DEPARTMENT: Transportation & Capital Improvements
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Mike Frisbie, P.E.
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Council Districts 1, 2, & 5
SUBJECT:
Contract Award: Landscaping around Downtown San Antonio Freeway entrances
SUMMARY:
An ordinance for the Low Impact Landscaping Project, awarding a construction contract in the amount of $880,802.95 to Maldonado Nursery and Landscaping, Inc, a federally-funded project, located in Council Districts 1, 2, and 5.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Low Impact Landscaping Project around Downtown San Antonio Freeway entrances was selected to receive federal funding from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Transportation Enhancement Program. A nomination form was submitted by the City of San Antonio in November 2012 and approved by TxDOT on July 26, 2013. It was placed on the Metropolitan Planning Organization Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) FY 2013-2016. A Master Landscape Construction and Maintenance agreement with TxDOT was approved for the City of San Antonio to design, install, and maintain landscape improvements to selected areas of state controlled right-of-way within the city.
The Low Impact Landscaping Project provides landscaping at various locations around downtown San Antonio freeway ramps. There are five locations for this project including: IH 10 at Elmira, IH 35 at Theo / Malone, IH 35 at IH 37, IH 10 at Probandt, and IH 37 at Carolina / Florida. This Project provides for the incorporation of low impact landscaping components, as well as beautification in the downtown area. The project will eliminate many grassy areas and replace them with low maintenance, native vegetation and other landscape materials such as hardscape and rock complements. Construction is scheduled to begin in February 2016 and estimated to be completed in August 2016.
Previous Council Action
On December 5, 2013, City Council approved the Advanced Funding Agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation for the Low Impact Landscaping around Downtown San Antonio Freeway Entrances Project through Ordinance 2013-12-05-0873.
Procurement of Services
The project was advertised for construction bids in the San Antonio Hart Beat, on the City of San Antonio’s website and the Texas Electronic State Business Daily in September 2015. In addition, the bid announcement was made on TVSA. Bids for this Project were opened on November 3, 2015 and three bidders responded. Of the responsive bids, Maldonado Nursery and Landscaping, Inc submitted the lowest responsive bid.
The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program of the State of Texas will be utilized in place of SBEDA.
This construction contract was developed utilizing the low bid process; therefore, a Discretionary Contracts Disclosure Form is not required.
ISSUE:
This ordinance for the Low Impact Landscaping Project awards a construction contract in the amount of $880,802.95 to Maldonado Nursery and Landscaping, Inc, a federally-funded project, located in Council Districts 1, 2, and 5.
The Low Impact Landscaping Project provides landscaping at various locations around downtown San Antonio freeway ramps. There are five locations for this project including: IH 10 at Elmira, IH 35 at Theo / Malone, IH 35 at IH 37, IH 10 at Probandt, and IH 37 at Carolina / Florida.
This project provides for the incorporation of low impact landscaping components, as well as beautification in the downtown area. The project will eliminate many grassy areas and replace them with low maintenance native vegetation and other landscape materials, such as hardscape and rock complements. Construction of this project is scheduled to begin in February 2016 and is estimated to be completed in August 2016. Construction activities will take place six days a week, from sunrise to sunset.
ALTERNATIVES:
As an alternative, City Council could choose not to award this contract and require staff to re-advertise this Project. Considering the additional time required for another solicitation process, this would adversely affect the timely completion of the project and funding.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This is a one-time capital improvement expenditure in the amount of $880,802.95, payable to Maldonado Nursery and Landscaping, Inc.
On December 5, 2013, Council approved the Advanced Funding Agreement with TxDOT for the Low Impact Landscaping around Downtown Freeway Entrances Project through Ordinance 2013-12-05-0873, authorizing acceptance of a reimbursement agreement with TxDOT for an estimated $870,807.00, or 80% of the cost incurred by the City for this project, in federal funds allocated to the City from TxDOT and administered by TxDOT as a federal pass through grant associated with the construction of the Low Impact Landscape Project. Due to the construction bid coming in lower than estimated, the amount of federal funds from TXDOT has been reduced to $704,642.36 and the City’s match reduced to $176,160.59, funded from the Storm Water Operating Fund.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of this ordinance awarding a construction contract in the amount of $880,802.95 to Maldonado Nursery and Landscaping, Inc. for construction of the Low Impact Landscaping project around downtown San Antonio freeway entrances.