REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
July 16, 2020
FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director
Public Works Department
THROUGH: Randall W. Morrison, PE, Assistant Director
Public Works Department, Engineering Division
BY: JOHN HONEY, PE, Professional Engineer
Public Works Department, Engineering Division
SUBJECT
Title
Reject all bids for the Barstow Avenue and Palm Avenue Traffic Signal Project - Bid File No. 3748 (Council Districts 2)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends Council reject all bids received May 19, 2020, for the Barstow Avenue and Palm Avenue Traffic Signal Project and direct Staff to rebid the project.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Fresno seeks to install protected left turn phasing at the intersection of Palm Avenue and Barstow Avenue. The Scope of work includes installation of sidewalk, curb and gutter, ADA curb ramps, and traffic signals and equipment. This project will enhance the vehicle and pedestrian operations at this intersection and will facilitate pedestrian traffic to and from nearby Bullard High School and Baird Middle School. The project is funded locally through Senate Bill 1 (SB1) tax revenue.
Staff recommends Council reject all bids received due to a bid discrepancy between the plans and bid specifications and due to the higher than expected bids. Upon rejection of the bids, staff will reevaluate the bid package and immediately rebid the project.
BACKGROUND
The Barstow Avenue and Palm Avenue Traffic Signal Project was initiated in FY19 when the project was budgeted using SB1 funds. The project will upgrade and modify the existing traffic signal at the intersection of Palm Avenue and Barstow Avenue for protected left turn phasing. The scope of work also includes installing new ADA curb ramps. Design was performed by TJKM Inc. Design began in April 2019 and took approximately one year to complete.
The Notice Inviting Bids was advertised and published in the Business Journal on April 24, 2020 and posted on the City’s website. Twelve building exchanges received Notice Inviting Bids. The specifications were distributed to 13 prospective bidders. Four sealed bid proposals were received and opened in a public bid opening on May 19, 2020, with the bids ranging from $539,040 to $629,149. Madco Electric is deemed the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. The apparent low bid price was 57.2% above the Engineer’s Estimate. The bids will expire 64 days after the bid opening on July 22, 2020.
Staff believes there is a discrepancy between the plans and bid specifications related to a major bid item, which may have led to higher than expected bids. This could have also impacted the competitiveness of the bid results. Additionally, the apparent low bid exceeds the project’s budget allocation.
Staff seeks to reject all bids and rebid the project. Staff will take this opportunity to update and clarify the plans and specification to improve competition as well as implement value engineering to deliver a project within the available budget.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
By the definition provided in section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines this item is not a project for the purposes of CEQA because this a rejection of all bids.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not considered as staff is recommending to reject all bids.
FISCAL IMPACT
Implementation of staff recommendation will have no impact to the General Fund. This project was funded with SB1 Gas Tax funds as part of the adopted budget.
Attachments:
Bid Evaluation
Vicinity Map