Title
a. Approve a new Professional Services Agreement with TRC Engineers, Inc. to provide bridge design services for the Gonzales River Road Bridge Superstructure Replacement Project, County Bridge No. 309, for an initial term from March 12, 2024 to March 11, 2027, and a total amount not to exceed $2,221,102; and
b. Authorize the Contracts & Purchasing Officer or their designee to execute the Professional Services Agreement and future amendments to the Agreement where the amendments do not significantly alter the scope of work or increase the approved Agreement amount.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve a new Professional Services Agreement with TRC Engineers, Inc. to provide bridge design services for the Gonzales River Road Bridge Superstructure Replacement Project, County Bridge No. 309, for an initial term from March 12, 2024 to March 11, 2027, and a total amount not to exceed $2,221,102; and
b. Authorize the Contracts & Purchasing Officer or their designee to execute the Professional Services Agreement and future amendments to the Agreement where the amendments do not significantly alter the scope of work or increase the approved Agreement amount.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Gonzales River Road Bridge, County Bridge No. 309, is a 23-foot wide, 29-span bridge crossing the Salinas River, approximately two miles west of the City of Gonzales (Attachment C). The purpose of the Gonzales River Road Bridge Superstructure Replacement Project (Project) is to address existing structural deficiencies, including, cracks, exposed reinforcing bars, and failing joints in the superstructure, and improve the conditions for conveying flood flows.
On July 24, 2014, PWFP issued Request for Qualifications (RFQ) #10490 for five projects:
• Gonzales River Road Bridge Replacement, County Bridge No. 309;
• Bradley Road Bridge Scour Repair, County Bridge No. 448;
• Robinson Road Bridge Scour Repair, County Bridge No. 503;
• Johnson Road Bridge Replacement, County Bridge No. 106; and
• Hartnell Road Bridge Replacement, County Bridge No. 209.
As a result of this competitive process, a design team headed by TRC Engineers, Inc. (TRC) was selected, and individual Professional Services Agreements (PSAs) were executed for each of these five bridge projects.
In 2015, the Board of Supervisors approved PSA No. A-12656 (Multi-Year Agreement (MYA) #3200*1583) between the County and TRC in the amount of $999, 823 (2015 PSA) to provide bridge design services for the Project under RFQ #10490 for the Gonzales River Road Bridge. TRC began preliminary design and environmental clearance efforts. In 2017, Caltrans Structures Local Assistance (SLA) directed PWFP to pursue other replacement and/or rehabilitation alternatives. After additional design alternatives were considered and after several years of coordination with SLA and Caltrans Highway Bridge Program Managers, PWFP was directed to move forward with a bridge design that utilizes a structural steel superstructure instead of the reinforced concrete material originally specified.
In light of these changed circumstances, a new contract agreement with TRC was necessary which required a sole source justification to allow TRC to complete the bridge design per Caltrans’ most recent requirements. Accordingly, staff completed a sole source justification which was subsequently approved by Caltrans (Attachment D).
Under the new PSA (Attachment A), the Project will include replacing the existing 23-foot wide, 29-span bridge superstructure with a 24-foot wide two-lane 21-span bridge, with two 3-foot shoulders, for a total width of 30 feet. The Project also includes removing several existing bridge piers from the river, reconstructing two southern piers, improving roadway approaches to the bridge, and addressing certain existing structural deficiencies (e.g., cracks, exposed reinforcing bars, and failing joints in the superstructure). Work completed under the 2015 PSA will be utilized for the Project as applicable.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Office of the County Counsel and the Auditor-Controller’s Office have reviewed and approved the new PSA as to form and fiscal provisions, respectively.
FINANCING:
The total estimated cost of the Project, including design engineering, environmental, right of way, utilities and construction is $17,715,085. The County has secured Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Highway Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation (HBRR) Program funding for the Project. The Project is largely funded by FHWA funds (88.53%) in the amount of $15,370,051. The Federal funds require a 11.47% local match that will be provided by Measure X and Gas Tax funds in the amount of $2,345,034. See Attachment B for further details on the Project budget.
There are sufficient appropriations in the adopted FY 2023-24 Road Fund 002, Appropriation Unit PFP004 budget, to finance the design phase of the Project. Funding for upcoming fiscal years through the end of the term will be included in future recommended budget requests.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
The recommended action supports the Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives for Infrastructure and Public Safety. The Project will improve bridge safety on County Bridge No. 309.
__ Economic Development
__ Administration
__ Health and Human Services
X Infrastructure
X Public Safety
Prepared by: José Gómez, Project Manager III, (831) 755-4816
Janie Bettencourt, Management Analyst II
Reviewed by: J. Erich Rauber, PE, GE, Senior Civil Engineer
Enrique Saavedra, PE, Chief of Public Works
Approved by: Randell Ishii, MS, PE, TE, PTOE, Director of Public Works, Facilities and Parks
The following attachments are on file with the Clerk of the Board:
Attachment A - New Proposed PSA
Attachment B - Project Budget
Attachment C - Location Map
Attachment D - Exhibit 12-F Caltrans Sole Source Approval