TO: AC Transit Board of Directors
FROM: Michael A. Hursh, General Manager/Chief Executive Officer
SUBJECT: Rapid Corridors Project
ACTION ITEM
AGENDA PLANNING REQUEST: ☐
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
Title
Consider authorizing the General Manager to execute an amendment to Contract 2020-1480 with VSCE for Construction Management (CM) Services associated with the Rapid Corridors Project - San Pablo Avenue.
Staff Contact:
Ramakrishna Pochiraju, Executive Director of Planning & Engineering
Body
STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE:
Goal - Convenient and Reliable Service
Initiative - Service Quality
The proposed project intends to improve reliability and reduce travel time along the San Pablo and Grand/West Grand Avenue corridors. This is two of three corridors scheduled for capital improvements for transit performance under the Rapid Corridors Project.
BUDGETARY/FISCAL IMPACT:
The proposed project total, including engineering, management, and construction, is $12 million and is funded by various federal, state, and regional agencies including the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), Alameda County Transportation Commission and Caltrans. The project is fully funded by grants. Staff does not anticipate any District contribution other than staff time.
BACKGROUND/RATIONALE:
Through a Request for Qualifications process, VSCE was awarded a contract for a total not-to-exceed (NTE) ceiling price of $490,613.83 for the Rapid Corridors Project - San Pablo Avenue Construction Management (CM) services in May 2020. Funding for the CM services consultant contract is included in the current project budget. In June 2021, the contract was amended to add $72,416.79 (14.8 % of the original contract value) to include an expanded outreach and public notification task and costs associated with pandemic-related delays of the construction phase. Staff is requesting the authority to go beyond the 15% threshold of the original contract, up to 20% of the original contract value. Currently the project team expects to add only $9,968.14 (2.0% of the original contract value) for a total not-to-exceed price of $572,995.76 for the Rapid Corridors San Pablo Avenue Project CM Services to complete the construction and close out the contract in July 2023. This would result in a total increase of 17% from the original contract value. To prevent further delays in the project, staff is requesting the Board to authorize the General Manger to amend the contract up to 20%, in the unrealistic chance staff would need to amend the contract beyond 17%.
The Rapid Corridors Project was kicked off in 2019. The Project is intended to improve transit operations along Telegraph Avenue, San Pablo Avenue and Grand/West Grand Avenue, as well as to provide a mechanism to design and build the Dana Complete Streets Pilot Project.
The San Pablo Avenue CM Services support the project in meeting the following project objectives:
• Replace existing equipment: The project would replace 17-year-old infrared Transit Signal Priority (TSP) equipment on traffic signals along San Pablo Avenue, with more reliable, easier to maintain and monitor, modern GPS technology. The project includes 70 signals along San Pablo Avenue and an additional 26 signals on major streets connecting San Pablo Avenue and Interstate 80, such as Ashby Avenue, Buchanan Street, Gilman Street, and El Portal.
• Grand Avenue TSP Gap Closure: On Grand and West Grand avenues, unconnected, unconfigured, untested TSP equipment already exists. This project will activate and close gaps in the TSP system between Maritime Street and Lake Park Avenue, completing the TSP system on this corridor.
The Rapid Corridors San Pablo Avenue Construction contract was executed in August 2022. Due to delay in procuring long lead items taking upwards of six months and securing permits, the Contractor worked on pre-construction activities in 2022. Construction activities on public right-of-way started in January 2023. In addition, the inclement weather in early 2023 hindered construction activities. The extended construction duration required additional coordination needed with the contractor and the inspectors employed by VSCE. Additionally, VSCE will not be paid for work not performed. Every invoice is reviewed by both the Planning and Procurement departments to determine erroneous, unauthorized, or invalid costs.
ADVANTAGES/DISADVANTAGES:
The advantage to approving the contract amendment is that construction will not be disrupted by the discontinuation of CM services. A CM Services consultant is necessary for delivery of this multi-jurisdictional project. The consultants will ensure constructability and manage the construction to adhere to the project’s scope, specifications, schedule, and budget. In addition to their technical expertise, the CM Services consultant will provide jurisdictional liaison support as the project crosses seven cities and Caltrans’ right-of-way.
Staff has not identified any disadvantages to the contract amendment.
ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS:
There are no alternatives to the forgo the contract amendment.
PRIOR RELEVANT BOARD ACTION/POLICIES:
SR 20-204 - Rapid Corridors Project Construction Management Service contract award
Board Policy 465 - Procurement Policy
ATTACHMENTS:
None
Prepared by:
Wil Buller, Traffic Engineer
Mika Miyasato, Principal Transportation Planner
In Collaboration with:
Jim Cunradi, Transportation Planning Manager
Evelyn Ng, Capital Planning & Grants Manager
Approved/Reviewed by:
Jill A. Sprague, General Counsel/Chief Legal Officer
Chris Andrichak, Chief Financial Officer
Robert del Rosario, Director of Service Development and Planning
Richard Oslund, Director of Management & Budget
Fred Walls, Director of Procurement and Materials
Ramakrishna Pochiraju, Executive Director of Planning & Engineering