FOLSOM — The Folsom City Council on Tuesday approved two agreements totaling more than $1.8 million to upgrade and rehabilitate key elements of the city’s water system, a move aimed at improving reliability, safety, and long-term efficiency for residents and businesses.
The council’s unanimous vote authorized the city manager to execute a $1,463,825 construction agreement with Abide Builders, Inc. and a $409,268 contract with Inferrera Construction Management Group, Inc. for construction management and inspection services related to the Water System Flow Control Facilities Rehabilitation Project.
The project, managed by the Environmental and Water Resources Department, will relocate seven of Folsom’s existing pressure-reducing valve (PRV) stations from underground vaults to above-ground enclosures and add one new PRV station to the city’s distribution network. These flow control facilities regulate water pressure throughout the system, ensuring consistent service and protecting infrastructure from damage due to pressure fluctuations.
According to Environmental and Water Resources Director Marcus Yasutake, the upgrades are part of a broader effort to modernize Folsom’s water infrastructure. “This project directly supports our goals of maintaining a safe, efficient, and resilient water distribution system,” Yasutake stated in the staff report.
By moving PRV stations above ground, the city aims to eliminate confined-space entry hazards for maintenance crews, reduce corrosion issues common in underground vaults, and simplify inspection and repair work. The additional PRV station will also provide greater flexibility to manage water flow and pressure citywide, improving both efficiency and redundancy.
The council’s approval followed a detailed review of competitive bids and a prequalification process for contractors and consultants. The city received six bids for the construction phase after publicly advertising in August. Abide Builders, Inc. submitted the lowest bid at $1,330,750, narrowly edging out T & S Construction Co., Inc. and Soracco, Inc., whose bids were within $17,000 of the winning proposal.
Prior to awarding the contract, the city reviewed a Bid Advisory from the Foundation for Fair Contracting that questioned Abide’s eligibility due to prior prevailing wage infractions. Folsom’s legal department determined that Abide met all requirements and could be considered a responsible and responsive bidder. City staff verified that the company successfully completed at least five comparable projects in the last seven years, satisfying the city’s qualification criteria.
Inferrera Construction Management Group, Inc. (ICM Group) was selected to oversee construction management and inspection services after an evaluation of proposals from three pre-qualified firms: ICM Group, Albat, and Kennedy/Jenks Consultants. Proposals were scored on technical expertise, project understanding, staffing, and cost. ICM Group received the highest total score at 96 out of 100, offering the best value and experience for the city’s needs. Their responsibilities will include full-time engineering oversight, on-site inspection, labor compliance review, materials testing, and coordination with other ongoing city projects.
Funding for both contracts will come from the city’s Water Operating Fund. The Water System Flow Control Facilities Rehabilitation Project is part of Folsom’s 2025–26 Capital Improvement Plan, which budgets $2,005,000 for the project. The council also approved an $84,211 budget appropriation to cover additional inspection and management costs, bringing the total updated project budget to $2,089,211.
Once construction begins, the project will proceed in multiple phases, with the new and relocated PRV stations expected to enhance operational safety and ensure consistent service throughout Folsom’s water distribution network.
“This investment ensures our infrastructure continues to meet both the current and future needs of our community,” Yasutake said, noting that the upgrades reinforce Folsom’s commitment to maintaining reliable and sustainable water service.
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