STAFF REPORT

Operations Committee, August 7, 2008

Contract Award – Professional Services for the Wastewater Pump Station Improvements Project (EN09-014)
Consideration of awarding a contract for design and construction phase services for the Wastewater Pump Station Improvements project
Speaker:  Mr. Tim Bailey

From:  Tim Bailey, PE, Engineering Director
Prepared by:  Shuyan Tian, PE

Approved by:  William B. Coleman, Jr., Town Manager
Approved by:  Benjamin T. Shivar, Assistant Town Manager

Background

The Town has received proposals from consulting engineering firms for professional engineering design and construction administration services related to the design and construction of the Wastewater Pump Station Improvements project.  This project will provide flood proofing and bypass pump connections at four existing wastewater pump stations. 

The Wastewater Pump Station Improvements project was funded in the FY2009 budget.

We have received proposals from five consulting firms. The five proposing firms and their corresponding price proposals are summarized as follows:

Staff from the Town’s Administration Department, Engineering Department, and Public Works and Utilities Department formed a selection committee. The selection committee reviewed the proposals for relevant experience of the firm and its personnel assigned to this project, project approach, proposed schedule, and cost.  The Town of Cary has exempted this project from the provisions of North Carolina General Statute 143-64.31 as it is in the best interest of its citizens to procure these services through a process of open competition.  Therefore, cost proposals were considered in making the final selection.

After a thorough review of the proposals, the selection committee recommends in favor of awarding the engineering services contract for this project to Stearns and Wheler.  The proposal from Stearns and Wheler includes well researched information on the existing pump stations and presents specific and sound approaches on the improvements for each of the pump stations.

Fiscal Impact: Project SW1175 Wastewater Pump Station Improvements was established in the amount of $800,000 which is sufficient for professional service and construction cost of the project. Short term personnel impacts include providing project administration. It is expected that the project will be complete in October 2009.  Long term operating impacts is minimal and the pump stations will continue to be operated and maintained by Public Works and Utilities staff.

Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends awarding a contract to Stearns and Wheler for professional engineering design and construction administration services related to the Wastewater Pump Station Improvements project with a not-to-exceed value of $102,680.