Title:
Title
Professional Services Agreement: Richards Boulevard I-5 Interchange (T15165100)
End
FileID
File ID: 2018-01423
Location
Location: Districts 3 and 4
Recommendation:
Recommendation
Pass a Motion authorizing the City Manager or the City Manager’s designee to execute a Professional Services Agreement with WSP USA for an amount not to exceed $3,030,362.
Contact: William Shunk, Senior Engineer (916) 808-2986; Nader Kamal, Interim Engineering Services Manager (916) 808-7035, Department of Public Works
Body
Presenter: None
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-Professional Services Agreement- WSP USA
Description/Analysis
Issue Detail: The Richards Boulevard I-5 Interchange provides primary access to the Railyards and River District redevelopment areas from Interstate 5. Full build-out of these locations will add numerous residences and businesses, resulting in a substantial increase of traffic in the area. Operation of the Richards Boulevard I-5 interchange ramps is currently deficient as indicated by lengthy traffic queues onto Interstate 5 and Richards Boulevard during peak hours. The situation will continue to degrade as redevelopment occurs in the area unless improvements are made to the interchange.
In 2010, the City completed a Project Study Report that studied five potential alternatives for the interchange for planning and funding purposes. The City has secured funding for the Project Approval and Environmental Document (PA&ED) phase of work to identify a single preferred alternative and is seeking assistance from a consultant to prepare the appropriate California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documentation necessary before final design work can commence.
As the lead agency, the City advertised a competitive solicitation for proposals from consulting engineering firms to provide the necessary professional services to complete the planning and environmental documentation for the project. At the end of this phase of work, the contract may be extended through design, at the City’s discretion. Based upon the merits of the written proposals and subsequent interviews, a panel of City and Caltrans staff reviewed and recommended the top ranked consultant team. Approval of the professional services agreement with WSP USA for an amount not to exceed $3,030,362 is necessary to complete the planning, preliminary engineering and environmental documentation phase of the project.
Policy Considerations: This action responds to the requirement for City Council approval of all agreements/amendments over $100,000. The project is consistent with the City General Plan goals and key policies of providing a comprehensive transportation system that supports the social, economic, and environmental vision, goals, and objectives of the City that is effectively planned, funded, managed, operated, and maintained. The project promotes improved level of service operations at the Richards Boulevard I-5 interchange (General Plan M1.2.2), cooperation with Caltrans to address cumulative effects of planned development on the freeway system (General Plan M1.5.7), and the maintenance of transportation facilities to preserve the quality of the system (General Plan M1.1.4).
Economic Impacts: None
Environmental Considerations:
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA): Under CEQA general rule 15061-B-3, CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. These actions will have no effect on the environment and are therefore not subject to CEQA review. Appropriate CEQA review for the project will take place as part of project development.
Sustainability: The project is consistent with the City’s Sustainability Master Plan goals to promote and incentivize infill development through investment in infrastructure and encouraging mixed-use and high-density development that incorporates a compatible and complimentary mix of residential and non-residential uses.
Commission/Committee Action: None
Rationale for Recommendation: The Department of Public Works advertised a request for proposals for the competitive selection of a consultant firm to perform the planning, preliminary engineering and environmental documentation for the project. Six firms responded:
• AECOM
• Drake Haglan and Associates
• Dokken
• Mark Thomas
• Psomas
• WSP USA
A panel representing staff from the Department of Public Works and Caltrans reviewed and evaluated the consultant teams’ written proposals based upon experience, qualifications, project understanding, and work plan. The top four ranked firms were selected to interview and WSP USA was unanimously selected by the panel as the top ranked firm. It is anticipated that the planning, preliminary engineering and environmental documentation will be completed in approximately three years.
Financial Considerations: The estimated cost to prepare the planning, preliminary engineering and environmental documentation for the Richards Boulevard I-5 Interchange Project (T15165100) is $4,598,000. This phase of the project is being funded with a $3,098,000 federal grant and a $1,500,000 local match from Measure A funding. There are sufficient funds available to execute a Professional Services Agreement with WSP USA for an amount not to exceed $3,030,362, and to complete planning, preliminary engineering and environmental documentation. This contract will be funded with $2,682,779 in Federal money and $347,583 in Measure A (Local funding) money.
Additional funding for the design, right-of-way and construction of the project will need to be identified upon the completion of preliminary engineering and environmental documentation.
There are no General Funds planned or allocated for this project.
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): The Richards Boulevard I-5 Interchange Project has federal funding and requires conformance with project participation guidelines for Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program requirements. Therefore, the City’s LBE requirements are held in abeyance. The DBE goal for the project is 13%. WSP USA met the DBE goal by pledging 15%.