Pinellas County awards $42M utilities engineering framework to 14 firms

Pinellas County awards $42M utilities engineering framework to 14 firmsThe Florida utility has established a five-year roster of consultants including Jacobs, Black & Veatch, and Brown and Caldwell to execute assignments on an as-needed basis.

The Board approved a five-year, $42 million total contract value for Utilities Professional Engineering Services.

14 firms were selected from 31 applicants, with each contract capped at $3 million per vendor.

Selected firms include Carollo Engineers, CDM Smith, Hazen and Sawyer, HDR, and Stantec.

Separately, a $3.26 million contract was awarded for a managed aquifer recharge well project.

The County also approved a $1.5 million joint agreement for water main relocations in Belleair Bluffs.

Pinellas County Commissioners approved a significant expansion of their technical support capacity on January 20, 2026, authorizing agreements with 14 engineering firms to support the Utilities Department over the next five years. The 'Utilities Professional Engineering Services 2026-2031' contract has a total not-to-exceed value of $42 million. The county received 31 submittals for the competitive solicitation. The selected firms will provide continuing professional engineering services on an assignment-by-assignment basis, with each firm’s contract capped at $3 million. The roster includes a mix of major international consultancies and regional specialists, including Advanced Engineering & Design, Black & Veatch, Brown and Caldwell, Carollo Engineers, CDM Smith, Freese and Nichols, Hazen and Sawyer, HDR Engineering, Jacobs Engineering Group, Jones Edmunds & Associates, McKim & Creed, Mead & Hunt, Stantec Consulting Services, and Wright-Pierce. The selection brings substantial regional expertise to Pinellas County's capital plans. For example, Black & Veatch maintains a heavy footprint in Florida's water sector, currently delivering design services for Miami-Dade’s $8.6 billion capital program and managing North Miami Beach’s water infrastructure improvements. According to agenda documents, all recommended firms have committed to utilizing certified Small Business Enterprise (SBE) firms for engagements resulting from the contract. Funding is currently available in the Utilities Department's Fiscal Year 2026 budget across multiple operating and capital funds. In addition to the consulting framework, the Board approved specific water infrastructure investments. A $3.26 million contract was awarded to Applied Drilling Engineering, Inc. for the Chesnut Park managed aquifer recharge well project. This scope includes drilling a 24-inch diameter aquifer recharge well and completing subsurface testing. This project is funded by the Sewer Renewal and Replacement Fund. The Board also approved a Joint Project Agreement with the City of Belleair Bluffs. The county will spend an estimated $1.5 million to replace and realign potable water distribution mains to accommodate city roadway and drainage improvements along East Overbrook Street and Duncan Drive. This work will be funded by both the Water and Sewer Renewal and Replacement Funds.