Broken Arrow authority approves $48.2 million contract for Hickey Creek biosolids project

The Broken Arrow Municipal Authority voted to award the construction contract for the Hickey Creek wastewater treatment plant biosolids project to the lowest responsible bidder, Crossland Heavy, after a staff presentation and questions about cost and timeline.

"So the total bid is the, 48,199,000, and we're splitting that $50.50 with Tulsa," said Emily Roland, the authority’s environmental division manager, who presented the item and the procurement recommendation. Roland told the board a $9,600,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture grant reduces the project total to $38,599,000 and that Broken Arrow and Tulsa will each carry roughly half the remaining cost, about $19,299,500 per partner.

Roland said the construction schedule is 730 days and that grant conditions require the project to be online within about three years to begin producing fertilizer. She also noted that federal procurement provisions tied to the grant, described in the meeting as "Buy America, build America" requirements, affected bidding and compliance.

Following the presentation, a trustee moved to approve the contract and the motion received a second; the authority then recorded an affirmative roll call. Members present gave their assent during the vote.

The project has been discussed for several years, Roland told the board, and the award marks the transition from design and planning to construction. She said staff will respond to inquiries and provide updates during the construction period and that substantial submittals and equipment lead times may extend early schedule activities.

The authority did not provide a detailed funding breakdown beyond the USDA grant and the 50/50 split with Tulsa during the meeting; additional financing details and the contract execution date were not specified.