DATE: November 8, 2022
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Steven E. White, Director
Department of Public Works and Planning
SUBJECT: Award Contract No. 22-07-C West Park Pedestrian Pathway
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Adopt plans and specifications for Contract 22-07-C West Park Pedestrian Pathway, Federal Project No. ATPSB1L-5942(301) and award to the low bidder, Bush Engineering, Inc., 518 Redington Street Hanford, CA 93230, in the total amount of $695,964.
REPORT
Approval of the recommended action will authorize the award of a federally funded Active Transportation Project (ATP) project. This item pertains to a location in District 1.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
If the recommended action is not approved, the project will be delayed or will not be constructed.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There are no Net County Costs associated with the recommended action. The anticipated construction cost for the project, based on the low bid and Director’s allowance for change orders of $47,298 is $743,262. The project’s construction is State and Federally funded up to $450,000 through the Active Transportation Program and the remainder of the project is locally funded through the County’s Measure “C” allocation for rural trails. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues are included in the Department of Public Works and Planning - Roads Org 4510 FY 2022-23 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION:
The purpose of ATP is to encourage increased use of active modes of transportation by increasing the proportion of trips accomplished by biking and walking, improve safety, mobility, and accessibility for non-motorized users, reducing Greenhouse Gas emissions, and enhancing public health with an emphasis on projects located in disadvantaged communities. This project will provide a pathway for pedestrians between the West Park Community with the West Park Elementary School along Valentine Avenue.
The work to be done consists, in general, of installing an asphalt concrete pedestrian pathway, ramps and appropriate signage along Valentine Avenue from North Avenue to Grove Avenue and along Grove Avenue from Valentine Avenue to Prospect Avenue. Adjustment of water meter boxes and installation of a pedestrian crossing flashing sign with all appurtenant electrical work, including coordination with PG&E Rule 16, also will be required as part of the work.
A bid opening was held on October 6, 2022. Five bids were received. The low bid of $695,964.00, from Bush Engineering, Inc., was $209,059 or 42.94% higher than the engineer’s estimate of $486,905. A list of bidders, their respective bid amounts, and their Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Commitments are shown below. As a federally funded project, there was a DBE goal of 21%.
Bidder Bid Amount DBE Commitment
Bush Engineering, Inc. $695,964.00 0%
Emmett Valley Construction $697,266.00 48.78% (Prime DBE)
Terra West Corporation $704,271.00 46.88% (Prime DBE)
Avison Construction, Inc. $726,080.00 None submitted
American Paving, Inc. $731,299.50 None submitted
The apparent low bidder failed to reach the DBE goal, but provided a Good Faith Effort that was reviewed by the department. Staff analysis confirmed that the efforts of the bidder through advertisements, e-mails, faxes, and follow-up phone calls met Caltrans’ requirements for soliciting DBE subcontractors in a timely and thorough manner.
The higher costs are due to traffic control system ($33,815 higher than the engineer’s estimate), clearing and grubbing ($45,760 higher), roadway excavation ($54,208 higher), and finishing roadway ($54,240 higher). The Department’s engineering staff analyzed the bid in detail and concluded that sufficient competition existed, and that no cost savings would be realized were the project to be re-bid. Furthermore, due to the restrictions of the ATP, the project must be awarded by November 30, 2022 unless an extension is approved by the California Transportation Commission (CTC). The funding application for this project was approved by the Board on August 21, 2018 in ATP Cycle 4. In subsequent ATP application cycles, the Department has focused on only applying for larger ATP projects, due to the high relative costs of smaller projects.
Plans and Specifications were prepared by the Department’s design consultant, Dewberry Engineers, Inc. and their subconsultant JLB Traffic Engineers, and are on file with the Department. It is anticipated that construction will commence in December 2022 and will be completed in March 2023.
Caltrans provides oversight on Federally funded projects.
OTHER REVIEWING AGENCIES:
Caltrans provides oversight where Federal and State Highway funds are allocated. The CTC approves funding allocations for all ATP projects.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
Location Map
REFERENCE MATERIAL
BAI#50, August 21, 2018
CAO ANALYST:
Salvador Espino