TO: AC Transit Board of Directors
FROM: Michael A. Hursh, General Manager
SUBJECT: Rapid Corridors Project
ACTION ITEM
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
Title
Consider approving contract award to VSCE for $490,610.83 for Construction Management (CM) Services associated with the Rapid Corridors Project - San Pablo Avenue.
Body
STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE:
Goal - Convenient and Reliable Service
Initiative - Service Quality
The proposed project intends to improve service reliability and reduce travel time along the San Pablo corridor. This is one of three corridors scheduled for capital improvements for transit performance under the Rapid Corridors Project.
BUDGETARY/FISCAL IMPACT:
The total Rapid Corridors Project will cost $12 million and is funded by various federal, state, and regional agencies including the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, Alameda County Transportation Commission and Caltrans. The project is programmed in the FY2019-20 Capital Improvement Plan. Staff does not anticipate any District contribution other than staff time.
Staff recommends a contract award to VSCE for construction management services for a total not-to-exceed price of $490,610.83 for the Rapid Corridors Project - San Pablo Avenue CM Services. Funding for the CM Services consultant contract is included in the current project budget.
BACKGROUND/RATIONALE:
The Rapid Corridors Project is intended to improve transit operations along Telegraph Avenue, San Pablo Avenue and West Grand Avenue/Grand Avenue, as well as providing a mechanism to design and build the Southside Pilot Transit Project adjacent to UC Berkeley campus.
The San Pablo Avenue CM Services procurement will support the project in meeting the following 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.
• 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.
In September 2019, the District issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) #2019-1480 for the Rapid Corridors Project - San Pablo Avenue CM Services. The RFQ was advertised on the District’s website and in the East Bay Times. The evaluation panel included two District staff members, and a staff member from an outside agency.
The District received two responsive Statements of Qualification (“SOQs” or “Offers”). The responsive offers were from Ghirardelli Associates and VSCE. This procurement followed all Brooks Act requirements as a qualifications-based procurement. Staff successfully concluded the review of responses with the selection of the highest ranked firm, VSCE. In addition, staff determined that VSCE’s cost proposal was fair and reasonable.
Staff will request the Board’s permission to issue an Invitation for Bid (IFB) for construction associated with the Rapid Corridors Project - San Pablo Avenue in mid-2020. Public outreach and notification for the Telegraph Avenue and West Grand/Grand Avenue corridors will be conducted in May 2020. Staff also plans to issue an RFQ for the Rapid Corridors Project - Telegraph Avenue CM services in mid-2020.
ADVANTAGES/DISADVANTAGES:
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 and specifications, schedule and budget. In addition to their technical expertise, the CM consultant will provide jurisdictional liaison support as the project crosses seven cities and Caltrans’ right-of-way.
Notwithstanding the cost, there are no disadvantages to awarding this contract. The risk to proceed is minimal since the project is within budget using grants funds that were provided by MTC and other funding agencies.
ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS:
A possible alternative is tasking the CM Services to one of our existing on-call PM/CM consultants. However, due to the size of the contract and required specialization, opening this procurement up to broader competition resulted in a better service contract for the project and District.
PRIOR RELEVANT BOARD ACTION/POLICIES:
SR18-138a - Rapid Corridors Project Design and Construction Management Service
Board Policy 465 - Procurement Policy
ATTACHMENTS:
None
Prepared by:
Mika Miyasato, Senior Transportation Planner
Wil Buller, Traffic Engineer
In Collaboration with:
Jim Cunradi, Transportation Planning Manager
Evelyn Ng, Capital Planning & Grants Manager
Approved/Reviewed by:
Jill A. Sprague, General Counsel
Ramakrishna Pochiraju, Executive Director of Planning & Engineering
Claudia L. Allen, Chief Financial Officer
Robert del Rosario, Director of Services Development and Planning
Gene Clark, Director of Procurement and Materials