Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Utilities Department

TO:	David L. Corliss – City Manager Cynthia Wagner - Assistant City Manager Diane Stoddard - Assistant City Manager
FROM:	John Shutak – Utilities Engineer
CC:	Dave Wagner – Director of Utilities Mike Lawless – Deputy Director of Utilities Philip Ciesielski – Asst. Director of Utilities Beth Krishtalka – Assistant to Director Bob Brower – Utilities Operations Superintendent
Date:	November 12, 2013
RE:	November 19, 2013 Agenda Item – Award Bid for Bid No. B1355 and authorize the City Manager to execute the construction contract for project UT1309 – 23^rd Street Waterline Replacement, Phase III (Iowa to Ousdahl).

Please include the following item on the City Commission Agenda for consideration at the November 19, 2013 meeting:

Award the construction contract for Bid No. B1355 to Banks Construction, LLC in the amount of $191,800.50 and authorize the City Manager to execute the construction contract for project UT1309DS – 23^rd Street Waterline Replacement, Phase III (Iowa to Ousdahl).

Project Description:

The 23^rd Street waterline project includes the replacement of the existing 1956 8” cast iron waterline from Louisiana Street to Iowa Street. The project is planned to be completed in three phases as shown on the attached map. Phase I (Louisiana to Alabama) design is underway and is planned for construction in the spring of 2014. Phase II (Alabama to Ousdahl) will be designed in 2014 with construction to be coordinated with stormwater improvements at the intersection of 23^rd & Ousdahl as well as with planned roadway improvements as part of the ownership transfer of the 23^rd Street/K-10 corridor from KDOT to the City following the completion of the South Lawrence Trafficway. Phase III (Ousdahl to Iowa) design has been completed with construction planned to start in December 2013. Phase III of the 23^rd Street Waterline Replacement Project includes the installation of approximately 1350 lineal feet of 8” PVC waterline by directional drilling and will be completed prior to Phases I and II to accommodate the intersection improvements at 23^rd & Iowa scheduled for construction starting in March of 2014.

Project History:

Department of Utilities staff have coordinated with Public Works staff, BG Consultants, and Professional Engineering Consultants for replacement of the waterline along the north side of 23^rd Street from Iowa to Ousdahl. City of Lawrence Public Works staff, in coordination with KDOT, will be reconstructing the intersection at 23^rd & Iowa in March of 2014 and design of stormwater improvements along Ousdahl has been initiated. Department of Utilities staff coordinated the location of the proposed waterline to avoid conflicts with the proposed intersection improvements and phased the waterline replacement project to terminate on the west side of Ousdahl to avoid unknown conflicts that may arise during the design of the stormwater improvements.

Project Status/Details:

Professional Engineering Consultants completed construction documents for the project and it was advertised for bidding on October 09, 2013. Bids were opened on October 29, 2013 and the bids listed below read publicly aloud.

Banks Construction, LLC: $191,800.50

Westland Construction, Inc.: $206,583.00

Scheutz Construction , LLC: $224,903.20

Nowak Construction Co. Inc.: $349,972.60

SJ Louis Construction, Inc.: $685,900.00

Engineers Estimate: $339,039.00

Professional Engineering Consultants reviewed the bids and qualifications of the low bidder, Banks Construction , LLC and, per the attached letter and bid tabulation, recommend awarding the bid to Banks Construction, LLC.

As the City of Lawrence has not engaged Banks Construction, LLC to perform waterline installation an extensive check of their qualifications was performed. References provided by Banks Construction, LLC including engineers, municipal representatives, and contract administrators all provided positive responses with respect to Banks Construction, LLC’s ability to complete the work utilizing the materials and installation methods specified in the construction documents. It should be noted that Banks Construction LLC has not performed waterline installation along a transportation corridor with the traffic volume experienced at the intersection of 23^rd Street and Iowa Street, however, their traffic control subcontractor, CHAWKK, has had extensive experience along many major thoroughfares within the City of Lawrence.

Based on the results of the reference checks and the recommendation as provided by Professional Engineering Consultants, City staff recommend awarding the contract to Banks Construction, LLC in the amount of $191,800.50.

Project Funding:

The project will be funded from the Department of Utilities bonded construction fund. The adopted Capital Improvement Project Scenario 5 budget allocates a total of $12,666,500.00 for the 2013-2017 period.

Action Request:

Thank you for your assistance. Please advise if you have any questions.