Submitted By: Laurie Hornberger
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Presentation By: Sean Lanier
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Department: Water & Sewer
FORMAL TITLE:
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Piggyback agreement with USSI, LLC for inflow abatement and related services with an estimated aggregate expenditure of $190,000
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OCALA’S RELEVANT STRATEGIC GOALS:
Operational Excellence
PROOF OF PUBLICATION:
N/A
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BACKGROUND:
The Water Resources Department is requesting approval to award a piggyback agreement to USSI, LLC, for inflow abatement services, which include maintenance hole inspections, chimney sealing, rain dish installation, smoke testing, installation of cleanout caps and plugs, and the preparation of a comprehensive final report.
Water Resources conducts sewer smoke testing as part of its efforts to maintain and assess the integrity of the City of Ocala’s sanitary sewer system. Smoke testing is used to detect leaks, cracks, illegal sewer line connections, and prevent stormwater infiltration and sewer overflows. Testing also identifies plumbing defects that may allow sewer gases to enter into commercial and residential buildings.
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS:
The Water Resources Department has an ongoing need for the provision of smoke testing and inflow and infiltration (I&I) services for its sanitary sewer system.
USSI, LLC (USSI) provides wastewater inflow abatement technologies and related services. The services offered by USSI will include smoke testing and report preparation, sealing of manhole chimneys, replacing cleanout caps, installation of cleanout pipes, lift station basin reports, manhole inspections, and lift station area infiltration investigation and monitoring.
After a competitive solicitation process, Seminole County, Florida, awarded Contract No. IFB-604974-25/LAS (the “Seminole County Agreement”) to USSI for the provision of smoke testing and I&I services for a term of three (3) years, commencing May 21, 2025, and ending May 21, 2028. The Seminole County Agreement offers two successive periods not to exceed one (1) year each upon mutual agreement between the parties.
On October 21, 2025, after evaluation of the Seminole County Agreement, Procurement and Contracting staff granted the Water Resources Department’s request for a procurement exception to piggyback the Seminole County Agreement for the provision of inflow abatement and related services. The Seminole County Agreement was competitively bid and USSI has agreed to extend to the City of Ocala the same highly competitive pricing, which maximizes best value for the City.
Staff recommends approval.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Funding for this agreement has been budgeted for Fiscal Year 2025-26 under account string 455-030-300-535-53-46010. Funds will be budgeted for future fiscal years throughout the remaining term of this agreement.
Expenditures will be tracked under Munis Contract No. WRS/260106.
PROCUREMENT REVIEW:
The procurement of these goods and services was conducted in compliance with the City’s Procurement Policy.
LEGAL REVIEW:
This Agreement has been reviewed and approved for form and legality by City Attorney, William E. Sexton.
ALTERNATIVE:
• Approve
• Approve with Changes
• Table
• Deny