Holland & Knight Advises AECOM Technical Services Inc. on Successful $1.6 Billion Sewer Project Bid in Miami
MIAMI (May 22, 2014) – On May 20, the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously to award AECOM Technical Services Inc. a $91 million contract to manage a $1.6 billion Miami-Dade County sewer project. The five-year contract is vital to Miami-Dade County's efforts to comply with a federal consent decree with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requiring the county to upgrade its sewer system. Holland & Knight was retained to represent AECOM during the protest phase of the procurement process and worked with local government to achieve a successful outcome.
Initially, AECOM's competitor was recommended for the award. However, AECOM filed a legal challenge alleging improper conduct of its competitor during the selection process. After the executive director of the Miami-Dade County Ethics Commission issued a memorandum confirming that the process of selection was flawed, Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez directed that a new selection process be conducted, and AECOM was subsequently ranked as the most qualified bidder.
As project manager, AECOM will oversee the design and construction phases of the capital program, review design documents (including constructability reviews), and validate the condition assessments and corresponding capital program for its wastewater treatment plant and system. The Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners will have the option to renew the contract for two additional five-year terms.
AECOM, a Fortune 500 company and one of the largest engineering firms in the world, provides professional technical and management support services to a broad range of markets, including transportation, facilities, environmental, energy, water and government.
The company was represented during the bid process by Holland & Knight partner Miguel De Grandy. Mr. De Grandy regularly represents clients before governmental, administrative and regulatory agencies at all levels on a variety of matters. He has represented clients in some of the largest public procurement processes in Miami-Dade County and has litigated some of the most complex bid protests both locally and at the state level.