Placement: Consent Agenda
Action Requested: Motion / Vote
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Award Contract #20260202 for Glades Wastewater Treatment Facility Expansion Owner’s Agent Services.
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Submitted By: Nathaniel Rubel, Procurement Assistant Director, Procurement Management Division (PMD).
Strategic Plan Link: The City's Goal of high-quality infrastructure and facilities.
Summary Brief (Agreements/Contracts only)
1. Prepared by: Nathaniel Rubel, Procurement Assistant Director, PMD.
2. Parties: City of Port St. Lucie and Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson, Inc. (“JMT”).
3. Purpose: To secure the services of an Owner’s Agent to provide support to the Utility Systems Department’s (“USD”) staff throughout the Design-Build process of the Glades Wastewater Treatment Facility Expansion project. An Owner’s Agent can provide subject matter expertise through all stages of the project, including, but not limited to, design criteria preparation, procurement, design, construction, and project closeout.
4. New/Renewal/Modified: New.
5. Duration: The term of the Contract is for 270 calendar days for the Phase 0 services. The City may extend the term of this Contract for future phases through Contract Amendments.
6. Benefits to Port St. Lucie: The use of an Owner’s Agent during all phases of the Glades Wastewater Treatment Facility Expansion will provide the resources and expertise needed to ensure that USD’s customers and businesses are receiving the best possible product.
7. Cost to Port St. Lucie (Annual and Potential): The initial cost for Phase 0 services is $1,364,035.89. Phase 0 focuses on establishing the design criteria and the technical, qualifications-based, and administrative basis for the Design-Build Team.
Presentation Information: N/A.
Staff Recommendation: Move that the Council award Contract #20260202 for Glades Wastewater Treatment Facility Expansion Owner’s Agent Services with JMT.
Alternate Recommendations:
1. Move that the Council reject the recommended award and provide staff with direction.
2. Move that the Council reject all proposals and provide staff with direction to resolicit or cancel the Request for Qualifications.
Background: USD must expand the existing Glades Wastewater Treatment Facility in order to meet future demands. Population projections as provided by the updated Wastewater Master Plan have shown that the existing plant will need additional capacity in order to accommodate the City's growing population. As part of this process, USD has researched and determined that obtaining an Owner’s Agent will provide staff access to experts in various specialties, providing information on the latest advancements and most importantly, an advocate on USD's behalf throughout the project.
During Phase 0 of the project, JMT will establish project governance; collect and review existing documentation; and confirm project objectives, constraints, and success criteria. JMT will conduct a high-level process evaluation of the existing facility and develop planning-level criteria for the proposed facility expansion. JMT will also work with USD to identify potential funding opportunities, grant programs, and financing mechanisms to support project implementation. Following development of the project definition and criteria, JMT will support Request for Qualifications (RFQu) development, procurement planning, shortlisting, proposer communications, workshops, interviews, clarifications, reference checks, and consensus evaluation. The intended outcome of Phase 0 is the selection of a Design-Build Team for the Glades Wastewater Treatment Facility Expansion project through a qualifications-based RFQu.
A RFQu was issued in accordance with section 287.055, Florida Statutes, identified as the Consultants’ Competitive Negotiation Act (CCNA), on April 28, 2026, to 1,739 potential consultants. There were 5 proposals received on May 29, 2026. PMD held the first evaluation committee meeting on June 24, 2026, to review and discuss the proposals and individual scores to determine the short list. Four of the five proposing firms were invited to a second evaluation meeting held on July 20, 2026, to make presentations and to answer more detailed questions regarding the project. Following the presentations, the Evaluation Committee reviewed their scores and adjusted them accordingly. The final scores were announced as follows:
#1 Ranked Firm: Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson (276.4)
#2 Ranked Firm: Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc. (273.4)
#3 Ranked Firm: CDM Smith Inc. (269.6)
#4 Ranked Firm: Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. (268.8)
#5 Ranked Firm (not shortlisted): Guardian Project Management (188.8)
PMD began negotiations with the top-ranked firm, JMT. After the negotiations, the recommendation was made to accept JMT’s proposal of $1,364,035.89 for the Phase 0 Scope of Services.
Issues/Analysis: Staff has reviewed the final proposal and finds that the scope is consistent with the needs for the phasing of the project and finds that the fees are fair and reasonable.
Financial Information: Funding is appropriated in the Utility Systems’ CIP Fund / Glades Wastewater Treatment Plant / CEI (#448-3513-563004).
Special Consideration: At the completion of the Phase 0 services, the Consultant may prepare Owner’s Agent Services proposals for additional project phases. Proposals for services required for subsequent project phases will be incorporated into the Contract through Contract Amendments, which will be placed on future Council agendas for approval prior to commencing the Owner’s Agent Services required for additional project phases.
Location of Project: Glades Wastewater Treatment Facility.
Attachments:
1. Notice of Intent to Award.
2. Proposals Submitted Report.
3. RFQu #20260202 Evaluation Summary Report.
4. Signed Contract #20260202.
5. Proposal from JMT.
6. RFQu #20260202 Solicitation Documents.
NOTE: All of the listed items in the “Attachment” section above are in the custody of the City Clerk. Any item(s) not provided in City Council packets are available upon request from the City Clerk.
Internal Reference Number: 26268-01.
Legal Sufficiency Review:
Reviewed by Alyssa Lunin, Senior Deputy City Attorney. Approved as to Legal form and sufficiency by Richard Berrios, City Attorney.