COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Department of Public Works

DATE:

December 3, 2009

BOARD MEETING DATE:

December 15, 2009

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

James C. Porter, Director of Public Works

SUBJECT:

Seal Cove Trail Improvement Project - Fitzgerald Marine Reserve, Moss Beach Area [Project No. P20Y0, Front File No. 385 (25B)]

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a resolution:

1.

Awarding and authorizing execution of a contract with Soil Engineering Construction, Inc. in the amount of $239,625 for the Seal Cove Trail Improvement Project - Fitzgerald Marine Reserve, Moss Beach Area [Project No. P20Y0; Front File No. 385 (25B)]; and

2.

Authorizing the Director of Public Works to issue contract change orders up to a maximum aggregate amount of $47,925, which is 20% of the contract amount.

BACKGROUND:

Your Board adopted Resolution Number 070517 on November 10, 2009, which adopted plans and specifications, including conformance with prevailing wage rates scale requirements, approved the filing of a CEQA Notice of Exemption, and called for sealed proposals for the above-mentioned project.

DISCUSSION:

On Monday, November 30, 2009, bids were accepted for this project and subsequently referred to this office for checking and recommendation. The bid of:

Soil Engineering Construction, Inc.

927 Arguello Street

Redwood City, CA 94063

at $239,625 was the lowest bid received.

The Engineer’s estimate was $314,400. A summary of the bids received is as follows:

1.

Soil Engineering Construction, Inc.

$239,625.00

2.

Pleasanton Engineering Contractors, Inc.

$273,000.00

3.

HSR, Inc.

$294,960.00

4.

Rodan Builders, Inc.

$393,161.17

Staff has reviewed the contract documents and has determined that the Equal Employment program submitted by Soil Engineering Construction, Inc., is in accordance with the current Equal Employment Guidelines, and that the Contractor complies with the equal benefits and jury duty pay provisions of the County ordinance code.

A new Notice of Exemption for a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Categorical Exemption has been filed in accordance with the previous Board action.

This action contributes to the Shared Vision 2025 outcome of a Healthy Community by contributing to a plan to build recreational, commuter, regional and connecting trail systems on County Parks’ properties for the benefit of the public. The Parks Department views the Seal Cove Trail as essential for beach access and interpreter-led and informal wildlife viewing opportunities of the beach and reef by visitors.

County Counsel has reviewed and approved of the Resolution as to form.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The total estimated cost for construction is $287,550, which includes a twenty percent (20%) contingency (approximately $47,925.00) as the work is bid on a unit price basis (i.e., per cubic yard of cast in place concrete piers, per cubic yard of structural excavation, etc.). A higher than normal contingency of 20% is being recommended due to the potential unforeseen site conditions associated with work near coastal bluffs, and the possibility of geotechnical requirements for the project that are based on a limited geotechnical investigation. The contingency would be used to pay the contractor for any additional material placed for the various bid items as the actual quantity used depends on the unit weight and actual limits of the construction project, or to pay for added work resulting from geological conditions not anticipated in the construction contract documents.

The project is proposed to be financed as follows and has been appropriated in the Capital Projects Fund:

California State Lands Commission

$ 45,000

National Marine Sanctuary Foundation

$242,550

Total

$287,550

There is no impact to the General Fund.