Title
Community Development Services, Department of Transportation, recommending the Board:
1) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Agreement for Services 3167 with Nichols Consulting Engineers, Chtd., in the not-to-exceed amount of $215,496.98 to provide environmental and geotechnical support services for the San Bernardino Class 1 Bike Path Project, CIP 95117, for a term commencing upon execution by both parties and expiring upon completion of the design phase of the project; and
2) Make findings in accordance with Section 3.13.030 of the County Ordinance that it is more economical and feasible to engage an independent contractor for environmental and geotechnical support services.
FUNDING: Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Air Quality Mitigation Funds (6%), Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program (25%), Surface Transportation Block Grant (69%). (Local and Federal Funds)
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The proposed Agreement for Services #3167 (Agreement) with Nichols Consulting Engineers, Chtd. (NCE) is necessary to provide environmental and geotechnical support services for the San Bernardino Class 1 Bike Path Project (Project), including all professional and technical services, work, and tasks required to accomplish the objectives in the Agreement, and provide NCE’s own personnel, subconsultants, materials, equipment, vehicles and services.
The Project proposes to install a shared-use bridge over the Upper Truckee River just west of Tahoe Paradise Park and link the bike lane facilities along North Upper Truckee Road with the bike lane facilities along Apache Avenue. The subject Agreement will also allow for environmental evaluation of East San Bernardino Avenue from: (1) North Upper Truckee Road to the Upper Truckee River; and (2) from the western edge of the Tahoe Paradise Park to Apache Avenue. This will allow inclusion of these two adjacent areas in the Project should sufficient funding become available.
Specialty Skills Finding
Department of Transportation (Transportation) recommends the Board make findings in accordance with Section 3.13.030 of the County Ordinance that it is more economical and feasible to engage an independent contractor for environmental and geotechnical support services because there are specialty skills required for the work to be performed under this proposed Agreement that are not expressly identified in County Bargaining Unit classifications. The need for expertise in specialty services is sporadic and temporary, and is not sufficient to warrant the addition of permanent staff.
Consultant Selection
The Procurement and Contracts Division of the Chief Administrative Office completed a Request for Proposal (RFP) #018-961-048 at the request of Transportation. The RFP was sent to firms selected using the list established from the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) #17-918-020. Six (6) proposals were received. A panel evaluated and ranked the proposals based on the thoroughness, clarity, and quality of the material presented with emphasis on: understanding scope; past performance and related experience; expertise; project approach; recent Tahoe Basin experience; familiarity of federal processes; and, compliance with the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) goal. Transportation selected NCE as the most qualified firm.
The RFP process was conducted in accordance with County Procurement Policy C-17 and Chapter 10 of the Caltrans Local Assistance Procedures Manual.
The El Dorado County Employees Association, Local 1, was informed of this proposed Agreement.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could choose to not approve the Agreement. Transportation would use feedback from the Board to alter the agreement or obtain a different consultant. This would increase the cost of the Project and delay delivery.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel and Risk Management have reviewed and approved the proposed Agreement.
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
It is recommended that the Board approve this item.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no change to net County cost resulting from approval of the proposed Agreement. Funding for the Project is included in Transportation’s 2018 CIP, which was approved by the Board on June 26, 2018 (Item 61).
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) The Clerk of the Board will obtain the Chair’s signature on two (2) originals of the Agreement.
2) The Clerk of the Board will forward one (1) fully-executed original of the Agreement to Community Development Services, Administration and Finance Division, Contracts and Procurement Unit, for further processing.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Infrastructure
CONTACT
Rafael Martinez, Director
Department of Transportation