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APPROVE MOTION TO AWARD A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT FOR THE SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL SIDEWALK GAP CLOSURE PROJECT
recommended action
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council approve a motion to:
1. Approve findings pursuant to Stockton Municipal Code section 3.68.070 in support of an exception to the competitive bidding process.
2. Award a Professional Services Contract to R.E.Y. Engineers, Inc. of Folsom, CA, in the amount of $389,959, for design of the Safe Routes to School Sidewalk Gap Closure, Project No. WT19013/Federal Project No. ATPSB1L-5008(187).
It is also recommended that the City Manager be authorized to take appropriate and necessary actions to carry out the purpose and intent of this motion.
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Summary
The Safe Routes to School Sidewalk Gap Closure project will improve pedestrian facilities at five locations throughout the City by eliminating gaps in the sidewalk network near schools (Attachment A). The project will also install Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant curb ramps and crosswalks where warranted. Primary funding for this project is from the Active Transportation Program (ATP) grant and was included in the 2019-24 Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).
On March 6, 2024, the City advertised a Request for Proposals (RFP) for design of the Safe Routes to School Sidewalk Gap Closure, Project No. WT19013/Federal Project No. ATPSB1L-5008(187). On March 27, 2024, three firms submitted proposals for this project. The Selection Committee evaluated the proposals and found R.E.Y. Engineers, Inc. of Folsom, CA, to be the most qualified and highest ranked firm.
It is recommended that Council approve a motion authorizing the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Contract in the amount of $389,959 to R.E.Y. Engineers, Inc. for design services. It is anticipated that the final design documents will be completed by November 2024.
DISCUSSION
Background
Federal ATP funds are available for transportation projects that encourage increased use of active modes of transportation. In 2018, Public Works submitted the Safe Routes to School Sidewalk Gap Closure project grant application for the ATP Cycle 4 program. The full project cost is approximately $4.1 million. The City was awarded $2,673,000 of ATP funds for the Safe Routes to School Sidewalk Gap Closure project. This amount was meant to fund the environmental, design, and partial funding for the construction phase of the project.
The project will install curb, gutter, and sidewalk to close sidewalk gaps, upgrade or install ADA compliant curb ramps, and install crosswalks near five high priority elementary, middle, and high schools: Fillmore Elementary School, Victory Elementary School, Delta Sierra Middle School, Montezuma Elementary School, and Jane Frederick High School (Attachment A). The improvements will increase safety for pedestrians, especially students walking to school, by providing a clear separation between pedestrians and motorists. The project was included in the 2019-24 Five-Year CIP.
Present Situation
On March 6, 2024, the City advertised an RFP for design of the Safe Routes to School Sidewalk Gap Closure, Project No. WT19013/Federal Project No. ATPSB1L-5008(187). On March 27, 2024, three proposals were received from the following firms:
• Bellecci & Associates, Inc. (Pleasanton, CA)
• R.E.Y. Engineers, Inc. (Folsom, CA)
• Siegfried Engineering, Inc. (Stockton, CA)
The Selection Committee evaluated and ranked all proposals based on each firm’s understanding of work, experience with similar kinds of projects, staff qualifications, technical ability, project approach, and cost proposal.
R.E.Y. Engineers, Inc. received the highest ranking, based on the noted criteria, and was determined to be the most qualified firm for this project. Staff negotiated a fee in the amount of $389,959 with R.E.Y. Engineers, Inc. for design services. The fee is approximately nine percent of the estimated construction cost, which is reasonable for a project of this type and complexity.
It is recommended that Council approve a motion authorizing the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Contract in the amount of $389,959 to R.E.Y. Engineers, Inc. for design services of the Safe Routes to School Sidewalk Gap Closure project (Attachment B). It is anticipated that the final design documents will be completed by November 2024.
Findings
Pursuant to Stockton Municipal Code (SMC) section 3.68.070, Council may approve findings which support an exception to the competitive bidding process. These findings include:
1. The City does not have sufficient staff resources available to design this project.
2. Use of the RFP process is appropriate for this Professional Services Contract because it relies on the evaluation of professional qualifications and performance as the basis for selection of a vendor. Use of the criteria helps ensure selection of a vendor that will provide the highest quality professional service, which is in the public interest.
3. The City negotiated a contract following solicitation of competitive proposals in accordance with SMC section 3.68.070.A.3.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
There is sufficient funding available in the Safe Routes to School Sidewalk Gap Closure, Project No. WT19013/Federal Project No. ATPSB1L-5008(187), to award a Professional Services Contract in the amount of $389,959 to R.E.Y Engineers, Inc. of Folsom, CA, for the Safe Routes to School Sidewalk Gap Closure, Project No. WT19013/Federal Project No. ATPSB1L-5008(187).
There is no impact to the City’s General Fund or any other unrestricted fund as a result of taking the recommended action.
Attachment A - Vicinity Map
Attachment B - Professional Services Contract with R.E.Y. Engineers, Inc.