TITLE
Recommendation to adopt Plans and Specifications No. R-7061 and award a contract to American Landscape, Inc., of Canoga Park, CA, for the Stearns Park Irrigation Upgrade Project, in the amount of $452,000, with a 10 percent contingency in the amount of $45,200, for a total contract amount not to exceed $497,200; authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all documents necessary to enter into a contract, including any necessary amendments; and
Accept Categorical Exemption No. CE 19-126. (District 4)
DISCUSSION
City Council approval is requested to award a contract to American Landscape, Inc., for the Stearns Park Irrigation Upgrade Project (Project). The Project is designed to increase irrigation efficiency by replacing irrigation mainlines, some lateral irrigation lines and sprinkler heads, and upgrade irrigation pumps. These changes are expected to reduce future maintenance and water usage. Additionally, while most of the park is irrigated with reclaimed water, about 3.8 acres in the northeast corner of the park is irrigated with potable water that will be converted. Conversion of that portion of the park from potable to reclaimed water, in addition to an irrigation upgrade, would reduce water costs.
The Request for Proposals (RFP) was advertised in the Long Beach Press-Telegram on November 2, 2018, and 63 potential proposers specializing in irrigation services were notified of the RFP opportunity. Of those proposers, 56 downloaded the RFP via the City’s electronic bid system. The RFP document 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. The RFP announcement was also included in the Purchasing Division’s weekly update of Open Bid Opportunities, which is sent to 28 local, minority, and women-owned business groups. Two proposals were received on April 4, 2019. Of those, none were Minority-owned Business Enterprises (MBEs), Women-owned Business Enterprises (WBEs), certified Small Business Enterprises (SBEs), or Long Beach businesses (Local). American Landscape, Inc., of Canoga Park, CA (not a MBE, WBE, SBE, or Local), was the lowest responsible proposer.
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 PlanetBids database to download specifications. Through outreach, 454 Long Beach vendors were notified to submit proposals, of which 2 downloaded and none submitted a proposal. The Purchasing Division is committed to continuing to perform outreach to local vendors to expand the bidder pool.
In conformance with the California Environmental Quality Act, Categorical Exemption No. CE 19-126 was issued for this Project (Attachment A).
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Amy R. Webber on June 4, 2019, Purchasing Agent Tara Yeats on June 10, 2019, and by Budget Analysis Officer Julissa Jose-Murray on June 14, 2019.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action to adopt Plans and Specifications No. R-7061 and award a contract concurrently is requested on July 2, 2019, to ensure the contract is in place expeditiously.
FISCAL IMPACT
The total cost of the Project is estimated at $845,000, and includes the contract award amount of $497,200, including construction contingency, consulting services, design and construction support services, inspections fees, project labor compliance, and project management. The total Project cost is supported by $845,000 in one-time funds already appropriated in the Capital Projects Fund Group in the Public Works Department. This recommendation has no staffing impact beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is consistent with existing City Council priorities. Approval of this recommendation will provide continued support to the local economy. The number of additional local jobs created by the Project will not be known until the contractor has completed hiring and construction has commenced.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
CRAIG A. BECK
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
GERARDO MOUET
DIRECTOR OF PARKS, RECREATION
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER