reservoir renovation project (continued)

Proposals were evaluated and scored on technical criteria as well as long-term cost. The technical portion of the scoring comprised 60 percent of the evaluation and cost comprised 40 percent.

On August 22, 2011 Tampa Bay Water's board of directors approved a $162 million contract with design-builder Kiewit Infrastructure South to renovate the regional reservoir and increase the facility's storage by 3 billion gallons. The contract formalizes Kiewit's technical solution to meet Tampa Bay Water objectives of long-term reliability, long-term performance and lowest long-term cost.

Tampa Bay Water staff will now work to negotiate a mutually acceptable contract with Kiewit by Aug. 1, 2011. If negotiations are unsuccessful, Tampa Bay Water will enter negotiations with the second ranked firm, Granite Construction Company.

Kiewit's solution addresses the underlying cause of the soil cement cracking with a proposed design that prevents water from being trapped behind the soil cement. Kiewit's solution removes and reclaims the flat-plat soil cement and soil wedge; removes the geomembrane; and adds embankment fill, a drainage system, a new geomembrane and stair-step soil cement around the entire interior face.

Stair-step soil cement is a robust facing that can withstand frequent drain and fill cycles, wave action and storms.

Litigation regarding the original design and construction of the project was authorized in the fall of 2008, and is ongoing but the procurement and implementation of the renovation project is not dependent on the schedule or the outcome of that litigation.

For more information on the Reservoir Renovation Project, contact Tampa Bay Water at 727.796.2355.