HomeMy WebLinkAbout4 Geotechnical Testing Agenda Item #
Memorandum
To: Board of Directors
From: Neil Kaufman
Date: March 28, 2006
Subject: Geotechnical Testing for Summer 2006 Construction Projects
1. Why this matter is before the board:
Board Authorization is required for expenditures in excess of$15,000.
2. History:
In the Spring of 2002, the District issued an RFP for Geotechnical Testing Services. Eight
proposals were received and reviewed by District staff. A recommendation was made to the
Board to retain Converse Consultants to performing the testing work for the 2002 construction
season. The Board then approved a contract with Converse for the 2002 construction season.
With Board approval, Converse was retained to perform testing work again for the 2003, 2004
and 2005 construction seasons.
In 2005, the Board expressed a desire that new proposals be solicited to cover this geotechnical
testing work for 2006.
3. New information:
On January 11, 2006, a Request for Proposals (RFP) was issued. The RFP was mailed to all eight
firms that submitted proposals in 2002. A public notice was also published in the Sierra Sun. A total
of 14 firms received the RFP and eight firms submitted proposals. They are:
• Converse Consultants, Reno
• Geocon, Carson City
• Holdrege & Kull, Truckee
• Joslin Geotechnical, Dutch Flat
• Kleinfelder, Reno
• Lumos, Reno
• Mactec, Reno
• Stantec, Reno
• Wood Rogers, Reno
All eight firms are qualified to perform the work and the proposed personnel have proper experience
for the work. Consequently, the fee proposals were the reviewed to differentiate the proposals. Most
of the proposals included differing assumptions regarding hours on-site and the total duration of the
projects.
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In order to properly compare the fee proposals, I developed the following assumptions.
• Miles from Reno = 40 each way
• Miles from Carson City = 45 each way
• Miles from Dutch Flat = 45 each way
• Travel time from all three cities = 45 minutes
• Miles of driving within Truckee = 20 total
• On-site field testing required every day for 20 weeks (100 days)
• On-site field testing requires 4 hour on site per day (4 sites at 1 hour per site)
Using these assumptions along with the rates given in the proposals, the cost comparison given in
Table 1 was developed. As shown in the table, there is a significant variation in the rates charged by
the different firms. Some firms charge for travel time while others do not. In addition, transportation
costs are treated differently. It should be noted that the field testing is considered prevailing wage
work. The current wage for the field technician as determined by the State of California is $29.51 per
hour.
Based on the assumptions given above, Converse Consultants would be lowest cost to the
District. Converse is the firm currently used by the District and does not charge either travel
time or mileage costs to the District. The next lowest cost would be Holdrege & Kull (H&K).
H&K has an office in Truckee and the District would not be subject to travel time or mileage
costs either. However, H&K's hourly rate is $75 per hour, as opposed to the $65 per hour
charged by Converse.
4. Recommendation:
Converse Consultants appears to be the lowest cost firm and I recommend that the District
retain Converse to perform Geotechnical Testing Services for the 2006 construction season.
I recommend that the District award a Contract on an hourly rate basis with a not to exceed
price of$40,000.00. The $40,000.00 amount should provide sufficient money in the event that it
is necessary for the field testing technician to spend more time on the projects than I assumed
above.
Attachments:
Table 1
s
Drive Time/
Firm Office Location Meeting rate Field Tech Rate Mileage Rate Lab Curves Local Experience
Converse Consultants Reno 65 65 None 200 TDPUD 2002-2005,Intrawest(Squaw Valley),Squaw Valley PSD
Geocon Carson City 79 79 ? 170 Donner State Park
Holdrege&Kull Truckee 75 75 0.65/mile 175 Gray's Crossing,TSD(2003-Present),Placer County DPW,Tahoe Forest Hospital,TDPUD Projects in Mid 1990s
Joslin Geotechnical Dutch Flat 95 95 $55.00/day 150 TDPUD Storage Tanks
Kleinfelder Reno 66 80 0.56/mile 250 TDPUD 2001,Norlhstar CSD
Lumos Reno 60 60 ? 140 Kingsbury DID
Mactec Reno 80 80 $9.00/hour 155
Stantec Reno 91 91 $9.001day 235 TSD(1991-2002),South Tahoe PUD
Wood Rogers Reno 85 110 ? 170 Incline Village
Assumptions Miles from Reno=40 each way
Miles from Carson City=45 each way
Miles from Dutch Flat=45 each way
Driving within Truckee=20 miles
Travel time from all three cities=45 minutes
20 weeks every day(100 days)
4 hours per day
Drive Time Field Testing Mileage Lab Curves Total
Converse Consultants $ - $26,000,00 $ - $ 1,800.00 $27,800,00
Geocon $ 11,850,00 $3160000 '$ 7,150,00T $ I,530.00 $52,130.00
Holdrege&Kull $ - $30,000,00 $ 1,300.00 $ 1,675.00 $32,875,00
Joslin Geotechnical $ - $38,000,00 $ 5,500.00 $ 1,350.00 $44,850,00
Kleinfelder $ 9,900.00 $32,000,00 $ 1,120,00 $ 2,250,00 $45,270.00
Lumos $ 9,000.00 $2400000 r$ 7,150,00] $ 1,260,00 $41,410.00
Manton $ 12,000.00 $32,000.00 $ 4,950,00 $ 1,395.00 $50,345.00
Stantec $ 13,650.00 $36,400,00 $ 900.00 $ 2.115,00 $53,065,00
Wood Rogers $ 12,750,00 $4400000 $ 7,15000s,. $ 1,530.00 $65,430.00