November 22, 2005

SUBJECT:      Award of Request for Proposals No. F0508-07 for Design and Construction Support Services for the Refurbishment of the Wright Avenue Water Tank No. 2

REPORT IN BRIEF

Approval is requested for the award of a contract to V&A Consulting Engineers, Inc., of Oakland for design and construction support services for the refurbishment of the Wright Avenue Water Tank No. 2 for the Public Works Engineering Division (Project No. UW-04/01-04).

BACKGROUND

In July 2004, the two five-million gallon capacity water tanks at the Wright Avenue Water Plant were inspected and evaluated. Interior and exterior coatings were inspected in both tanks, and metal thickness measurements were taken to determine the extent of corrosion.  In addition, special attention was given to the roof structures of the tanks that appeared to have some structural damage from corrosion.  It was determined that Tank No. 2 needed immediate attention, and improvements to Tank No. 1 could be scheduled in the future.  Improvements recommended for Tank No. 2 include replacement of the interior tank coating; minor modifications to some of the roof steel supports, connectors, vents and hatches; and modification of the cathodic protection system.

DISCUSSION

Specifications were prepared by Public Works and Purchasing staff, and Request for Proposals No. F0508-07 for design and construction support services for the refurbishment of Wright Avenue Tank No. 2 were mailed directly to six Bay Area design consultants.  Proposals were received from V&A Consulting Engineers, Inc., of Oakland and Lee & Ro, Inc., of Rancho Cordova.

Proposal pricing for the project was almost identical from both firms, with V&A’s proposal being $79,097 and Lee & Ro’s being $79,956. A committee of Engineering and Field Services staff reviewed both proposals and determined that, although both firms were qualified, V&A had a stronger expertise in coating design and cathodic protection and would be a better match for this project. Therefore, staff recommends awarding a contract to V&A.

FISCAL IMPACT

Project costs are as follows:

Funds are available in Public Works Infrastructure Project No. 824310- Refurbishment of Water Tanks at Wright Avenue.  Bids will be solicited for the actual construction work upon completion of design services.

RECOMMENDATION

It is recommended that Council:

1.  Award a contract, in substantially the same form as the attached draft and in an amount not to exceed $79,097, to V&A Consulting Engineers, Inc., for the refurbishment of Wright Avenue Water Tank No. 2; and

2.   Approve a project contingency in the amount of $15,819.

Prepared by:

Elaine Wesely

Purchasing Officer

Reviewed by:

Mary J. Bradley

Director, Finance

Reviewed by:

Marvin Rose

Director, Public Works

Approved by:

Amy Chan

City Manager

Attachments

A. Draft Consultant Services Agreement (.pdf)