Regional Water System
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Wylie Campus Administrative Facilities; Project No. 101-0680-25; Owner Advisor Services Agreement
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SUBJECT
recommendation
Authorize funding in the amount of $650,000 to Freese and Nichols, Inc. for an Owner Advisor services agreement for the Wylie Campus Administrative Facilities Program.
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PURPOSE
The purpose of this project is to address the long- and short-term personnel growth and operational space needs by constructing new and renovating existing facilities at the Wylie Campus. An Owner Advisor with expertise to provide planning, technical, procurement, and management services related to a collaborative delivery project is needed for the successful delivery of the program.
RECOMMENDATION
The Executive Director and NTMWD staff recommend the Board of Directors authorize the Executive Director to execute an owner advisor services agreement as follows:
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Consultant: |
Freese and Nichols, Inc. (FNI) |
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Scope: |
Owner Advisor Services |
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Project: |
No. 101-0680-25, Wylie Campus Administrative Facilities |
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Amount: |
$650,000 |
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Committee: |
This item was discussed at the November 19, 2025, Water Committee meeting |
DRIVER(S) FOR THIS PROJECT
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Strategic Objective: |
1.1 High-Quality Services 4.1 Highly skilled workforce |
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☐ Regulatory Compliance |
☐ Asset Condition |
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☐ Capacity |
☐ Redundancy/Resiliency |
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☐ Relocation or External Requests |
☒ Operational Efficiency |
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☐ Safety |
☒ Administrative |
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☐ Policy |
☐ Other _____________ |
BACKGROUND
PROJECT PURPOSE
• A 10-year employee projection was developed utilizing actual District data and American Water Works Association benchmarking information.
• Projections showed roughly 320 new employees needed by 2035, including all departments and facility locations.
• Seven different alternatives were evaluated to accommodate long- and short-term growth in District personnel located at the Wylie campus.
• The best-value alternative is to construct a new building adjacent to the existing Environmental Services Building and implement the expansion plan for the existing Water Operations Building.
OWNER’S ADVISOR SERVICES AGREEMENT
An Owner Advisor (OA) is recommended for this project due to the commercial vertical construction type of project and limited staff resources. The OA will advise NTMWD on the Progressive Design Build (PDB) collaborative delivery method and make recommendations to support the planning, technical, procurement and management of the program. The OA will provide the additional expertise needed to effectively manage the project delivery process, including design review, cost evaluation, and coordination between the Owner, Engineer, and PDB. NTMWD will rely on the OA to facilitate communication, track progress, and ensure the project team’s work aligns with project goals throughout design and construction of the project. This collaboration helps maintain quality, minimize cost, and keep the project on schedule while allowing NTMWD to make informed decisions throughout each phase of the project.
• Evaluation of space needs and review of the new Administrative Directive regarding new facilities
• Develop a conceptual site and floor plans for the Water Operations building expansion and the new building
• Review of contract documents: PDB Agreement, General and Supplementary Conditions
• Develop a project budget and a schedule
• Support NTMWD on the procurement of PDB and recommend award of contract
BASIC SERVICES
• Conceptual plan for buildings and parking areas
• Development of PDB contract documents and coordination of legal review
• Developing PDB firm procurement documents: Request for Qualifications and Request for Cost Proposals, interviews, and supporting the District in the selection of a firm
• Develop Project Budget
• Project Management and coordination - Provide staff augmentation with a Project manager to support the District team delivering this special project
CONSULTANT SELECTION PROCESS
• A total of 2 engineering firms, AECOM and FNI, were interviewed to provide Owner’s Advisor services for the Trinity WRF; AECOM was selected and recommended for that project. With the motivation to award this project soon and only 2 firms responding to the previous Request for Proposals, the engineering team recommended FNI as a highly qualified firm for this project.
OWNER’S ADVISOR SERVICES FEE
Description Amount
Basic Services $650,000
Special Services (not applicable to this agreement) $0.00
Requested Amount $650,000
FUNDING
Funding in the amount of $650,000 to Freese and Nichols, Inc. is to be made available from the Regional Water System Capital Improvement Fund.