Project Spotlight: Blackford County
Blackford County Commissioners received a Transportation & Stormwater Grant in the amount of $3.36 million. This grant was earmarked for two critical projects: the North County Road 400 East Culvert Replacement and the Industrial Park Flood Mitigation.
A requirement for this grant was that $4 million in funding be provided by other sources. The North County Road 400 East Culvert Replacement project was executed seamlessly, adhering to the timeline and budget. However, the Industrial Park Flood Mitigation project, which involved the construction of a 15-acre wet-bottom detention pond with construction costs estimated at over $10 million, presented more significant challenges.
To address budget constraints, a Request for Assistance was submitted for an Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) partnership with the Indiana Army National Guard (INARNG). This partnership aims to leverage INARNG’s labor and equipment to excavate the pond, serving as an in-kind match for the co-funding while also providing training opportunities for several INARNG units utilizing INARNG equipment. This IRT program is a Department of Defense (DoD) military training opportunity that enhances deployment readiness through joint training missions focused on medical care, civil infrastructure, transportation, and more.
The project was prepared to bid for a contractor to perform all ancillary work and with the intent for the INARNG to perform all excavation work. The ancillary work was to include the outlet control structures, turf reinforcement mats, erosion control blankets, riprap, and concrete block mats. However, no bids were received.
Commonwealth Engineers, Inc. (Commonwealth) initiated the formation of a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) project on behalf of the Blackford County Commissioners. A BOT is a specific procurement method authorized by state law, primarily for public projects. The BOT model offers a way for public entities to partner with private firms to deliver public projects to circumvent the traditional, low-bid procurement process. BOTs allow public entities to select a highly qualified team that focuses on delivering long-term value in an expeditious manner. The BOT model expedited the bidding and construction phases of the Industrial Park Flood Mitigation project to expend the proceeds from a Transportation & Stormwater Grant to fulfill grant requirements. Commonwealth partnered with GM Development as the BOT developer and retained VTF Excavating as the contractor.
Once the BOT was formed and contracts were executed, VTF Excavating quickly mobilized to complete Phase 1. In total, VTF Excavating moved 200,000 cubic yards of dirt, installed outlet control structures, conveyance culverts, and concrete block mats, and adjusted sanitary infrastructure to the appropriate elevations; all completed within 4 months. By leveraging the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model, milestones were met and grant funds expended.
Phase 2 will consist of the INARNG performing all excavation work below the surface of the proposed 10-foot-deep lake (pending Department of Defense funding).
To learn more about the benefits of the Build-Operate-Transfer model and how Commonwealth Engineers might be able to assist, contact Thomas Barclay or Andrew Cochrane, PE.