Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Utilities

TO:	David Corliss, City Manager  Debbie Van Saun, Assistant City Manager
FROM:	Mary Baker, Project Engineer, Utilities
CC:	Chris Stewart, Assistant Director, Utilities Philip Ciesielski, Utilities Engineer Michael Tubbs, Management Analyst
Date:	October 13, 2006
RE:	Stoneridge Elevated Water Storage Tank Project Consultant Selection - Utilities Project #6CP-906

Please include the following item on the consent agenda for the October 24, 2006 City Commission meeting:

Negotiate an Engineering Services Agreement with Black & Veatch Corporation to design the Stoneridge Elevated Water Storage Tank and site improvements.  

Project Description/History: The City owns property at 5600 W. 6^th Street (6^th street and Stoneridge Drive) intended as a site for the construction of an elevated water storage tank. The 2003 Water Master Plan identified the West Hills Service Area as requiring additional storage volume to meet future water demands. This additional water storage volume provided by this new tank would increase the reliability of water supply in the West Hills Service Area, ensure peak demands for future growth, and provide water storage for fire suppression.

The design phase services will include preliminary design, final design and the standard bid/construction phase services.  The preliminary design will include items such as:

• Confirmation of  the recommended size and overflow elevation of the new tank by taking into account recent population projections in the Northwest area
• Public involvement in the review of the tank aesthetics
• Evaluation of the tank operation with other tanks serving the same area.
• Site review and platting services
• Report to KDHE

The final design will produce bidding/construction documents for the tank and site improvements. Construction phase services at this time include bid services and reviewing pay estimates/submittals and answering construction related questions. Staff anticipates a need for a supplemental agreement negotiated at the completion of the final design services to provide resident inspection services during the tank construction.

Project Status/Details:

August/September 2006: The Utilities Department requested proposals and received responses from five firms.  BG Consultants, Black & Veatch, Larkin Group, MKEC, Inc., Professional Engineering Consultants, and Wilson & Company indicated an interest in the project.

October 2006:  Utilities Department staff evaluated the proposals and invited three firms to present their qualifications during an interview process.  Staff ranked the firms as follows:

1. Black & Veatch Corporation

2. Professional Engineering Consultants

3. Larkin Group

Staff recommends negotiating an engineering services contract with Black & Veatch Corporation based on the following criteria: Work Team/Related Qualifications and Experience; Project Organization and Approach and Project Schedule for completion.    Staff opinion is that both of the remaining firms are qualified to provide services for this project and request permission to negotiate with the next highest-ranked firm if unable to reach an agreement with Black and Veatch on the scope for the project.

We anticipate the following project schedule:

Execute Engineering Agreement:  November, 2006

Final Design Memorandum: June 2007

Award Construction Contract: September 2007

Complete Construction: October 2008

Project Funding: Funding is planned through the Utilities non-bonded Capital Improvement Program funds.  The Master Plan provides an opinion of cost for the project of $1,685,000 for 2007.   

Action Request:  The Utilities Department seeks approval from the City Commission to negotiate an Engineering Services Agreement with Black & Veatch Corporation for the design of the Stoneridge Elevated Water Storage Tank and site improvements. If negotiations are unsuccessful, we request approval to negotiate with the second ranked firm, Professional Engineering Consultants.

Thank you for your assistance.  Please advise if you have any questions.