Agency Pollution Control Agency

Contractor Tetra Tech Inc

SWIFT Contract Number 244675

Project Name Successful wastewater denitrification in cold climates

Project Number (if applicable) AI 236212 / PRO20240001

Summarize purpose of the contract, including why it was necessary: Excess nitrogen has multiple harmful effects for Minnesota surface and groundwaters as well as for downstream waters in other jurisdictions. While Minnesota's wastewater sector is estimated to discharge less than 10% of Total Nitrogen (TN) to Minnesota surface waters statewide, wastewater plants can contribute significant quantities of nitrate and ammonia nitrogen to individual waterbodies, particularly where there are few other sources or during low stream-flow conditions. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is looking to support nitrogen reductions needed from the wastewater sector for protecting and restoring Minnesota and downstream waterbodies. Wastewater nitrogen reductions are an integral part of Minnesota's Nutrient Reduction Strategy (NRS); denitrification can also achieve greenhouse gas emission reductions in wastewater treatment, thereby supporting Minnesota's Climate Action Framework. However, one of the challenges faced by wastewater treatment in Minnesota is effectively achieving denitrification in cold weather. The work conducted under this contract will a) study wastewater treatment facilities that have effectively achieved reliable nitrogen reductions (denitrification) in climates in the northern U.S.A. and other cold climates, b) evaluate how that denitrification was achieved and how much reduction was achieved c) assess the costs and inputs needed for nitrogen reductions and d) create a template of how Minnesota wastewater treatment plants can adapt these methods for their own operations.

Project Duration

Start Date Fri, 03/08/2024 - 00:00

Original end date Fri, 02/28/2025 - 00:00

Actual end date Fri, 02/28/2025 - 00:00

Did project finish on time? Yes

Total billable hours utilized (if applicable) {Empty}

Contract Amounts

Original contract: $125000.00

Amendments {Empty}

Contract total $125000.00

Did project finish within budget? Yes

What was the funding source? state

Is this a sole source contract? No

If this was a single source contract, explain why the agency determined there was only a single source for the services (if applicable) {Empty}

Evaluator Name Corrie Layfield

Evaluator Email Address corrie.layfield@state.mn.us

Evaluate the contractor's timeliness very satisfied - The contractor provided draft deliverables for MPCA review with plenty of time to review and make changes before the end date of the contract. We appreciated this, as those reviewing were in the midst of a very busy work cycle and needed the extra time.

Evaluate the contractor's quality very satisfied - The cost work is above and beyond, the general report is excellent. The memo for the state nitrogen template could be strengthened, but in light of the otherwise excellent work in the remainder of the project, this is a very small consideration.

Evaluate the contractor's cost satisfied

Evaluate the contractor's overall performance very satisfied - Excellent. This was not an easy project, and the contract team stuck with it thorugh some challenging data collection and analyses. The final product is solid and will be useful to our partners as well as providing well-researched and documented support for the Minnesota Nutrient Reduction Strategy.

Would you engage the contractor's services again? Yes

Describe any negative action taken during the duration of this contract (i.e., termination, pursuit of suspension, etc.): {Empty}

Please rate the overall experience with the contractor 5 - very satisfied