CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: July 17, 2023
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCILMEMBERS
SUBJECT: ADOPT RESOLUTION NO.___ - 23 ACCEPTING BID AND AWARDING A CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT TO FRANCO ENGINEERING, INC.
FOR THE OAK PARK BOULEVARD SIDEWALK GAP CLOSURE
PROJECT NO. 04-23
SYNOPSIS
The Oak Park Boulevard Sidewalk Gap Closure Project No. 04-23 will provide approximately 700 linear feet of new ADA-compliant concrete sidewalk along the north side of Oak Park Boulevard between Hook Avenue and the Pleasant Hill Library, new rectangular rapid-flashing beacons (RRFB) at two existing crosswalks, and new signage and striping. The purpose of this item is to consider acceptance of the lowest responsive, responsible bid from Franco Engineering, Inc., and seek authorization to award the construction contract.
DISCUSSION
Background
In November 2016, Pleasant Hill voters approved Measure K, a twenty-year, one-half cent transaction and use tax to address the infrastructure needs of the City. The measure generates needed revenue each year, a portion of which may be allocated to help supplement the Pedestrian/Bike Program.
The Oak Park Boulevard Sidewalk Gap Closure Project (Project) is identified as part of the FY 2022-2027 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) (Project MK-3D), City Council had previously allocated $75,000 to fund and complete engineering design in FY 2023-2024. The City has received higher than anticipated Measure K revenues, thus allowing the City to proceed with public bidding and construction after completion of project design. On February 27, 2023, the City Council allocated an additional $730,000 for project construction and updated the CIP (Project MK-3D) budget accordingly.
Design. On March 20, 2023 City Council adopted Resolution No. 23-23, authorizing the City Manager to execute a Design Professional Services Agreement with Ruggeri-Jensen-Azar for design engineering and preparation of plans and specifications for the project.
Project Details. The project is in a high priority location for pedestrian and bicycle improvements based on collision history, proximity to schools, number of nearby destinations, and traffic volume. The project will connect residents to popular nearby destinations, including Pleasant Hill Middle School, Pleasant Hill Library, Pleasant Oaks Park, pedestrian walking trails, and future athletic fields.
The project will construct a new ADA-compliant concrete sidewalk, within the public right-ofway, along the north side of Oak Park Boulevard between Hook Avenue and the Library, as well as the west side of Hook Avenue, spanning approximately 700 feet along nine residential properties. The project will construct new rectangular rapid-flashing beacon (RRFB) crossings at Oak Park Boulevard / Manor Avenue and Oak Park Boulevard / Via del Sol intersections to improve pedestrian and bicycle access and visibility. The multi-faceted project will achieve the following:
4,020 square feet of new concrete sidewalk
798 linear feet of new concrete curb and gutter
3 each new ADA curb ramps
204 tons of hot mix asphalt conform
2 each new RRFB pedestrian crosswalks
New signage and striping improvements
Minor storm drain modifications
This project is included in the FY 2022-2027 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) (Project MK-3D).
The engineering design has been completed in FY 2022-2023 and construction is scheduled to be completed in FY 2023-2024.
Analysis
The Notice Inviting Bids was sent to construction exchanges on May 12, 2023 and the project was advertised in the East Bay Times newspaper on May 13, 2023. Nine (9) bids were received and publicly read on Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at the Engineering Division Counter at City Hall.
The lowest bidder, Norgo Engineering, Inc., formally requested to withdraw their bid on June 20, 2023 on the basis of bid error. Since, Norgo Engineering, Inc. has withdrawn their bid, the official lowest, responsive, and responsible bidder is Franco Engineering, Inc.
Per project bid documents, the City will base the project award on the lowest responsive, responsible bid. The following table summarizes the bid amounts. The lowest responsive, responsible bid is marked in bold.
Company Total Base Bid
1. Norgo Engineering, Inc. $498,140.00
2. Franco Engineering, Inc. $503,261.00
3. Kerex Engineering $519,999.00
4. Sposeto Engineering, Inc. $612,565.00
5. Ghilotti Bros., Inc. $628,828.00
6. Redgwick Construction Company $638,637.00
7. Gradetech, Inc. $670,896.00
8. California Highway Construction Group, Inc. $689,200.00
9. J.J.R. Construction, Inc. $698,511.75
Average of Nine (9) Bids Received $606,610.19
Engineer’s Estimate (EE) $525,000.00
Franco Engineering, Inc.’s total base bid of $503,261.00, is 17% lower than the average base bid of $606,610.19. The president of Franco Engineering has reviewed the full bid results and verified their prices. The Contractor is ready to begin construction this summer and complete the project by fall 2023.
Franco Engineering, Inc. has successfully completed similar projects including concrete curb, gutter, sidewalk, driveways, and ADA ramps for the City of Pittsburg in 2022-2023 as well as private developers in the City of Oakland. Representatives from both clients confirmed that Franco Engineering, Inc.’s work was excellent. Staff believes the Contractor’s team has the experience and professional competency that will result in a satisfactory product for the City.
Franco Engineering, Inc.’s bid proposal documentation is complete, and staff has determined them to be the lowest responsive, responsible bidder. Bidding rules require that the City Council award the construction contract to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder or reject all bids.
Staff recommends the City Council award the construction contract to Franco Engineering, Inc.
FISCAL IMPACT
The project construction cost is $503,261.00. Staff recommends including a construction contingency of fifteen percent (15%) or $75,489.15. The total construction cost is not to exceed $578,750.15. Construction management will be performed by Engineering Division staff. Project funding is summarized in the table below:
Funding Sources Projected Expenses
Measure K $578,750.15 Construction Contract $503,261.00 Contingency (15%) $75,489.15
Total $578,750.15 Total $578,750.15
No General Fund money is requested for the construction of the project. Engineering Division staff has confirmed with the Finance Department that monies are available for construction of this project.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made through posting of the City Council agenda on the City’s official notice bulletin board, at the Pleasant Hill Senior Center, and at the Pleasant Hill Police Department. The agenda and staff report are posted on the City’s web page.
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION
Adopt a resolution to accept the bid and award a construction contract (Agreement attached – Exhibit 1) for the Oak Park Boulevard Sidewalk Gap Closure Project No. 04-23, and authorize the City Manager to execute a construction contract with Franco Engineering, Inc.
ALTERNATIVES TO RECOMMENDED ACTION
Reject all current bids and rebid the project, which would likely result in higher bids and project delay, as the current lowest responsive, responsible bidder is ready now to perform the work.
ATTACHMENT(S):
Proposed Resolution
Exhibit 1 - Contractor Agreement
Exhibit 2 – Project Location Map
Prepared by: Omar Adina, Assistant Engineer
Reviewed by: Ananthan Kanagasundaram, City Engineer
Approved by: Scott Vermillion, Acting City Manager