Posting Language
Title
Authorize execution of a contract for construction services for the Brazos Street Duct Bank Civil Work project with Facilities Rehabilitation, Inc., in the amount of $1,967,535, plus a $196,754 contingency, for a total contract amount not to exceed $2,164,289.
[Note: This contract will be awarded in compliance with City Code Chapter 2-9A (Minority-Owned and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Procurement Program) by meeting the goals 97.94% MBE and 2.06% WBE participation].
Body
Lead Department
Financial Services Department.
Managing Department
Capital Delivery Services.
Fiscal Note
Funding is available in the Capital Budget of Austin Energy.
Purchasing Language:
The Financial Services Department issued an Invitation for Bids (IFB) 6100 CLMC955 for construction services. The solicitation issued on October 30, 2023, and it closed on November 30, 2023. Of the seven offers received, the recommended contractor submitted the lowest responsive offer. A complete solicitation package, including a tabulation of the bids received, is available for viewing on the City’s Financial Services website, Austin Finance Online. This information can currently be found at https://financeonline.austintexas.gov/afo/account_services/solicitation/solicitation_details.cfm?sid=137923.
For More Information:
Direct questions regarding this Recommendation for Council Action to the Financial Services Department - Central Procurement at: FSDCentralProcurementRCAs@austintexas.gov or 512-974-2500. Respondents to the solicitation and their agents should direct all questions to the Authorized Contact Person identified in the solicitation.
Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action:
February 12, 2024 - Recommended by the Electric Utility Commission on a vote of 8-0-3 with three vacancies.
Additional Backup Information:
Due to growth in the Austin Downtown Network area, the two existing Austin Energy (AE) substations, Seaholm and Brackenridge, cannot sustain power in certain scenarios, creating the critical need for the development of a third substation in the Rainey neighborhood. The Rainey Street Substation at East Avenue and River Street will allow AE to provide continued reliability to existing customers and will support future growth. This project will allow AE to route circuits from the substation to the duct work currently under construction as part of an ongoing Waller Creek improvements project, ultimately allowing AE to serve network electrical loads south of the river.
Specifically, the project includes the construction of approximately 1,905 linear feet of electrical duct bank, new electrical manholes, and tie-ins to existing electrical circuits. Additionally, one water line will be relocated to accommodate the new duct bank, and an existing segment of storm drain will be replaced along East Avenue to Cummings Street, and Rainey Street to the Mexican American Cultural Center.
This item includes one allowance. The allowance of $25,000 will be used to address contaminated soil or ground water testing and removal, if needed. An allowance is an amount that is specified and included in the construction contract or specifications for a certain item(s) of work whose details are not yet determined at the time of bidding.
Due to the potential for unforeseen utility conflicts, a 10% contingency has been included to allow for the expeditious processing of any change orders to cover any unforeseen construction costs associated with the project. By authorizing the additional contingency funding, Council is authorizing any change orders within the contingency amount.
This project proposes lane closures and detours during construction of the various utilities. The contractor will install appropriate traffic detour signs and barricades to direct traffic and will work to ensure that residents and businesses always have access to their driveways. There will be planned temporary water service interruption during pipeline tie-in. Customers will be notified at least 48 hours in advance of planned service interruptions. Capital Delivery Services will communicate information regarding the project with neighboring businesses and residents using mailings, social media outreach, press release, etc. to inform the public as the work progresses.
Without Council approval, AE will have limited options to serve the network area south of the river from the Rainey Street Substation. The Brazos Street Duct Bank Civil Work project will connect Rainey substation circuits to infrastructure across Waller Creek to ultimately reach areas south of the river. This connectivity will support the diversification of Rainey circuits and help ensure long term reliability in serving the AE Downtown Network area.
The contract allows 210 calendar days for completion of this project.
This project is located within zip code 78701 (District 9).