ORDINANCE appropriating $2,612,200.00 out of Water & Sewer System Consolidated Construction Fund; awarding contract to VACA UNDERGROUND UTILITIES, INC for Water Line Replacement in East Tidwell Area; setting a deadline for the bidder’s execution of the contract and delivery of all bonds, insurance, and other required contract documents to the City; holding the bidder in default if it fails to meet the deadlines; providing funding for engineering, testing, CIP Cost Recovery, construction management and contingencies relating to construction of facilities financed by Water & Sewer System Consolidated Construction Fund - DISTRICTS B - DAVIS and H - GONZALEZ

SUBJECT:     Contract Award for Water Line Replacement in East Tidwell Area.                          WBS No. S-000035-0176-4. 

RECOMMENDATION:  (Summary)

Accept low bid, award construction contract and appropriate funds. 

PROJECT NOTICE/JUSTIFICATION: This project is part of the City’s Water Line Replacement Program. This program is required to replace and upgrade water lines within the City to increase availability of water, improve circulation and fire protection.

DESCRIPTION/SCOPE: This project consists of the construction of approximately 25,550 linear feet of water lines with related appurtenances in the East Tidwell Area. The contract duration for this project is 225 calendar days. This project was designed by Landtech Consultants, Inc.

LOCATION: The project is bounded by E. Parker on north, Tidwell on south, Burden St. on east and E. Hardy Rd. on the west. The project is located in Key Map Grids 413Z and 453D.                                                 

BIDS:  This project was advertised for bidding on July 25, and August 1, 2014. Bids were received on August 28, 2014. The five (5) bids are as follows:      

AWARD: It is recommended that this construction contract be awarded to Vaca Underground Utilities, Inc., with a low bid of $2,196,481.10 and that Addendum No. 1 be made a part of this contract.

PROJECT COST:          The total cost of this project is $2,612,200.00 to be appropriated as follows:

Engineering and Testing Services will be provided by ATSER, L.P. under a previously approved contract.

Construction Management Services will be provided by ARKK Engineers, LLC under a previously approved contract.

HIRE HOUSTON FIRST: Hire Houston First does not apply to this expenditure because it involves the use of federal funds and is subject to specific procurement rules of federal government.

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 has elected to pay into the Contractor Responsibility Fund in compliance with City policy.

MWBE PARTICIPATION:  The low bidder has submitted the following proposed program to satisfy the 12.94% MBE goal, 8.72% WBE goal for this project.

All known rights-of-way, easements and/or right-of-entry required for the project have been acquired.

$2612,200.00 

This project is eligible for low interest funding through a State Revolving Fund (SRF) Equivalency loan.