DEPARTMENT: Finance
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Troy Elliott
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
River Barge Fabrication contract with Lake Assault Boats, LLC and Amendment of a Professional Services Contract with METALAB
SUMMARY:
These ordinances authorize a contract with Lake Assault Boats, LLC for the fabrication of forty-three (43) new aluminum modular barges in an amount not to exceed $6,500,000.00 funded through the FY2017 - FY2022 Capital Improvement Program Budget and amend the professional services contract with METALAB to authorize additional design services in amount not to exceed $55,070.00, for a total contract amount of $454,282.00, funded from the FY2017 General Fund Budget.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
A. In 2015, the City and The American Institute of Architects, San Antonio Chapter (AIA San Antonio) launched an international design competition for a new river barge design. Through a public engagement process and a juried competition, which resulted in 12 submissions, the jury selected a design by Houston-based METALAB and on April 28, 2016, City Council approved a contract for the design and development of a prototype barge.
The new design provides for an all-electric fleet with modularity for boats to accommodate a wide range of uses, including tours, dining, events, and new opportunities for the river barge experience. The single-level deck design allows for greater wheelchair accessibility with adjacent companion seating. The durability of materials will require minimal ongoing maintenance and the decorative railings provide enhanced passenger comfort with increased capacity. After prototype testing and public feedback, staff incorporated additional design improvements for the entire barge fleet to enhance power, stability, comfort, and durability.
On August 3, 2016, the City released a Request for Competitive Sealed Proposals (RFCSP) to select a contractor to fabricate a fleet of 43 new aluminum river barges. The City received submissions from four respondents on October 7, 2016.
The evaluation of each proposal response was based on a total of 100 points: 35 points allotted for Experience, Background, and Qualifications; 25 points allotted for Proposed Plan; 15 points allotted for Small Business Enterprise Prime Contract Program, 5 points allotted for the Mentorship Incentive API; and 20 points allotted for Respondent’s price schedule.
The Evaluation Committee conducted interviews with each respondent. The Committee consisted of representatives from the City Manager’s Office, Center City Development and Operations (CCDO), Finance, Visit San Antonio, San Antonio River Authority, Southwest Research Institute, and select members of the original design competition jury.
Upon completion of respondent interviews, the Evaluation Committee members scored each Respondent’s Experience, Background & Qualifications and Proposed Plan. The Finance Department and CCDO scored the pricing portion and the Small Business Office scored the Small Business Prime Contract Program and Mentorship Incentive API. Upon completion of the review process, the Evaluation Committee recommended Lake Assault Boats, LLC for contract award in an amount not to exceed $6,500,000.00.
The contract will include the fabrication of 43 new aluminum modular river barges. Lake Assault Boats, LLC will complete a pre-production barge the week of January 29, 2017. Upon completion of water testing of the vessel at their facility in Superior, Wisconsin, the barge will be shipped to San Antonio for continued testing. The first delivery of barges is scheduled for September 2017.
B. The City of San Antonio entered into a professional services agreement with METALAB to design the new fleet of river barges. This contract was approved by City Council on April 28, 2016 in the amount of $399,212.00. The agreement included production of a prototype barge which was delivered in August 2016 and has undergone extensive testing, resulting in design improvements that will be incorporated into the production fleet. As part of the barge fabrication contract, a second prototype or “pre-production” barge will be fabricated by the week of January 29, 2017. To coordinate fabrication of the pre-production barge by Lake Assault Boats, LLC, and accommodate any additional design services resulting from feedback as it relates to the pre-production barge, staff proposes an amendment to the METALAB contract in an amount not to exceed $55,070.00. The amendment will also include design services to create additional rail patterns for the new fleet.
ISSUE:
A. These innovative, electric barges will transform the River Walk experience. These barges are designed to accommodate tours, dining cruises, parades, as well as provide a transportation option for downtown residents and visitors. The new fleet will be in operation for the City’s Tricentennial celebration.
Lake Assault Boats, LLC did not receive any SBEDA points.
This contract is an exception to the Local Preference Program.
The Veteran-Owned Small Business Preference Program does not apply to non-professional service contracts, so no preference was applied to this contract.
B. The amendment to the existing professional services agreement with METALAB is necessary to provide for construction oversight of the pre-production barge, finalize rail designs and provide any additional design services that may be required.
ALTERNATIVES:
A. Should this contract not be approved, the City would then need to seek an alternative vendor to manufacture the new river barge fleet or require the river barge operator to supply river barges. Such action will lead to a delay in obtaining the new barges and a possible interruption in service. In addition, barges would not be available for the City’s Tricentennial celebration.
B. Should this contract not be approved, the City would not be able to engage the services of METALAB to provide oversight of the pre-production barge fabrication, complete additional barge rail designs for the remainder of the fleet and any additional services that might be required during barge production
FISCAL IMPACT:
A. This ordinance authorizes a contract with Lake Assault Boats, LLC in the amount not to exceed $6,500,000.00 for 43 new aluminum modular barges. Funding for the project is included in the FY 2017 - FY 2022 Capital Improvement Program Budget.
B. This ordinance amends the current professional services contract with METALAB to increase the contract by $55,070.00 for construction oversight and design services. Funding for this amendment is included in the FY 2017 General Fund Budget.
RECOMMENDATION:
A. Staff recommends the approval of the contract with Lake Assault Boats, LLC for the fabrication of forty-three (43) new aluminum modular barges in an amount not to exceed $6,500,000.00.
This contract was procured by means of a Request for Competitive Sealed Proposal and a Contracts Disclosure Form is required.
B. Staff recommends approval of an amendment in the amount of $55,070.00 to the professional services contract with METALAB to include additional services related to production of the river barge fleet.
This contract was procured through a discretionary process and a Contracts Disclosure Form is required.