DEPARTMENT: Transportation & Capital Improvements
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Razi Hosseini, P.E., R.P.L.S.
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S) IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
Professional Services Agreements for National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Environmental Consulting Services
SUMMARY:
An ordinance authorizing the execution of five (5) on-call professional services agreements with Adams Environmental, Inc., Pape-Dawson Engineers, Inc., POWER Engineers, Incorporated, Poznecki-Camarillo, Inc. and Raba Kistner, Inc., each in an amount not to exceed $600,000.00 per contract year, for as-needed services to supplement the City’s NEPA consulting resources related to federal transportation projects, capital improvement bond projects and other City projects, located citywide. Each agreement is for a term of one year with an option to renew each agreement for up to four (4) additional one (1)-year extensions at an additional amount not to exceed $600,000.00 per contract year at City’s sole discretion, for a total amount not to exceed $3,000,000.00 per contract.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Transportation & Capital Improvements Department’s Environmental Management Division is responsible for assessing all environmental impacts related to transportation and drainage improvement projects, determining potential environmental impacts and obtaining environmental clearances from the federal and state regulatory agencies for all Bond projects, federally funded projects and capital improvement projects prior to construction advertisement. These environmental impacts include impacts to water quality, air quality, hazardous materials, noise, endangered species, cultural resources, vegetation, economic justice and public involvement.
Procurement of Services
A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Professional Environmental Consulting Services was released on April 22, 2019. Nine (9) firms responded and submitted their Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) on June 4, 2019. A selection committee, made up of staff from Transportation & Capital Improvements, Parks and Recreation, City Manager’s Office and TXDOT evaluated and scored the SOQs based on the published evaluation criteria, which included experience, background and qualifications of the firms, their subconsultants and key personnel; the firms' project approach and management plan; and teams’ experience with San Antonio regional issues. The selection committee recommended contracts be awarded to the top five (5) firms, which are Adams Environmental, Inc., Pape-Dawson Engineers, Inc., POWER Engineers, Incorporated, Poznecki-Camarillo, Inc., and Raba Kistner, Inc. The required Discretionary Contracts Disclosure Forms are attached.
Due to the utilization of federal dollars, the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program of the State of Texas was utilized in place of the Small Business Economic Development Advocacy Program. The DBE goal for this contract is 8%. Adams Environmental, Inc., Pape-Dawson Engineers, Inc., POWER Engineers, Incorporated, Poznecki-Camarillo, Inc., and Raba Kistner, Inc. have committed to 8% DBE participation.
ISSUE:
This ordinance authorizes the execution of five (5) on-call professional services agreements with Adams Environmental, Inc., Pape-Dawson Engineers, Inc., POWER Engineers, Incorporated, Poznecki-Camarillo, Inc., and Raba Kistner, Inc., each in an amount not to exceed $600,000.00 per contract year, for as-needed services to supplement the City’s NEPA consulting resources related to federal transportation projects, capital improvement bond projects and other City projects, located citywide. Each agreement is for a term of one year with an option to renew each for up to four (4) additional one (1)-year extensions at an additional amount not to exceed $600,000.00 per contract year at City’s sole discretion, for a total amount not to exceed $3,000,000.00 per contract.
Staff will utilize these on-call environmental consulting services on an as-needed basis to assist with the research and preparation of environmental documents for transportation and drainage improvement projects in accordance with local, state and federal environmental requirements.
The NEPA related services to be provided by these firms will include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Cumulative Impact Analysis in accordance with TxDOT and Federal Highway Administration requirements
• Waters of the U.S.
• Cultural Resources
• Endangered Species
• Socioeconomic
• Public Involvement
• Noise/Air
• Compliance with Section 401 Water Quality, Clean Water Act, and Edwards Aquifer Authority Regulations
• Vegetation
• Hazardous Materials
These documents must be approved by federal and state regulatory agencies prior to construction advertisement.
ALTERNATIVES:
As an alternative, the City could release a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for each project as needs are identified. However, this will result in delaying environmental clearances, affecting project delivery schedules and impeding the City’s ability to comply with local, state and federal environmental regulations.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Each of the agreements shall have a value not to exceed $600,000.00 annually. No funds are appropriated by this action. Funds for this contract shall be allocated from specific project funds at the time the work is required. Amounts will be transferred from available funding sources identified within the scope and source, as the projects are assigned by various City departments. The City will make no minimum guarantee pertaining to the volume of work that may be expected from each consultant.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of this ordinance authorizing five (5) professional services agreements for on-call professional services.