FROM: Robert Thompson, General Manager
Originator: Mike Dorman, Director of Engineering
SUBJECT:
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TAFT BRANCH IMPROVEMENTS, PROJECT NO. 2-49
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GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION
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RECOMMENDATION: Recommend to the Board of Directors to:
A. Approve a Professional Construction Services Agreement with Woodard & Curran Inc. to provide construction support services for Taft Branch Improvements, Project No. 2-49, for a total amount not to exceed $1,108,033; and
B. Approve a contingency of $110,803 (10%).
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BACKGROUND
Woodard & Curran Inc. was selected as part of a competitive, qualifications-based solicitation process to design Taft Branch Improvements, Project No. 2-49. At the time of the solicitation, the Orange County Sanitation District (OC San) documented its intent to award a subsequent agreement to the design consultant for continuation of engineering services during construction.
This project will upsize the upper reach of the Taft Branch sewer in the City of Orange. This will include replacement of nearly 7,000 feet of pipe and associated manholes along Meats Avenue and Taft Avenue. It includes a new alignment of 3,400 feet on Sacramento Street and Taft Avenue to alleviate existing manhole access issues. The project will also include a swap of regional and local sewers including 2,700 feet of existing OC San piping on Tustin Avenue to be transferred to the City of Orange and 2,600 feet of regional piping owned by City of Orange to be transferred to OC San.
RELEVANT STANDARDS
• Comply with California Government Code Section 4526 to engage the best qualified firm “on the basis of demonstrated competence and qualifications” and “negotiate fair and reasonable fees”
• Ensure the public’s money is wisely spent
• Sound engineering and accounting practices, complying with local, state, and federal laws
PROBLEM
This project requires the design consultant to provide as-needed services during construction including submittal review, responding to the contractor’s requests for information, reviewing construction change orders, participating in meetings, attending site visits, and preparing record drawings. The design consultant will also provide specialty on-call services to comply with CEQA issues, if they arise.
PROPOSED SOLUTION
Approve a Professional Construction Services Agreement with the design consultant, Woodard & Curran Inc., to provide engineering support services during construction.
TIMING CONCERNS
Engineering support services will be required at the start of construction. Construction is anticipated to start in June 2024.
RAMIFICATIONS OF NOT TAKING ACTION
The engineering support services needed to facilitate and review construction activities would not be available by the Engineer of Record, which may negatively impact the contract execution.
PRIOR COMMITTEE/BOARD ACTIONS
February 2021 - Approved a Professional Design Services Agreement with Woodard & Curran Inc. to provide engineering services for Taft Branch Improvements, Project No. 2-49, for an amount not to exceed $2,200,000; and approved a contingency of $220,000 (10%).
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Woodard & Curran Inc. successfully furnished engineering services for the design of this project and their support services during construction will provide continuity through the completion of the project. Staff negotiated with Woodard & Curran Inc. for these support services in accordance with the OC San’s adopted policies and procedures. A review of the proposed price was conducted using estimated quantities of requests for information, submittals, meetings, site visits, change order review, and design revisions, as well as the level of effort for preparing record drawings. Based on this review, staff determined the negotiated fee to be fair and reasonable for these services. Staff is requesting a 10 percent contingency in case unanticipated professional services are needed during construction.
CEQA
This contract further implements Project 2-49 (the “Project”). OC San, as lead agency, prepared an Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration (“MND”) that analyzed the Project’s potential environmental impacts. Consideration of the MND, and a corresponding Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program for the Project, are separately agendized for this meeting. No other or different CEQA compliance is required for this item.
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS
This request complies with the authority levels of OC San’s Purchasing Ordinance. This item has been budgeted (Budget Update, Fiscal Year 2023-2024, Appendix A, Page 7, Taft Branch Improvements, Project No. 2-49) and the budget is sufficient for the recommended action.
ATTACHMENT
The following attachment(s) may be viewed on-line at the OC San website (www.ocsan.gov) with the complete agenda package:
• Draft Professional Construction Services Agreement