SR-092308-1E~~
c;~YOr City Council. Report
Santa Monica
City Council Meeting: September 23, 2008
Agenda Item: I'~~.
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Lee E. Swain. Director of Public Works
Subject: Geotechnical Services for the Big Blue Bus Expansion Project
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. authorize the City Manager to modify the existing Contract No. 1508 with
Converse Consultants in an amount not to exceed .$109,256 (including 10%
contingency) for geotechnical services, for revised contract total of $172,706; and
2. authorize the Director of Public Works to issue any necessary change orders to
complete additional work within budget authority.
Executive Summary
Converse Consultants is currently under contract to provide geotechnical services for
the Big Blue Bus Facility Expansion Project. Geotechnical services will be provided
during all phases of the project and includes site inspections and soil testing. A
modification to the current contract is necessary due to unforeseen conditions during
the foundation and pile work for the maintenance building. -Funds for this modification
are available in Account Number 0410104.589100.
Background
Construction of the Big Blue Bus maintenance building began September 2007. The
maintenance building is being built to accommodate the expanding fleet of alternative
fuel buses and vehicles. .Geotechnical services are required to ensure that soil
conditions meet recommendations that are outlined in the Geotechnical Report. All
inspection and testing services must be performed in accordance with the applicable
building codes (California Building Code and Santa - Monica Municipal Code).
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Geotechnical services must be performed during installation of soldier piles, excavation
and soils removal and preparation of all subgrade work.
Discussion
Converse Consultants recently completed geotechnical services for phase two and part
of phase three of the -Big Blue Bus Expansion Facility Project. During phase three,
large amounts of undocumented fill were encountered, along with hazardous materials
requiring additional geotechnical consultation. Given the number of piles and the extent
of unforeseen soil conditions, the amount of geotechnical services required increased
dramatically. Geotechnical investigation is required to determine the depth and
structural capacity of the, undocumented fill. Technician services in the field during the
construction were extended well beyond the anticipated hours. Geotechnical services
are required for the remainder of phase three and phase four, to be completed in early
2010. Converse Consultants have projected their services through completion, given
the knowledge of the site's soil conditions.
Consultant Selection
The Request for Proposals was posted on the City's website in May 2007. Eighteen
firms solicited the Request for Proposals. Five proposals were received on May 14,
2007. Staff from the Civil Engineering and Architecture Division reviewed the proposals
and selected Converse Consultants as the best bidder according to the City's selection
criteria.
The original contract amount was $63,450. This modification will require an increase in
the contract amount of $99,324, plus a 10% contingency ($9,932);. in the event
unforeseen conditions should arise, fora total of $172,706.
Financial Impacts & Budget Actions
Funds for the amendment to the construction contract. in the amount of $172,706 are
available in Account Number 0410104.589100, "BBB Expansion Project."
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Prepared By: Miriam Mulder, Acting Principal Architect
Approved:
Lee E. Swain, Director
Department of Public Works
Forwarded to Council:
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Reference Contract No.
8978 (CCS)