WRWWTF Electrical Building Progressive Design-Build

Palm Beach County Water Utilities Department is requesting proposals for a progressive design-build contract to design and construct electrical infrastructure improvements for the Western Region Wastewater Treatment Facility, with proposals due November 12, 2026, and questions due November 2, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. This is a rebid; only one proposal was received on the initial solicitation and was not opened.

The scope encompasses design and construction of two new elevated electrical buildings (Main Electrical Building and Deep Injection Well electrical building), an elevated outdoor enclosure housing one 1500 KW or two 750 KW diesel generators, demolition of existing operations and generator buildings, conversion of an existing DIW MCC building to storage, relocation of process and non-process piping, modifications to overhead and underground power lines, and electrical, instrumentation, controls, and process improvements. New structures must be elevated 1 to 3 feet above Base Flood Elevation to address compound flooding, structural settlement, and groundwater infiltration. The facility, located in Belle Glade, Florida, is operated by PBCWUD and faces vulnerability to Lake Okeechobee flooding and severe weather.

The estimated project cost is $20 million. The project is fully funded by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Resilient Florida Program. Design completion is expected within 12 months of Phase 1 Notice to Proceed; construction completion is targeted for December 2029, with the facility operational within three years from Notice to Proceed for Phase 2. Contract term is five years. Only one Design-Build Entity will be selected.

The contract uses a progressive design-build delivery structure with Phase 1 services (design, pricing, and related services on a time-and-materials, not-to-exceed basis) followed by Phase 2 services (final design, procurement, construction, commissioning, and warranty on a Guaranteed Maximum Price basis). The County retains an off-ramp option to terminate after Phase 1 and proceed with alternative delivery.

Proposers and all sub-consultants must hold Palm Beach County CCNA certification in nine categories: topography/engineering surveying, soils and foundation testing, architectural services, mechanical engineering for wastewater treatment systems, electrical engineering for industrial facilities, structural engineering, environmental engineering for water and wastewater treatment, and subsurface utility engineering. There is no Small Business Enterprise requirement. The Design-Builder must provide a Public Construction Bond equal to 100% of construction value and maintain comprehensive insurance including Commercial General Liability, Workers' Compensation, Professional Liability, and Builders Risk. Proposals require nine originals, eight bound originals, one unbound original, and one CD/USB flash drive. Prime and all sub-consultants must register as vendors with Palm Beach County prior to award. Contract award is anticipated in July 2027; design-build firm selection is expected in December 2026 or January 2027.