REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
March 19, 2020
FROM: MICHAEL CARBAJAL, Director
Department of Public Utilities
THROUGH: BROCK D. BUCHE, PE, PLS, Assistant Director - UP&E
Department of Public Utilities - Utilities Planning & Engineering
BY: SARAH AGUILA, Supervising Engineering Technician
Department of Public Utilities - Utilities Planning & Engineering
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to Sewer Access Structure Rehabilitation on North and Church Avenues (Bid File 3703) (Council District 3):
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Class 1, Sections 15301(b)&(d) (Existing Facilities) and Class 2, Section 15302(c) (Replacement or Reconstruction) of the California Environmental Quality Act
2. Award a construction contract in the amount of $139,550 to Sancon Technologies, Inc., of Huntington Beach, California
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that City Council adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Class 1, Sections 15301(b)&(d) (Existing Facilities) and Class 2, Section 15302(c) (Replacement or Reconstruction) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for Sewer Access Structure Rehabilitation on North and Church Avenues (Project); award a construction contract to Sancon Technologies, Inc., in the amount of $139,550; and authorize the Director of Public Utilities, or designee, to sign the agreement on the behalf of the City of Fresno (City).
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Rehabilitation of the City’s sewer access structures is essential in order to maintain the long-term operations of this infrastructure. The fifteen sewer access structures covered under this project were identified through a facilities assessment investigation. After a competitive bidding process, the Department of Public Utilities, Wastewater Management Division, is seeking to award a construction contract to rehabilitate fifteen sewer access structures.
BACKGROUND
The Collection System Maintenance workgroup is responsible for maintaining the City’s sewer infrastructure consisting of over 23,600 sewer access structures. The purpose of these structures is to allow access during inspection and cleaning of the sanitary sewers. Rehabilitation of these access structures will assist in extending the life of the existing system and eliminate structural deficiencies and corrosion caused by hydrogen sulfide. The Project consists of rehabilitating nine access structures on North Avenue between Cherry Avenue and East Avenue and six access structures on Church Avenue between Elm Avenue and Holly Avenue.
Plans and specifications were prepared for the Project. A Notice Inviting Bids was published on December 12, 2019, and posted on the City’s website. The specifications were distributed to 28 prospective bidders, and faxed to ten Builder Exchanges. The bids will expire on April 1, 2020, 64 days after the January 28, 2020, bid opening. Two sealed bid proposals were received and publicly opened on January 28, 2020. The bid proposal prices were $139,550 and $280,649.
Sancon Technologies, Inc., was found to be the lowest responsive and responsible bidder with a bid amount of $139,550. Staff determination was posted on the City’s PlanetBids website February 21, 2020. Staff recommends that the City Council award a construction contract in the amount of $139,550 to Sancon Technologies, Inc., as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. Their bid price is 46.3% below the original Construction Allocation of $260,000.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Staff has performed a preliminary environmental assessment for the Project and has determined that it falls within Categorical Exemption pursuant to Class 1, Sections 15301(b)&(d) (Existing Facilities) and Section 15302(c) (Replacement or Reconstruction) of the CEQA Guidelines, because this contract involves restoration or rehabilitation of deteriorated or damaged structures, facilities, or mechanical equipment. Furthermore, none of the exceptions to Categorical Exemptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines, Section 15300.2 apply to this Project.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not implemented because none of the bidders were local businesses.
FISCAL IMPACT
This Project has no impact to the General Fund. This Project is located in Council District 3. This Project is identified in the Wastewater Management Division’s five-year Capital Improvement Plan. Funds in the amount of $260,000 for the construction project are budgeted in the Fiscal Year 2020 Sewer Enterprise Fund 40501.
Attachments:
Attachment 1 - Bid Evaluation & Fiscal Impact Statement
Attachment 2 - Vicinity Map
Attachment 3 - Sample Contract