ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Date: September 28, 1999
Author/Local: Bill Aujla/6241

RTS: 01034

CC File No. 1805

Council: October 19, 1999

TO:	Vancouver City Council
FROM:	General Manager of Engineering Services
SUBJECT:	Consulting Contract: Design & Construction Services for Replacement Pressure Reducing Valve (PRV) Station at 1st Avenue & Rupert Street

RECOMMENDATION

THAT the General Manager of Engineering Services, in consultation with the Director of Legal Services, be authorized to enter into a Professional Services Agreement with Omni Engineering Inc., for the complete design and all construction supervision of the replacement PRV station at 1st Ave. and Rupert Street, for a total fee of $50,808 (plus GST); with funding available from the PRV Stations Replacement Program (order group C07E1C).

COUNCIL POLICY

Consultant contracts over $30,000 must be awarded by Council.

Contracts are awarded on the basis of best value for fee.

PURPOSE

This report recommends that a professional services agreement, for the complete design and all construction supervision for the replacement pressure reducing valve (PRV) station at 1st Avenue and Rupert Street, be entered into with Omni Engineering Inc. based on their proposal dated May 27, 1999 (including a revised fee schedule dated September 28, 1999).

BACKGROUND

The Waterworks 1997 - 1999 Capital Plan, approved by Council, includes funding for the PRV replacement program. This program was initiated to replace those PRV stations throughout the city that are past the end of their service life. To date, 16 of the City’s 29 PRV stations, approximately 55%, have been replaced or significantly updated.

The planned replacement of the PRV station at 1st Avenue and Rupert Street will complete the City’s current requirements under the PRV replacement program. This PRV chamber is past its service life: all piping within the chamber needs to be replaced, its valves have a high maintenance history (the emergency 10" pressure reducing valve within the chamber has been out of commission for approximately three years), and there is inadequate access and headroom, as well as insufficient lighting and heating, for staff to perform their maintenance duties. The proper operation of this PRV station is essential to provide a reliable supply of water for both domestic consumption and fire protection within the City’s 490 Pressure Zone.

DISCUSSION

City staff requested Omni Engineering Inc. to submit a proposal to provide engineering and construction inspection services for the replacement PRV station at 1st Avenue and Rupert Street. Omni Engineering was selected because they were previously involved with the design and construction of other replacement PRV stations within the City; most notably the last three chambers constructed (Boundary Road & Marine Drive, 33rd Avenue & Victoria Drive, and West 49th Avenue & West Boulevard). Omni Engineering’s original fee quoted for this project was $53,651.00 (plus GST); however, this was later negotiated down to $50,808.00 (plus GST).

The proposal from Omni Engineering Inc. includes the following scope of work:

I. Pre-Design Review (including Geotechnical Investigation) and Report,

II. Preliminary Design and Final Design, including:

· Site Plans,

· Piping Fabrication Drawings,
· Structural Drawings,
· Metal Fabrication Drawings,
· Electrical Drawings,
· Specifications,
· Cost Estimates, and
· Construction Schedule,

III. Construction Services, including:

· Tender Evaluation & Recommendation,

· Site Inspection, and
· Record Services & Drawings.

Other consultants could provide the services that we propose to obtain directly from Omni Engineering; however, they would require significant education about the City’s PRV station design standards. The City would then be paying for the cost of the consultant’s time and staff effort during this learning curve. As Omni Engineering has already acquired this knowledge, and this is the last PRV station that will be replaced in the near future, the City will receive the best value from Omni Engineering’s team. Therefore, staff recommend that the City accept the proposal submitted by Omni Engineering and enter into a Professional Services Agreement for the design and construction inspection of the replacement PRV chamber at 1st Avenue and Rupert Street.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

This consulting contract is based on a fee for services basis with an upset limit of $50,808.00 (plus GST). Capital funds are available from the PRV Stations Replacement Program (order group C07E1C).

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(c) 1998 City of Vancouver