Title:
Title
Report Back: Emergency Contract Issued for Pipe Repair
End
FileID
File ID: 2019-01093
Location
Location: 1903 5th Avenue, District 4
Recommendation:
Recommendation
Receive and file.
Contact: Gary Gulseth, Project Manager (916) 808-1412; Tony Bertrand, Supervising Engineer (916) 808-1413; Dan Sherry, Engineering & Water Resources Division Manager, (916) 808-1419; Department of Utilities
Body
Presenter: None
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
Description/Analysis
Issue Detail: Per the requirements of City Code Chapter 3.60.070, staff is providing information to the City Council about an emergency contract issued by the Department of Utilities (DOU) to Express Sewer and Drain, Inc. under City Manager authority. Competitive bidding was suspended, and an emergency contract in the amount of $35,000 was issued on February 26, 2019, to repair a failed wastewater pipe and a significant void below an unreinforced brick garage at 1903 5th Avenue.
Policy Considerations: This action is consistent with Sacramento City Code Chapter 3.60.070, and the City Auditor’s recommendation (contained in the internal audit report on the bidding and contract process examination of the Department of General Services dated April 25, 2006) to notify City Council of any emergency contracts.
Economic Impacts: None
Environmental Considerations: This project is exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under Section 15301 of the CEQA Guidelines governing existing facilities, in that it meets the definition of restoration or rehabilitation of deteriorated or damaged structures, facilities, or mechanical equipment to meet current standards of public health and safety.
Sustainability: The proposed project is consistent with the 2035 General Plan as it improves infrastructure reliability, which will safeguard health and private property by reducing the potential for wastewater overflows.
Commission/Committee Action: Not applicable.
Rationale for Recommendation: Immediate pipe repairs were needed to ensure public safety. An emergency contract was necessary in order to avoid imminent collapse of an existing brick garage. Express Sewer and Drain, Inc. was selected based on their availability on short notice, expertise and the estimated cost, which was competitive with past similar projects, which included the specialized work of pipe bursting.
Financial Considerations: The emergency pipe repairs total not-to-exceed amount was $35,000. Sufficient funds were available in the Sewer Repairs Program (X14120300) to complete the repairs.
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): Express Sewer and Drain, Inc. is not an LBE. The minimum LBE participation requirement was waived by the Director of DOU as staff determined the waiver was in the City’s best interest as a result of the lack of contractors in the Sacramento region that perform pipe bursting.
Background: The method used for this project consisted of excavating entrance and exit pits on each side of the existing unreinforced brick garage, removing a short segment of the existing pipe at each pit, inserting a static bursting head attached to new high density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe, and then pulling the head and new pipe through the failed pipe segment. The new pipe was then secured to the original pipe, upstream and downstream, and the void was filled under pressure using a sand-cement slurry. Finally, the pits were backfilled and landscaping damaged or removed during construction was restored.
On April 25, 2006, the City Auditor recommended in the internal audit report on the bidding and contract process examination of the Department of General Services that City departments report emergency contracts to City Council, as required by Sacramento City Code Chapter 3.60. It is the intention of DOU to comply with that recommendation by reporting to City Council on emergency contracts issued under City Manager authority as soon as possible after the contract is executed.
According to City Code 3.60.070, the City Manager is authorized to negotiate and contract for public projects without advertising for bids when public interest and necessity demand immediate action, repair or replacement to safeguard life, health, or property, to permit the continued conduct of city operations or services, or to mitigate further damage.