Title
The Board of Water Commissioners for the City of Detroit, Water and Sewerage Department authorizes the Director to approve DWSD Contract 6008034 (CS-2010) with AECOM Great Lakes, Inc. for Project Scoping-Cost Effective Flood Mitigation Design Alternatives-Detroit West Side, for a total contract not-to-exceed amount of $1,252,788.00 and a term of four hundred seventy-nine (479) calendar days. This also authorizes the Director to take such other action as may be necessary to accomplish the intent of this vote.
Body
Agenda of September 16, 2026
Item No. 2026-188
Contract No. 6008034 / CS-2010
Contractor: AECOM Great Lakes, Inc. (DBB)
Address: 4219 Woodward Avenue, Suite 200, Detroit, MI 48201
Contract Amount: $1,252,788.00
Contract Term: Four hundred seventy-nine (479) calendar days after notice to proceed
TO: The Honorable
Board of Water Commissioners
City of Detroit, Michigan
FROM: Gary Brown, Director
Water and Sewerage Department
RE: Proposed Contract No. 6008034 / CS-2010
Project Scoping-Cost Effective Flood Mitigation Design Alternatives-Detroit West Side
AECOM Great Lakes, Inc.
MOTION
Upon recommendation of Marqaicha Welch, Procurement Manager, the Board of Water Commissioners for the City of Detroit, Water and Sewerage Department authorizes the Director to approve DWSD Contract 6008034 (CS-2010) with AECOM Great Lakes, Inc. for Project Scoping-Cost Effective Flood Mitigation Design Alternatives-Detroit West Side for not-to-exceed amount of 1,252,788.00 and a term of four hundred seventy-nine (479) calendar days after notice to proceed.
BACKGROUND / JUSTIFICATION
In 2021, Detroit experienced large rain events leading to systemwide flooding. Severe flooding was observed in many parts of the city, including the Michigan/Martin, Claytown, and Midwest neighborhoods in southwest Detroit, which contribute to the Lonyo and Livernois sewers. In 2025, the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) was awarded a FEMA Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant: BRIC FY23 - City of Detroit - Project Scoping- Cost-Effective Flood Mitigation Design Alternatives - Detroit West Side. The grant was secured in response to the systemwide flooding events of 2021 and is intended to be used to evaluate the redirection of stormwater from the DWSD sewer system in southwest Detroit. Per the grant agreement, all services must be performed by September 22, 2027.
DWSD has been awarded $1,255,500 in FEMA BRIC funding to pursue the proposed scoping project, which will lead to the development of cost-effective design solutions to reduce flood damages in the project area, with a focus on flood mitigation for extreme precipitation events and reduction of the hydraulic grade line for the local and regional sewer system. The scoping project will propose options for an implementation project for future funding, allowing DWSD to advance an effective solution for flooding mitigation in an area heavily impacted by recent severe flooding events. DWSD has advertised a Request for Proposal to meet the objectives of the scoping project, and upon evaluation of the proposals received, has recommended AECOM for award of this proposal.
All funds should be listed for FY27. The grant funding for this project is only available through early FY28 (coinciding with the end date of the contract) so the department anticipates that FY28 expenditures will be minimal.
PROCUREMENT METHOD
This procurement was competitively solicited through a Request for Proposals (RFP) per Requisition 546197, which was fully approved on 7/6/26. The RFP was advertised on the Michigan Inter-Governmental Trade Network (MITN) BidNet website for 41 calendar days (5/12/26 - 6/22/26). MITN published this opportunity to 3814 companies, and 79 firms downloaded the bid package. Two (2) proposals were received and downloaded from MITN website by the City of Detroit Water and Sewerage Department, Procurement Division.
The Engineer’s Estimate for this work is $1,255,500.00.
The Evaluation Committee was comprised of an Engineer from the Permitting & Stormwater Management Group, an Assistant Permit Manager from the Permitting & Stormwater Management Group, and an Engineer from Field Engineering. Evaluations were based on the following criteria:
• Work Plan & Organization
• Ability to Perform Work
• Staff Experience
• Pricing
Each voting member of the Evaluation Committee independently reviewed, evaluated, and scored the two responsive and responsible proposals based on the first three criteria listed above (pricing information was withheld until the technical portion was scored). Procurement took the scores and tallied up the rankings based on the scores for Work Plan & Organization, Ability to Perform Work and Staff experience and Qualifications. Pricing information was then opened, and the Proposers were again ranked from lowest to highest based on price. Procurement then determined the highest ranked proposer based on the final rankings:
|
Rank |
Proposer |
Score |
Equalizations |
Final Score |
|
1 |
AECOM Great Lakes, Inc. |
4,939.50 |
N/A |
4,939.50 |
|
2 |
Applied Science, Inc. |
3,915.00 |
N/A |
3,915.00 |
The Evaluation Committee recommended the highest-ranked Proposer, AECOM Great Lakes, Inc., enter negotiations for contract award. Negotiations were successful.
Based on the information above, DWSD recommends the contract be awarded to the highest ranked responsive and responsible proposer, AECOM Great Lakes, Inc.
AECOM Great Lakes, Inc. clearances expire on 6/15/27. A formal contract document will be sent to the vendor for signature; it is anticipated to be signed prior to the board meeting.
SUMMARY
A. Contract No.: 6008034 / CS-2010
B. Contractor: AECOM Great Lakes, Inc. (DBB)
C. Contract Term: Four hundred seventy-nine (479) calendar days after notice
to proceed
D. Contract Amount: $1,252,788.00
E. Anticipated FY Breakdown: FY 26-27: $1,252,788.00
F. Funding Source: Federal Funds ( matching funds )
G. GL String: 5821-20243-497711-617900-900460-30129-0000-000000
- 100% Sewer
This proposed Contract was presented to the BOWC Finance Committee on September 2, 2026. Per the DWSD Procurement Policy, Mayoral Review will also be obtained.