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APPROVE DESIGN CONTRACT WITH WMB ARCHITECTS, INC. FOR THE WATER FIELD OFFICE IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council approve by motion authorizing the City Manager to execute an Amendment to the Professional Services Master Contract for Building and Architectural Services with WMB Architects, Inc. of Stockton in the amount of $72,000 for design and related services for the Water Field Office Improvements Project.
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Summary
The building for the Municipal Utilities Department (MUD) Water Field Office located at 7400 West Lane was constructed in the 1960s, and was purchased by the City in 1991. The current facility is undersized for staff space needs. This project will facilitate the expansion of office, locker rooms, and restroom space to accommodate the 35 employees stationed at the facility.
On July 13, 2010, City Council adopted Resolution 10-0242, approving Professional Services Master Contracts for design, geotechnical, environmental, survey, CEQA and NEPA Studies and various other professional services with numerous firms. The scope of work for this proposed contract is consistent with the scope and intent of the Professional Services Master Contract. On August 21, 2013, MUD sent Request for Proposals to 27 building design firms from the City's Master Vendor Pool List. There were 3 proposals received by the due date of September 24, 2013. After a thorough review of the proposals, staff recommends WMB Architects, Inc. of Stockton to design the improvements to the Water Field Office.
If approved by Council, this action will facilitate the award of an Amendment to the Professional Services Master Contract to WMB Architects, Inc. of Stockton in the amount not to exceed $72,000 (Attachment A).
DISCUSSION
Background
The MUD Water Field Office is located just south of Hammer Lane at 7400 West Lane. The existing building, built in the early 1960s, is a 5,000 square foot one-story structure constructed of concrete block. The previous property owner was a garage door company.
The Water Field Office currently supports 35 employees, including water operators, technicians, and administrative staff. The facility contains offices, a warehouse, locker rooms, and repair shop. There has been little remodeling of the facility since it was purchased in 1991.
Water Field Office staff has increased since the facility was purchased in 1991, and the facility is undersized for current staff space needs. The building is inadequate in several ways: insufficient office space for supervisors to perform work effectively; insufficient number of bathrooms for staff; men's locker room currently located in the garage; no women's locker facilities, presently women have to change clothes in a storage closet; and the combination conference room and break room area is inadequately sized to facilitate meetings and training events. Also, there have been a number of burglaries at the facility over the past few years, necessitating security upgrades.
Present Situation
On July 13, 2010, City Council adopted Resolution 10-0242, approving Professional Services Master Contracts for design, geotechnical, environmental, survey, CEQA and NEPA Studies and various other professional services with numerous firms, including WMB Architects, Inc. The approved firms provide services, as needed, to accommodate the City's project schedules. These master contracts are valid for five years and reduce the administrative burden of individual project contracts. The scope of services and fees are negotiated on a project-specific basis and a contract amendment is executed. When the negotiated fee for a particular project exceeds Charter limits, a contract amendment is submitted to the Council for consideration.
Consultant selection from the vendor pool is based on the project's needs. Other considerations in the consultant selection process include the firm's qualifications, experience, designated staff, and ability to provide services on time, within budget, and in accordance with City objectives.
The Municipal Utilities Department requested proposals from 27 firms on the vendor pool list on August 21, 2013 for the preparation of a pre-design report, building plans, specifications, cost estimates, and assistance with bidding and construction administration.
On September 24, 2013, three proposals were received.
Firm |
City |
Proposal Amount |
WMB Architects, Inc. |
Stockton |
$72,000 |
LDA Partners |
Stockton |
$75,000 |
ECIFM Solutions Inc. |
San Ramon |
$65,050 |
Department-staff reviewed the three submitted proposals, and concluded that the proposal submitted by WMB Architects, Inc.:
· Presented a superior conceptual design that effectively maximizes the floor area of the facility and provides the necessary amenities for MUD's water field operations
· Demonstrated with past projects their ability to work within budgets, and produce functional and well-designed spaces
These elements from WMB Architects, Inc.'s proposal, together with their project team, make their proposal stand out from the other firms resulting in a unanimous recommendation of the selection committee. The two other firms did not offer a scope of work which would meet all the Project's objectives. Based on WMB Architects, Inc.'s project understanding and approach to the work, prior experience with projects of similar size and magnitude, and strength of Project team assembled, and the proposed fee, the Municipal Utilities Department recommends WMB Architects, Inc. for design and related services for the Water Field Office Improvements Project for a proposed fee of $72,000.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
For Fiscal Year 2013-2014, sufficient funds are available in account
427-7625-670, Water/Water Service Center.
There is no impact to the General Fund, or any other unrestricted fund, from this action.
Attachment A - Amendment to Professional Services Master Contract