Title
The Board of Water Commissioners for the City of Detroit, Water and Sewerage Department authorizes the Director to execute a payment to the Great Lakes Water Authority for repairs to the Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) motor at the Bluehill Pump Station, for a one-time not-to-exceed amount of $642,602.89. This also authorizes the Director to take such other action as may be necessary to accomplish the intent of this vote.
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Agenda of December 17, 2025
Item No.: 2025-301
Payment for Repairs to Bluehill Pump Station VFD motor
Amount: $642,603.89
TO: The Honorable
Board of Water Commissioners
City of Detroit, Michigan
FROM: Gary A Brown, Director
Detroit Water and Sewerage Department
DATE: December 17, 2025
RE: Walk On Agenda Item - VFD motor repairs at the Bluehill Pump Station
MOTION
Upon recommendation and opinion of Samuel Smalley, Chief Operating Officer, the Board of Water Commissioners for the City of Detroit, Water and Sewerage Department authorizes the Director to execute a payment to the Great Lakes Water Authority for repairs to the Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) motor at the Bluehill Pump Station, for a one-time not-to-exceed amount of $642,602.89. This also authorizes the Director to take such other action as may be necessary to accomplish the intent of this vote.
BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
On January 31, 2025, one of the four Bluehill stormwater pumps controlled by a Variable Frequency Drive (VFD), reached its end of life and was no longer reliable. After a review of the available options, GLWA and DWSD agreed to the replacement of 1000 HP Variable Frequency Drive at Bluehill Sanitary/Storm Pump Station with new, updated equipment in its entirety.
The Variable Frequency Drive allows the combined sanitary and storm flow pumping rates to be reliably controlled such that the discharge flows are matched to the incoming combined storm flows to the pump station. The VFD allows flow to be controlled such that wet well levels are more stable and reduces the number of start/stop cycles for the constant speed pumps and reduces wear and tear on the equipment.
PROCUREMENT METHOD
According to DWSD’s Procurement Policy, Section 7.5, competitive solicitation is not required with any public procurement unit for the shared use of goods or services belonging to one or more of the units pursuant to the terms agreed upon between the parties (Section 7.5.2), and/or Agreements with Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) (Section 7.5.2.4.)
An Exception to Competitive Solicitation (ECS) form was submitted and approved by Director Brown on December 11, 2025. Requisition No. 542830 was submitted to initiate the payment process and approved by Budget on December 11, 2025.
The expense of this repair work will be funded from DWSD’s Sewer and I&E fund.
Funding Source and GL String:
5821-20243-497711-617900-004105-30129-0000-000000 - 100% Sewer
This proposed contract was presented as a walk-on item at the December 17, 2025 BOWC Meeting. Per DWSD procurement protocol, no other approvals are required.