Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Utilities Department

TO:	David L. Corliss – City Manager Cynthia Wagner - Assistant City Manager Diane Stoddard - Assistant City Manager
FROM:	John Shutak – Utilities Engineer
CC:	Dave Wagner – Director of Utilities Philip Ciesielski – Asst. Director of Utilities Mike Lawless – Asst. Director of Utilities Beth Krishtalka – Assistant to Director Mark Hegeman – Utilities Operations Superintendent
Date:	May 22, 2013
RE:	May 28, 2013 Agenda Item – Award Bid for Bid No. B1326, and authorize the City Manager to execute the construction contract for project UT1105DS 19^th Street Waterline Replacement.

Please include the following item on the City Commission Agenda for consideration at the May 28, 2013 meeting:

Waive the engineers estimate and award the construction contract for Bid No. B1326 to Nowak Construction in the amount of $454,409.40 and authorize the City Manager to execute the construction contract for project UT1105DS 19^th Street Waterline Replacement.

Project Description:

The 19^th Street Watermain Replacement project, previously identified for inclusion in the 2012-2013 watermain replacement program, includes the installation of approximately 1,320 lineal feet of 12” watermain to replace the existing 1954 12” cast iron watermain from Maple Lane to Harper Avenue as shown on the attached map.

Project History:

The 19^th Street watermain was identified for replacement based on break/repair history as well as the fact that the Department of Public Works intends to resurface this segment of 19th Street as part of the 2014 mill and overlay program. Department of Utilities staff have been working with Professional Engineering Consultants, Department of Public Works staff, and private utility providers to complete the design and bid the project so that construction will be completed by fall of 2013.

Project Status/Details:

Professional Engineering Consultants completed construction documents for the project and it was advertised for bidding on May 07, 2013. Bids were opened May 21, 2013 and the bids listed below read publicly aloud.

Nowak Construction: $454,409.40

Engineers Estimate: $420,973.00

Professional Engineering Consultants has reviewed the bid and qualifications of the bidder and, per the attached letter and bid tabulation, recommend awarding the bid to Nowak Construction.

The project was publicly advertised for a period of two weeks on demand star and the notice to contractors was mailed directly to a listing of 23 general contractors by City staff. Four contractors purchased the bid documents including Westland Construction, LaForge Construction Company, Nowak Construction, and Horizontal Boring and Tunneling Co.

Westland Construction declined to bid as they were recently awarded another contract, which would not allow them the resources to complete this project. Horizontal Boring declined to bid, as they typically do not execute projects as a general contractor but participate as a subcontractor and did not want to endanger their existing business relationships with local general contractors. LaForge Construction could not be reached to verify why they chose not to bid on this project.

The City of Lawrence has successfully executed several projects with Nowak Construction over the last eight years including the downtown waterline replacement projects from 2005 to 2007, sanitary sewer replacement project on New Hampshire Street from 15^th to 16^th in 2010, and the KAW water treatment plant valve improvements in 2011.

Based on the reasons for attracting a single bidder as described above, City staff experience with Nowak Construction, and the recommendation as provided by Professional Engineering Consultants, City staff recommend awarding the contract to Nowak Construction Company and waiving the engineers estimate for the project.

A public meeting will be held prior to the start of construction to address any concerns related to the project. Affected residents will also be notified a minimum of 2 weeks in advance of construction activities, as well as a minimum of 24 hours in advance of any interruption of service.

Project Schedule

The bid documents for the project allow for 75 calendar days to attain substantial completion and 105 calendar days to attain final completion from the date of notice to proceed. The following is an estimate of construction start and project completion dates:

Project Schedule

Award Bid May 28, 2013

Notice to Proceed June 24, 2013

Substantial Completion September 07, 2013

Final Completion October 07, 2013

Project Funding:

The project will be funded from the non-bonded Department of Utilities Capital Improvement Projects funds; a total of $1,384,651.00 is allocated for projects for the 2012-2013 fiscal year.

Action Request:

Thank you for your assistance. Please advise if you have any questions.