E2. Award PFAS Replacement Wells - Test Wells Projectcrr•v or
KALISPELL
MEMORANDUM
To: Doug Russell, City Manager
Cc: Susie Turner, PE — Public Works Director
From: Keith Haskins, PE - Deputy Public Works Director
Re: PFAS Replacement Wells — Test Wells Project
Meeting Date: August 18, 2025
BACKGROUND: This project is the first phase of a larger project to secure alternative PFAS-free water
sources for the public water supply. The scope includes drilling and constructing four (4) six-inch test
wells to an approximate depth of 425 feet below ground surface. The test wells will be located at two sites
in Kalispell: the existing Noffsinger Spring House and Dry Bridge Slough Park. The work includes all
labor, equipment, and materials required for drilling, casing, collecting formation samples, and
developing the test wells. These wells will be used by the City to evaluate water quality and determine the
feasibility of developing municipal supply wells in the Deep Alluvial Aquifer. All work will be
completed in accordance with Title 37, Chapter 43, MCA, and Title 36, Chapter 21, ARM (current
editions).
BIDDING RESULTS: Bids were received and opened on August 7, 2025, at 2 pm. Four responsive bids
were received and are summarized below.
Contractor
Total Bid Price
RM Drilling and Well Service
$129,130.00
Coldwater Drilling and Pumps
$134,100.00
Eagle Drilling and Pumps
$138,960.00
A uasource
$215,500.00
Engineer Estimate
$135, 000.00
RM Drilling and Well Service was the low bidder and is considered a responsible bidder that met the
requirements to complete the project as bid. Public Works recommends awarding the bid to RM Drilling
and Well Service.
ACTION REQUESTED: Motion to award the PFAS Replacement Wells — Test Wells Project to RM
Drilling and Well Service.
FISCAL EFFECTS: Expenditure for the Test Well Project are budgeted in FY 26 and will be funded
through the Emerging Contaminate Response Grant and Forgiveness Bond in the Water Fund as follows:
1. Water: 5210-447- 430551-939
ALTERNATIVES: As suggested and approved by the City Council.
ATTACHMENTS: RPA Recommendation Memo and Project Certified Bid Tab
201 1" Avenue E IPhone (406)758-7720
Po Box 1997 Public Works Department Fax (406)758-7831
Kalispell, MT 59903 1 1 www.kalispell.com
TO: Keith Haskins, PE
City of Kalispell
Deputy Director Public Works / City Engineer
FROM: Neal Levang, PE
Senior Design Team Leader
DATE: August 12, 2025
SUBJECT: PFAS Replacement Wells — Test Wells
Project Overview
The PFAS Replacement Wells — Test Wells includes the following: Drilling and construction of four (4)
six-inch test wells to an approximate depth of 425-feet below ground surface. The test wells are located
at two sites in Kalispell, Noffsinger Springs and Dry -Bridge Park. The project includes all labor,
equipment, and materials to construct the test wells, including drilling, casing, collection of formation
samples, and developing the test wells. The test wells shall be utilized by the City to evaluate water
quality and inform the potential development of municipal water supply wells in areas of the Deep
Alluvial Aquifer. The test wells shall be completed in accordance with Title 37, Chapter 43, MCA and
Title 36, Chapter 21 ARM, current edition, Water Well Contractor rules.
Addendum
One addendum was issued during the bidding process. This addendum included the addition of a bid
bond form and the standard general conditions to the construction contract that were not included in
the original project manual.
Pre -Bid Meeting
A pre -bid meeting was held on July 31, 2025 at 2:00 PM in the Lower Level Conference Room at City
Hall in Kalispell, MT. The meeting included a discussion of the project requirements and the proposed
bidding process which utilized the QuestCDN site for electronic bidding. A representative of the low
bidder was present at the pre -bid meeting.
Bid Opening
Bids were received on August 7, 2025 and opened through QuestCDN (#9790193) at 2:00 PM, local
time, in the Lower -Level Conference Room at City Hall in Kalispell, MT. A total of four (4) bidders
submitted bids for the project.
Summary of Bids Received
The summary of bids is attached to this memorandum.
Four (4) bids were received for the project. The bids ranged from $129,130 to $215,500. No bid
irregularities were found. The apparent low bidder is RM Drilling and Well Services with a bid price of
$129,130. The lowest three bidders offered bids that were within 10% of each other. The highest
bidder offered a significantly higher price, approximately 67% higher than the low bidder.
406.447.5000
3147 Saddle Dr. Helena, MT 59601
www.rpa-hln.com
HELENA KALISPELL BOZEMAN
PRAS Replacement Wells — Test Wells
Summary of Bids
Recommendation of Award
August 12, 2025
RPA has spoken to the low bidder, RM Drilling and Well Services (Scott Leigh), and verified they are
content with their bid and would be glad to be awarded the project.
RM Drilling and Well Services has recently completed a 6" diameterwell forthe City of Whitefish which
was drilled to a similar depth as the wells included in this project. Both WET and RPA were involved
in that project which was completed satisfactorily.
After completing the reference check, discussing the bid results, and reviewing the budget, RPA
recommends that the City of Kalispell award the project to RM Drilling and Well Services for $129,130.
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