ORDINANCE approving and authorizing Professional Services Contract between City of Houston and DATA TRANSFER SOLUTIONS, LLC for Aerial Mapping, Imageries & Condition Data Collection utilizing Unmanned Aerial System for Houston Public Works; providing a maximum contract amount - $3,804,913.00 – Enterprise and Other Funds

SUBJECT:  Professional Services Contract between the City and Data Transfer Solutions, LLC for Aerial Mapping, Imageries & Condition Data Collection Utilizing Unmanned Aerial System.

RECOMMENDATION:  An ordinance approving a Professional Services Contract with Data Transfer Solutions, LLC with a maximum contract amount not to exceed $3,804,913.00 and allocate funds.

SPECIFIC EXPLANATION:  This project will provide professional services by collecting aerial photographic video and condition assessment of Houston Public Works’ existing infrastructure in the public right of way that have challenging accessibility. Unmanned aerial vehicles will be utilized to capture 2D and 3D mapping images of publicly owned assets including off-road and open channel drainage systems, elevated water tanks, well sites, building rooftops, manholes, aerial pipes, bridges, and other existing infrastructure. 

The vendor will provide a turn-key operation including flight planning and scheduling. The scope includes providing reports and data in real time using the current technologies.  Upon request, the scope can include training for the City’s staff in establishing an in house unmanned aerial system.  The scope of work requires the Vendor to provide all labor, equipment, material, supplies, tools, instrumentation, transportation and supervision necessary to complete the data collection and assessment process.  The data and assessment will be submitted to the City for documentation and further analyses of the infrastructure.

The data will help the City to manage drainage, water and wastewater infrastructure assets safely and efficiently by identifying budget and treatment scenarios.  This service will also provide emergency response assessment to assist in determining disaster damaged infrastructure.

The Request for Proposals was advertised in accordance with the State of Texas bid laws.  Five (5) summary of qualifications and proposals were received on May 16, 2019 from the following firms:

• Air Data Solutions, LLC

• B2Z Engineering

• Data Transfer Solutions, LLC

• McKim & Creed, Inc.

• Reality IMT, Inc.

The evaluation committee consisted of evaluators from Houston Public Works.  The evaluation was based upon the following criteria:

• Expertise/Experience

• Project Approach

• Technical Competence

• Field Operations

• Ability to meet Schedule

• Proposal

Data Transfer Solutions, LLC was the selected firm.

The total requested allocation is $3,804,913.00.

This contract has an initial term of three years with an option to extend the services for an additional two years.

LOCATION:  The project area is Citywide.

PAY OR PLAY PROGRAM:  The proposed contract requires compliance with the City’s ‘Pay or Play’ ordinance regarding health benefits for employees of City contractors. In this case, the Contractor provides health benefits to eligible employees in compliance with City policy.

M/WBE PARTICIPATION:  The M/WBE goal for the project is set at 24%.  The Consultant has proposed the following firms to achieve this goal.

FISCAL NOTE:  Funding for this item is included in the FY21 Adopted Budget.  Therefore, no Fiscal Note is required as stated in the Financial Policies:

____________________________

Carol Ellinger Haddock, P.E., Director

Houston Public Works

$3,804,913.00

$1,902,456.50 - Fund No. 8300 - Water and Sewer System Operating Fund

$951,228.25- Fund No. 2312 – Dedicated Drainage and Street Renewal Fund - Metro et al

$951,228.25- Fund No. 2302 – Stormwater Fund