REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
April 22, 2021
FROM: MICHAEL CARBAJAL, Director
Department of Public Utilities
THROUGH: BROCK D. BUCHE, PE, PLS, Assistant Director - UP&E
Department of Public Utilities - Utilities Planning & Engineering
BY: ROBERT A. DIAZ, Supervising Engineering Technician
Department of Public Utilities - Utilities Planning & Engineering
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the construction of 1,275 linear feet of 16-inch diameter water main for the North Polk Avenue Water Main Replacement between West Herndon Avenue and West Palo Alto Avenue (Bid File 3781) (Council District 2):
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) and Section 15302 (Replacement or Reconstruction) of the California Environmental Quality Act
2. Award a construction contract to Floyd Johnston Construction Company, Inc., in the amount of $385,000
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that City Council adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Sections 15301 (Existing Facilities) and Section 15302 (Replacement or Reconstruction) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines; award a construction contract to Floyd Johnston Construction Company, Inc. (Floyd Johnston), in the amount of $385,000, for the construction of 1,275 linear feet of 16-inch diameter water main for the North Polk Avenue Water Main Replacement between West Herndon Avenue and West Palo Alto Avenue (Project); and authorize the Director of Public Utilities, or designee, to sign and execute all documents on behalf of the City of Fresno (City).
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Department of Public Utilities, Water Division, seeks to award a water main replacement and service transfer construction contract to Floyd Johnston following a competitive bidding process which identified it as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder in the amount of $385,000. The Project is necessary to replace an existing 14-inch diameter water main which is prone to experiencing unexpected failures. The scope of work includes construction of 1,275-linear feet of 16-inch diameter water main, fire hydrants, valves and services transfers.
BACKGROUND
The Department of Public Utilities, Water Division, has identified 1,275 linear feet of an existing 14-inch diameter water main located in North Polk Avenue between West Herndon Avenue and West Palo Alto Avenue that is experiencing unexpected failures and needs to be replaced. The scope of work includes the replacement of the existing 14-inch diameter water main with a 16-inch diameter water main, fire hydrants, valves and service transfers. Replacement of this main will prevent further expensive failures from occurring along this alignment.
A Notice Inviting Bids was published on February 8, 2021, and posted on the City’s Planet Bids website. The Project plans and specifications were distributed to 25 prospective bidders and posted at 11 Building Exchanges. Four sealed bid proposals were received and publicly opened on March 9, 2021. The bid proposals ranged from $385,000 to $471,010. Of the four bids received the third lowest proposed bid was deemed non-responsive.
Floyd Johnston Construction Company, Inc., was the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, with the bid amount of $385,000. The Staff Determination of Award was posted on the City’s Planet Bids website on Wednesday, April 7, 2021. Staff recommends that the City Council award a construction contract to Floyd Johnston, in the amount of $385,000, as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. Their bid price is 6.55% below the Engineer’s Estimate. The bids will expire 64 days after bid opening, which will be on May 12, 2021.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Staff has reviewed the scope and nature of this Project and determined that the scope of this Project falls within the Class 1 and Class 2 Categorical Exemptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines, Section 15301 and 15302, as this Project is for the replacement of existing utility systems involving negligible or no expansion of capacity. The Project will replace the existing utility system with new water mains and services and will not result in the expansion of capacity of the existing utility system or change the purpose. Furthermore, none of the exceptions to Categorical Exemptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines, Section 15300.2 apply to this Project.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
The lowest responsive and responsible bidder is a local business pursuant to the Fresno Municipal Code Section 4-108(d).
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no impact to the General Fund. This Project is located in Council District 2 and Fresno County. Funding for this Project is included in the Fiscal Year 2021 capital improvement budget within the Water Enterprise Fund 40101.
Attachments:
Attachment 1 - Categorical Exemption
Attachment 2 - Bid Evaluation
Attachment 3 - Sample Contract
Attachment 4 - Vicinity Map