketplace bid web portal. The solicitation also was posted on the City's Web site. In addition, the bid was sent out directly via e-mail to several vendors who have previously worked on utility projects for the City.

Sealed bids were received and opened on September 1. Six bids were received, as follows:

Contractor Location Total
Humphrey and Son, Inc. Laurel, MD $193,149.00
Arthur Construction Co., Inc. Dulles, VA $271,650.00
Mid-Atlantic Utilities, Inc. Boiling Springs, PA $341,720.75
Sagres Construction Corp Alexandria, VA $342,580.00
Ross Contracting, Inc. Mt. Airy, MD $512,213.00
Fort Myer Construction Corporation Washington, DC $762,240.00

Humphrey and Son, Inc. has previously performed satisfactory work for the City, including sanitary sewer rehabilitation (pipe lining) in the Cabin John and Rock Creek Sewersheds.

Fiscal Impact
Sufficient funds are available in the Sewer Main Rehabilitation CIP (project 220-850-9G34-0426).

Next Steps
Purchasing Division will issue a contract to Humphrey and Son, Inc.

Department Head:



Craig Simoneau, P.E.; , Director of Public Works
Approved on: 09/11/2009

Assistant City Manager:


Jenny Kimball, Assistant City Manager
Approved on: 09/11/2009

City Manager:

Scott Ullery, City Manager
Approved on: 09/11/2009