Pump Station 2 Variable Frequency Drive (VFDs) Upgrade at the Water Resource Recovery Facility

The Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) is seeking bids for a comprehensive Pump Station 2 Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) Upgrade project at the Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF) in Wayne County, Michigan. The procurement involves replacing five existing low-voltage VFDs with new medium voltage VFDs, rewinding five existing 900 HP sewage pump motors to 1000 HP medium-voltage induction motors, and performing extensive electrical distribution system upgrades. Qualified contractors must demonstrate experience with medium voltage power systems, large horsepower motors, VFDs, transformer installations, and complex retrofit construction projects in wastewater facilities. The project requires a phased approach to minimize operational disruptions, maintaining N+1 power redundancy throughout the construction process, and limiting pump removal to no more than one unit at a time. Key procurement dates include mandatory site tours on July 28 and 29, 2025, with questions due by August 5, 2025, and final bids due on September 8, 2025, at 12:00 PM EST. The evaluation criteria will be 97% lowest cost/responsive/responsible and 3% economic equity, with an anticipated Notice to Proceed in January 2026 and substantial completion expected 72 months from NTP.

The solicitation includes a robust Business Inclusion and Diversity (B.I.D.) Program that provides economic equity credits for vendors meeting specific diversity criteria. Contractors can earn up to 3% additional scoring points for having a business presence in Michigan, being located in an economically disadvantaged service territory, or being in a GLWA service territory. Accepted diversity certifications include Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), Woman Business Enterprise (WBE), and Small Business Enterprise (SBE). The project includes several provisional allowances totaling $2,515,000, covering items such as raceways ($200,000), structural testing ($25,000), integration services ($40,000), pump dynamics modifications ($250,000), and a $2,000,000 allowance for owner-authorized changes. Contractors must provide a 5% Bid Bond and 100% Performance and Payment Bonds, with the project requiring coordination with existing systems, including integration services from Emerson and Rockwell. Liquidated damages are specified at $4,500 per day for Substantial Completion and $2,250 per day for Final Completion, with the total project timeline extending to 75 months from the Notice to Proceed.