TITLE
Recommendation to adopt Specifications No. RFQ CM14-020 for architectural and engineering services for the Belmont Plaza Pool Facility Rebuild / Revitalization Project; award the contract to Harley Ellis Devereaux Corporation, of Los Angeles, California (not a MBE, WBE, SBE or Local), in the amount of $7,144,301, plus a 10% contingency of $714,430, for a total amount not to exceed amount of $7,858,731; authorize City Manager or designee to execute all documents necessary to enter into the contract, including any amendments thereto; and
Increase appropriations in the Tidelands Operation Fund (TF401) in the City Manager Department (CM) by $7,858,731. (District 3)
DISCUSSION
City Council approval is requested to enter into an agreement with Harley Ellis Devereaux Corporation for architectural and engineering services for the Belmont Plaza Pool Facility Rebuild / Revitalization Project (Project). The Belmont Plaza Pool is a valuable asset and icon for the City, and has a rich history of providing a wide variety of competitive swimming events and recreational activities for residents of all ages and abilities.
On January 13, 2013, the Belmont Pool was deemed seismically unsafe in the event of a moderate earthquake, and was closed permanently to protect the safety of the public. On February 12, 2013, the City Council authorized the City Manager to proceed with the entitlement phase of the proposed Project. The Architectural/Engineering (AlE) team will support the City, represent its interests, and lead the everyday efforts in the design of the Project. AlE services will be required throughout the Project's entitlement, design and construction phases while engaging in meetings, community outreach, CEQA process support, regulatory permitting and related activities during all phases of the Project.
The RFQ was advertised in the Press -Telegram on December 4, 2013, and 4,487 potential bidders specializing in architectural, engineering and related services were notified of the RFQ opportunity. Of those notified, 245 firms downloaded the RFQ via our electronic bid notification system. The RFQ 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. A bid announcement was also included in the Purchasing Division's weekly update of Open Bid Opportunities, which is sent to 30 local, minority and women-owned business groups. A (non-mandatory) pre-Statements of Qualifications (SOQ) conference and tour of the existing Belmont Pool facility was conducted on December 12, 2013, with 76 individuals representing 68 firms in attendance.
On January 17, 2014, 21 firms submitted SOQs in response to the RFQ. Of those 21 firms, one is a Minority-owned Business Enterprise (MBE), one is a Women-owned Business Enterprise (WBE), one is a certified Small Business Enterprise (SBE), and none are Long Beach businesses (Local).
After an extensive review and analysis of each SOQ by an evaluation panel that included the Assistant City Manager, the Directors of Public Works, Parks, Recreation and Marine, and Development Services, as well as the Tidelands Project Officer and representatives of the project management team, there was unanimous agreement that the five firms listed below emerged with the best demonstrated creative and technical competence, substantial relevant experience on iconic, world-class aquatics and public facilities, available key personnel with very relevant expertise, documented financial stability, strong references and SOQs in substantial conformance with the RFQ (listed alphabetically):
1) 3600 Architecture
2) Cannon Design
3) ELS
4) Harley Ellis Devereaux
5) tBP I Behnish Architekten
After the short-listed firms were interviewed on January 28 and 29, 2014, the evaluation panel unanimously selected Harley Ellis Devereaux (HED), in association with Hastings + Chivetta, Roto Architects and Counsilman Hunsaker as the top ranked team. The HED team provides an exceptional balance of demonstrated experience and technical expertise on world-class recreational and competitive indoor pool natatoriums and outdoor competitive recreational I competitive pools, competition diving facilities, along with very strong creative capabilities on iconic public facilities. HED demonstrated its long and strong track record of working together with their subconsultant team. HED and Hastings + Chivetta list experience on a combined 850 aquatics venues nationally, coupled with over 950 aquatics facilities completed by Counsilman-Hunsaker.
The HED team also includes Michael Rotundi from Roto Architecture (Roto), who will lead and mentor the creative design of the project. Mr. Rotundi is a highly respected, internationally acclaimed and accomplished architect. He is a distinguished faculty member, board director and co-founder of The Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc), as well as a professor of architecture at Arizona State University.
As required in the February 12, 2013 Council approval, the scope includes comprehensive design services for a state-of-the art recreational and competitive indoor and outdoor pool and natatorium facility, and provides for the study and feasibility determination of a separate indoor diving well and adjustable pool flooring system.
Should those elements be deemed feasible, the Contract would provide for their incorporation into the design.
A summary of the evaluation criteria and panel analysis is attached.
Local Business Outreach
In an effort to align with our outreach goal, Long Beach businesses were encouraged to submit bids for City contracts. The Purchasing Division also assisted businesses with registering on Bids Online database to download the bid specifications. Through outreach, 496 Long Beach vendors were notified to submit bids, of which 66 downloaded and none submitted an SOO. 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 Linda Vu on February 24, 2014 and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on February 21,2014.
SUSTAINABILITY
The scope of services for the AlE design professional services agreement includes for implementation of sustainable project features in order to achieve LEED Gold Standards. The HED team includes individuals with substantial experience in designing sustainable facility projects, including projects that have achieved various levels of LEED certification.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action on this matter is requested on March 4, 2014, in order to start the development of a conceptual plan in support of the CEQA process, and the subsequent schematic, design development and construction documents for the Project.
FISCAL IMPACT
The current estimated Project cost is $62.1 million, and funding will be requested in phases as the Project moves forward. An appropriation increase is requested in the Tidelands Operations Fund (TF 401) in the City Manager Department (CM) in the amount of $7,858,731 to move forward with the design of the Project. Approval of this recommendation will provide continued support to our local economy.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER
GEORGE CHAPJIAN
DIRECTOR OF PARKS, RECREATION AND MARINE