North Digester Cleaning Project

The City of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, Department of Wastewater is soliciting proposals for the North Digester Cleaning Project, a comprehensive cleaning and biosolids management service for their municipal wastewater treatment plant. The project involves cleaning a 260,000-gallon anaerobic digester, specifically removing approximately 90,000 gallons of liquid, along with sludge, grit, grease, and approximately 10 cubic yards of debris. Qualified contractors must be licensed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) for biosolids hauling and land application, with responsibilities including obtaining WDNR-approved land application sites, conducting soil testing, managing confined space entry, and ensuring proper disposal of materials. The Request for Proposals (RFP) was issued on March 12, 2020, with proposals due by April 23, 2020, at 2:00 PM CST, and the contract term spans 90 days from the Notice to Proceed, ending November 13, 2020. Evaluation criteria include qualifications (20 points), experience and technical competence (25 points), proposed work method (15 points), biosolids disposal knowledge (15 points), project organization (15 points), and cost (10 points).

The procurement does not specify any specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. Contractors must maintain comprehensive insurance coverage, including workers' compensation, commercial general liability of $1,000,000 per occurrence, automobile liability of $1,000,000, professional liability of $1,000,000 per claim, and umbrella liability of $5,000,000. The City will provide non-potable water and recent biosolids test results, while the contractor is responsible for all project costs, equipment, and consumables. The project includes daily penalties of $300 for delays beyond the 60-day completion window, with the City reserving the right to extend the contract for one additional year. Pricing must be submitted as a lump sum for digester liquid removal and a unit price for debris disposal at a state-licensed landfill. While no incumbent vendor is mentioned, the project requires careful management of odor control, with the City retaining the right to stop or postpone work if odors become objectionable outside the treatment plant fence. The specific budget range is not explicitly stated, but the comprehensive requirements suggest a significant investment in specialized wastewater treatment services.