RECOMMENDATION: Approve six federally funded and six non-federally funded task order contracts for professional landscape architectural services for the Task Order Contracting (TOC) Program.
SPECIFIC EXPLANATION: The General Services Department (GSD) recommends that City Council approve six federally funded and six non-federally funded task order contracts for professional landscape architectural services with Asakura Robinson Company LLC, Clark Condon Associates, Inc.; Kimley-Horn and Associates; M2L Associates, Inc.; SWA Group; and The Broussard Group Inc dba TBG Partners, for the TOC Contracting Program for the Houston Parks and Recreation Department (HPARD) capital improvement projects, and delegate authority to the director to approve supplemental allocations up to the maximum contract amount of $3,000,000.00 for each contract. Each contract is for a three-year term with two one-year renewal options.
GSD utilizes the TOC Contracting Program for landscape architectural services, including structural, civil, and mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) services, for the construction, repair, rehabilitation, replacement, or alteration of park facilities. Having these contracts in place allows the City to expedite facility construction projects and can help the City respond quickly to emergencies. As HPARD identifies projects, funding is made available through supplemental allocations from departmental budget, grant funds or bond fund appropriations, up to the maximum contract amount.
On February 28, 2025, and March 7, 2025, GSD advertised a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for professional landscape architectural services. The RFQ contained selection criteria that ranked the respondents on project experience, task order contracting experience, and proposed personnel’s experience. The Statements of Qualifications (SOQs) were due on March 27, 2025, and eight firms responded. A selection committee comprised of GSD and HPARD employees evaluated the SOQs and interviewed the top six respondents. Based on the advertised criteria, all six firms were selected to perform the work. The successful respondents may be offered a federal contract, a non-federal contract or both.
SCOPE OF CONTRACT AND FEES: Under the terms of the contracts, the consultants will provide professional landscape architectural consulting services for the HPARD capital improvement projects. These services include but are not limited to drawings and specifications, construction/repair cost estimating, and construction administration. Basic services fees for each task order will be negotiated based on the size and complexity of the project and will be paid on a lump sum basis
PROJECT LOCATION: Citywide
M/WBE PARTICIPATION: A contract-specific goal of 18% has been established for this contract. Sub-consultant utilization will be determined as projects and proposals are received for the task order contracts.
PAY OR PLAY PROGRAM: The proposed contracts require compliance with the City’s ‘Pay or Play’ Ordinance regarding health benefits for employees of City Contractors. In this case, Asakura Robinson Company LLC provides benefits for some employees but will pay into the Contractor Responsibility Fund for others. All other firms provide health benefits to eligible employees in compliance with City policy.
DIRECTOR’S SIGNATURE/DATE:
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C. J. Messiah, Jr.
General Services Department