Title
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH EST, INC. FOR DESIGN AND PRECONSTRUCTION SERVICES FOR THE 88TH AVENUE WIDENING PROJECT
Body
The purpose of this resolution is to authorize the City Manager to negotiate design and other pre-construction services for the 88th Avenue Widening Project
Summary & Background
At the 15 March City Council meeting, an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) between the City and the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) was approved to advance the design of 88th Avenue. The IGA is for the administration of the DRCOG grant that we received in 2020. The DRCOG grant is broken out as a 50/50 split between DRCOG/CDOT and the City ($2,000,000 from DRCOG and $2,000,000 from Commerce City). As a part of that IGA, the City is required to issue a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to hire a consultant to take the 88th Avenue Widening Project to final design. The final design also includes other pre-construction activates such as determining right-of-way acquisitions and finishing the environmental requirement for the project.
The project will improve approximately 1.6 miles of E. 88th Avenue between Interstate 76 (I-76) and Highway 2. The purpose of the 88th Avenue Widening Project is to improve traffic operations and accommodate current and future general vehicular traffic, heavy trucks, bicycles, and pedestrians on East 88th Avenue between I-76 and Highway 2. The East 88th Avenue corridor has one travel lane in each direction with signalized intersections at the northbound I-76 on/off ramps, Brighton Road, Rosemary Street, and Highway 2.
East 88th Avenue provides access to adjacent industrial, commercial, and residential land uses. The project area lacks pedestrian and bicycle facilities, and it has northbound and southbound bus stops serving north/south Regional Transportation District Route 88 on Brighton Road just south of East 88th Avenue.
The RFP process followed the Brooks Act since it is a federally funded project. That means the proposals were “no fee” proposals and the selection was qualifications based. This is the same way the original 88th Avenue NEPA Study and 15% design was advertised. The selection committee consisted of both City of Commerce City and CDOT staff to ensure agreement with the Brooks Act requirements.
The RFP was reviewed by CDOT prior to advertisement and was advertised on 27 May 2021. Proposals were due on 10 June, and a selection was made on 11 June to allow for presentation to City Council and the execution of a Notice to Proceed by 30 June 2021 to comply with the $2,000,000 DRCOG grant. Fifty six (56) entities downloaded the RFP from Bidnet. Two (2) proposals were received by the 10 June 2021 deadline. The Selection Committee chose EST, Inc. for the design.
The current IGA with CDOT for the DRCOG grant does not spell out the right-of-way acquisition; however, it is included in the $4,000,000 funding so a modification of the IGA will be made when the design is more complete and a cost for the right-of-way will be presented at that time.
The next step for the project is to authorize a contract for design and other pre-construction services. The estimated cost for design and pre-construction services is $2,500,000.
Staff Responsible (Department Head): Joe Wilson, Director of Public Works
Staff Presenting: Brent Soderlin, City Engineer
Financial Impact: $4,000,000. Commerce City portion is $2,000,000. The estimated cost for design and pre-construction services is $2,500,000. The right-of-way cost is to be determined as design progresses. The financial impact to City staff will be for the management/oversight of design and negotiation of the purchase of the rights-of-way, permanent easements, and temporary construction easements.
Funding Source: $2,000,000 grant from DRCOG/CDOT and $2,000,000 from the 88th Avenue Capital Improvements and Preservation Plan Fund.
Staff Recommendation: Approve the Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Negotiate and Execute a Contract with EST, INC. for Design and Pre-construction Services for the 88th Avenue Widening Project.
Suggested Motion: Move to approve the Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Negotiate and Execute a Contract with EST, INC. for Design and Pre-construction Services for the 88th Avenue Widening Project.