TITLE
Recommendation to receive and file Munis Contracts with Performance Abatement, of Anaheim, CA; Vizion’s West, Inc., of Menifee, CA; and, Watson Painting Corporation, of Riverside, CA, for providing lead-based paint removal and mitigation services, in an aggregate amount not to exceed $501,000, made pursuant to Chapters 2.69 and 2.85 of the Long Beach Municipal Code (LBMC) and in response to the proclaimed emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic; and
Adopt Specifications No. RFP HE20-072 and award contracts to Performance Abatement, Vizion’s West, Inc., and Watson Painting Corporation, to provide lead-based paint removal and mitigation services, in a total aggregate amount not to exceed $1,974,000, for the term of December 7, 2020 through November 30, 2022, with the option to renew for two additional one year periods, at the discretion of the City Manager; and, authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all documents necessary to enter into contracts, including any necessary amendments. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The City entered into contracts for lead-based paint removal and mitigation services pursuant to Chapters 2.69 and 2.85 of the Long Beach Municipal Code (LBMC) in response to the proclaimed COVID-19 emergency as a part of the programs funded by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). City Council approval is now requested to enter into new contracts with Performance Abatement Services, Inc., Vizion’s West, Inc., and Watson Painting Corporation to provide ongoing lead-based paint removal and mitigation services provided by funding from additional sources.
On April 16, 2019, the City Council authorized the City to accept new grant funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), covering the period of May 1, 2019, to October 31, 2022. The grant award amount, totaling $4,100,000, includes $1,974,000 specifically for construction services related to lead-based paint abatement and in-home hazard mitigation. To meet grant performance requirements, a significant amount of lead abatement work will occur between now and the end of the grant period. A Request for Proposal (RFP) process was completed to select the best contractor(s).
The RFP was advertised in the Long Beach Press-Telegram on September 10, 2020, and 76 potential proposers specializing in lead-based paint removal and mitigation services were notified of the RFP opportunity. Of those potential proposers, 24 downloaded the RFP document via the City’s electronic bid system. The RFP document was made available from the Purchasing Division, located at the sixth floor of City Hall, and the divisions website at www.longbeach.gov/purchasing. An RFP announcement was also included in the Purchasing Division’s weekly update of Open Bid opportunities, which is sent to 35 local, minority-owned, and women-owned business groups. Three proposals were received on October 1, 2020. Of those three proposers, none were Minority-owned Business Enterprises (MBEs), Women-owned Business Enterprises (WBEs), certified Small Business Enterprises (SBEs), or Long Beach businesses (Local). The selection committee determined that Performance Abatement of Anaheim, CA (not a MBE, WBE, SBE or Local); Vizion’s West, Inc., of Menifee, CA (not a MBE, WBE, SBE or Local); and, Watson Painting Corporation, of Riverside, CA, (not a MBE, WBE, SBE or Local), were the most qualified firms to provide the services, based on an extensive history of successful comparable engagements; technical knowledge and expertise of key personnel; familiarity with local, state, and federal regulations; financial stability and cost-effectiveness; and competence and ability to quickly meet the demands of the projects.
On March 10, 2020, the City Council adopted a Resolution ratifying the City Manager’s Proclamation of a Local Emergency and the Public Health Officer’s Declaration of Local Health Emergency, both due to COVID-19 pandemic. Pursuant to the authority in Chapters 2.69 and 2.85 of LBMC, the City Manager has the authority to approve purchases up to $1,000,000 for goods and services related to the proclaimed emergency without City Council approval provided that afterwards, the City Council is notified of those that were awarded using this emergency-related authority.
On July 14, 2020, the City Council adopted provisions for the use of CARES Act funds, and the following was included in order to ensure the funds were “spent expeditiously and for the approved purposes, purchases will be eligible for, and as necessary, may be made under the process outlined in the LBMC Procurement During a Declared Emergency (LBMC Chapter 2.85.050). Further, CARES Act funds, and any General Fund monies used for the approved activities, may be expended under the authority in Resolution RES-20-0049, allowing for the execution of all necessary documents, including subcontracts and any subsequent amendments, related to funding for financial assistance to respond to the proclaimed emergency due to the COVID19 pandemic.” Lead-based paint removal and mitigation services were provided by Performance Abatement, Vizion’s West, Inc. and Watson Painting Corporation in the aggregate amount of $501,000 and were funded by CARES Act funds.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Taylor M. Anderson on February 17, 2021, Business Services Bureau Manager Tara Yeats on February 2, 2021, and by Revenue Management Officer Geraldine Alejo on February 22, 2021.
EQUITY STATEMENT
The City has incorporated the Equity Toolkit in this recommendation, as requested by the City Council on April 21, 2020. For many underrepresented community members, the pandemic has the potential to exacerbate existing racial, economic, health, education, and gender inequities. In response, the City will consider racial and economic equity and examine how various communities most vulnerable to the impacts of COVID-19 will be affected. As much as possible, spending allocations will be made equitably to address the greatest COVID vulnerability in priority areas.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action to adopt Specifications No. HE20-072 and award the contracts concurrently is requested on March 9, 2021, to ensure the contracts are in place expeditiously.
FISCAL IMPACT
The total aggregate contract amount for lead based paint removal and mitigation services will not exceed $2,475,000. The contracts are funded with grant revenues in the amount of $501,000 from CARES Act Housing Condition Improvements Projects, and $1,974,000 from the HUD Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes Program. HUD grant funding in the amount of $1,974,000 is appropriated in the Health Fund Group in the Health and Human Services Department. The HUD Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes Program has a match requirement of $560,472, which is also appropriated in the Health Fund Group in the Health and Human Services Department. CARES Act funding was appropriated in FY 20 and will effectively be carried over into FY 21. An appropriation increase to carry the funding over into FY 21 will be requested as part of a future citywide budget appropriation adjustment. CARES Act funding has no match requirement.
This recommendation has no staffing impact beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is consistent with existing City Council priorities. The continuation of these contracts will provide continued support to our local economy by assisting in the preservation of employment for two part-time employees residing in Long Beach.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
KELLY COLOPY
DIRECTOR
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
APPROVED:
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER