S19-L29711 - Approve an ordinance awarding a contract to WorkQuest in the maximum contract amount not to exceed $16,385,674.10 for Grounds Maintenance Services for Houston Public Works.
Specific Explanation:
The Director of Houston Public Works and the City Chief Procurement Officer recommend that City Council approved an ordinance awarding a three-year contract, with two one-year options to WorkQuest in the maximum contract amount not to exceed $16,385,674.10 for grounds maintenance services for Houston Public Works (HPW).
The scope of work requires the contractor to provide all labor, supervision, equipment, tools, parts. materials, supplies, and transportation necessary to provide grounds maintenance services, including but not limited to, mowing, litter pickup, pruning, mulching, watering, irrigation, and pest and weed control at approximately 560 Drinking Water and Wastewater facilities throughout the City.
WorkQuest employs individuals with disabilities. HPW is satisfied with WorkQuest’s performance on previous contracts with the City.
The Texas Human Resources Code, Section 122.017 provides: A political subdivision of this state may purchase products or services for its use from private businesses through its authorized purchasing procedures, but may substitute equivalent products or services produced by persons with disabilities under the provisions of this chapter.
Texas Attorney General Opinion No. JM-444 states that general statutes that require counties, cities, hospital districts, and school districts to engage in competitive bidding in order to make certain purchases do not apply to purchases such as political subdivisions make pursuant to Section 122.017 of the Human Resources Code. WorkQuest has approved the contract specifications services and the agency that will provide these services.
The Texas Human Resources Code, Section 122.007 provides: The workforce commission shall determine the fair market price of all products and services manufactured or provided by persons with disabilities and offered for sale to the various agencies and departments of the state and its political subdivisions by a community rehabilitation program participating in the program administered under this chapter.
M/WBE Subcontracting:
WorkQuest is a non-profit organization that was created by State law and the Office of Business Opportunity has issued a waiver of the M/WBE requirements.
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. The Office of Business Opportunity has issued a waiver for the Pay or Play requirements.
Hire Houston First:
The proposed contract requires compliance with the City’s Hire Houston First (HHF) ordinance that promotes economic opportunity for Houston businesses and supports job creation. In this case, WorkQuest does not meet the requirements of HHF designation.
Fiscal Note:
Funding for this item is included in the FY2021 Adopted Budget. Therefore, no Fiscal Note is required as stated in the Financial Policies.
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Jerry Adams, Chief Procurement Officer Carol Ellinger Haddock, P.E., Director
Finance/Strategic Procurement Division Houston Public Works
Estimated Spending Authority
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Department
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FY2021
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Out-Years
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Total Amount
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Houston Public Works
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$1,512,934.16
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$14,872,739.94
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$16,385,674.10
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