Adopt Resolution 2026-05UA
On June 9, 2020, the City Council awarded a Professional Services Agreement to Albert A. Webb Associates (WEBB) for the design of the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) Equalization Basin. The project includes equalization and storage improvements intended to help the WWTP manage normal daily flows as well as excess flows during rain events and other high-flow conditions.
The project has now advanced to construction. Under a separate action, staff is recommending award of the construction contract to Mehta Mechanical Company, Inc. (MMC) in the amount of $5,350,000, with a 10% construction contingency, for a total construction authorization of $5,885,000.
As the project moves into construction, the City will require professional engineering support to assist with technical and design-related matters that arise in the field. Due to limited City staffing and the specialized nature of the project, City staff does not have the capacity to perform all of the engineering services required during construction while continuing to manage day-to-day Water/Wastewater operations and other capital projects. These services are therefore necessary to supplement City staff and provide timely technical support throughout construction.
WEBB is the Engineer of Record (EOR) and prepared the project design, plans, specifications, and associated construction documents. Continuing with WEBB during construction will provide continuity between design and construction and allow submittals, requests for information, field conditions, commissioning issues, and other design-related matters to be addressed efficiently by the engineering team most familiar with the project.
WEBB has submitted a proposal to provide engineering services during construction in a not-to-exceed amount of $288,171. In general, the services will include construction-phase engineering support, participation in biweekly construction progress meetings, review of contractor submittals and requests for information, coordination with the City and contractor, site visits and field support as needed, startup and commissioning assistance, and project closeout support.
Staff recommends retaining WEBB on a sole-source basis because WEBB is the EOR for the Equalization Basin Project and has direct knowledge of the project design, specifications, and design intent. Retaining WEBB during construction provides continuity, avoids duplicative review and the additional costs of bringing another consultant up to speed, and allows the engineer responsible for the original design to address RFIs, submittals, and design-related issues efficiently.
The proposed fee is consistent with the City's existing on-call engineering agreement and is reasonable for the required professional engineering services. The scope assumes an approximately 18-month construction period and does not include continuous construction observation. The scope includes approximately 200 hours of limited on-site inspection, in addition to pre-construction and biweekly meetings and other related construction management support, for use only as requested and directed by the City.
The proposed Professional Services Agreement with WEBB is in a not-to-exceed amount of $288,171. The project will be funded through Wastewater Operations Fund 680. The project requires a budget appropriation of $288,171 in General Ledger Account 680-8000-454.95-12. WEBB will be compensated only for services actually rendered on a time-and-materials basis, up to the approved not-to-exceed amount of $288,171.
There is no impact on the General Fund associated with this item.