REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
August 28, 2014
FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director
Public Works Department
BY: ROBERT N. ANDERSEN, PE, Assistant Director
Public Works Department, Capital Management Division
SUBJECT
Title
Approve an Agreement with VSCE in the amount of $2,199,691 for the construction management services on the City of Fresno Bus Rapid Transit Project (BRT)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff is recommending that the City Council approve the Consultant Agreement with VSCE in the amount of $2,199,691 for the construction management services on the City of Fresno BRT and allow the Public Works Director or his designee to sign on behalf of the City.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The BRT construction documents are currently at the 60% stage and almost ready for plan review. Staff wishes to have the Construction Management firm perform a constructability review on the plans and specifications during the 60% and 90% review. This will allow the construction management firm to have input on the final design and develop a better final product. VSCE will also be responsible for the day to day inspection of the BRT Project.
BACKGROUND
Fresno Area Express (FAX) was awarded a Federal Transit Administration (FTA) grant for the development and construction of the Blackstone/Ventura/Kings Canyon BRT Line. This project will consist of replacing the FAX routes 28 and 30 with express service that would occur at a frequency of 10-minute headways during peak periods and 15-minute headways during midday periods. In addition, these new routes will have fifty-one state-of-the-art bus stations along the route which will include shelters, ticket vending machines, security technologies, real-time arrival signage, information kiosks and bike racks.
On June 28, 2012, Council awarded a contract to Kimley-Horn and Associates for the preparation of construction documents for the Blackstone/Ventura/Kings Canyon BRT Line.
On May 22, 2014, Council awarded a contract to Provost and Pritchard for the plan check services on the construction documents for the BRT project.
On September 9, 2013, per Administrative Order 6-19, staff mailed out and posted on the City's website, a notice requesting an RFQ from construction management firms for the daily inspection on the City of Fresno BRT project.
This contract provides for preconstruction activities such as constructability reviews at the 90% and 100% plan stage, assistance with the bidding and procurement of a contractor, establishing project procedures and controls during construction and assisting with the kick off meeting with the contractor. During construction, this contract will provide for the construction documentation, scheduling, change orders, safety programs, material testing and the day to day inspection of the project.
Although City Construction Management staff could perform this work at approximately the same cost, the FTA funding for the project will not pay for the City's overhead cost. This is due to the fact that the City of Fresno does not currently have an approved Federal Cost Allocation Plan.
On October 10, 2013, staff had received four Statement of Qualifications and on January 7, 2014, staff interviewed all four of the submitting consultants. The firm VSCE was chosen as the most qualified firm.
The consultant agreement has been approved as to form the City Attorney's Office.
Staff is recommending that the City Council approve the Consultant Agreement with VSCE in the amount of $2,199,691 for the construction management services on the City of Fresno BRT and allow the Public Works Director or his designee to sign on behalf of the City.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
By the definition provided in the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Section 15378 the award of this contract does not qualify as a "project" and is therefore exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act requirements.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference is inapplicable because federal funding will be used on the project.
FISCAL IMPACT
This project is to be funded by the Federal Transportation Authority grant for the design and construction of the BRT. There will be no impact to the General Fund.
Attachment: BRT Consultant Agreement