SR-1000-003-01 (4)
Purch:PW:ML:
F:\FINANCE\PURCH\STFRPTS\SRBDBUS STOP BENCHES.DOC
Council Meeting: May 14, 2002 Santa Monica, California
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: City Staff
SUBJECT: Purchase Order for Bus Stop Benches
Introduction
This report recommends award of a purchase order to Landscape Forms, Inc. for 250 bus
stop benches for the Transit Services Division, Big Blue Bus Department in the total
amount of $355,272.56, including applicable sales tax.
Background
On April 10, 1999, a Steering Committee of three Councilmembers and two Planning
Commission members approved the preliminary design of street furniture for the Transit
Mall, which were to serve as the prototype citywide. The benches on the transit mall are
contemporary wood slat benches with cast metal arms. On August 17, 1999, Council
approved the preliminary design, followed by a public meeting in September for Council
and community members to see and feel the design elements and street furniture. On
January 23, 2001, Council approved the final Transit Mall design with the award of the
construction contract.
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Staff is now prepared to purchase bus benches citywide. Staff recommends replacement
of all existing 250 bus stop benches with Plainwell benches for consistency with the unified
components of the Transit Mall design concept. Attachment 1 is an illustration of the
Plainwell bench, which is currently located near the Watergarden office development,
th
located at 26 Street and Cloverfield Boulevard.
The bus benches to be purchased are stylistically similar to the bus benches selected for
the Transit Mall; however, instead of a wood finish, they will be aluminum with a metallic
finish. This will allow the Transit Mall to have a unique appearance yet enable the Big
Blue Bus to establish a consistent design statement for bus stops throughout the City.
As part of the Transit Mall design process, a prototype shelter was also developed under
the guidance of the Steering Committee and placed on display for public comment. Based
on feedback received from public outreach efforts, a new design option is being prepared
and will be used as the basis for further input and feedback from other City department
staff, Council and members of the public. The final design of the shelters will be
compatible with the appearance of the proposed Plainwell bus benches.
Currently, the City has similar metal benches along Ocean Avenue between Arizona and
San Vicente, which have been well received by the community. In addition, the proposed
benches will be easier to maintain because they have an anti-graffiti coating that better
allows removal of markings, and they are not subject to rust and corrosion. The benches
will have a five-year warranty for both parts and labor.
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Discussion
Ordinance Number 1998 (CCS), Section 5, Chapter 2.24, Section 2.24.080 (b) of the
Santa Monica Municipal Code allows exception to competitive bidding when goods or
services have been competitively bid by another federal, state or county government as in
this case. Landscape Forms, Inc.’s pricing is based on the California Multiple Award
Schedule (CMAS) Contract #4-01-71-0067A, which was competitively bid by the State of
California and awarded in November of 2001. Staff has evaluated the quotation submitted
by Landscape Forms, Inc. and finds that it meets City specifications.
Budget/Financial Impact
Budget authority for this purchase is in the Capital Improvement Budget, account number
C41011401.589000, “Bus Stop Amenities”.
Recommendation
It is recommended that City Council award a purchase order to Landscape Forms, Inc. in
the total amount of $355,272.56, including applicable sales tax.
Prepared By: Ralph Merced, Transit Maintenance Manager
Diane Howell, Purchasing Agent
Attachment 1: Bus Bench
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