April 25, 2006

SUBJECT:      Award of Bid No. F0512-40 for the Installation of the Java Drive Pedestrian Bridge

REPORT IN BRIEF

Approval is requested for the award of a contract to George Bianchi Construction, Inc., of San Jose to provide and install a pedestrian bridge from the south side of Java Drive over the Santa Clara Valley Water District waterway for the Department of Public Works Engineering Division (Public Works Project No. TR-05/03-06).

BACKGROUND

The Java Drive Pedestrian Bridge Project places a 40-foot pre-manufactured steel bridge on the south side of Java Drive across the Sunnyvale West Channel. This bridge is a missing link in the sidewalk system along Java Drive. In 2003, sidewalks were constructed along Java Drive and along portions of other streets in the Moffett Industrial Park to provide better pedestrian access to the VTA light rail system. However, at that time, there was a lack of funding to complete the channel crossing.  As a result, pedestrians now have to step out into the street to cross the water channel. This project will complete the south sidewalk on Java Drive between Bordeaux and Borregas.

DISCUSSION

Bid specifications were prepared by Public Works and Purchasing staff. The Notice Inviting Bids was published in The Sun on February 1, 2006. The bid package was distributed to Bay Area Builders Exchanges and broadcast to potential contractors through the Onvia DemandStar public procurement network. Twenty-five contractors requested bid documents.

Sealed bids were publicly opened on March 22, 2006. Two responsive bids were received.

Bidder                                                                             Total Bid

Engineer’s Estimate                                                             $96,600

George Bianchi Construction, Inc., of San Jose                         $83,172

ESR Construction, Inc., of San Jose                                       $127,192

Staff recommends accepting the bid from George Bianchi Construction, Inc., the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.

A determination was made that this project will have no significant effect on the environment in accordance with CEQA guidelines for categorically exempt projects.

FISCAL IMPACT

Construction costs include:

Construction                                               $83,172

Contingency (20% of construction)                 $16,634

Total Cost                                                  $99,806

Ordinarily, staff requests a 15% project contingency.  However, because of the relatively low construction cost of this project, 15% may not provide sufficient funding should unforeseen problems be encountered.  Staff, therefore, requests a 20% contingency for this particular project.

Funding is available in Capital Project No. 820690 - Java Drive Sidewalk in the amount of $37,657 in FY 2005/2006 and the Transportation Development Act (TDA) funds in the amount of $62,148 allocated in FY 2006/2007.  The budget for Capital Project No. 820690 will be adjusted in the recommended FY 2006/2007 Budget to reflect the transfer of TDA funds to the Gas Tax Fund for Project No. 820690.

RECOMMENDATION

It is recommended that Council:

1. Award a contract, in substantially the same form as the attached draft and in the amount of $83,172, to George Bianchi Construction, Inc., for the Java Drive Pedestrian Bridge Project; and

2. Approve a project contingency in the amount of $16,634.

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

Attachment

A. General Construction Contract (.pdf)