Title
Resolution to Approve Amendment No. 1 to the Professional Services Agreement with Moore & Bruggink, Inc., for a Biodigester Feasibility Study - Phase 2 (RFP No. 22-12) ($88,130.00 Amendment, $129,786.00 Contract)
Memorandum
Your approval is requested for Amendment No. 1 to the Professional Services Agreement for professional engineering services with Moore & Bruggink, Inc.(M&B), for Phase 2 of the Biodigester Feasibility Study at the Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF) for $88,130.00.
The WRRF currently landfills centrifuge cake year-round. In 2023, the practice of land applying liquid biosolids as an agricultural supplement during non-winter months was suspended due to many pressures it faces including: effects of climate change (severe wet weather); availability and cost of trucking to application sites; new regulations from emerging contaminants (i.e., PFAS); fear by landowners because of emerging contaminants; and local nuisance concerns. As the pressure on land application increases landfilling may be the only option for disposal of biosolids in the future. The WRRF would have to rely on operating its centrifuges to dewater biosolids and send them to a landfill for disposal year-round. It is likely that millions of dollars of investment in odor control systems would be needed due to weather related increases in odor transmission based on the 2018 odor study. In addition, odors from biosolids could impede the WRRF’s ability to find landfills that would accept them.
The City would benefit from a biodigester at the WRRF for the following reasons: a reduction in the quantity of biosolids transported off-site; a reduction in odors; provide viable options for the beneficial reuse of biosolids; and provide methane that could be used to generate heat or electricity for the WRRF. By providing a renewable source of energy for the WRRF, a biodigester would bring the City closer to achieving its A2 Zero goals.
In February 2022, RFP No. 22-12 was prepared and issued seeking the services of a professional engineering firm to prepare detailed feasibility study for the installation of an anaerobic biodigester at its Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) to treat biosolids from the plant, with the potential to add organics from university and commercial sources, as well as fats, oils, and greases (FOG). The study shall include an analysis that identifies a series of plausible organic inputs for the biodigester from within the City of Ann Arbor and possibly from surrounding areas.
On March 2, 2022, the City received three proposals for this work. The RFP required each consultant to submit a statement of qualifications including past involvement with similar projects, work plan, fee schedule, and resumes of personnel that they proposed were qualified and available to work on the Biodigester Feasibility Study. After evaluation of the proposals, City staff determined that M&B provided the best proposal and best qualified project team at a competitive price. M&B and the City negotiated a scope of services to complete the biodigester feasibility study. It was also determined that a phased approach would make sense. Phase 1 included the feasibility of siting a biodigester on site at the WRRF and has been completed. Phase 2 provides a more detailed conceptual biodigester design, including feedstocks, gas production, financing, and some initial public engagement.
WRRF staff is requesting approval of Amendment 1 to the Professional Services Agreement with M&B in the amount of $88,130.00 and to establish a contingency of $10,000.00, to provide professional engineering services for Phase 2 of the Biodigester Feasibility Study at the WRRF.
M&B complies with the requirements of the City’s Conflict of Interest, Non-Discrimination, and Living Wage ordinances.
Budget/Fiscal Impact: Funding for this effort is included in the WRRF O&M budget in the FY24 fiscal year.
Staff
Prepared by: Anne M. Warrow, P.E., Wastewater Treatment Services Engineer
Reviewed by: Brian Steglitz, Public Services Area Administrator
Approved by: Milton Dohoney Jr., City Administrator
Body
Whereas, The WRRF currently landfills centrifuge cake year-round;
Whereas, The study would determine if a biodigester is feasible and would reduce the quantity of biosolids transported off-site and reduce odors with year round landfilling;
Whereas, If feasible a biodigester could help the WWTP become more energy neutral and support the A2zero initiative;
Whereas, The City issued Request for Proposal #22-12 for a Biodigester feasibility study;
Whereas, Of the three proposals received, M&B was selected as the most qualified consultant with the most comprehensive scope at a competitive price;
Whereas, M&B completed Phase 1 of the Biodigester Feasibility Study and concluded that a biodigester is feasible to site at the WRRF despite existing land constraints;
Whereas, Phase 2 of the Biodigester Feasibility Study is recommended to proceed at a cost of $88,130.00;
Whereas, WRRF staff request that Council approve a contingency of $10,000.00 to fund additional necessary services as approved by the City Administrator;
Whereas, Phase 2 of the Biodigester Feasibility Study will be funded from the approved WRRF Operations and Maintenance budgets; and
Whereas, Moore & Bruggink, Inc. complies with the requirements of the City’s Conflict of Interest, Non-Discrimination, and Living Wage ordinances;
RESOLVED, That City Council approve Amendment No. 1 to the Professional Services Agreement with Moore & Bruggink, Inc., in the amount of $88,130.00 to provide professional engineering services to complete Phase 2 of the Biodigester Feasibility Study at the WRRF;
RESOLVED, That Council approve a contingency of $10,000.00 to fund additional necessary services as approved by the City Administrator;
RESOLVED, That this amendment and contingency are to be funded from the WWTSU Operation and Maintenance Budget if so approved by Council;
RESOLVED, That the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized and directed to execute the agreement for services after approval as to substance by the City Administrator and approval as to form by the City Attorney; and
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator be authorized to take the necessary administrative actions to implement this resolution.