West Basin board slashes construction management fee request for ECLWRF solids handling project

West Basin board slashes construction management fee request for ECLWRF solids handling projectDirectors approved a scaled-back $35,000 contract amendment for AKM Consulting Engineers, opting to cover only materials testing and tank inspections while rejecting over $52,000 in additional requested construction management fees.

The Edward C. Little Water Recycling Facility (ECLWRF) Solids Handling Improvements Project is currently under a $10.9 million construction contract with Kiewit Construction.

AKM Consulting Engineers requested an $87,920 amendment to its $688,168 construction management contract to cover extended preconstruction efforts, materials testing, and shop inspections.

The board voted to approve only $35,000 of the request, drawing from existing contingency funds, after a director argued the extra management work was included in the original RFP.

The West Basin Municipal Water District Board of Directors has approved a scaled-back contract amendment for construction management services on the Edward C. Little Water Recycling Facility (ECLWRF) Solids Handling Improvements Project. During its April 27 meeting, the board authorized a $35,000 amendment for AKM Consulting Engineers, rejecting a larger $87,920 request. The ECLWRF solids handling project involves replacing two sludge conditioning tanks, feed pumps, and other ancillary equipment. Kiewit Construction holds the $10.9 million construction contract, which is currently on schedule and tracking for completion in mid-January 2027. AKM, which was originally awarded a $688,168 construction management contract, requested the $87,920 amendment to cover three areas: $20,000 for materials testing by subconsultant Ninyo & Moore, $15,000 for shop and coating inspection services for the new steel tanks, and $52,920 for additional construction management team effort. Staff noted the extra construction management effort stemmed from an extended 18-month construction timeline versus the originally anticipated 12 months, as well as a high volume of contractor requests for information (RFIs) and deviations. The board, however, pushed back on the $52,920 portion of the request. Director Desi Alvarez argued that the additional construction management work, specifically related to constructability reviews and responding to contractor questions, was already covered in AKM's original proposal and scope of work. "I at this point believe that they're entitled to the additional compensation for the $35,000, but not for the additional CM work. It's not above and beyond," Alvarez stated during the meeting. The board ultimately voted to approve "Option 2," authorizing only the $35,000 for materials testing and shop coating inspections. The approved funds will be drawn from the construction management contract's existing $68,817 contingency.