COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Department of Public Works

DATE:

September 26, 2007

BOARD MEETING DATE:

October 16, 2007

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

James C. Porter, Director of Public Works

SUBJECT:

Agreement with Consulting Engineer – Crystal Springs Dam Bridge Replacement Project

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a resolution:

1)

Waiving the Request for Proposal (RFP) process and authorizing the execution of an agreement with PB Americas, Inc. for $592,000 for Engineering Services for the Crystal Springs Dam Bridge (CSDB) Replacement Project, for the term beginning the date of execution by the Board of Supervisors through December 30, 2012.

2)

Conditionally waiving the equal benefits and jury service requirements.

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Ensure basic health and safety for all.

Goal 7: Maintain and enhance the public safety of all residents and visitors.

The replacement of the bridge will improve the road for the safety and benefit of the public.

BACKGROUND:

PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION:

1.

In October 2002, restricted the useable width and reduced the allowable loads and speed limit on the bridge due to the deteriorating condition of exterior bridge girders.

2.

In 1996, authorized an agreement with Parsons Brinkerhoff Quade and Douglas Inc. (PBQD) for Engineering Services of the project.

3.

Entered into an agreement with the State of California, for 80% Federal Funding for the preliminary engineering of the above project on May 15, 1979.

HISTORY:

The County has been working with the San Francisco Public Utility Commission (SFPUC) since 1987 to replace the CSDB bridge and to accommodate SFPUC’s dam improvements. In December 1998, PBQD had completed bridge design but the project was suspended due to permit conditions established by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) for protecting red-legged frogs found on top of the dam.

The County and SFPUC have located and agree on enhancement sites and mitigation terms in the SFPUC watershed for the relocation of red-legged frogs and are working with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to establish a Mitigated Negative Declaration so that the bridge replacement project can proceed. SFPUC has also agreed to maintain the replacement frog habitat required by USFWS.

DISCUSSION:

PBQD has changed names and is now PB Americas, Inc (PBA). Waiving the Request for Proposal (RFP) process and contracting with PBA will utilize the firm’s historical knowledge of the project and allow for relevant plan documents to simply be updated, thus avoiding significant cost associated with a complete redesign.

The agreement with PBA provides for evaluation and updating of the 1998 design documents, and technical assistance during the construction phase. The new bridge design must accommodate proposed modifications of the dam that are currently being considered by the SFPUC, and must also meet current State and Federal design requirements.

Historically, the Federal Highways Administration (FHWA) had denied federal funding for contracts including local requirements such as equal benefits. We have inquired whether this is still the case, and have not yet received an answer. If so, it would be necessary to waive of the locally imposed requirements to ensure federal funding.

A resolution has been approved as to form by County Counsel.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The agreement specified a “Not to Exceed” amount of $592,000, for all specified tasks. Design cost are eighty percent (80%) reimbursable by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Highway Bridge Program (HBR). Sufficient Road Funds have been budgeted to finance the match portion of the project.

The project is proposed to be financed as follows:

County Road Fund

$119,000.00

Federal Aid Funds

$473,000.00

Total Estimated Cost

$592,000.00

There is no impact to the General Fund.