ORDINANCE approving and authorizing contract between City of Houston and MOTT MACDONALD GROUP, INC d/b/a MOTT MACDONALD, LLC for development of a Long-Range Dredging Operational Plan for Lake Houston Area; providing a maximum contract amount - 2 Years - $1,386,520.00 - Grant Fund

Request for Qualifications received August 20, 2021 for Q29869 – Approve an ordinance awarding a contract to Mott MacDonald, LLC in the maximum contract amount of $1,386,520.00 for development of a long-range dredging operational plan for the Mayor’s Recovery Office.

Specific Explanation:

The Chief Recovery Officer and the Interim Chief Procurement Officer recommend that City Council approve an ordinance awarding a two (2) year contract to Mott MacDonald Group, Inc., DBA Mott MacDonald, LLC in the maximum contract amount of $1,386,520.00 for assisting the City in the development of a long-range dredging operational plan for the Lake Houston area. Funding for this work is through a grant from the Harris County Flood Control District and there is no end date for completion of the grant. It is expected that the work will be completed in FY23.

The City is utilizing a Harris County Flood Control grant to provide funding for a long-range dredging operational plan. Key tasks in the plan are to:

·         Obtain the digital terrain model of Lake Houston, West and East Forks of the San Jacinto River developed utilizing the survey data obtained by the Texas Water Development Board for the Coastal Water Authority (CWA) in December 2011 and June 2018. Update the terrain model to reflect the dredging activity completed and to be completed utilizing federal recovery and state grant funds previously described. Utilizing the updated digital terrain model, identify areas where sediment accumulates throughout the study area and estimate average annual accumulations.

·         Review ownership information of the access canals to Lake Houston and the San Jacinto River within the study area. Determine legal obstacles, if any, associated with future dredging maintenance of these canals to ensure long term access. Preform subsurface surveys of sufficient detail to determine the volume of material to be dredged.

·         Perform tabletop survey to identify additional potential disposal sites for annual dredged material. Research to include property ownership, tract size, site access, site preparation, environmental constraints, etc. Based upon overall assessment of the sites, estimate costs to acquire and ready the selected sites to receive dredge disposal material.

·         Investigate the benefits of hydraulic and mechanical methods of dredging and recommend future methods of operation. Consultant will contact multiple dredging companies to obtain order of magnitude costs to perform the dredging. Consultant will compare the annual outsourcing costs to a public entity assuming the responsibility, including staffing and acquisition of necessary dredging equipment and recommend the most cost-effective course of action.

·         Explore options available to raise the required annual funds for future operation and maintenance of an ongoing dredging program.

The Request for Qualifications (RFQ) was advertised in accordance with the State of Texas bid laws, and as a result submittals were received from five (5) firms: P2MG, LLC., HDR Engineering, Inc., Moffat & Nichol, Inc., Mott MacDonald Group, Inc. DBA Mott MacDonald, LLC., and Tetra Tech, Inc.

The Evaluation Committee (EC) consisted of employees from the Houston Public Works Department (HPW), the Mayor’s Recovery Office (MYR), and the Solid Waste Department (SWD).

The evaluations were based upon the following criteria:

1.    Responsiveness of Submission

2.    Technical Competence

Based on the evaluation of the submissions, Mott MacDonald Group, Inc., DBA Mott MacDonald, LLC., having met all requirements, was recommended for contract award.

M/WBE Participation:

The RFQ was advertised with a 24% goal for M/WBE participation. Mott McDonald Group, Inc., DBA Mott MacDonald, LLC., submitted a participation plan of 28% and had designated the below-named companies as its certified M/WBE subcontractors.

Pay or Play:

The proposed contract requires compliance with the City’s “Pay or Play” Ordinance regarding health benefits for employees of City Contractors. In this case, Mott MacDonald Group, Inc., DBA Mott MacDonald, LLC., has elected to play and 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 involves 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.

Estimated Spending Authority

$1,386,520.00

Local Government - Grant Funded

Fund No.: 5020