DATE: January 21, 2025
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Director of Public Works
SUBJECT: Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute Amendment No. 1 to the Agreement with Signet Testing Labs for On-call Material Testing and Special Inspection Services, Increasing the Contract Amount by $100,000 for a Total Not-to-Exceed Amount of $300,000 for the Existing Term of the Agreement
RECOMMENDATION
That Council adopts a resolution (Attachment II) authorizing the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 1 to the agreement with Signet Testing Labs for on-call material testing and special inspection services, increasing the contract amount by $100,000 for a total not- to-exceed amount of $300,000 for the existing term of the agreement.
SUMMARY
The Department of Public Works & Utilities routinely procures services for required material testing and special inspections on all City-sponsored projects since the City does not have material testing laboratories or personnel to perform this work in-house.
Materials testing and special inspections are required on all capital improvement projects to ensure that the materials used meet project specifications.
BACKGROUND
Currently, the City is using Signet Testing Labs on several Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) projects including Route 238 Corridor Improvement Project – Mission Blvd Phase 3 Final Design and Construction (05287), Main Street Complete Street (05283), and Arf Avenue, Tennyson Road Trash Capture Device Installations (07746). To maintain continuity for CIP projects currently using Signet, Staff is requesting to increase the agreement amount by $100,000. The Public Works Department is experiencing an inordinate construction workload that requires a significant amount of materials testing.
DISCUSSION
The Department’s Construction Inspection team is responsible for overseeing the construction of Capital Improvement Projects (CIP). These projects include all City streets, sidewalks, streetlights and traffic signals, storm drains, sanitary sewers, domestic water, recycled water, the water resource recovery facility, airport runways, and City-owned building projects. Material testing are required on these projects to ensure that the materials used meet project specifications.
Additionally, these projects often require specialty inspectors to observe some of the in- place materials and workmanship. The City does not have material testing laboratories or personnel to perform this type of work internally. Material testing and specialty inspections will be performed only as required to deliver projects in compliance to codes and specifications. These services will be paid for from related CIP project budgets. If the requested increase proves to be insufficient due to volume of work, staff will return to Council to request additional funding.
ECONOMIC IMPACT
Timely materials testing services for City projects ensures public safety and fosters economic activity. For example, materials testing on public improvement projects, like annual pavement rehabilitation and sidewalk installations, verifies the materials used are compliant with approved specifications and codes for public safety.
FISCAL IMPACT
There will be no impact to the General Fund. These services will only be used on City projects with appropriated budget for construction inspection related testing services. If approved, the $100,000 increase will come from previously approved budgets allocated for material testing and special inspections for projects within the adopted CIP.
STRATEGIC ROADMAP
This is a routine operational item and does not relate to the Council’s strategic initiatives.
However, CIP projects generally support the Invest in Infrastructure subcategory.
SUSTAINABILITY FEATURES
There are no sustainability features associated with this item.
PUBLIC CONTACT
There is no public contact associated with this item.
NEXT STEPS
If Council approves, the City Manager will execute Amendment No. 1 with Signet Testing Labs for on-call material testing and special inspection services by $100,000 for a total not- to-exceed amount of $300,000 for the existing term of the agreement.
Prepared by: Marissa Matta, Management Analyst
Kathy Garcia, Deputy Director of Public Works
Recommended by: Alex Ameri, Director of Public Works
Approved by:
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Dr. Ana M. Alvarez, City Manager