REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: BROCK D. BUCHE, PE, PLS, Director
Department of Public Utilities
BY: JESUS A. GONZALEZ, PE, Assistant Director
Department of Public Utilities - Utilities Planning & Engineering
ROBERT A. DIAZ, Supervising Engineering Technician
Department of Public Utilities - Utilities Planning & Engineering
SUBJECT
Title
Approve a consultant services agreement with Carollo Engineers Inc., in an amount not to exceed $810,873, inclusive of a $74,000 contingency, for the Downtown Area Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Improvements Study (Bid File 12301832) (Council District 3)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends City Council approve a consultant services agreement with Carollo Engineers Inc., a Delaware corporation (Carollo), for an amount not to exceed $810,873, inclusive of a $74,000 contingency, for the Downtown Area Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Improvements Study (Project); and authorize the Director of Public Utilities, or designee, to sign the Agreement on behalf of the City of Fresno (City).
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The water and wastewater mains, and associated appurtenances, in the downtown area have largely reached the end of their service life. The Department of Public Utilities (DPU) requires consultant services to evaluate best options to locate the renewal utilities and to evaluate this infrastructure to ensure it meets current design standards. The study covers the Downtown area bounded by State Routes 41, 180, and 99. The study will determine infrastructure alignments and capacity requirements and sizing. After a competitive consultant selection process, DPU seeks to award an agreement to Carollo in an amount of not to exceed $810,873 for the Project.
BACKGROUND
The downtown area, being amongst the oldest in the City, has water and wastewater infrastructure that has reached the end of its service life. Recognizing the uniqueness of zero lot line construction in the downtown area, DPU desires a qualified engineering firm review the entire area to determine whether the installation of renewal water and wastewater infrastructure is best suited in alleyways or in the wider street alignments. Inclusive of this evaluation is the review of system capacities to ensure the renewal infrastructure meets current design standards. The resulting document(s) will guide design and phasing of renewal capital improvement projects, as well as, assist in establishing conditions of approval for infrastructure improvements needed for future development projects.
In accordance with Fresno Municipal Code Chapter 4, Article 1, and Administrative Order 6-19 (AO 6-19), DPU conducted a competitive process for selecting a consultant to provide the requested professional services for the Project. On January 27, 2023, a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) was published in the Business Journal and posted on the City’s Planet Bids website. Two Statements of Qualifications (SOQs) were received by the deadline of February 24, 2023. A selection committee consisting of representatives from DPU, evaluated the SOQs and ranked the consultants. As allowed for in AO 6-19, the RFQ was structured for the prospective consultants to provide detailed information regarding the experience of their teams and project approach. Upon review of the qualifications and analysis of the proposed fees, Carollo was selected as the consultant providing the best value based on the totality of the evaluation.
A standardized agreement has been used, without modification, in accordance with Administrative Order 4-4. Carollo’s Certificates of Insurance have been approved by the City’s Risk Management Division. Upon approval by the City Council, the agreement will be executed by the Director of Public Utilities, or his designee.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
By the definition provided in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378, this action is not a “project.”
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not implemented as Carollo is a local business pursuant to Fresno Municipal Code Section 4-109(b).
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no impact to the General Fund. Funding for this Project is included in the Fiscal Year 2023 capital improvements budget within the Water and Wastewater Management Division’s Enterprise Funds. (Council District 3).
Attachments:
Attachment 1 - Consultant Services Agreement
Attachment 2 - Project Vicinity Map