REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
February 28, 2019
FROM: GREGORY A. BARFIELD, Director
Department of Transportation
BY: BRIAN BARR, Assistant Director
Department of Transportation
SUBJECT
Title
Approve a Second Amendment to the agreement with WSP USA, Inc., to provide additional project management services associated with the Bus Rapid Transit project, increasing the contract amount by $50,000 and extending the completion date to April 30, 2019
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends Council approve the Second Amendment to the Agreement with WSP USA, Inc. (WSP): 1) increasing the scope of the agreement with WSP for project management services associated with the Department of Transportation/FAX Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project, 2) increasing the amount of compensation by $50,000 to a total of $1,503,965, 3) extending the completion date of the agreement to April 30, 2019, and 4) authorizing the Director of Transportation to sign all documents on behalf of the City of Fresno.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Due to complexity and size of the BRT project, a project management consultant was required by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), a BRT project funder, to ensure successful delivery. WSP, formally Parsons Brinckeroff, Inc., was awarded a contract to fulfil this requirement. WSP’s chief responsibility is to provide project management oversight, interface with the FTA, and satisfy FTA-mandated reporting requirements. The term of the contract directly corresponds to the acceptance of construction activities and closeout of the FTA grant agreement. Technological challenges are preventing the acceptance of construction activities and the closing of the FTA grant agreement. Therefore, FAX seeks additional project management oversight budget and time to satisfy grant reporting requirements to the FTA and closeout the grant.
BACKGROUND
On March 31, 2014, Council awarded a contract to WSP to provide project management services for the FAX BRT project with a budget amount of $1,481,230. The BRT project includes 52 new bus stations, supporting 10-minute frequencies along the Blackstone Avenue and Kings Canyon/Ventura Avenue corridors. Notable improvements included fiber optic network infrastructure, real time digital display signs, off-board fare collection systems, shelters, passenger amenities, and right-of-way improvements. Substantial completion of construction was achieved in December 2017, and revenue service launched on February 19, 2018.
FAX was awarded a Small Starts Grant by the FTA specifically for the BRT project. Due to complexity and size of the project, a project management consultant was required to ensure successful delivery. WSP’s project management responsibilities include overall project management oversight, FTA interface and coordination, mandated reporting, project controls, cost controls, design oversight, financial projections, utility coordination, permit support and public outreach. Construction Management services are not included in the WSP Agreement and are the responsibility of a separate consultant.
The term of the contract directly corresponds to the acceptance of construction activities and closeout of the FTA grant agreement. Technological challenges are preventing the acceptance of construction activities and the closing of the FTA grant agreement. Therefore, FAX seeks additional project management oversight support from WSP to satisfy grant reporting requirements to the FTA and closeout out the grant.
The City Attorney has reviewed the Second Amendment and has approved to form.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDING
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 was not applied because this is not an award of a contract.
FISCAL IMPACT
This project is funded by a FTA Small Starts Grant for the design and construction of the BRT. No General Fund dollars will be used.
Attachment:
Second Amendment to the WSP Agreement