Posting Language
Title
Authorize execution of a contract for underwater diving inspections with Chapman Marine Inc., for a term of five years for a total contract amount not to exceed $1,085,000.
[Note: This solicitation was reviewed for subcontracting opportunities in accordance with City Code Chapter 2-9B (Minority-Owned and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Procurement Program). For the services required for this solicitation, no subcontracting opportunities; therefore, no subcontracting goals were established].
Body
Lead Department
Financial Services Department.
Client Department(s)
Austin Water.
Fiscal Note
Funding in the amount of $90,417 is available in the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Operating Budget of Austin Water. Funding for the remaining contract term is contingent upon available funding in future budgets.
Purchasing Language:
The Financial Services Department issued an Invitation for Bids (IFB) 2200 AMA1090 for these services. The solicitation was issued on March 27, 2023, and it closed on April 20, 2023. Of the six 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=138407.
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:
April 17, 2024 - Recommended by the Water and Wastewater Commission on a vote of 9-0 with Commissioners Navarro and Turrieta absent.
Additional Backup Information:
This contract will provide the City with underwater diving inspection services at water treatment facilities and the Longhorn Dam. The diving services are to inspect each facility to determine the general condition of the structures and assess the level of zebra mussel infestation, remove zebra mussels as needed, open and close intake structures, and complete minor repairs. The ability to open and close intake structures is important to respond to changes in water quality and to control the water level. The zebra mussels can reduce or eliminate a plant’s ability to treat water and cause significant equipment damage if they are not removed.
The contract will replace a contract which expired December 31, 2023. The requested authorization amounts for the contract were determined using historical spending and departmental estimates, including extending underwater diving service inspections to multiple sites due to the recent infestation of zebra mussels in Lake Travis, Lake Austin, and the Longhorn Dam.
If a contract is not secured, the City would be forced to procure these services on an as-needed basis which could potentially result in higher prices and lead to equipment failures due to an infestation of zebra mussels.