TO: AC Transit Board of Directors
FROM: Michael A. Hursh, General Manager
SUBJECT: Quick Build Project
ACTION ITEM
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
Title
Consider authorizing the General Manager to issue an Invitation For Bid (IFB) for Construction Services associated with the Quick Build Project.
Body
STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE:
Goal - Safe and Secure Operations
Initiative - Service Quality
The proposed project is intended to improve safety as well as service reliability. The project intends to reduce lane violations and reduce conflicts.
BUDGETARY/FISCAL IMPACT:
The Quick Build Project (Project) is funded by various federal, state, and regional agencies including the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), Alameda County Transportation Commission and Caltrans. The funding for the procurement of a Design Services consultant, CM Services consultant, and Construction Contractor is included in the current Capital Budget as part of the Quick Build Project.
BACKGROUND/RATIONALE:
The Quick Build Project requires fast development and project delivery. Streamlining procurement is critical in fast project delivery.
This project is part of an AC Transit-wide effort to improve transit services to complement the numerous corridor improvement projects being undertaken as part of the Major Corridors Study (2016) and the Quick-build Framework (2020). The project consists of three independent projects: 1) Durant Avenue Transit Lane Project, 2) MacArthur Boulevard Project, and 3) Tempo Transit Lane Delineation Project.
• Durant Avenue Transit Lane project includes a red transit lane between Ellsworth Street and College Avenue in Berkeley and curb extensions at bus stops. This will reduce a number of through travel lanes. The project will complement the City of Berkeley’s Southside Complete Street Project.
• MacArthur Boulevard Project is located on a segment of MacArthur Boulevard between Alma Street and Park Boulevard along the Oakland High School. The project will improve bus stops at Alma Street. This project will complement the City of Oakland’s MacArthur Smart Corridor Project.
• Tempo Transit Lane Delineation will add channelization warning features to the existing median bus lane striping to reduce lane and left turn violations. This is a pilot project to test several tactile warning features in different segments. AC Transit may seek additional funding to implement effective tactile warning features in the future.
Staff worked with the cities of Berkeley and Oakland with respective projects in developing project scope, including project elements, outreach/notification, and approval processes. Staff expects public outreach/notification to occur in the second half of 2022 to solicit input from various stakeholders. Staff will continue to work with the cities of Berkeley and Oakland in developing the project design and implementing the projects. While staff strive to work with the cities to develop and deliver the projects quickly, the projects will follow the same design review and approval process for other similar scale capital projects in the public right-of-way.
Staff intends to task the Design Services from AC Transit’s existing on-call Engineering contracts in February 2022. The Quick Build Project Design Consultant is needed to support staff in leading the design phase of the projects, coordinate project design approval by all partnering agencies, prepare final construction documents, perform an environmental evaluation, and provide design services through construction.
When the design is approximately 50% complete, staff will determine if CM Services will be tasked from AC Transit’s existing on-call CM contracts or if a standalone RFQ is advisable. If necessary, an RFQ will be issued for CM Services and the best qualified proposer will be presented to the Board for contract award. This procurement will also follow all Brooks Act requirements as a qualifications-based procurement (price not a determinant).
Once the design is completed and ready for construction bid, staff will issue an IFB for Construction Services. Staff will return to the Board to request a contract award of a firm fixed price contract to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.
ADVANTAGES/DISADVANTAGES:
There are no disadvantages to advertising the IFB.
ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS:
There are no alternatives to advertising the IFB.
PRIOR RELEVANT BOARD ACTION/POLICIES:
Staff Report 21-241 - Funding from the ACTC Comprehensive Investment Plan and the MTC Quick Strike Program
Board Policy 465 - Procurement Policy
ATTACHMENTS:
1. None
Prepared by:
Wil Buller, Traffic Engineer
Mika Miyasato, Senior Transportation Planner
In Collaboration with:
Jim Cunradi, Transportation Planning Manager
Evelyn Ng, Capital Planning and Grants Manager
Approved/Reviewed by:
Ramakrishna Pochiraju, Executive Director of Planning & Engineering
Robert del Rosario, Director of Services Development and Planning
Joe Callaway, Director of Capital Projects
Chris Andrichak, Chief Financial Officer
Jill A. Sprague, General Counsel