Legislation Details

File #: DC-5524    Version: 1
Type: Consent Action Status: Agenda Ready
File created: 3/19/2026 In control: Board of Commissioners
On agenda: 4/21/2026 Final action:
Enactment date: Resolution #:
Title: Authorization To Execute Seventh Contract Amendment With Voith Hydro, Inc. For Commissioning Services For Byllesby Dam Water-To-Wire Redevelopment Project
Sponsors: Environmental Resources
Date Ver.Action ByActionResultAction DetailsMeeting DetailsVideo
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DEPARTMENT: Environmental Resources

FILE TYPE: Consent Action

 

TITLE

title

Authorization To Execute Seventh Contract Amendment With Voith Hydro, Inc. For Commissioning Services For Byllesby Dam Water-To-Wire Redevelopment Project

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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED

Authorize an amendment to the contract with Voith Hydro, Inc. to increase the contract maximum by $205,000 to $4,973,527 for commissioning support services.

 

SUMMARY

Dakota County owns the Byllesby Dam and operates its high-hazard hydroelectricity facility under the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) safety regulations. Over the past decade, the Dakota County Board of Commissioners has approved significant capital investments into the project for FERC-required dam safety improvements. By Resolution No. 15-532 (October 20, 2015), the Dakota County Board of Commissioners authorized staff to execute a contract for preliminary design tasks on a turbine upgrade project to replace the existing century-old equipment in the dam.

 

To complete this project, County staff developed a team including an engineering consultant to provide project design, a turbine manufacturer to provide turbine and generation equipment in a complete package (e.g., water-to-wire equipment), and a general contractor for installation of the equipment and modification to the powerhouse structure. By Resolution No. 18-111 (February 13, 2018), County staff developed prequalification requirements for the turbine manufacturers through a request for qualifications, in which Voith Hydro, Inc., was selected utilizing the Best Value Contracting process authorized by State statute in the amount of $4,220,436. Voith’s first contract amendment was addressed administratively in the fall of 2019 for small changes to their design and modifications during fabrication in the amount of $76,794, bringing the total contract amount to $4,297,230. By Resolution No. 20-072 (February 4, 2020), the County Board authorized a second contract amendment for changes in the electric equipment to address powering Byllesby Regional Park and modifications in the penstocks to make construction more cost-effective. By Resolution No. 20-402 (August 18, 2020), the County Board authorized a third contract amendment for customs and duties for shipping the equipment from overseas. By Resolution No. 21-289 (June 8, 2021), the County Board authorized a fourth contract amendment for the storage of sensitive battery and electrical equipment in the amount of $6,630, bringing the total contract amount to $4,496,396.

A contract amendment was executed to update hourly rates for supervision and commissioning work for the site installation and testing. This amendment is considered the fifth amendment and was executed on March 22, 2022.

 

By Resolution No. 24-054 (January 23, 2024), the County Board authorized a sixth amendment for on-site installation and inspection services during the commissioning phase in the amount of $272,131, bringing the total contract amount to $4,768,526.

 

The costs associated with this seventh amendment are for on-site inspection, testing, and control related programming services for the remaining commissioning tasks of the project. Commissioning, which commenced in January 2026, is currently ongoing and expected to be completed in May or June of 2026. Costs for on-site support were provided within the original proposal. However, the project timeline was extended due to procurement delays requiring additional site mobilizations, and hourly billing rates have increased since the 2018 proposal.

 

RECOMMENDATION

recommendation

Staff recommends approval of the amendment in the amount of $205,000 to finish commissioning for the Byllesby Dam Water-to-Wire Upgrade Project.

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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS

The Byllesby Dam Capital Improvement Program includes $50,546,365 for Project 1000304 Byllesby Dam Turbine Upgrade. The funding is comprised of County, State, Federal and ELF. There are sufficient funds within the project budget to support the proposed amendment.

 

Funding Source

Approved Budget

Available Budget

ELF

$3,965,429

$220,862

ARP

$27,705,766

0

State

$12,000,000

0

General Fund

$6,875,170

0

Totals

$50,546,365

$220,862

 

  None              Current budget              Other        

  Amendment Requested                           New FTE(s) requested

 

RESOLUTION

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WHEREAS, effective April 20, 2018, the County of Dakota (County) executed a contract with Voith Hydro, Inc., (Contractor) for the provision of services, labor and materials related to the design and fabrication of the Water-to-Wire Package for the Byllesby Dam Turbine Upgrade, also referred to as the Byllesby Dam Water-To-Wire Redevelopment Project; and

 

WHEREAS, effective December 23, 2019, the County executed a first contract amendment to increase the contract amount by $76,794 for a total contract amount not to exceed $4,297,230, for the provision of services, labor, and materials to incorporate changes to the scope of work and adjust the liquidated damages and project schedule dates; and

 

WHEREAS, effective March 20, 2020, the County executed a second contract amendment to increase the contract amount by $68,841 for a total contract maximum not to exceed $4,366,071, for the provision of services, labor, and materials related to changes in the electric equipment to address powering Byllesby Regional Park and modifications in the penstocks to make construction more cost-effective; and

 

WHEREAS, effective August 24, 2020, the County executed a third contract amendment to increase the contract amount by $123,696 for a total contract maximum not to exceed $4,489,766 for the provision of services, labor, and materials related to the Byllesby Dam Upgrade Project; and

 

WHEREAS, effective February 10, 2022, the County executed a fourth contract amendment to increase the contract amount by $6,630 for a total contract maximum not to exceed $4,496,396 for the provision of services, labor, and materials related to the Byllesby Dam Upgrade Project; and

 

WHEREAS, effective March 17, 2022, the County executed a fifth contract amendment to update hourly rates for supervision and commissioning work for the site installation and testing; and

 

WHEREAS, effective March 15, 2024, the County executed a sixth contract amendment to increase the contract amount by $272,130 for a total contract maximum not to exceed $4,768,526 for the on-site installation and inspection representatives for the commissioning phase related to the Byllesby Dam Upgrade Project; and

 

WHEREAS, the costs associated with the seventh amendment are for on-site testing, inspection, and programming services for the remaining commissioning tasks for the project.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Assistant County Manager: Physical Development to execute a contract amendment with Voith Hydro, Inc. in the amount of $205,000, bringing the total not to exceed contract amount to $4,973,527, subject to approval by the County Attorney’s Office as to form.

 

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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION

15-532; 10/20/15

17-421; 09/01/17

18-111; 02/13/18

20-072; 02/04/20

20-402; 08/18/20

21-289; 06/08/21

24-054; 01/23/24

 

ATTACHMENTS

None.

 

BOARD GOALS

   Thriving People        A Healthy Environment with Quality Natural Resources

   A Successful Place for Business and Jobs         Excellence in Public Service

 

CONTACT

Department Head: Nikki Stewart

Author: Cole Johnson