TITLE
Recommendation to adopt Specifications No. RFQ AP22-002 and award a contract to RS&H California, Inc., of Los Angeles, CA, for Engineering Design Services for the Taxilane K Reconstruction and Construct Taxilane U projects at the Long Beach Airport, in the amount of $604,492, with a 15 percent contingency in the amount of $90,674, for a total amount not to exceed $695,166, for a period of two years, with the option to renew for three 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 the contracts, including any necessary amendments; and
Increase appropriations in the Airport Fund Group in the Airport Department by $695,166, offset by funds available. (Districts 4,5)
DISCUSSION
City Council approval is requested to enter into a contract with RS&H California, Inc. (RS&H), to provide engineering design services for the Taxilane K Reconstruction and Construct Taxilane U Projects (Projects) at the Long Beach Airport (Airport).
Airport Engineering staff are responsible for the maintaince of the airfield pavement including runways, taxiways, taxilanes and other necessary access points. Pavement condition surveys are completed approximately every three years to plan and prioitize areas based on need and criticality. Based on the recent survey completed in 2021, Airport staff identified a need for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Taxilane K, and construction of the proposed Taxilane U, utilizing an area formally part of decommissioned Runway 16R-34L, to provide enhanced access to the airfield. These projects are programmed into the Airport Capital Improvement Plan for Federal Fiscal Year 2023.
The Taxilane K Reconstruction project includes the reconstruction of approximately 71,500 sq. ft. of pavement and the rehabilitation of approximately 67,650 sq. ft. of pavement. A portion of Taxilane K is in poor condition and has reached its useful life. The project also includes improvements to pavement marking, lighting, signage, and drainage systems. Taxilane K provides airfield access to tenants in the northeast quadrant of the airfield.
The Taxilane U Construction Project repurposes an area that includes portions of decommissioned Runway 16R-34L south of Taxiway F to provide enhanced access to the airfield. Approximately 42,900 sq. ft.of pavement will be constructed, including pavement marking, lighting, signage, and drainage systems. The taxilane will serve as access to Taxiway F for general aviation operations located along Spring Street at the Airport.
These improvements will preserve airfield safety and capacity for our general aviation partners.
A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process was conducted to secure engineering design services and construction management services in accordance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations and requirements.
The RFQ was advertised in the Long Beach Press-Telegram on November 5, 2021, and 3,071 potential firms specializing in engineering services were notified of the RFQ opportunity. Of those firms, 111 downloaded the RFQ via the City’s electronic bid system, PlanetBids. The RFQ documents were made available from the Purchasing Division, located on the sixth floor of City Hall, and the Division’s website at www.longbeach.gov/purchasing. <http://www.longbeach.gov/purchasing.> The RFQ announcement was also included in the Purchasing Division’s weekly update of Open Bid Opportunities, which is sent to 39 local, minority-owned, and women-owned business groups. Twelve Statements of Qualifications (SOQs) were received on November 30, 2021. Out of the 12 SOQs, 8 SOQs were for design sevices and 4 SOQs were for constructuion management services. Of those 12 proposers, 3 were Minority-owned Business Enterprises (MBEs), 3 were Women-owned Business Enterprises (WBEs), 2 were certified Small Business Enterprises (SBEs), and 1 was Long Beach vendor (Local).
RS&H has an extensive history of aviation planning and design experience for airfield projects. Their key personnel have strong familiarity with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations and policies, experience with airport stakeholders, and solid understanding of complex construction phase planning to minimize potential tenant impacts. They have provided design and engineering services for multiple airports in the region and throughout the country.
The Airport anticipates returning to the City Council for the recommendation to award the construction management services for the projects in the fourth quarter of this year.
Local Business Outreach
To align with the City’s outreach goal, Long Beach businesses are encouraged to submit SOQs for City contracts. The Purchasing Division also assists businesses with registering on the PlanetBids database to download the RFQ specifications. Through outreach, 240 Long Beach vendors were notified to submit SOQs, of which 9 downloaded and 1 submitted an SOQ. 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 Richard F. Anthony on April 29, 2022, Purchasing Agent Michelle Wilson on April 18, 2022, and by Budget Analysis Officer Greg Sorensen on April 28, 2022.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action to adopt Specifications No. RFQ AP22-002 and award a contract concurrently is requested on May 17, 2022, to ensure the contract for engineering design services is in place expeditiously to meet the anticipated FAA 2023 grant timeline.
FISCAL IMPACT
The contract amount will not exceed $695,166, inclusive of a 15 percent contingency for the initial two years. An appropriation increase in the amount of $695,166 is requested in the Airport Fund Group in the Airport Department, offset by Airport operating funds available. The contract will be part of the design phase of the Projects, which will cost approximately $6,325,000. It is anticipated that the cost of the Projects may be reimbursed by the FAA Airport Improvement Program (AIP) Grant award for federal Fiscal Year 2023, once the actual construction bid has been completed.
Each work order will be funded prior to the work being issued to the contractor. Any work not currently budgeted will only proceed at such time that appropriation has been approved by the City Council. This recommendation has no staffing impact beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is consistent with existing City Council priorities. The award of this contract will provide continued support to our local economy by assisting in the preservation of employment for one full-time employee in Long Beach.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
CYNTHIA GUIDRY
DIRECTOR, LONG BEACH AIRPORT
APPROVED:
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER