TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager
TITLE: Approve Contract for Installation of Lift Station Diesel Bypass Pumps RFB No. 2025-42 With Spectrum Underground Inc., for the Installation of Eight (8) Permanent Diesel Bypass Pumps in the Amount of $1,130,078 With a Contingency of $29,922 for a Total Amount of $1,160,000.
Recommended Action
Option 1: Approve Contract for the Installation of Lift Station Diesel Bypass Pumps RFB No. 2025-42 with Spectrum Underground Inc., for the installation of eight (8) permanent diesel bypass pumps in the amount of $1,130,078 with a contingency of $29,922 for a total amount of $1,160,000.
City Commission Options
Option 1: Approve Contract for the Installation of Lift Station Diesel Bypass Pumps RFB No. 2025-42 with Spectrum Underground Inc., for the installation of eight (8) permanent diesel bypass pumps in the amount of $1,130,078 with a contingency of $29,922 for a total amount of $1,160,000.
• Pros: The permanent diesel bypass pumps will keep wastewater flowing during future storm events, power failures and prevent sanitary sewer overflows.
• Cons: The grant does not cover the full cost of the project and requires the commitment of utility funds, which could otherwise be allocated to other projects.
Option 2: Deny Contract for the Installation of Lift Station Diesel Bypass Pumps RFB No. 2025-42 with Spectrum Underground Inc., for the installation of eight (8) permanent diesel bypass pumps in the amount of $1,130,078 with a contingency of $29,922 for a total amount of $1,160,000.
• Pros: Preserves utility funds for allocation to other utility projects.
• Cons: Loss of grant funding and reduced reliability of lift stations to maintain sanitary sewer overflows during future storm events.
Background Information
During Hurricane Irma, the Utilities Department had two (2) shifts working twelve (12) hour days to manually keep lift station levels pumped due to widespread power disruption. Ninety (90%) of the lift stations were inoperable and required manual operation by staff. The City hired a contractor to assist with pumping out the stations as the workload was too great for city staff to maintain alone. After the storm, projects were evaluated to help mitigate the future effects of storms and the Grants Division identified an opportunity from the Community Development Block Grant for this project. This project will install eight (8) permanent diesel bypass pumps at lift stations 23, 25, 30, 37, 38, 39, 43, and 63.
The permanent diesel bypass pumps will keep wastewater flowing during future storm events, power failures and prevent sanitary sewer overflows. The timeline below outlines the procurement process for the Request for Bid:
Ø October 10, 2025: Request for Bid No. 2025-42 for Lift Station Diesel Bypass Pumps Community Development Block Grant-Mitigation was advertised.
Ø December 11, 2025: The bid opening took place with seven (7) bids received.
Ø February 25, 2026: The City issued the Notice of Intent to Award.
CHA Consulting, Inc.(CHA) performed a formal responsibility evaluation of the lowest bidder to verify their qualifications and capacity to perform the work. Based on the results of this due diligence and CHA’s recommendation letter dated February 6, 2026, staff recommend awarding Contract No. 2025-42 to Spectrum Underground, Inc., as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.
The Contract for Installation of Lift Station Diesel Bypass Pumps RFB No. 2025-42 has been reviewed by the City Attorney and is legally correct as to form.
The Contract for Installation of Lift Station Diesel Bypass Pumps RFB No. 2025-42 was provided to the City Clerk’s Office on May 18, 2026, for signatures, subject to City Commission approval.
Strategic Plan Pillar
Infrastructure & Facilities Integrity
Financial Impact
Funds are budgeted in account number 420-6063-536.64-00 under project number U22PBP. The total reimbursement for the grant will be $650,440 and applied to revenue account number 420-0000-334.35-00.
Procurement
This service was procured pursuant to Chapter 2 - Administration, Article VIII - Procurement, Section 2-404, Competitive Sealed Bid Process of the Code of the City of North Port, Florida.
Spectrum Underground, Inc.
5802 Bee Ridge Rd.
Sarasota, FL 34233
Attachments:
1. Contract No. 2025-42
2. Notice of Intent to Award
3. Award Recommendation Memo
4. Bid Tabulation
5. Submittal by Spectrum Underground, Inc.
6. Request for Bid No. 2025-42 and Addenda
7. Community Block Grant-Mitigation Contract IR027
8. Map of Lift Stations
9. Florida Division of Corporations Documents
Prepared by: Melissa McConnell, Project Manager
Michelle Tipp, Utilities Senior Business Manager
Department Director: Tricia Wisner, Utilities Director