Title
Approval of Services Agreement No. AGR 22-31 with Wilson & Company, Inc. in the Amount of $592,124.00 plus Applicable Gross Receipts Tax for the Study and Design of the NM502/Trinity Drive Safety and ADA Improvement Project from Oppenheimer Drive to Knecht St.
Recommended Action
I move that Council approve Services Agreement No. AGR 22-31 with Wilson & Company, Inc. in the Amount of $592,124.00 plus Applicable Gross Receipts Tax for the Study and Design of the NM502/Trinity Drive Safety and ADA Improvement Project from Oppenheimer Drive to Knecht St.
County Manager's Recommendation
The County Manager recommends that Council approve the motion as presented.
Body
In February 2016, a Road Safety Audit (RSA) was completed by the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) in coordination with Los Alamos County for NM502/Trinity Drive between Oppenheimer Drive and 15th Street as part of the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP). The RSA recommended various countermeasures for improving safety within this section of NM502 (Trinity Drive) including a road diet, median installation for traffic channelization and managed access, ADA, pedestrian, bicycle, transit and motorist safety improvements such as curb ramps, buffered sidewalks, pedestrian crossings, LED roadway and pedestrian lighting, landscaping, bike lanes and bus pullouts. Approval of a design direction or preference is not included at this time as potential improvement alternatives should not be predetermined or excluded before they are analyzed during the study phase in accordance with the NMDOT’s Location Study Procedures (further discussed below).
Based on the findings in the RSA, Los Alamos County was awarded a total of $4.25 million in Federal HSIP funding for safety improvements along the section of Trinity Drive (NM502) from Oppenheimer Drive to Knecht. The project limits were extended from 15th Street to Knecht Street to connect with the project limits of the recently completed NM502 Reconstruction & Roundabout Project. Funding was awarded over three federal fiscal years as follows:
FFY 2021: $ 480,000 - Study & Design
$ 160,000 - Utility Relocation
$ 640,000 - Subtotal Study/Design/Utility
FFY 2022: $ 200,000 - Right-of-Way Acquisition
FFY 2023: $ 160,000 - Construction Management
$3,250,000 - Construction
$3,410,000 - Subtotal Construction
This project is completely funded with federal and state safety funds and no County matching funds are required. A funding agreement with NMDOT for study/design, utilities and right-of-way phases of the project in the amount of $840K was executed and signed by the County Manager through authority granted by Council action on September 10, 2019. The funding agreement for construction phase is anticipated to be executed at the completion of the design phase.
On September 5, 2021, the County advertised a formal competitive solicitation for Engineering Services through RFP 22-31. Two (2) proposals were received on October 19, 2021, and the evaluation committee is recommending award to Wilson & Company, Inc., Engineers and Architects.
The scope of the work of the project is summarized as follows:
Phase I - Location Study
This task will include assembly, collection, and analysis of engineering, right-of-way, traffic, property ownership, drainage, and other data that will be considered in identifying the need for improvement and factors that could affect improvement alternatives. Through this data collection and analysis, a set of alternatives will be developed and an initial screening will be conducted (Phase IA). An engineering refinement will be conducted of preferred alternatives from which a detailed evaluation will be conducted to identify a preferred alternative(s) (Phase IB). The findings of this task will be summarized in a combined Phase A/B Report. Business, property owners and general public input will be sought throughout this task including presentations to the Transportation Board and Council.
Phase II Preliminary & Final Design
This task will include development of 30%, 60%, 90% and final design plans per NMDOT standards based on the preferred alternative selected in Phase I. Additionally, any needed right-of-way acquisitions required for the project will be completed per all local, state and federal regulations as applicable.
Phase III - Bidding Services
This task will include the creation of Construction Bid Documents and support through the bidding process to obtain a contractor to construct the project.
Phase IV - Construction Management Services
This task will include the contractor serving as a representative of the County during the construction phase and shall advise and consult with the County Project Manager regarding construction activities during the duration of the construction phase.
Upon Council approval and execution of the contract, study and design work will begin around mid-January 2022 and continue through mid-2023. Construction is anticipated to begin Spring 2024.
Alternatives
Council could choose to not award the Contract and postpone or cancel the project with the consequence that the federal and state funding may be withdrawn by NMDOT and the County’s standing for future awards of federal and state funds managed by NMDOT may be impacted.
Fiscal and Staff Impact/Planned Item
Since HSIP is a cost reimbursement program administered by NMDOT, the County must pay all upfront costs. The FY2021 adopted Capital Improvement Program budget includes $640,000.00 for the study, design and utility phases while the FY2022 adopted budget includes $200,000 for the right-of-way phase. The FY2023 projected budget for construction includes $3.41M for construction and will be recommended for adoption during the FY2023 budget hearings. Project Management will be led by the Public Works Engineering & Project Management staff.
Attachments
A - AGR 22-31 Wilson & Company, Inc.
B - RFP 22-31 Engineering Services for NM502/Trinity Drive Safety and ADA Improvements