Request for Qualifications received July 8, 2021 for Q29882 – Approve an Ordinance awarding a contract to Gauge Engineering, LLC in the maximum contract amount of $2,415,148.00 in Hurricane Harvey Community Development Block Grant - Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR17) Funds for professional engineering services to develop a comprehensive 2-D dynamic hydrologic and hydraulic model of the City’s flood mitigation and stormwater drainage infrastructure for Houston Public Works and the Housing Community Development Department.
Specific Explanation:
The Directors of the Houston Public Works (HPW) and Housing Community Development Department (HCDD) and the Interim Chief Procurement Officer (CPO) recommend that City Council approve an ordinance awarding a professional engineering services contract with an initial term that will expire on February 29, 2024, with up to one (1) one-year option to renew to Gauge Engineering, LLC (Engineer) in the maximum contract amount of $2,415,148.00 to develop a comprehensive 2-D dynamic hydrologic and hydraulic model of the City’s flood mitigation and stormwater drainage infrastructure. The Directors of HPW and HCDD may terminate the contract at any time by giving seven (7) days written notice to the Engineer.
The scope of work requires the Engineer to develop a comprehensive 2-D dynamic hydrologic and hydraulic model of the City’s flood mitigation and stormwater drainage infrastructure throughout the City of Houston (City). Development of the models shall be coordinated by the selected Engineer with overall management and oversight provided by the City and the City’s Representative. The outcomes of this Project shall be integrated into the City’s One Water planning efforts as the basis for a stormwater utility strategic master plan.
The Engineer will be modeling the Buffalo Bayou Watershed including Addicks & Barker reservoirs. In developing the models for the Buffalo Bayou Watershed, the Engineer will be responsible for addressing the following tasks, including but not limited to:
- Provide general project management for the length of the project including kickoff and progress meetings, agency coordination, quality control, invoicing/billing, and attending project workshops.
- Obtain, review, and confirm information related to the existing flood mitigation and stormwater drainage infrastructure of their assigned watershed needed to develop a drainage model.
- Hydrologic and hydraulic model development.
- Document summarizing the project which may include coordination meetings minutes, model development process, GIS model results including depth rasters for the assigned watershed, and the QA/QC backup in a summary report including any exhibits and appendices to summarize the process.
The Request for Qualifications was advertised in accordance with the State of Texas bid laws and as a result, responsive submissions were received from:
1. 5Engineering, LLC
2. AECOM Technical Services, Inc.
3. Arcadis, U.S., Inc.
4. Barge Design Solutions, Inc
5. BGE, Inc.
6. Black & Veatch Corporation
7. CivilTech Engineering, Inc.
8. Cobb, Fendley & Associates, Inc.
9. DE Corp., formerly Dannenbaum Engineering Corporation
10. Entech Civil Engineers, Inc.
11. Gauge Engineering, LLC
12. HDR Engineering, Inc.
13. HR Green, Inc.
14. Huitt-Zollars, Inc
15. J. M. Torres & Associates, LLC
16. Jones & Carter, Inc.
17. Kenall, Inc.
18. KIT Professionals, Inc.
19. LJA Engineering, Inc
20. Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, Inc.
21. Michael Baker International, Inc
22. Omega Engineers, Inc.
23. RPS Infrastructure, Inc.
24. Walter P. Moore and Associates, Inc
25. Wood Environment & Infrastructure Solutions, Inc
26. Zarinkelk Engineering Services, Inc.
The evaluation committee consisted of employees from HPW and the City of Houston Mayor’s Office. The submissions were evaluated based upon the following criteria:
1. Responsiveness of Submission
2. Technical Competence
Gauge Engineering, LLC received one of the highest overall scores and was deemed to be one of the best qualified to perform the requirements as outlined in the RFQ.
M/WBE Participation:
The RFQ was advertised with a 24% goal for M/WBE participation. Gauge Engineering, LLC has designated the below-named companies as its certified M/WBE subcontractors.
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Company
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Type of Work
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Percentage
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HT&J, LLC
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Engineering services
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8%
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J.M. Torres & Associates, LLC
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Civil engineering services and Engineering consulting
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10%
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Kuo & Associates, Inc
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Engineering services
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6%
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Total
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24%
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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, Gauge Engineering, LLC, has elected to 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 required on grant items.
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_______________________________________
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______________________________________
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Jedediah Greenfield
Interim Chief Procurement Officer
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Department Approval Authority
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Department
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FY2023
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Out-Years
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Amount
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HCDD
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$2,300,000.00
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$115,148.00
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$2,415,148.00
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