CC MEETING: September 6, 2016
DATE: August 30, 2016
TO: Leonard Martin, City Manager
FROM: Cesar J. Molina, Jr., P.E., Director of Engineering
Title
Consider Authorizing The City Manager To Approve A Contract With New World Contracting, LLC For The 2016 Citywide Sidewalk Improvements Project In An Amount Not To Exceed $1,291,129.60.
Body
BACKGROUND:
A citywide sidewalk evaluation was recently undertaken to identify and facilitate the prioritization of substandard sidewalks across the city. Staff developed a three-year program with the first phase targeting sidewalks located within 500 feet of public schools. Sidewalks were identified as substandard if there were large cracks, severe cross slopes, dropped/raised panels or other potential tripping hazards.
The locations for sidewalk replacement as part of the 2016 initiative are scattered throughout the city. The impacted locations will improve walking conditions in the vicinity of 12 schools. The sidewalk replacement program was presented to City Council at the March 1, 2016 meeting with a preliminary estimate of $1,299,000 for the 2016 project. During project design the locations for replacement were fine-tuned, which resulted in a reduction in the quantity of sidewalks being replaced from what was presented during the March meeting.
The project was advertised this summer. This is a difficult project because it involves a number of panel replacements at various locations across the city. As such, staff knew that in the current construction market this project was unlikely to attract many bidders. Staff proactively contacted five contractors and encouraged them to bid on the project. Only one bid was received, and even with the reduced sidewalk quantities the bid was almost as high as the initial preliminary estimate.
Per Engineering Department policy, whenever two or less bids are received for any project, an assessment of the bids is performed to ensure that the public is getting a fair price. Looking at this project bid, the original estimate assumed $45 per square yard (SY) of concrete. The bid came in at $49.85/SY. This is about 11 percent higher, but it is generally in line with other recent bids where continued increases in labor and material costs are being observed. Staff also evaluated the Public Works Department’s annual price agreement for sidewalk work to this bid. That agreement shows a cost of $51.70/SY for replacing existing sidewalks. In summary, the bid appears reasonable under these circumstances and staff feels that no benefit would be gained from rebidding the project. Therefore, staff recommends proceeding with this bid.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
New World Contracting, LLC submitted a bid of $1,291,129.60. Funding is available in the 2016 Sidewalks account.
IMPACT ON COMMUNITY SUSTAINABILITY:
This project will contribute to community sustainability by:
• Providing a safer path for children to walk to school;
• Less potential for injuries to citizens due to tripping hazards.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION/ACTION DESIRED:
Staff recommends City Council authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with New World Contracting, LLC for the 2016 Citywide Sidewalk Improvements project in an amount not to exceed $1,291,129.60.