E3. Early Work Contract RecommendationCITY OF
KALISPELL
MEMORANDUM
To: Doug Russell, City Manager
From: Susie Turner, PE, Director of Public Works
Re: Early Work Contract Recommendation - Kalispell AWWTP Dewatering
Improvement Project
Meeting Date: August 18, 2025
BACKGROUND: The City of Kalispell is enhancing its biosolids dewatering capabilities as
part of the Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant (AWWTP) Biosolids Dewatering
Improvement Project. For this project, Council approved the use of the alternative project
delivery method General Contractor/Construction Manager (GCCM).
The complete project scope includes:
• Demolishing outdated equipment
• Installing new solids dewatering equipment
• Reconfiguring existing solids dewatering equipment and piping for potential future dryer
equipment installation (if needed)
• Updating the polymer unit
• Improving pumping and piping to support new dewatering operations
Under the GCCM method, a qualified contractor is selected early in the design process through a
Request for Qualifications (RFQ) and Request for Proposals (RFP), in accordance with Montana
Code Annotated (MCA) 18-2-503. The City conducted a two-step procurement process and
selected Swank Enterprises from among three proposers following evaluation and interviews.
As an initial step in the GCCM process, the City contracted Swank Enterprises for
preconstruction services at a cost of $39,885.00. As part of these services, early procurement of
long lead-time equipment and an initial work package were identified as items that would benefit
the project by allowing work to proceed ahead of final design completion, helping to meet tight
deadlines. The cost of the early work package will be deducted from the Guaranteed Maximum
Price (GMP) when finalized at 90% design.
EARLY WORK CONTRACT: Swank Enterprises provided work authorization and pricing for
the early work package, which has been reviewed by AE2S, the Engineer of Record. The early
work package will support the installation of a temporary biosolids loadout facility. The
proposed scope includes:
• Installation of temporary facilities, including a cake loadout structure located outside the
existing volute press garage bay
• Demolition of the DAF tank (west of the existing Belt Filter Press) and associated
process piping and appurtenances
201 1" Avenue E Phone (406)758-7720
Po Box 1997 Public Works Department Fax (406)758-7831
Kalispell, MT 59903 1 1 www.kalispell.com
• Demolition of the WAS pipe in the southeast corner
• Preparation of shop drawings and as -built piping plans
• Procurement of valves
• Conveyor submittals
AE2S has reviewed the early work package for completeness and compliance with technical
requirements and recommends approval.
FISCAL EFFECTS:
The project's funding sources and FY 26 budget allocations are sufficient to award the Early
Work Contract amounts described as follows:
• WWTP Fund 5310-455-430640 Line Item 930: Capital Outlay — Biosolids
Treatment//Disposal $429,846
• WWTP Impact Fee Fund 5311-455-430644 Line Item 930: Capital Outlay — Biosolids
Alternate Disposal Eng. $281,207
• WWTP Fund 5310-455-430640: 930 SRF Bonded Debt — Biosolids Facility $5,086,243
ACTION REQUESTED: Motion to award the Early Work Contract to Swank Enterprises in the
amount of $357,398.00, contingent upon DNRC-SRF and DEQ review and approval.
ALTERNATIVES: As suggested and approved by the City Council.
ATTACHMENTS: AE2S Recommendation of Award Memo.
2 1 P a g e
www.ae2s.com
August 11, 2025
Ms. Susie Turner
Public Works Director
201 Is'Ave E
Kalispell, MT 59901
Re: Recommendation of Award for Swank Enterprises
Kalispell AWWTP Dewatering Improvements Protect: Work Authorization No. 1- Early Work
Package
Dear Ms. Turner:
RECOMMENDATION:
AE2S recommends that the City of Kalispell Award the Contract for Work Authorization No. 1- Early Work
Package to Swank Enterprises. Swank Enterprises' Lump Sum Compensation for the Work Authorization
No. 1 - Early Work Package is $357,398.00. We are confident that Swank Enterprises meets the
qualifications required to supply the goods and scope of work requested for the AWWTP Dewatering
Improvements Project.
Swank Enterprise's Proposal for the Kalispell AWWTP Dewatering Improvements Project was received on
July 3, 2025, and included the following required bid documentation:
• Proposal Bond in the amount of 10% of the Estimated Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP)
• Acknowledgement of all addenda issued to the Bidding Documents.
• Supporting materials, including a list of relevant projects, references, schedule, and thorough
understanding of the project.
• Estimated cost of work of $2,427,000.00 (Excluding contingency. Note that the cost is currently
part of a non -binding Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP), the final cost of the work and GMP will
be determined in late fall 2025)
Following proposal review, Swank Enterprises was selected as the General Contractor/Construction
Manager (GCCM) for the Kalispell AWWTP Dewatering Improvements Project and is currently under
contract for Preconstruction Services for the lump sum amount of $39,885.00. As part of preconstruction
services, early procurement of long lead time equipment and an initial work package were identified as
early work scope that will benefit the project ahead of construction to meet tight project deadlines while
final design is completed.
Compensation for the Early Work Package will be deducted from the current Estimated cost of work of
$2,427,000.00 and Final Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) once final design is completed. Compensation
for Work Authorization No. 1 - Early Work Package includes bonding and insurance, project support costs,
labor, submittals, a temporary cake loadout facility, piping, and equipment.
Advanced Engineering and Environmental Services, Inc.
1288 North 14th Avenue, Unit 103 • Bozeman, MT 59715 • 406-219-2633
Kalispell AWWTP Dewatering Improvements
Work Authorization No. 1— Early Work Package Recommendation of Award
Page 2 of 2
WORK AUTHORIZATION NO. 1 - EARLY WORK PACKAGE SCOPE SUMMARY:
Swank Enterprise will perform the following scope of work:
• Installation of temporary facilities to include cake loadout structure located outside of the existing
volute press garage bay
• Demolition on DAF tank (west behind existing Belt Filter Press) and associated process pipe and
appurtenances
• Demolition of WAS pipe in southeast corner
• Shop Drawings and As -built Piping
• Procure Valves
• Conveyor Submittals
• Exclusions: Demolition of process pumps, pipes, equipment in use. Existing conveyor will remain
unmodified and fully operational throughout the duration of Early Work Package.
Substantial completion for this work is within 45 days of authorization. Substantial completion will be met
following completion of:
Milestone: Successful installation of temporary cake loadout facility.
PROPOSAL & WORK AUTHORIZATION EVALUATION:
Swank Enterprise's project proposal was found to be responsive and complete. Swank Enterprise was
selected as the GCCM for the Kalispell AWWTP Dewatering Improvements Project Award and is currently
contracted for Preconstruction Services. Award will lead to successful completion of the initial project
scope of work and keep the project on track.
REQUESTED CITY OF KALISPELL COUNCIL ACTION:
AE2S recommends moving to approve the Work Authorization No. 1— Early Work Package.
AE2S appreciates the opportunity to provide the City of Kalispell with professional engineering services
for this important project. If you wish to discuss any of this information or have questions prior to issuing
the Notice of Award, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
AE2S
Scott Buecker, PE
Wastewater Practice Leader
Encl.: Work Authorization
https://ae2s.sharepoint.com/sites/Kalispe11WWTPBiosolidsTreatmentDisposaf/Shared Documents/04.0 Project Work/04.08
GCCM/Agreement - Work Authorizations/2 - Early Work Package/Early Work Package - Recommendation of Award 250812.dou