COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Department of Public Works

DATE:

July 17, 2003

BOARD MEETING DATE:

August 5, 2003

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Neil R. Cullen, Director of Public Works

SUBJECT:

Rejection of Bid and Authorization to Construct Accessibility Upgrades Using County Forces - Accessibility Upgrades & Renovations at
San Carlos Airport, 620 Airport Road, San Carlos, Project No. P2T10; Day Top Village, 215 Bay Road, East Palo Alto, Project No. P2T11; Maguire Correctional Facility, 300 Bradford, Redwood City, Project
No. P2T12; Women's Correctional Facility, 1590 Maple Street, Redwood City, Project No. P2T13. (4/5ths vote required)

RECOMMENDATION

Adopt a resolution rejecting the one bid received for accessibility upgrades at the above referenced facilities, declaring that the work can be done more economically by the County staff and authorizing the Director of Public Works to have the work done by force account.

PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION

Adopted Resolution No. 065951 on April 22, 2003, adopting plans and specifications, determining prevailing wage scales, and calling for sealed proposals for accessibility upgrades and renovations at the four County facilities referenced above.

KEY FACTS

1.

Only one bid was received for the work and it is approximately 43% ($157,979) over the Architect's estimate of $370,000.

2.

We had our Construction Services Division review the contract plans and they have submitted a proposal that is within the Architect's prebid estimate.

3.

Section 22308 of the Public Contract Code provides that a public agency, at its discretion, may reject any bids presented and by a four-fifths (4/5ths) vote of its governing body, declare that the project can be performed more economically by the employees of the public agency.

DISCUSSION

The Accessibility Modifications were advertised for bids and eight general contractors attended the mandatory prebid "walk through" of the facilities. However, only one bid was received which, as stated previously, is $157,979 (43%) higher than the Architect's estimate for the work.

We subsequently had the Public Work's Construction Services Division review the plans and they have submitted a base bid of $286,050 which is below the Architect's pre-bid estimate of $370,000.

We are therefore recommending that the one bid of John Plane Construction Inc., in the amount of $527,979, be rejected and that your Board approve of our using County forces to do the work as provided by the Public Contract Code.

VISION ALIGNMENT

We believe our recommendation is consistent with Goal Number 7, "maintain and enhance the public safety of all residents and visitors" of the Shared Vision Commitment to "ensure basic health and safety for all," as allowing the work to go forward will remove architectural barriers and improving accessibility to County facilities.

FISCAL IMPACT

The project is proposed to be financed from the appropriation in the Capital Projects Budget that is financed with Facilities Surcharge funds.

There is no additional impact to the General Fund.

A form of resolution has been approved by County Counsel.