Posting Language
Title
Authorize a contract for engineering services for the Capital of Texas Expressway Water Quality Control Project for the Watershed Protection Department with Geosyntec Consultants, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $3,000,000. Funding: $3,000,000 is available in the Capital Budget of the Watershed Protection Department.
Body
Lead Department
Financial Services Department.
Managing Department
Capital Delivery Services.
Amount and Source of Funding
Funding is available in the Capital Budget of the Watershed Protection Department.
Purchasing Language:
The Financial Services Department issued a Request for Qualifications RFQS CLMP380 for these services. The solicitation was issued on December 9, 2024, and closed on January 15, 2025. Of the four responses received, the recommended consultant submitted the best evaluated responsive response. A complete solicitation package, including a log of responses received, is available for viewing on the City’s website. This information can currently be found at https://financeonline.austintexas.gov/afo/account_services/solicitation/solicitation_details.cfm?sid=141564.
MBE / WBE:
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 with 7.81% MBE and 5.50% WBE participation.
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.
Additional Backup Information:
This contract with Geosyntec Consultants, Inc. is for the completion of design, bid, and construction phase engineering services for the stormwater control measure, trail and recreational elements. The project is required to keep pace with the Capital of Texas Expressway (CAPEX) project and have the stormwater control measure operational to receive flows when the CAPEX pump station is predicted to be operational in 2028.
The expansion of Interstate Highway 35 (I-35) through Austin, CAPEX, proposes to capture highway and urban runoff and convey it through a 22-foot-diameter tunnel travelling south along I-35 from 51st Street to East Cesar Chavez Street, then east to a pump station outfall to the Colorado River just west of Highway 183 downstream of Longhorn Dam.
This project has been identified as a Council priority as directed in council Resolution 20230223-044 calls for treatment of the runoff from the CAPEX project.
The primary watersheds affected are Boggy Creek and Waller Creek. Analysis of monitoring data for these streams has resulted in water quality problem score rankings in the top 20 for water quality. The 695-acre drainage area to the CAPEX tunnel has 549 acres (79%) of impervious cover and is almost fully untreated. Runoff from untreated impervious cover contributes to erosion, litter, and water quality issues. In addition to degrading streams, these issues affect human health and quality of life.
Delay in approving this RCA will delay the overall design and construction of the Capital of Texas Expressway Water Quality Control priority project and further constrain timelines.
This request allows for the development of an agreement with the selected firm. If the City is unsuccessful in negotiating a satisfactory agreement with the selected firm, negotiations will cease with that firm. Staff will return to Council so another qualified firm may be selected, authorizing new contract negotiations.
This project is located within District 3.