REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
January 16, 2020
FROM: GREGORY A. BARFIELD, Director
Department of Transportation
BY: BRIAN BARR, Assistant Director
Department of Transportation
SUSAN ROGERS, Capital Development Specialist
Department of Transportation
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the installation of Traffic Signal Priority Intersection equipment for the Department of Transportation/FAX Division Shaw Avenue Traffic Signal Priority Project (Bid File 3690)
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15301 of the CEQA Guidelines
2. Award a construction contract to Sturgeon Electric California LLC., of Chino, California, in the amount of $211,868
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends Council award a construction contract for the base bid amount of $211,868.00 to Sturgeon Electric California LLC., of Chino, California, as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the installation of Traffic Signal Priority (TSP) intersection equipment for the Department of Transportation/FAX Division Shaw Avenue TSP Project.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
FAX seeks to implement TSP technology along the Shaw Avenue Corridor at 31 traffic signal intersections between Willow and Polk Avenues. A TSP system is an integrated system with components installed on buses and at signalized intersections to help buses adhere to their schedule by reducing the number of stops and delays at signalized intersections.
On June 13, 2019, Council approved the material purchase of TSP technology for this corridor. This award is for the installation of this equipment.
This is an element of the Shaw Avenue TSP capital project and a part of FAX efforts to improve service.
BACKGROUND
In February 2018, FAX implemented a TSP solution along the Blackstone/Kings Canyon corridors to improve bus schedule adherence and transit operational efficiency. FAX accomplished this by installing new and/or upgrading existing traffic signal equipment at 73 intersections and adding specialized equipment onboard 20 buses.
FAX now seeks to advance on this work by improving bus service and schedule adherence along the Shaw Avenue corridor between Willow and Polk Avenues by adding TSP technology. The TSP equipment will give preferential treatment to a bus that is running behind schedule by creating a longer/shorter green at the intersection improving the buses ability maintain and/or achieve schedule adherence.
The Shaw Avenue Route 9 has the third highest volume of passengers among FAX’s 16 bus routes with an on time performance of 83 percent. Based off past performance of routes with TSP implemented, it is projected that the TSP technology will improve bus service and schedule adherence by approximately 7 percent.
The TSP intersection equipment installed by this project will provide priority TSP to transit vehicles and preemption to emergency vehicles by sending a priority/preemption request to the traffic signal controller via TSP technology.
On June 13, 2019, Council approved the material purchase of TSP technology for this corridor. This award is for the installation of this equipment.
Bids were solicited for this project on October 11, 2019, and advertised in both the Fresno Business Journal and digitally through Mass Transit Magazine. The Notice Inviting Bids was distributed to nine prospective bidders and specifications were distributed to 11 potential bidders. The bid was publicly opened on November 12, 2019. FAX received two bids from responsive and responsible bidders. The price range for the bids was $211,868.00 to $292,228.00. FAX staff determined Sturgeon Electric California, LLC., was the lowest responsive and responsible bidder with a price of $211,868.00. The Engineer’s Estimate of Cost for this project is $194,385.00, which makes the price from Sturgeon Electric California, LLC., 9 percent above this estimate.
The City Attorney has reviewed the contract and approved as to form.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Staff has performed a preliminary environmental assessment of this project and has determined this project is exempt under Section 15301 of the CEQA guidelines. Section 15301 notes the restoration or rehabilitation of existing facilities involving negligible or no expansion of capacity is categorically exempt from CEQA. Staff has determined that none of the exceptions to categorical exemptions set forth in CEQA Guidelines, Section 15300.2 apply to this project.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not applied as federal funding precludes the use of local preference.
FISCAL IMPACT
No general fund dollars will be used to implement staff’s recommendation. This project will be funded by FTA Congestion Mitigation Air Quality grant funds, which provide funds for projects that reduce emissions and contribute to the attainment or maintenance of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ozone, carbon monoxide, and particular matter.
Attachment:
Bid Evaluation 3690