ORDINANCE appropriating $1,138,658.16 out of Dedicated Drainage and Street Renewal Capital Fund – Drainage Charge; approving and authorizing Professional Engineering Services Contract between City of Houston and HDR ENGINEERING, INC for North Canal High Flow Diversion Channel Project; declaring the City’s intent to seek reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other eligible sources for such expenditures; providing funding for CIP Cost Recovery financed by the Dedicated Drainage and Street Renewal Capital Fund – Drainage Charge - 4 Years with two one-year options - $587,787.65 - Grant Fund

Request for Qualifications received June 18, 2020 for S83-Q29487 - Approve an ordinance appropriating $1,138,658.16 out of the Dedicated Drainage and Street Renewal Capital Fund - Drainage Charge and approving and authorizing a Professional Engineering Services Contract to HDR Engineering Inc. for the North Canal High Flow Diversion Channel project.

Specific Explanation:
The Director of Houston Public Works and the Chief Procurement Officer recommend that City Council approve an ordinance appropriating $1,138,658.16 out of the Dedicated Drainage and Street Renewal Capital Fund - Drainage Charge and approving and authorizing a four (4) year professional engineering services contract with two (2) one-year options to HDR Engineering, Inc. for the North Canal High Flow Diversion Channel project. The Director of Public Works and/or Chief Procurement Officer may terminate the contract at any time upon thirty (30) days written notice to the contractor.

The North Canal High Flow Diversion Channel project is located in downtown Houston at the confluence of White Oak and Buffalo Bayous. This project will reduce the long-term risk of future flood losses to structures, especially at the confluence of Buffalo and White Oak Bayous and includes three (3) primary components: North Canal Channel Diversion, South Canal Channel Diversion/Detention, and upstream improvements along White Oak Bayou at both the Yale Street and Heights Boulevard bridges.

This project is part of the Federal Emergency Management Administration's (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) is the recipient of HMGP funding, and the City is the sub-recipient. The funding for project costs is based on a 35.15% federal and 64.85% local cost share.

The City is partnering with the Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD), the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), and Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone Number 5 (TIRZ No. 5) to implement the Project. Agreements between the City and each partner defining their roles and responsibilities, including financial participation in non-federal project costs, are under development and will be brought to Council for approval.

The current appropriation is only for City Phase I Preliminary Design for the Design Consultant; subsequent appropriations will be requested to provide Real Estate support and Phase II Final Design services.

Project Schedule
Completion of City of Houston Phase I (Preliminary Design): March 28, 2022
Completion of City of Houston Phase II (Final Design): May 22, 2023

The Request for Qualifications (RFQ) was advertised in accordance with the State of Texas bid laws, and as a result, responses were received from eight (8) firms:

· Binkley & Barfield
· CivilTech Engineering
· FiveEngineering
· Freese & Nichols
· HDR Engineering, Inc.
· LJA Engineering
· RPS
· Zarinkelk

The evaluation committee consisted of evaluators from Houston Public Works, Mayor’s Office, and Parks & Recreation. The evaluation was based upon the following criteria:
1. Responsiveness of Submission
2. Technical Competence

The total cost of this authorization is $1,726,445.81 as follows: $1,672,223.99 for Contract services and $54,221.82 for CIP Cost Recovery.

M/WBE Participation:
This RFQ was advertised with a (24%) percentage goal for M/WBE participation. HDR, Inc. has designated the below-named companies as its certified M/WBE subcontractors:

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 will provide health benefits to eligible employees in compliance with City policy.

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

Fiscal Note:

• No Fiscal Note is required on grant items.
• No significant Fiscal Operating impact is anticipated as a result of this project.

___________________________________                              ___________________________________

Jerry Adams, Chief Procurement Officer                                    Carol Ellinger Haddock, P.E., Director

Finance/Strategic Procurement Division                                    Houston Public Works

$587,787.65

Federal State Local - HPW Pass thru DDSR

Fund No. 5430

$1,138,658.16

Dedicated Drainage and Street Renewal Capital Fund - Drainage Charge

Fund No. 4042