Title
Discuss and consider action to award a construction contract for the Old Austin-Hutto Road reconstruction Project to Smith Contracting Co., Inc., the lowest responsible bidder of eight (8) bids received on October 15, 2020 in the amount of $3,607,538.59 and authorizing the City Manager to execute same.
Summary
Staff recommends City Council approval for award of a construction contract for the Old Austin-Hutto Road reconstruction project. The Old Austin-Hutto Road construction was funded through the 2018 General Obligation Bond Election.
The attached Engineer’s Recommendation and bid tabulation supports the City staff recommendation to award the construction contract to Smith Contracting Co., Inc. including the Base Bid plus the Add Alternate No. 1 plus Add Alternate No. 2 in a total amount of $3,607,538.59 for the project. Smith Contracting Co, Inc. is the recommended low bidder for the total cost which includes adding the base bid amount of $3,197,458.29 plus Add Alternate No. 1 bid of $244,742.75 plus Add Alternate No. 2 bid of $165,337.55 for a total bid (base plus Add Alt #1 and Add Alt# 2) of $3,607,538.59. Add Alternate No. 1 provides for the option of an alternative for construction paving and the Alternate No. 2 provides for adding the Parks Parking Lot project at the Heritage House. The added incentive to include these alternatives has benefit for combining two projects.
Bid Alternate No. 1 for Old Austin-Hutto Road is intended to accelerate construction through the use of an alternative pavement section. The Base Bid for the project includes the pavement section that has crushed limestone base material (“flex base”), as it is typically less expensive. Bid Alternate No. 1 changes to the pavement section that has Hot Mix Asphaltic Concrete (HMAC) Type B base material (“black base”). Due to differences in construction methods and material properties, black base is significantly quicker to construct. As a result of these factors, the estimated time savings for the project associated with Bid Alternate No. 1 is approximately one month.
$3,607,000 was allocated in the 2018 General Bond election for the roadway construction portion of the project and $175,000 was allocated in 2016 Certificates of Obligation issued for the parking lot improvements described as Alternate #2. The total estimated construction cost for the base bid and alternate #1 of $3,442,201.04 is within budget of the 2018 GO Bond funds, and the alternate #2 parking lot cost of $165,337.55 is within the $175,000 Parks funds. The project was advertised for bids on September 30, 2020. Bids were received and opened on October 15, 2020.
City staff has prepared public information notices for the HEB and Bohls Neighborhood to be distributed in advance of starting construction.
The Old Austin-Hutto Road project consists of approximately 0.81 miles of roadway reconstruction, including hot-mix asphaltic concrete (HMAC) paving, curb and gutter, sidewalk, curb ramps, driveways, storm drain, box culverts, and illumination. The need for the improvements are to provide a three-lane section of roadway along for the full length of the project limits, from Pecan St. northward to FM 685, in addition to major drainage improvements to eliminate the existing low water crossing, just north of the Scott Metzer Park, to provide mitigation of existing flooding conditions and add a roundabout with a roadway stub, for connectivity of a future roadway to Pflugerville Parkway, to support an economic development goal and objective or other relevant City-adopted planning goals (trails connectivity and a continuous roadway connection for North-South movements parallel to FM 685).
Prior City Council Action
1/13/2015 City Council approved selection of Frees and Nichols as the qualified engineering consultant for the Old Austin-Hutto Road project
4/14/2015 City Council approved a professional services agreement with Freese and Nichols for design phase services related to the Old Austin-Hutto Road project in the amount of $215,969
5/26/2015 City Council approved a professional services supplemental agreement in the amount of $59,781 to add drainage and curb and gutter, as well substitute subconsultant Gorrondona & associates for survey services
7/10/2018 City Council directed staff to prepare materials to order a November 6, 2018 Bond Election (Colorado Sand Drive, Kelly Lane, Old Austin-Hutto Road and East Pflugerville Parkway); Old Austin-Hutto Road was the only project proposed for approval of construction funding
8/14/2018 City Council approved Resolution 1660-18-11-20-0557 related to a Special Bond Election for 11/6/2018 for issuance of TAX BONDS FOR STREET IMPROVEMENTS, which included Old Austin-Hutto Road project
11/6/2018 Voter-Approved General Obligation Bond for Roadway Projects, included Old Austin-Hutto Road
2/26/2019 City Council approved a professional services supplemental agreement (No. 4) with Freese and Nichols, Inc. for engineering services associated with the Old Austin-Hutto Road in the amount of $108,407.00
6/25/2019 City Council approved a professional services agreement with Freese and Nichols in the amount of $120,028.00 for Design, Bidding and Construction Administrative services related to the Old Austin-Hutto Road project.
Deadline for City Council Action
Action is requested on October 27, 2020.
Funding Expected: Revenue __ Expenditure _X_ N/A __
Budgeted Item: Yes __ No __ N/A _X*_
*The project is funded through the 2018 General Obligation Bond Program and 2016 CO Bond Program
Amount: _$3,607,538.59_______
1295 Form Required? Yes _X_ No __
Legal Review Required: N/A __ Required _X_ Date Completed: _10/19/2020_
Supporting documents attached:
Engineer's Letter of Recommendation
Project Location Map
Recommended Action
Approve the award of a construction contract for the Old Austin Hutto Road Roadway project to Smith Contracting, Co., Inc., the lowest responsible bidder of eight (8) bids received on October 15, 2020, in the amount of $3,607,538.59 and authorizing the City Manager to execute the same.