CITY OF SIGNAL HILL
STAFF REPORT
2175 Cherry Avenue • Signal
Hill, California 90755-3799
11/14/2023
AGENDA ITEM
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR
AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: CARLO TOMAINO
CITY MANAGER
BY: THOMAS BEKELE
PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
SUBJECT:
PUBLIC WORKS CONTRACT WITH TTS ENGINEERING INCORPORATED FOR THE 33RD STREET WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT PROJECT (PROJECT NO.
95.22003)
Summary:
The City Council will consider authorizing the City Manager to enter into a Public Works Contract with TTS Engineering Incorporated (TTS) for the construction of the 33rd Street Water Main Replacement Project, in the amount of $2,317,861 with a contingency up to $129,335.40. In March 2023, the City released this project out to bid with the original scope of work, which resulted in the rejection of bids due to bid irregularities. Consequently, the City revised the scope of work and re-released a Notice Inviting Bids (NIB) on October 13, 2023, with a bid due date of November 3, 2023; the City received nine bids by the deadline. Following review of bids, staff determined TTS is the lowest responsive and responsible bidder with the proper experience to perform the water main pipeline replacement on 33rd Street and related work identified in the NIB and contract documents. Subject to City Council approval of the contract award, staff would issue a Notice to Proceed and begin coordinating with the contractor. Construction of the project is estimated to start in January 2024 with completion within 120 working days.
Strategic Plan Goal(s):
Goal No. 4 Infrastructure: Maintain and improve the City’s physical infrastructure, water system, and recreational spaces.
Recommendations:
1. Authorize the City Manager to enter into a Public Works Contract with TTS for the construction of the 33rd Street Water Main Replacement Project (Project No. 95.22003), for a term of 120 working days, for a not-to-exceed contract amount of $2,317,861, in a form approved by the CITY OF SIGNAL HILL Page 1 of 4 Printed on 11/9/2023
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City Attorney; and
2. Authorize the Public Works Director to utilize a contingency of up to $129,335.40 to accommodate additional scope of work in the event of changed or unforeseen conditions and utilize remaining American Rescue Plan Act funds, for a total construction budget of $2,447,196.40.
Fiscal Impact:
This Project is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant. In 2021, the City received a total amount of $2,732,146 from ARPA. The total cost of this contract is $2,317,861. Staff also recommends contingency funds totaling $129,335.40 (5.5%), which represents the remaining ARPA funds available. Therefore, the total construction budget for the project is $2,447,196.40.
Sufficient funds in the amount of $2,447,196.40 are available in the approved FY 2023-24 Capital Improvement Budget for the 33rd Water Main Replacement Project (Project No. 95.22003, Account No. 500-40-5840).
Background:
The Public Works Water Division is responsible for the maintenance of over 50 miles of potable water distribution and transmission pipelines in diameters ranging from 4” to 20”. Approximately 15 miles of these pipelines consist of cast iron material and were installed primarily prior to the 1970’s. Cast iron pipes are typically susceptible to leaks and breaks, resulting in frequent and costly emergency repairs, especially when they reach the end of their useful life. Additionally, the strength and thickness of cast iron pipes typically get compromised by water system disinfectants, such as chlorine and ammonia, as well as by soil conditions.
Since its discovery in the 1950’s and commercial availability in the early 1970’s, ductile iron pipe has become the preferred material for the transmission of water. Ductile iron pipes offer higher strength and corrosion resistance. The City adopted its latest version of its standard water main plans and specifications in 2004, which included the use of ductile iron pipes. The 2018 Water Master Plan identified the need to budget and plan for the replacement of existing cast iron pipelines citywide. In 2022, the Public Works Department documented the water system’s pipelines in its Geographic Information System (GIS) portal, classifying them according to age and material type. The Water Division also implemented a program to replace pipeline segments prone to leaks. 33rd Street Water Main Pipeline
Staff identified the water main pipeline on 33rd Street, from California Avenue to Walnut Avenue, as a high-priority replacement among the City’s cast iron water mains. This section of pipe has experienced a high frequency of costly breaks and leaks in the past years.
