Report Prepared by: Joe Cardoso, P.L.S., City Surveyor
Title
SUBJECT: Approval of an Agreement for Professional Services with Dokken Engineering, a California Corporation, for Project Approval, Environmental Documents (PA/ED), Plans, Specifications, and Estimates (PS&E) for the Highway 59 Phase 1 Widening (CP200064) and Highway 59 Bridges Over Black Rascal Creek (CP200065) Projects for a Total Amount not to Exceed $1,223,480.80
REPORT IN BRIEF
Staff requests authorization to waive the competitive bidding requirements and for the approval of a professional services agreement with Dokken Engineering, a California Corporation, for the PA/ED and PS&E for Highway 59 Widening Phase 1 and Highway 59 Black Rascal Bridge Projects.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Waiving the City’s competitive bidding requirement as permitted by Merced Municipal Code Section 3.04.210 for Standardization; and,
B. Approving an agreement for professional services (environmental and engineering design services) with Dokken Engineering, a California Corporation, in the amount of $1,223,480.80; and,
C. Authorizing the City Manager to sign the necessary documents.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve the request as recommended by staff; or,
2. Deny the request; or,
3. Approve, subject to modifications as conditioned by Council; or,
4. Refer back to staff for reconsideration of specific items (specific items to be addressed in City Council motion); or,
5. Continue to a future City Council meeting (date and time to be specified in City Council motion).
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 200.
City of Merced Charter Section 3.04.210 - Exemptions from Competitive Bidding.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Addresses Council’s priority of widening Highway 59 from 16th Street through the Bridges at Black Rascal Creek.
DISCUSSION
Background
The Highway 59 corridor from 16th Street to Yosemite Avenue has been a longstanding capital improvement priority for the City of Merced. On November 8, 2016, the voters of Merced County approved Measure V, a one-half cent sales transaction and use tax to supplement transportation roads and alternative transportation project funding, with a 30-year duration expiring on March 31, 2047. Under Measure V, 44 percent of Transportation Measure funds are allocated to Regional Projects established in the adopted Regional Transportation Plan.
In August 2020, The City contracted with Dokken Engineering to provide environmental and engineering services for Project Approval, Environmental Documents (PA/ED), Plans, Specifications, and Estimates (PS&E) for the Highway 59 Phase 1 Widening and Highway 59 Bridges Over Black Rascal Creek Project for a Total Amount not to Exceed $2,399,223.01. Dokken has completed the environmental review, and design is almost complete. The next steps on the project are right of way acquisition and then construction.
Current
The current professional services agreement has since expired and the Engineering Department has worked with Dokken to create an updated estimate to see the project through to completion. Per Dokken’s proposal, the proposed contract amount of $1,223,480.80 will be funded through two existing project budgets. $652,579.53 will be allocated from CP200064 - Highway 59 Widening, and $570,901.27 will be allocated from the Highway 59 Black Rascal Bridge Widening Project. This results in a combined funding allocation of $1,223,480.80.
The current purchase order has a remaining balance of $1,156,009.57. Staff will reduce and close the current purchase order and then create a new contract with the new balance of $1,223,480.80.
The project is currently at 65% design complete and is currently being review by Caltrans for compliance and comments. The next milestone is to acquire the necessary right-of-way for the project. The project is scheduled for construction in 2027/28 subject to funding.
Staff is currently seeking authorization to waive the competitive bidding process for standardization and efficiency to continue finalizing the design with Dokken Engineering.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
CP200064 and CP200065 were established as Capital Improvement Projects with Measure V Regional funding. There are sufficient funds in each project.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Executed Original Professional Services Agreement
2. Draft Updated Professional Services Agreement