DATE: May 14, 2019
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Steven E. White, Director
Department of Public Works and Planning
SUBJECT: Award of Contract 18-12-C, Five Points Water System Improvements,
CSA 49 Pilot Hole Testing; Temporary Construction Permit
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Approve and authorize the Chairman, on behalf of County Service Area No. 49, to execute an Agreement with Westside Elementary School District for temporary construction permit on Westside Elementary School District property for well testing, with an effective term of one year ($1).
2. Adopt specifications for Contract No. 18-12-C, Five Points Water System Improvements, County Service Area No. 49 Pilot Hole Testing, and award Contract No. 18-12-C to the lowest responsive bidder, Zim Industries, Inc., 4532 E. Jefferson Ave., Fresno, CA, in the amount of $239,050.
REPORT
Approval of the recommended actions will execute a temporary construction permit agreement with Westside Elementary School District (WESD) and authorize the award of a State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) funded well drilling project (Project), for a pilot-hole and water testing for O’Neil Farms/County Service Area No. 49 (CSA 49) near Five Points. Pursuant to Board Resolution No. 19-086, dated March 12, 2019, the Director of the Department of Public Works and Planning is authorized to approve and execute Contract Change Orders up to $23,905 (10% of the award). The Contract Change Order authorization does not allow changes to the scope of work. This item pertains to a location in District 4.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
If the recommended actions are not approved, the Project will be delayed or will not be constructed.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. The anticipated maximum construction cost, based on the low bid and including an allowance for contingencies, is $262,955 [contract ($239,050) plus change order authorizations ($23,905)]. The Project is 100% grant funded through the SWRCB’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues are included in the CSA 49’s Org 9249 FY 2018-19 Adopted.
DISCUSSION:
Disinfection By-Products (DBP) present in the CSA 49’s potable water system exceed the allowable maximum contaminant levels (MCL) set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s Stage 1 Disinfectants/Disinfection By-Products Rule and the California Safe Drinking Water Act. Improvements to the potable water system are required to reduce DBP. The Department retained the services of groundwater quality consultants, Kenneth D. Schmidt and Associates, who conducted an initial study to investigate groundwater conditions in the area. The consultant concluded that groundwater wells in the vicinity that are between 1200 and 1500 feet deep appear to be of suitable chemical quality for public water supplies. Drilling a pilot hole will allow the Department to test and verify the groundwater quality at various depths, and to make a determination whether groundwater is a sustainable option for this community.
The Project consists, in general, of drilling one pilot hole in Five Points (CSA 49), including conducting zone sampling and water quality testing once the pilot hole has been constructed. Once sampled and tested, the pilot hole will be destroyed. The pilot hole will be drilled on property owned by the WESD, pursuant to the temporary construction permit agreement.
On March 1, 2019, the Department issued a notice to bidders relating to the Project, using the Department’s standard instructions to bidders and construction contract template for a well drilling and water-testing project. On April 11, 2019, the Department received two bids for the Project. The lowest bid was $239,050, which is $30,950 or 11.46% lower than the engineer’s estimate of $270,000.
The bidders and their respective bids are shown below:
Bidder Bid
Zim Industries, Inc. $239,050
Nor-Cal Pump & Well Drilling, Inc. $269,387
Specifications were prepared by, and are on file with, the Department’s Design Division. Recommended Contract No. 18-12-C is also on file with the Department’s Design Division.
With your Board’s approval of the second recommended action, it is anticipated that construction will begin in June 2019 and will be completed in August 2019.
OTHER REVIEWING AGENCIES:
SWRCB is providing project oversight as the financing authority. SWRCB’s Division of Drinking Water has reviewed and approved well location and drilling specifications. SWRCB’s Division of Financial Assistance has authorized the bid of the pilot hole project, and approved of the award to Zim Industries, Inc. WESD has agreed to allow the County to use their property to drill a pilot hole, in accordance with the first recommended action.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #43, March 12, 2019
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
Location Map
On file with Clerk - Agreement with WESD
CAO ANALYST:
Sonia M. De La Rosa