Title
Recommendation to Authorize the Interim City Manager to Execute a Fourth Amendment with Parsons Transportation Group, Inc., to Increase Compensation by $40,000, for a Total Aggregate Compensation Not to Exceed $134,999, to Continue Providing Technical and Strategic Engineering Support for Major Transportation Projects. (Transportation 4227287)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: David L. Rudat, Interim City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Transportation Division of the Planning, Building, and Transportation Department relies on technical assistance provided by transportation and structural engineers to deliver the City’s high priority projects. The Division has maintained a professional services contract with Parsons Transportation Group since 2016. Currently, Parsons is providing the City with essential support on the Oakland Alameda Access Project, which includes the review of I-880 on and off ramp design, bicycle and pedestrian improvements within the Webster and Posey Tubes, and the feasibility analysis for a new bicycle and pedestrian bridge, aerial tram, or submerged bicycle and transit tube. Parsons is also providing technical assistance in support of a grant application for a new or retrofitted Miller-Sweeney lifeline bridge.
In June 2018, the City Council approved the third contract amendment, which authorized an additional $20,000 in compensation, plus two annual $20,000 amendments for the upcoming two fiscal years. The recommended contract amendment would allow staff to utilize the full $40,000 during the current fiscal year to continue work on the high priority projects described above.
BACKGROUND
In August 2016, the City’s Base Reuse and Transportation Planning Department entered into a contract with Parsons Transportation Group, Inc., a well-respected engineering firm with experience in Alameda, to support the early development phases of major transportation projects, and the review of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) transportation documents. Parsons has extensive expertise implementing and managing major transportation projects, such as the Bay Bridge design and the new Gilman Street interchange project. Parsons also has extensive experience and knowledge of Alameda projects, including the Oakland Alameda Access Project (formerly called the Broadway-Jackson Project).
Over the past year, Parsons has provided critical technical assistance and on-call support to help the City transportation planning and public works staff review and comment on regional projects, such as the Oakland Alameda Access Project, and acquire additional project funding for priority transportation network improvements in Alameda. Specifically, Parsons has been providing:
• Technical assistance and expertise in support of Alameda access priorities in the regional Oakland Alameda Access Project, including design concepts for improving automobile access from the Webster and Posey Tubes to I-880 and improving bicycle and pedestrian access between West Alameda and Oakland;
• Design concepts and feasible alignments for an estuary bicycle and pedestrian bridge, aerial tram, and/or transit tube between West Alameda and Oakland;
• Support to the City transportation planning staff efforts to acquire regional funding for further feasibility studies for bicycle and pedestrian crossing improvements, water shuttle operations between the two cities; and a grant application for improvements or replacement to the Miller-Sweeney Bridge; and
• Engineering concepts and revised cost estimates to support the Clement Avenue East Extension/Tilden Way Project.
DISCUSSION
In 2018, the City Council authorized the City Manager to approve two one-year contract extensions, with an expenditure of $20,000 in each year, totaling $40,000. At this time, staff is requesting to accelerate the authorization of this $40,000, to be used in the current fiscal year, through June 30, 2019. With this contract amendment (Exhibit 1), Parsons would continue to provide the following critical on-call tasks, as needed and as directed by staff:
• Reviewing the proposed design modifications to the Webster and Posey Tube on and off ramp connections to the Interstate 880. Alameda CTC, the project sponsor, is working with cities and interest groups to finalize the design in 2019.
• Reviewing and commenting on the design of bicycle and pedestrian improvements within the Posey and Webster Tubes to be included in the final design for submittal to Caltrans for final approval.
• Developing and reviewing cost estimates for bicycle and pedestrian improvements, including path improvements, transit alternatives, a bicycle and pedestrian bridge and/or aerial tram.
• Developing engineering designs, scope and cost estimates for improvements to the Miller-Sweeney Bridge that can be used by Alameda County in support of a grant application to replace or improve the bridge to a “lifeline” standard that will survive a major earthquake.
• Providing technical and strategic analysis and support for transportation grants and major projects.
Staff recommends amending the Parsons Transportation Group, Inc. contract to authorize an additional $40,000, for a total agreement compensation not to exceed $134,999 to support City efforts through the end of this fiscal year. Staff will return to Council later in the year, when the Council is considering the next two year Capital Improvement Program priorities and budget with a comprehensive request for authorization for engineering and planning consultant support for the coming two-year period.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Budget for the contract year 2018-19 ($40,000) is included in the Transportation Services Fund (287.5) Multi-Modal Program Budget under consultant support. The project is funded with monies allocated from the countywide transportation sales tax funds, Measures B and BB.
|
Contract |
Approval Date |
Authorized Amount |
Expended to Date |
|
Original Contract |
8-9-16 |
$50,000.00 |
$50,000.00 |
|
1st Amendment |
5-3-17 |
$20,000.00 |
$20,000.00 |
|
2nd Amendment |
4-4-18 |
$4,999.00 |
$4,999.00 |
|
3rd Amendment |
5-16-18 |
$20,000.00 |
$15,531.00 |
|
4th Amendment |
2-19-19 |
$40,000.00 |
$0 |
|
Total |
|
$134,999.00 |
$90,530.00 |
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action is consistent with the Alameda Municipal Code, and will support the implementation of the Transportation Choices Plan, adopted by the City Council in January 2018.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This action is not a project under the CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378 and Public Records Code section 21065. Approval of the contract amendment will not result in a direct physical change in the environment or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
RECOMMENDATION
Authorize the Interim City Manager to execute a fourth amendment with Parsons Transportation Group, Inc., to increase compensation by $40,000, for a total aggregate compensation not to exceed $134,999, to continue providing technical and strategic engineering support for major transportation projects.
Respectfully submitted,
Andrew Thomas, Acting Planning, Building and Transportation Director
Rochelle Wheeler, Senior Transportation Coordinator
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Elena Adair, Finance Director
Exhibits:
1. Previous Agreements
2. Fourth Amendment