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APPROVE MOTION TO AWARD A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT FOR THE SOUTH STOCKTON PEDESTRIAN HAWK IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT
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RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council approve a motion to:
1. Award a Professional Services Contract to Advanced Mobility Group of Walnut Creek, CA, in the amount of $543,754.57, for the design of the South Stockton Pedestrian HAWK Improvements, Project No. WT22048/Federal Project No. HSIPSL-5008(196).
2. Approve findings pursuant to Stockton Municipal Code section 3.68.070 in support of an exception to the competitive bidding process.
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 South Stockton Pedestrian HAWK Improvements project will install High Intensity Activated Crosswalk (HAWK) signals at eight locations in south Stockton (Attachment A). The improvements will also include high visibility crosswalks, signage, striping, intersection safety lighting, curb, gutter, drainage, sidewalk, and curb ramps. The project will increase visibility and pedestrian safety within the crossing locations. The project was included in the 2021-26 Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).
On February 18, 2022, the City advertised a Request for Proposals (RFP) for design of the South Stockton Pedestrian HAWK Improvements project. On March 18, 2022, four firms submitted proposals for this project. The Selection Committee evaluated the proposals and found Advanced Mobility Group of Walnut Creek, 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 $543,754.57 to Advanced Mobility Group. It is anticipated that the design will be completed by June 2023.
DISCUSSION
Background
The Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) is a federal-aid program established to achieve a significant reduction in fatalities and serious injuries on all public roads. Caltrans, Division of Local Assistance, manages California's local agency share of HSIP funds. HSIP focuses on infrastructure projects with nationally recognized crash reduction factors. Local HSIP projects are prioritized based on crash experience, benefit from counter measures, or other data-supported means.
Senate Bill 137 (Chapter 639 of the 2019 Statues), effective October 8, 2019, added Section 182.85 to the Streets and Highways Code that authorizes Caltrans to allow up to $100 million of federal local assistance funds to be exchanged for non-federal State Highway Account (SHA) funds. The city, county, or other eligible recipients receiving exchanged funding (federal to State) must use the funding on projects for purposes for which the federal local assistance funds were originally intended. As a result, HSIP Cycle 10 projects are State funded.
The City submitted nine grant applications to Caltrans for Cycle 10 of the HSIP grant program in October 2020. One of the applications was for the South Stockton Pedestrian HAWK Improvements project.
The South Stockton Pedestrian HAWK Improvements project will install HAWK signals at eight locations in south Stockton (Attachment A). A HAWK signal is a device used to assist people with safely crossing busy streets. HAWK signals work the same as other button-activated traffic signals, either by pushing a button or an automatic sensor, which directs the person walking or biking to wait for the signal to change and traffic to stop allowing them to cross safely. For drivers, the HAWK signal appears different than other signalized intersections in that it remains dark until activated by a pedestrian or bicyclist. Once triggered, it will then go through a series of yellow and red flashing sequences requiring motorists to slow down and stop. The HAWKs will also include high visibility crosswalks, signage, striping, intersection safety lighting, curb, gutter, drainage, sidewalk, and curb ramps. These identified safety improvement measures will increase visibility and pedestrian safety within the crossing locations.
In March 2021, the South Stockton Pedestrian HAWK Improvements, Project No. WT22048/Federal Project No. HSIPSL-5008(196), was approved for HSIP funding in the amount of $5,861,500 for design and construction. This project is 100 percent State funded, and no local match was required as part of the grant. The project was included in the 2021-2026 Five-Year CIP.
Since this project is funded with SHA funds, Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program rules do not apply.
Present Situation
On February 18, 2022, the City advertised an RFP for design of the South Stockton Pedestrian HAWK Improvements, Project No. WT22048/Federal Project No. HSIPSL-5008(196). On March 18, 2022, four proposals were received from the following firms:
• Advanced Mobility Group (Walnut Creek, CA)
• Mark Thomas & Company, Inc. (Sacramento, CA)
• Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. (Sacramento, CA)
• TJKM Transportation Consultants (Pleasanton, CA)
A Selection Committee evaluated and ranked all proposals based on each firm’s understanding of work, experience with similar kinds of projects, work, staff qualifications, technical ability, and project approach.
Advanced Mobility Group 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 $543,754.57 with Advanced Mobility Group for design services. The negotiated fee is approximately nine percent of the total project cost, which is reasonable for a project of this type and complexity.
Staff recommends that Council approve a motion to award a Professional Services Contract in the amount of $543,754.57 to Advanced Mobility Group for design services of the South Stockton Pedestrian HAWK Improvements project (Attachment B). It is anticipated that the design will be completed by June 2023.
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 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 this 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 in the South Stockton Pedestrian HAWK Improvements, Project No. WT22048 (formerly PW2248)/Federal Project No. HSIPSL-5008(196), Account No. 4510-100-630003-300-000-30-45-000-000, to award a Professional Services Contract in the amount of $543,754.57 to Advanced Mobility Group for the design of the project.
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 Advanced Mobility Group