TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
DATE: SEPTEMBER 20, 2005
SUBJECT: PALOS VERDES DRIVE EAST DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS
RECOMMENDATIONS
- Reject all bids received on July 7, 2005 for the installation of approximately 3060 linear feet of storm drain line and the associated outfall and curb inlets and asphalt paving.
- Request staff to revise the project plans and specifications, present changes to City Council and re-advertise the project at a later date.
BACKGROUND
On July 7, 2005 bids were opened for the Palos Verdes Drive East Drainage Improvement project that would install a new storm drain line along PV Drive Ease from Sunnyside Ridge Road running northerly approximately 3000 feet. Three bids were received and all were substantially higher than the Engineer’s Estimate. A summary of bids is as follows: Colich & Sons, L.P. $1,741,749.35; Garcia Juarez Construction Inc. $2,178,333; SRD Engineering Inc. $2,977,172; and the engineer’s estimate of cost is $1,200,000. Upon review of the bids, staff believes that modifying the plans and specifications could help in lowering the cost of the project.
Staff contacted the contractors that submitted bids on this project and all indicated that bids were high to reflect concern with the amount of working space available along PV Drive East, the associated traffic control requirements and the method specified for trench backfill. The space available for contractors to perform their work is essentially one lane plus the shoulder area running the entire length of the project (about 1 mile). The narrow work area will require the contractor to juggle equipment during excavation, pipe placement and trench backfill operations. This juggling will slow the process and as a result bid prices are higher. To accommodate this construction configuration, traffic during construction is to be limited to one lane, alternating the direction of flow through the use of flagmen, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Staff believes there are potential cost savings if the roadway was allowed to be closed to through traffic during construction hours. Furthermore, additional savings could be realized by modifying the trench backfill requirements.
Staff recommends rejecting all bids received, revising the plans and specifications and re-advertising the project.
CONCLUSIONS
Adopting the staff recommendations will result in rejecting the bids received on July 7, 2005, modifying the plans and specifications and re-advertising the Palos Verdes Drive East Drainage Improvement project. Staff anticipates a new bid opening dated in December 2005, and consideration for award in February 2006.
Submitted by,
Dean E. Allison
Director of Public Works
Reviewed,
Les Evans
City Manager