Harmar officials seek ways around steep price tag for Highland Woods sewage project

There might be a course Harmar officials can chart to do the Highland Woods sewage project without rebidding it.

That’s what township engineer Matt Pitsch of Senate Engineering told the supervisors Thursday.

“I still believe we can get this done for $400,000,” Pitsch said.

What Pitsch proposes is the possible direct purchase of equipment and materials needed for the project by the township instead of the contractors.

He suggests that might be done by using the state’s CoStars cooperative purchasing program that allows municipalities to buy equipment and materials such as road salt at a set price without having to advertise for bids.

Also, Pitsch said that could apply to the new pump or generator needed for the pump house using a $45,000 grant the township has received from Allegheny County.

“If the grant allows us to buy them, we can get them at cost,” he said.

Last month, Pitsch and the township supervisors were surprised when the low bid received for the project was about double the projected cost of $400,000.

The work involves the replacement of 2,000 feet of sewer line and rebuilding the pump station, which serves about 40 dwellings and one commercial business in the Highland Woods area.

That low bid submitted by W.A. Petrakis Contracting Inc. was close to $790,000, prompting the supervisors to reject all bids.

He previously suggested that instead of trying to get all the work done under one large contract, the supervisors rebid it, breaking it apart into smaller ones. The aim is to attract smaller construction firms willing to do some of the work at a lower cost.

Also, Pitsch suggested changing the installation method for the sewer line to open trench rather than subsurface construction, which involves specialized equipment.

But if the township can buy the equipment and materials such as the pipe, it would likely save money on the project. Pitsch said that when projects are done and the contractor is making those purchases, there is usually a mark up on the cost, which is part of how contractors make money on projects.

That would essentially leave the township paying the contractor the cost of the labor.

He said the contractor would have to agree to such an arrangement if it can be done. If all that happens, he said the project may not have to be rebid.

“We’re not quite sure,” Pitsch said. “We still have to flesh some things out to make sure it’s legal.”

The sewage facilities serving Highland Woods were privately owned by the Highland Woods Condominium Association until February 2022.

With the pump malfunctioning and the line needing repairs, that’s when the township created the Highland Woods Sewage District and took the facilities over with the intent of repairing and/or replacing them to stay compliant with environmental regulations.

While the project cost will be offset, in part, by the $45,000 in grant money secured by the township, the homeowners in Highland Woods will bear most of the cost through individual assessments.