On November 18, 2021, staff issued a Notice to Proceed to on-call engineering consultant Michael Baker International (MBI) to prepare engineered plans and specifications for the replacement of the cast iron water main along 33rd Street from California Avenue to Walnut Avenue, along with curb-tocurb pavement restoration. In early March 2023, the Public Works Department reviewed and approved the final plans and specifications. On March 30, 2023, the Public Works Department released the Notice Inviting Bids for the 33rd Street Water Main Replacement Project and received CITY OF SIGNAL HILL Page 2 of 4 Printed on 11/9/2023
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released the Notice Inviting Bids for the 33rd Street Water Main Replacement Project and received four bids by the bid deadline; however, two bidders submitted bid protests. Subsequently, on May 23, 2023, due to bid irregularities, the City Council authorized the rejection of all bids and the reissuance of the project for rebidding.
On July 11, 2023, the City Council authorized a contract amendment to MBI to revise the plans and specifications for the 33rd Street Water Main Replacement Project. These revisions included the removal of the pavement restoration work because that portion of the project is anticipated to be done in conjunction with the pavement management program in FY 2024-25. On August 4, 2023, MBI provided final bid-ready plans and specifications for revised scope of work as follows:
· Replacement of approximately 2,639 linear feet of existing cast iron water main in place, with approximately 1,345 linear feet of 12-inch diameter ductile iron water main and approximately 1,294 linear feet of 16-inch diameter ductile iron water main. · Twenty-six valve replacements
· Eighteen water service replacements
· Eight fire service replacements
· Nine ADA curb ramps
Bid Circulation Process
On October 13, 2023, staff issued a Notice Inviting Bids (NIB) for the 33rd Street Water Main Replacement Project. The City posted the NIB at the following locations:
· PlanetBids via the City’s online portal
· City’s website
· City’s public notice locations as identified in Signal Hill Municipal Code Section 1.05.010 Forty-six prospective bidders were notified of the bid opportunity through PlanetBids and a total of eighteen prospective bidders downloaded the contract documents; the bids were due to the City on November 3, 2023.
Bid Results
The City received nine bids from the following contractors by the bid due date:
Bidder Bid Amount
TTS Engineering, Incorporated $2,317,861.00
Ramona, Incorporated $2,364,619.00
Teichert Energy & Utilities Group, Incorporated $2,877,700.00 PALP dba Excel Paving Company $2,898,717.00
BONADIMAN Water, Incorporated $2,946,165.00
T.E. Roberts, Incorporated $3,097,486.00
Colich & Sons, LP $3,221,815.00
CEM Construction Corp $3,455,122.00
MNR Construction Incorporated $3,948,682.00
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BONADIMAN Water, Incorporated $2,946,165.00
T.E. Roberts, Incorporated $3,097,486.00
Colich & Sons, LP $3,221,815.00
CEM Construction Corp $3,455,122.00
MNR Construction Incorporated $3,948,682.00
Analysis:
Contractor Selection
TTS submitted the apparent low bid of $2,317,861.00 and submitted all the required documents and bid bond prior to the bid closing date and time. Staff conducted reference checks and verified that TTS, along with its subcontractors, are properly licensed to perform the work under this contract.
Staff also reviewed the company’s bid documents, and found all documents were complete and in good order. Following the bid evaluation process, staff determined TTS to be the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. Staff is recommending an award of contract to TTS for construction of the 33 rd Street Water Main Replacement Project (Project No. 95.22003), for a term of 120 working days, for a not to exceed contract amount of $2,447,196.40.
If the City Council approves the contract, staff would issue a Notice to Proceed and begin coordinating with the contractor. Construction of the project is estimated to start in January 2024 with completion within 120 working days.
Reviewed for Fiscal Impact:
_________________________
Sharon del Rosario
Attachment(s):
A. Contract
B. Project Plans
C. Project Specifications
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