TO: Indian River County Board of County Commissioners
THROUGH: John A. Titkanich, Jr., County Administrator
Sean C. Lieske, Director of Utility Services
Howard G. Richards, PE, Manager - Capital Projects
FROM: Paola Talavera, Associate Engineer
DATE: October 28, 2025
SUBJECT: Award of Bid 2025067 for Gifford Water Tank Structural Rehabilitation Phase 2. IRCDUS Project ID 13.23.538
__________________________________________________________________
BACKGROUND
Indian River County Department of Utility Services (IRCDUS) owns and operates the Gifford Elevated Storage Tank (EST), a 0.4 million-gallon (MG) steel multi-leg supported tank that has a common inlet/outlet pipe, and an altitude valve. The tank is not required to meet Florida Administrative Code (FAC) requirements for potable water storage, it has been isolated from the water distribution systems and is no longer in operational use.
To ensure structural integrity of the tank, modification/upgrade of the tank is required.
On behalf of the Indian River County Department of Utility Services (IRCDUS), sealed bids were solicited from qualified contractors for the Gifford Water Tank Structural Rehabilitation Phase 2 project. Phase 2 includes sand-blasting and re-coating of the entire exterior structure of the 400,000-gallon multi-leg steel elevated potable water storage tank located in Gifford. Phase 1 of the structural improvements was awarded to, and successfully completed by, Viking Painting, LLC, (Viking) between December 2024 and June 2025. During the solicitation process for Phase 1, the Department determined that awarding Phase 2 was not feasible at the time, as there are antennas on the tank that have to be removed in coordination with their respective vendors.
BID RESULTS
Advertising Date: August 24, 2025
Bid Opening Date: October 3, 2025
Euna Bonfire notified: 348 Subscribers
Bid Documents Obtained by: 18 Contractors
Replies: 2 Contractors
|
Firm |
Location |
Total Bid |
|
Viking Painting, LLC |
LaVista, NE |
$398,250 |
|
Razorback, LLC |
Tarpon Springs, FL |
$673,000 |
ANALYSIS
The design engineer, Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. (KHA), reviewed the bids and has recommended award to Viking as the lowest, responsive, responsible bidder. The provided base bid was approximately 24% less than the engineer’s opinion of probable cost. The contractor has successfully completed several projects for IRCDUS, including Phase 1 of this project.
Staff concurs with KHA’s recommendation of award to Viking for the amount of $398,250. Due to the potential for scope variability (i.e., known risks) or owner-directed changes (e.g., value engineering), staff propose an additional 15% or $60,000 in project reserve to cover such additional expenses. These additional expenses may become necessary to complete the project (resolve issues) or meet departmental objectives (explore opportunities). The project reserve will be managed by IRCDUS’ Capital Projects Manager for the sole purpose of covering such costs over and above the contractor’s bid price. With the proposed project reserve included, the proposed budget for the Project is $458,250.
BUDGETARY IMPACT
Funds, in the amount of $458,250, for the work will come from the Utilities/WIP/Gifford Storage Tank account, number 471-169000-23538. Since this is an operating capital project, the funds will come from fund balance. Operating funds are derived from water and sewer sales.
PREVIOUS BOARD ACTIONS
Request Approval to Bid Gifford Elevated Storage Tank Rehabilitation IRCDUS Project ID 13.23.538
Award of Bid 2024047 for Gifford Elevated Storage Tank Modification and Rehabilitation Phase 1 (IRCDUS 13.23.538)
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT
Infrastructure: Planning, constructing, managing, and maintaining critical public infrastructure in response to our current needs, future demands, and the expectations of our community; embracing innovation, technology, and resiliency.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommended Action
Staff recommends the Board award Bid 2025067 to Viking Painting, LLC for Gifford Water Tank Structural Rehabilitation Phase 2 for $398,250, approve the Agreement, and authorize the Chairman to sign the agreement after it has been approved by the County Attorney as to form and legal sufficiency, and after receipt and approval of the required public construction bond. Staff also request authorization to hold $60,000 in project reserve for potential changes due to scope variability or owner directed changes for a total budget of $458,250. So long as there are no increases to the budget dollar amount approved, upon adequate completion of the work, staff is directed to make final payment and release any retainage to Viking Painting, LLC.