SR-1000-008 (9)
EPWM: CP:AA:DB:C:\..\Desktop\Staff Reports In Process\5_11\CC1609(DP).doc
Council Meeting: May 11, 2004 Santa Monica, California
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: City Staff
SUBJECT:Award of a Pre-construction Services Agreement for the Big Blue Bus
Campus Expansion Project Phases II-IV
Introduction
This report recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate
and execute a pre-construction services agreement with Swinerton Builders for phases
II-IV of the Big Blue Bus (BBB) campus expansion project in an amount not to exceed
$650,000.
Background
On April 27, 2004, City Council approved in concept revisions to the BBB Campus
Expansion Plan. The revised expansion plan provides for construction of an
administration building with underground employee and visitor parking at Sixth Street
and Colorado Avenue linked to a new maintenance facility along Seventh Street
between Colorado Avenue and Olympic Boulevard; and on site parking to
accommodate a total of 235 buses. A minimal repair and renovation of the old
administration building is necessary prior to relocating staff on an interim basis during
construction.
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The phases of the revised Expansion Plan are as follows:
I. Construction of a natural gas fueling/bus wash Facility (liquefied natural gas
(LNG) fuel for buses, compressed natural gas (CNG) for other fleet vehicles),
completed in July 2004;
II(a).Demolition of the existing SWASHLOCK facility along Olympic Boulevard and
construction of new modular facilities for the OPCC Access Center and
SWASHLOCK at the site;
II(b).Demolition of the 612 Colorado building, construction of a new administration
building with a below grade parking structure, and subsequent demolition of prior
administration building;
III. Construction of a heavy-duty transit bus maintenance facility; and
IV. Demolition of the existing maintenance facility, grading, paving, and other site
Improvements.
In this approach, the administration building is completed in one construction phase, the
maintenance building is completed in another phase, disruption to staff is minimized,
and the site area kept open for bus parking throughout is maximized.
Discussion
Modified Design-Build Approach
It was originally contemplated that the BBB Campus Expansion Project would be
implemented using a design-bid-build approach, wherein the City provides the
construction contractor drawings and specifications. If adjustments to the drawings and
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specifications are needed, the cost associated with the resolution of such changes is
typically the responsibility of the City. Additionally, the construction schedule is
lengthened by the time required to address these changes. It is not uncommon in the
construction industry that projects delivered by the design-bid-build delivery method
experience cost increases and the project construction schedule is lengthened.
In an effort to limit unanticipated costs, expedite the construction schedule, and build a
cohesive project team, this project will be implemented using a modified design-build
approach. There are several benefits to this approach:
Warranty -
1) The design-builder warrants to the City that it will produce plans
that are complete and free from errors. This allows the City to negotiate a
Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) contract.
Timesavings –
2) The project completion timeline is shortened as design and
construction are allowed to overlap, while bidding periods and redesign are
eliminated. The design-builder can begin material procurement and
construction before the construction documents are fully complete.
Cost-savings –
3) The project can be completed for a lower over-all cost
because of the timesavings achieved through a design-build approach.
The BBB campus expansion project will further benefit from the modified design-build
approach through the assignment of the architect HOK, to team with the design-builder.
The City contract with HOK will be assigned to the design-builder once a GMP contract
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including a schedule of performance has been executed and the design of the BBB
campus expansion project has been approved.
Pre-construction Services Agreement
Staff recommends entering into a pre-construction services agreement, which would
allow the design-builder to participate with the project team during the schematic and
design development phases while preliminary negotiations continue on the GMP
contract. During the pre-construction phase, the design-builder would provide services
such as cost estimating, value engineering, constructability review, and assisting in the
development of a construction schedule. Staff also recommends that as part of the pre-
construction services agreement, the design-builder will also repair and renovate of the
existing administration building at 1660 Seventh Street and make revisions in the
existing maintenance building to service LNG buses pending completion of the new
facility.
Upon completion of the design development the pre-construction agreement would end
and staff will recommend to Council a GMP and award of the design-build agreement.
Approval of the project, including review by City Council, Planning Commission,
Architectural Review Board, and Arts Commission will occur prior to construction
commencing.
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Selection of Design-Builder
On February 11, 2002, a Request for Bids (RFB) for design-build services was prepared
and distributed to thirteen firms. The RFB was published in the Los Angeles Times. On
March 13, 2002, the City received responses from four firms, which were evaluated by a
selection committee including representatives from the BBB and Environmental and
Public Works Management. Each of the four firms that submitted a response to the
RFB was asked to participate in an interview. The Selection Committee unanimously
recommends Swinerton Builders for the pre-construction services agreement on the
basis of the City's best bidder criteria, as set forth in Santa Monica Municipal Code
Section 2.24.072, as follows:
1. Swinerton Builders submitted a competitive price for fees related to pre-
construction services, and construction fees of the general contractor;
2. Swinerton Builders has extensive experience and is an industry leader in
construction;
3. Swinerton Builders has an excellent track record in the development of projects;
4. Swinerton Builders has proven methods for completing projects in a timely
manner;
5. Swinerton Builders has strong financial resources to complete the project;
6. Swinerton Builders has a reputation for character and integrity in the
development of their projects; and
7. Swinerton Builders has presented an experienced project development and
construction management team that will be critical if the project is approved and
moves forward with construction.
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8. Swinerton Builders' qualifications and previous project experience include
construction of the Santa Monica Swim Center, the Howard Hughes Center,
Building 7, the DreamWorks Animation Campus, and the Arboretum Courtyard.
In addition, it has experience in design-build projects at the LAX Gateway
Enhancements and the UCI Recreational Center; and participation in projects
with significant sustainable design components such as the Gap Corporate
Campus, demonstrates ability to successfully complete the BBB Campus
Expansion Project.
Staff contacted references which all reported that the work performed by Swinerton
Builders is excellent. The California State Contractors’ License Board verified the
license is current, active, and in good standing. Staff also contacted the Center for
Contract Compliance and found Swinerton capable of handling labor compliance issues.
Budget/Financial Impact
FUNDS REQUIRED:
Contract $600,000
Contingency $ 50,000
Total Required $650,000
Funds in the amount of $650,000 are available in account C410104.589000, “Facility
Improvements.”
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Recommendations
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Authorize the award of a pre-construction services agreement for the project,
including renovation of the existing administration building and upgrades to the
maintenance building to Swinerton Builders in a total amount not to exceed
$600,000 and approve $50,000 in contingency funds; and
2. Authorize the City Engineer to issue any necessary modifications to the
agreement within budget authority.
Prepared by: Craig Perkins, Director of Environmental & Public Works Management
Anthony Antich, P.E., City Engineer
Stephanie Negriff, Director of the Big Blue Bus
Janeene De Martinez, Assistant Director of the Big Blue Bus - Transit
Finance and Business Services
Joe Stitcher, Assistant Director of the Big Blue Bus – Transit Operations
Ralph Merced, Transit Maintenance Manager
Dave Britton, P.E., Principal Civil Engineer
Miriam Mulder, Architect
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