ORDINANCE appropriating $980,000.00 out of Parks Consolidated Construction Fund, and $489,250.00 out of Parks & Recreation Dedication Fund; awarding construction contract to TIMES CONSTRUCTION, INC for Wildheather Park; setting a deadline for the proposer's execution of the contract and delivery of all bonds, insurance and other required contract documents to the City; holding the proposer in default if it fails to meet the deadlines; providing funding for engineering and materials testing services, Civic Art Program and contingencies relating to construction of facilities financed by the Parks Consolidated Construction Fund, the Parks and Recreation Dedication Fund, and the General Fund - DISTRICT K - GREEN

SPECIFIC EXPLANATION: The General Services Department (GSD) recommends that City Council award a construction contract to Times Construction, Inc. on its proposal amount of $1,402,000.00 to provide construction services for Wildheather Park for the Houston Parks and Recreation Department.

PROJECT LOCATION: 14900 Whiteheather Drive (572-S)

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The scope of work consists of site clearing; site utilities, grading, and drainage; construction of new concrete walkways and trails with lighting; new splashpad; new playground and exercise equipment; new site furnishings; new pavilion; landscaping and irrigation.

The contract duration of this project is 160 days from the issuance of the Notice to Proceed for construction. Lauren Griffith, Inc. is the design consultant for the project.

PROPOSALS: On May 8 and May 15, 2015, GSD advertised a Request for Competitive Sealed Proposals (CSP) for construction services for Wildheather Park. The CSP contained selection criteria that ranked respondents on experience, references, schedule and contractor responsibility. The Statements of Qualifications were due on May 28, 2015, and three firms responded. GSD evaluated the respondents, and two of the three firms received sufficient points and were requested to submit proposals. Both selected firms submitted proposals on September 17, 2015. Times Construction, Inc. submitted the lowest proposal and offers the best value for the City based on the advertised criteria.

The two proposers are ranked as follows:


Proposer
1. Times Construction, Inc.
2. Carrera Construction, Inc.

AWARD: It is recommended that City Council award the construction contract to Times Construction, Inc., and appropriate funds for the project, including an additional appropriation of $10,000.00 for engineering and materials testing services under an existing contract with All-Terra Engineering, Inc.

FUNDING SUMMARY:
$ 1,402,000.00 Construction Contract
$      70,100.00 5% Contingency
$ 1,472,100.00 Total Contract Services
$      10,000.00 Engineering and Materials Testing Services
$      17,150.00 Civic Art (1.75% of Fund 4502)
$ 1,499,250.00 Total Funding

M/WBE PARTICIPATION: A 18% MBE goal and 10% WBE goal have been established for this contract. The contractor has submitted the following certified firms to achieve the goals:

FIRM (MBE):              SCOPE                   AMOUNT      % of CONTRACT
MVA Construction LLC Concrete Work $ 255,000.00           18.19



FIRM (WBE):          SCOPE                  AMOUNT              % of CONTRACT
Arc Light Electric, Inc. Electrical           $ 218,644.00            15.60 %

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 provides benefits for some employees but will pay into the Contractor Responsibility Fund for others, in compliance with City policy.

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, Times Construction, Inc. is a designated HHF company, but they were the successful awardee without application of the HHF preference.