REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director
Public Works Department
BY: Randall W. Morrison, PE, Assistant Director
Public Works Department, Engineering Division
SCOTT P. SEHM, PE, Public Works Manager
Public Works Department, Engineering Division, Design Section
SUBJECT
Title
Reject all bids for the BRT Corridor ATP Pedestrian Intersection Improvements Project - Bid File 3820 (All Council Districts)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends City Council reject all bids for the BRT Corridor ATP Pedestrian Intersection Improvements Project.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The scope of work proposed for the BRT Corridor ATP Pedestrian Intersection Improvements Project includes replacement of pedestrian indication heads (ped-heads) with “countdown” type heads, replacement of pedestrian pushbuttons (PPBs) with accessible pedestrian signal (APS), or audible PPBs, and refreshing crosswalk striping where needed. This work affects 47 intersections along Blackstone Avenue, from Divisadero Street to Nees Avenue, and Ventura Avenue/Kings Canyon Road from Van Ness Avenue to Phillip Avenue - effectively the entire BRT corridor.
This project is funded with a grant from the Federal Active Transportation Program (ATP Cycle 3), with supplemental funding provided through Measure C. Staff recommends that City Council reject all bids for the BRT Corridor ATP Pedestrian Intersection Improvements Project. Upon rejection of the bids, staff will reassess the scope of the project and rebid later in the fiscal year to attract more bidders.
BACKGROUND
The BRT Corridor ATP Pedestrian Intersection Improvements Project was included with the City’s application package for the State of California’s ATP Cycle 3 Call for Projects that was adopted by Council resolution on May 28, 2016. The project was initiated when it was included in Public Works’ FY19/20 budget. Project design commenced thereafter, and preliminary engineering design and project management took approximately 30 months.
The scope of the project includes pedestrian indication head upgrades to the current “countdown” style at 46 intersections. Many existing ped-heads have previously been upgraded to this technology, some needing only a height adjustment to bring them into full compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. Additionally, there are 38 intersections which need pedestrian push buttons upgraded to the “audible” or APS type units. The project scope also includes replacement of crosswalk stripes that have become faded, worn, or otherwise damaged at 18 intersections. In all, 47 intersections along the Blackstone Avenue and Ventura Avenue/Kings Canyon Road corridors will receive pedestrian improvements.
A Notice Inviting Bids was published in the Fresno Business Journal on October 5, 2022, posted on the City’s website, and faxed to ten (10) building exchanges. The specifications were distributed to five (5) prospective bidders. Two (2) sealed bid proposals were received and opened in a public bid opening on November 1, 2022. Bids ranged from $2,334,960 and $2,373,291. St. Francis Electric submitted the apparent low bid in the amount $2,334,960 and was determined to be the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the project.
Staff evaluated the bid submissions and has concluded that bids received for this project are not only significantly higher than anticipated, they’re also significantly higher than recent bids for similar projects. Although many similar and recent project bids have been awarded for contract amounts higher than expected, most notably caused by COVID-related labor and supply-chain issues, these bids were abnormally high at approximately 102% more than the Engineer’s Estimate.
To obtain a successful bid, staff will analyze the traffic control requirements, construction duration, and other bidding requirements and rebid the project in early 2023.
Staff recommends that Council reject all bids and direct staff to rebid the project. The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved as to form.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
By the definition provided in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, Section 15378, the rejection of all bids does not qualify as a “project” as defined by the CEQA requirements.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
The local preference was not implemented because this action is to reject all bids.
FISCAL IMPACT
A rejection of all bids will require additional staff costs to rebid the project. The adopted project budget has sufficient funding to cover the additional staff costs needed to rebid the project. There will be no impact to the General Fund.
Attachments:
Vicinity Map
Bid Evaluation