REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: BROCK D. BUCHE, PE, PLS, Director
Department of Public Utilities
BY: JESUS A. GONZALEZ, PE, Assistant Director
Department of Public Utilities - Utilities Planning & Engineering
ROBERT A. DIAZ, Supervising Engineering Technician
Department of Public Utilities - Utilities Planning & Engineering
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the water main replacement project bound by West Clinton, West University, North Fruit and North Teilman Avenues. (Bid File 12301902) (Council District 1):
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption per staff determination pursuant to Section 15301/Class 1 (Existing Facilities) and 15302/Class 2 (Replacement or Reconstruction) of the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines.
2. Award a construction contract to Dawson-Mauldin, LLC., in the amount of $4,787,434.
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends City Council adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15301/Class 1 (Existing Facilities) and 15302/Class 2 (Replacement or Reconstruction), of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines; award a construction contract to Dawson-Mauldin, LLC. (Dawson), in the amount of $4,787,434, for the water main replacement project bound by West Clinton, West University, North Fruit and North Teilman Avenues (Project); and authorize the Director of Public Utilities, or designee, to sign and execute all documents on behalf of the City of Fresno (City).
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Department of Public Utilities - Water Division (DPU), seeks to award a water main replacement and services transfer construction contract to Dawson following a competitive bidding process which identified it as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder in the amount of $4,787,434. The Project is necessary to replace 8-inch and 12-inch diameter water mains that do not meet current standards and have exceeded service life expectancy. The scope of work includes construction of 4,635 linear feet of 12-inch and 8,750 linear feet of 8-inch diameter water mains, fire hydrants, valves and services transfers. Council action is requested at this time as the bid is set to expire on June 7, 2023.
BACKGROUND
The DPU, has identified 4,635 linear feet of existing 12-inch and 8,750 linear feet of 8-inch diameter water mains located in the area bound by West Clinton, West University, North Fruit and North Teilman Avenues as being prone to unexpected failures due to inferior steel water mains installed in 1948 and 1958, as well as the added flows from the new water well Pump Station 60A. The scope of work includes the replacement of the existing 8-inch and 12-inch diameter water mains with 8-inch polyvinyl chloride pipe and 16-inch ductile iron water mains, fire hydrants, valves, and service transfers.
A Notice Inviting Bids was published on March 13, 2023 and posted on the City’s Planet Bids website. The Project plans and specifications were distributed to 31 prospective bidders and posted at 7 Building Exchanges. Four sealed bid proposals were received and publicly opened on April 4, 2023. The bid proposals ranged from $4,787,434 to $6,383,872. Of the four bids, Dawson submitted a bid price in the amount of $4,787,434 and was determined to be the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.
The Engineer’s Estimate for the Project is in excess of $1 million; the Project Labor Agreement was incorporated into the bid.
The Staff Determination of Award was posted on the City’s Planet Bids website on May 1, 2023. Staff recommends City Council award a construction contract to Dawson, in the amount of $4,787,434, as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. Their bid price is 14.33% under the Engineer’s Estimate. The bids will expire 64 days after bid opening, which will be on June 7, 2023. Upon approval by the City Council, the agreement will be executed by the Director of Public Utilities, or his designee.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Staff has reviewed the scope and nature of this Project and determined that it is categorically exempt from the requirements of CEQA pursuant to Sections 15301/Class 1 (Existing Facilities) and 15302/Class 2 (Replacement or Reconstruction) of the CEQA Guidelines. These exemptions apply because the project involves replacement of existing steel water mains with polyvinyl chloride pipe.
None of the exceptions to Categorical Exemptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines, Section 15300.2 apply to the project.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local Preference was not implemented because the lowest responsive and responsible bidder is a local business pursuant to the Fresno Municipal Code Section 4-108(d).
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no impact to the General Fund. This Project is located in Council District 1. Funding for this Project is included in the Fiscal Year 2023 capital improvement budget within the Water Enterprise Fund 40101.
Attachments:
Attachment 1 - CEQA Environmental Assessment
Attachment 2 - Bid Evaluation and Fiscal Impact Statement
Attachment 3 - Sample Contract
Attachment 4 - Vicinity Map