Explanation
In 2001, the Public Service Department, Transportation Division, contracted with Resource International, Inc. to study the policies and standards for residential pavement design. The study was a recommended outcome from an effort undertaken by the City Administration to promote affordable housing. The study was completed with the firm establishing a design methodology. In 2002 new pavement design standards were adopted and followed by the city with some updates and revisions based on experience. One of the main goals of the new residential pavement standards is to give the development and design community a menu of choices for roadway pavement design in residential subdivisions. The expectation is that market forces will dictate the lowest cost pavement option, with the City still assured of receiving developer-built roadways that meet the City's expectations for performance, durability and maintenance. The Public Service Department desires to extend this performance-based design philosophy to pavements constructed in non-residential areas, including industrial and arterial streets. These roadways are typically built by the City through its capital improvements program. Just as was found during the study effort for residential pavement design, there has been no comprehensive and concerted effort previously to establish performance-based design standards for non-residential pavements in the City of Columbus. This study will complete a seven-year effort to modernize and make more efficient, reliable and economical the design of public streets in the City of Columbus.
The work covered by the proposed contract consists of an inventory and analysis of current non-residential pavement design policies of the City, along with a comparison of these standards against other municipalities and agencies within the region. The contract also covers the costs for development of a pavement design tool, which will be based on accepted national pavement design practices, to be used by Transportation Division project personnel. Additionally, a small contingency is included in the contract for unforeseen issues, which may arise during the course of conducting the study. Deliverables include the study, specific recommendations for policy changes, and the pavement design tool. The Transportation Division will conduct several meetings with representatives of the contracting, design, and material supply industries to gain their input as new policies are crafted. A final presentation of the new policies will be conducted to stakeholders and the public.
A professional engineering services contract is needed to assure timely completion of the study as the Transportation Division does not maintain adequate staff or all of the various disciplines necessary to complete such design in house. Because of the residential pavement design, it will be more expedient and less costly for the City to award a new contract to Resource International, Inc. as the methodology and know-how previously developed are provided through those professionals who worked on the residential pavement standards. Another firm would have to start from a point of no knowledge of the previous effort, its findings, and the decisions made during analysis. Therefore, the Division recommends that a contract be entered with Resource International, Incorporated, in the amount of $60,000.00 for this purpose and that the formal competitive bidding requirements of the City Code be waived to effect this contract award.
The contract compliance number for Resource International, Inc. is 31-0669793; this expires 7/29/08.
Emergency action is requested so that this project can proceed in a timely manner. The study, policy changes and pavement design tool must be completed prior to the end of the year, for designs commencing January 1, 2008.
Fiscal Impact: The cost of this contract is $60,000.00. Funds are budgeted and available for this contract within the 2007 Transportation Division Street Construction, Repair and Maintenance Fund, fund 265.
Title
To authorize the Public Service Director to enter into a contract with Resource International, Inc., for study of non-residential pavement design policies and standards for the Transportation Division; to waive the formal competitive bidding requirements of the City Code; to authorize the expenditure of $60,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed from the Transportation Division Street Construction, Repair and Maintenance Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($60,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, there is a need to modernize the design standards for non-residential pavement in the City of Columbus; and
WHEREAS, the Public Service Director has identified the need to enter into a professional service contract for the study of existing standards and policies, and to make recommendations for updated standards and policies reflecting nationally-accepted performance-based methodologies.; and
WHEREAS, a satisfactory proposal has been submitted by Resource International, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, funds for this contract are budgeted and are available; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance authorizes the expenditure of said funds from the Street Construction Maintenance and Repair Fund; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Public Service Department, Transportation Division, in that the contract should go forth immediately so that the work may proceed without delay, thereby preserving the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Public Service Director be and hereby is authorized to enter into a contract with Resource International, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $60,000.00 for the completion of the contract study for non-residential pavement design standards for the Transportation Division.
SECTION 2. That the formal competitive bidding requirement process referenced within Chapter 329.09 of the City Code, 1959, be and hereby is waived.
SECTION 3. That for the purpose of paying the cost thereof, the sum of $60,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed be and hereby is authorized to be expended from Fund 265, Department No. 59-09, Transportation Division, Object Level One Code 03, Object Level Three Code 3336, OCA Code 599001.
SECTION 4. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.