Report Prepared by: Joseph D. Angulo, Deputy Director, Public Works
Title
SUBJECT: Approval of Third Amendment to Agreement for Professional Services with AECOM Technical Services, Inc., for Well Site Design Services, Project No. 113026 in the Amount of $32,285, for a Contract Not to Exceed Total of $332,398
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers approving an amendment to a contract for well design services for the Well 21 pump station at the intersection of Bellevue Road and G Street, in the amount of $32,285.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion approving a third amendment to an agreement for professional services with AECOM Technical Services, Inc., in the amount of $32,285 for engineering design services; and, authorizing the City Manager or designee to execute the necessary documents.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommended by staff; or,
2. Approve, subject to modifications as conditioned by City Council; or,
3. Refer to staff for reconsideration of specific items; or,
4. Deny.
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 200 et seq.
Services with an estimated value greater than $33,000.00 are made by written contract in accordance with Merced Municipal Code, Title 3 - Revenue and Finance, Chapter 3.04.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
As provided for in the 2021-22 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION
The City Engineer and the Public Works Director have recommended that a new water well be located at the intersection of Bellevue Road and G Street.
On September 21, 2015, the City Council awarded an Agreement for Professional Services in the amount of $287,783 to AECOM Technical Services, Inc. (AECOM), to design the new Well 21 municipal well and pump station. The AECOM contract includes provisions for the preparation of plans, specifications, and engineer’s cost opinion for the construction of a test borehole and the new well; preparation of plans, specifications, and engineer’s cost opinion for the construction of the new pump station; and performing bidding and construction oversight support for all phases. A first amendment to that agreement in the amount of $9,769 was executed on October 18, 2016, to modify the test borehole drilling design with additional bid and construction support. A second amendment to the agreement in the amount of $2,561 was executed on February 5, 2018, to provide additional bidding services after an initial well drilling bid procurement was rejected, and subsequently re-bid.
The proposed third contract amendment under consideration is necessary to reimburse AECOM for additional services performed during the pump station construction and systems startup testing:
1. The pump station contractor (Hobbs Construction, Inc.) deviated from the project plans in completing several project elements. Upon discovery, these deviations necessitated additional research, field confirmation, and design evaluations by AECOM staff. Two major deviations included failing to install proper wall headers below a removable roof section and installing the emergency generator in the building without first removing an underlying steel shipping platform.
2. The pump station contractor repeatedly issued submittals or Requests-for-Information that were incomplete or did not conform to the project plans. This required multiple responses by AECOM engineers.
3. City staff requested several design changes including: adding an antenna mast for better cellular coverage, a separate fence gate, and additional light poles for site visibility/security.
4. After substantial completion of construction activities in the fall of 2020, the pump station contractor repeatedly called for startup inspections, and upon discovery that systems weren’t installed or working properly, requested additional information from AECOM. This necessitated additional responses and construction assistance by AECOM staff as late as a final field inspection on May 5, 2021.
Staff recommend approval of the AECOM contract amendment, as the additional services provided were necessary for project completion. On March 24, 2021, the new Well 21 pump station was inspected by and received authorization from the State Water Resources Control Board - Division of Drinking Water to be placed in operation by Water Division staff. This newest addition to the City’s drinking water supply system will be placed in operation following post-construction systems checkout and testing that are still in progress.
History and Past Actions
On February 2, 2004, the City Council adopted a resolution 2004-24 approving the final subdivision map for “Bellevue Ranch East Village 16” and accepting lot “W2” for well site purposes.
On February 17, 2015, the City Council adopted a motion affirming the use of lot “W2” for well site purposes.
On April 23, 2017, the City Council awarded a contract to Yellow Jacket Drilling to construct a soil boring/test well at the new Well #21 site.
On February 5, 2018, the City Council awarded a contract to Nor-Cal Pump and Well Drilling to construct the new water Well #21.
On February 19, 2019, the City Council awarded a contract to Hobbs Construction, Inc. to construct the new Well #21 pump station.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
This project was established as a Capital Improvement Project and account 556-1118-637.65-00-113026 contains sufficient funding to complete the project.
ATTACHMENT
1. AECOM Contract Amendment