On July 5, an Engineering Contract for Program Management between the city of Shreveport and Burns & Mcdonnell Engineering Company, Inc. (BMEC) was signed. It became effective on that date.
This contract is to be the project manager for the mandated Environmental Protection Agency Consent Decree. For round numbers this decree requires the expenditure of $100 million dollars a year for remedial water and sewer work.
The contract terminates on Dec. 31 of this year, unless extended or renewed by mutual agreement of the parties. The maximum payment, which is based on hourly billings, is $6,443,600. The hourly rate varies from $73 per hour (general office) to $262 per hour (associate level 17).
The 40 page plus contract setting forth the scope of services is quite extensive.
The standard provisions of a city contract are included. These include requirements for Fair Share Program, indemnity of the city plus insurance ($1 mil per occurrence, $2 mil aggregate), right of review and audit, affidavits that contract not secured through employment or payment of a solicitor, and other standard provisions.
BMEC is a very reputable company with a excellent business location. The company has opened a Shreveport office and is expected to hire over 30 people to manage the expansive EPA work.