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CH2M Hill, a global design-build firm founded in Corvallis, has been selected as the preferred bidder to design, build and operate Wilsonville‘s proposed new wastewater treatment plant.

CH2M Hill and a team lead by Veolia Water of Pleasant Hill, Calif., both submitted proposals for the project in January, which was preliminarily estimated by the city to cost between $60 million and $70 million. City staffers evaluated the proposals with help from engineers as well as financial and legal advisers. While both proposals scored high marks, technical advantages gave the edge to the CH2M Hill team.

After reviewing the proposals, the city lowered the the cost estimate of the project to a figure less than $45 million. In addition to cost cutting efforts made by CH2M Hill, city staffers said low-cost financing and current low bid pricing also played into the project cost savings.

Negotiations with the preferred bidder will begin in May following further review of project financing options. A contract could be ready for the city council to review as early as July.

If negotiations are successful and a contract is signed, CH2M Hill would take over the operation of the current wastewater plant in September. Project design on the new plant would start later in the year, and construction is slated to be complete sometime in 2014.

A public open house is set for May 25, 6:30 p.m., at Wilsonville City Hall to further discuss the project and the design, build and operate concept.