REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
June 18, 2015
FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director
Public Works Department
THROUGH: ROBERT N. ANDERSEN, PE, Assistant Director
Public Works Department, Capital Management Division
LAL GOONAWARDENA, PE, Design Services Manager
Public Works Department, Capital Management Division
BY: BRYAN DOI, Engineer II
Public Works Department, Capital Management Division
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the Shields Avenue Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) Wireless Traffic Signals Synchronization Project from West Avenue to Chestnut Avenue - Bid File 3316 (Council Districts 1, 4, 7 and Fresno County)
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption per staff determination, pursuant to Section 15301(c) of the CEQA Guidelines for the Shields Avenue ITS Wireless Project from West Avenue to Chestnut Avenue
2. Award a construction contract to Crosstown Electrical and Data, Inc. of Irwindale, California in the amount of $731,034 for the Shields Avenue ITS Wireless Project from West Avenue to Chestnut Avenue
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption per staff determination, pursuant to Section 15301(c) of the CEQA Guidelines, and award a construction contract to Crosstown Electrical and Data, Inc. of Irwindale, California in the amount of $731,034 as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the Shields Avenue ITS Wireless Project from West Avenue to Chestnut Avenue and authorize the Public Works Director or designee to sign the contract on behalf of the City.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Shields Avenue traffic signals synchronization project will install a wireless communication system to interconnect the traffic signal controllers along Shields Avenue and synchronize the corridor. This project will result in a responsive, efficient and coordinated system, improving safety, operations, energy conservation, air quality and effective capacity of the Shields Avenue corridor, while reducing emissions and improving overall quality of life.
BACKGROUND
Shields Avenue is a major east-west corridor through Fresno that intersects all north-south arterial streets between West Avenue and Chestnut Avenue. This corridor funnels traffic onto major arterials as well as provides access to local businesses within the City of Fresno. The signalized intersections along Shields Avenue operate independently, reducing the efficiency of the corridor and contributing to congestion and higher emissions during the peak hours. The proposed ITS Project will install wireless communication and interconnect the traffic signal controllers for an efficient traffic responsive coordination system, improving safety, operations, energy conservation and effective capacity of the corridor while reducing emissions and improving overall quality of life.
Staff prepared bid documents with a scope that included a wireless communication system, state-of-the-art traffic signal controllers, cabinets and advanced technologies to synchronize the Shields Avenue corridor from West Avenue to Chestnut Avenue.
The Notice Inviting Bids was published in the Business Journal on December 15, 2014, and posted on the City's website and faxed to ten (10) building exchanges. The specifications were distributed to ten (10) prospective bidders. Three (3) sealed bid proposals were received and opened in a public bid opening on January 20, 2015. Bids ranged from $724,532 to $747,686. Crosstown Electrical and Data, Inc., which submitted the bid in the amount of $731,034, was determined to be the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the project. Kertel Communications, Inc., dba Sebastian submitted the apparent low bid ($724,532), but was bypassed for not making a good faith effort in its Disadvantage Business Enterprise (DBE) efforts. A reconsideration hearing was held, at the request of Sebastian, and it was determined by the Reconsideration Official that their good faith efforts were not adequate enough to show that their bid was responsive. The City was able to prove that the Sebastian good faith efforts were not enough to change Purchasing's initial DBE and good faith effort evaluation. A request to extend the bids was issued and all bidders agreed to extend their bid proposals through July 16, 2015.
Staff is recommending that the Council award a construction contract to Crosstown Electrical and Data, Inc. of Irwindale, California in the amount of $731,034 for the Shields Avenue ITS Wireless Project from West Avenue to Chestnut Avenue as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder and to authorize the Public Works Director or designee to sign and execute the standardized contract on behalf of the City of Fresno.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Staff has performed a preliminary environmental assessment of this project and has determined that it falls within the Categorical Exemption set forth in CEQA Guidelines Section 15301(c) (existing facilities) which exempts projects involving a negligible or no expansion of an existing facility. This exemption applies because this project involves improving efficiency of an existing roadway through coordinating the operation of existing traffic signals to reduce congestion without expansion of the roadway. The relatively small transmitters will be mounted on existing signal mast arms; wiring is run in existing conduit and signal cabinets; and existing cabinets will be replaced without expanding the current space. Staff determined under the CEQA Guidelines this project fits within the definition of existing facilities in Section15301(c) Class 1, as Categorically Exempt from further CEQA review. Furthermore, Staff has determined that none of the exceptions to Categorical Exemptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines, Section 15300.2 apply to this project.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
The local preference was not implemented based on conditions of the Federal Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) grant.
FISCAL IMPACT
The project is located in Council Districts 1, 4, 7 and Fresno County. The overall cost of the project is $1,147,934 and is funded by $1,022,120 in CMAQ Regional Bid funds and $125,814 in Proposition 111 Gas Tax funds. The project will not have any impact to the General Fund. Of the overall budget of the project, $731,034 will be used for the construction contract award.
Attachments: Bid Evaluation
Fiscal Impact Statement
Vicinity Map
Reconsideration Hearing