TITLE
Recommendation to adopt Specifications No. RFP PW16-131 and award a contract to United Storm Water, Inc., of City of Industry, CA, to provide storm drain routine maintenance and repair, in an annual amount of $276,000, and authorize an annual 25 percent contingency in the amount of $69,000, for a total annual contract amount not to exceed $345,000, for a period of three years, with the option to renew for two additional one-year periods, at the discretion of the City Manager. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
City Council action is requested to enter into a contract with United Storm Water, Inc. (USW), to provide routine maintenance and repair to the City’s storm drains. The City’s storm drain system must be regularly maintained to prevent flooding during storm events, thereby protecting property from damage and providing for the general safety, health, and welfare of the residents of Long Beach. In addition, pursuant to the Clean Water Act provision 40 CFR 122.26(d)(2) and the City’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit issued by the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board (LARWQCB), the City’s municipal storm drain system is required to be maintained on a regular basis to reduce bacteria and pollutants in storm water runoff into the Los Angeles River.
The City’s storm drain system is comprised of approximately 180 miles of pipes and culverts, 5.5 miles of open channels and ditches, 5,700 catch basins and 16 pump stations. The primary maintenance services include cleaning, repair and inspection of pump stations, storm drains, open storm drain channels, catch basins, outfall structures, and storm drain pipes. Other maintenance services include responding to flood incidents, removing blockages, and repairing pipes and inlets due to damage or deterioration. The City does not have the resources or specialized equipment to perform these services. As a result, these services have historically been contracted out.
A Request for Proposals (RFP) was advertised in the Long Beach Press-Telegram on May 9, 2016, and 4,011 potential proposers specializing in storm drain maintenance and repair were notified of the opportunity. Of those proposers, 35 downloaded the RFP via the City’s electronic bid system. The RFP was made available from the Purchasing Division, located on the seventh floor of City Hall, and the Division’s website at www.longbeach.gov/purchasing <http://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 22 local, minority and women-owned business groups. Three proposals were received on June 2, 2016. Of those three proposers, one was a Minority-owned Business Enterprise (MBE), one was a Women-owned Business Enterprise (WBE), three were certified Small Business Enterprises (SBEs), and one was a Long Beach business (Local).
After review of the three proposals, it was determined that USW (SBE; not MBE, WBE or Local), was the most responsive and qualified firm based on the criteria listed in the RFP. USW’s responses proved they have a clear understanding of the City’s objectives and needs for storm drain maintenance and repair.
Local Business Outreach
In an effort to align with the City’s outreach goal, Long Beach businesses are encouraged to submit proposals for City contracts. The Purchasing Division also assists businesses with registering on the Bids Online database to download the RFP specifications. Through outreach, 358 Long Beach vendors were notified to submit proposals, of which six downloaded and one submitted a proposal. The Purchasing Division is committed to continuing to perform outreach to local vendors to expand the bidder pool.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Amy R. Webber on June 27, 2016 and by the Revenue Management Officer Julissa José-Murray on July 12, 2016.
TIMING CONSIDERATION
City Council action to adopt Specifications No. RFP PW16-131 and concurrently award a contract is requested on August 2, 2016, to ensure that a new contract is in place expeditiously.
FISCAL IMPACT
The total annual contract cost will not exceed $345,000. Sufficient funds to support this contract are budgeted in the General Fund (GF) in the Public Works Department (PW). The award of this contract will provide continued support to our local economy by assisting in the preservation of employment for six full-time employees.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
CRAIG A. BECK
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER