HomeMy WebLinkAbout7 Geotechnical TestingCONSENT
To: Board of Directors
From: Neil Kaufman
:)ate
, April 06, 2016
Subject: Consideration to Award a Contract for Geotechnical Testing
1. WHY THIS MATTER IS BEFORE THE BOARD
Board action is required for expenditures in excess of $15,000,
2. HISTORY
Geotechnical Testing involves testing of materials such as soil, asphalt and concrete
associated with the District's construction projects. The District has a need for such testing
associated with its construction projects and District personnel are not trained nor equipped to
perform the necessary testing work.
In February 2016, the District issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Geotechnical
Services associated with the planned construction for the summer of 2016. The scope
covers testing of backfill materials and asphalt associated with the District
eplacement— 2016 project.
R
3. NEW INFORMATION
Five proposals were received in response to the RFP from:
• CME -Reno, NV
• Eastern Sierra Engineering -Reno, NV
• Geocon - Rancho Cordova, CA
• Lumos - Carson City, NV
• Marvin Davis & Associates - Reno, NV
of
Testing
work
Pipeline
A staff committee of three members was selected, and the proposals were evaluated based
on the following criteria:
• Project Approach (20%)
• Experience and Qualifications of the Firm (20%)
• Experience and Qualifications of the Project Team (20%)
• Local Experience of the Project Team (25%)
• Cost (15%)
• Past District Experience with the Firm (-5 to +5 bonus points)
On a technical basis, all of firms are qualified to perform the testing work and all of the firms
have experience with similar construction projects. CME was given the top ranking by all
three reviewers. The ranking of the remaining firms varied among the reviewers.
Technical S
Firm
Overall
Rank
CME 1
Marvin Davis & Associates 2
Eastern Sierra Engineering 3
Lumos 4
Geocon 5
The proposed costs were then reviewed. It was found that the firms made a number of
differing assumptions regarding the amount of time to be spent on -site and they have different
policies regarding payment for travel time. Using hourly rates listed in the proposals, a
comparable cost was developed for each firm. Using this approach, the three firms with
Reno, Nevada offices have relatively similar expected costs. They were followed by Lumos
(Carson City, NV) and Geocon (Rancho Cordova, CA). Geocon actually has the least
expensive hourly rate for on -site testing. However, this lower rate is more than offset by the
additional travel (and associated cost) in traveling from Rancho Cordova to Truckee.
Cost Scoring
Firm
Rank
Eastern Sierra Engineering
1
Marvin Davis & Associates
2
CME
3
Lumos
4
Geocon
5
Finally, an aggregated ranking (technical capability &cost) of the proposers was developed:
Overall Scoring
Firm
Rank
CME
1
Eastern Sierra Engineering
2
Marvin Davis & Associates
3
Lumos
4
Geocon
5
Therefore, it is recommended that the contract be awarded to CME.
4. FISCAL IMPACT
Geotechnical testing will be paid on an hourly basis and the hourly cost will allocated to the
project on which the work is performed.
The District spent about $41,000 for geotechnical testing in 2015. It is estimated that the cost
for 2016 will be about $67,000. This higher estimate is based on two factors:
1) Increased size of the pipeline replacement project -about 7,000 feet of main in 2016
vs. 4,900 feet in 2015
2) Additional travel time associated with utilizing a firm from Reno.
The funding source for this work is the Water Department Operating Reserve Fund.
It is recommended that a 10 percent change order allowance be established.
5. RECOMMENDATION
Authorize the General Manager to execute a contract for geotechnical testing services with CME in
an amount not to exceed $67,000 plus a 10 percent change order allowance for a total
authorization not to exceed $73,300,
Michael D. Holley
General Manager / Water Utility Manager