HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-11-23 City Council (10)City of Palo Alto
City Manager’s Report
TO:HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
FROM:CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC WORKS
6
DATE:
SUBJECT:
NOVEMBER 23, 1998 CMR:439:98
REJECTION OF BIDS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE
ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE LABORATORY AND OFFICES
AT THE WATER QUALITY CONTROL PLANT
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that Council reject all bids for the construction of the Environmental
Compliance Division laboratory and office space at the Water Quality Control Plant
(RWQCP).
DISCUSSION
Project Description
The project involves relocation of the Environmental Compliance Division laboratory and
modification of related office space at the RWQCP. An additional 1520 square feet will be
added to the back side of the existing Administration Building in an adjacent abandoned
structure. The new space will house the laboratory and new office space. Approximately
4620 square feet of existing Administration Building interior space will be improved.
Improvements will include the addition of a conference room, fire suppression system,
upgraded and wheel chair-accessible bathrooms and entryways, and a basement storage
room. Construction will require nine months to complete.
Bid Process
A notice inviting formal bids for the construction of the laboratory and office space was sent
on September 28, 1998 to five contractors. The bidding period was 29 days. A mandatory
pre-bid meeting was held on October 8, 1998; four bidders attended the meeting. One bidder
did not attend the pre-bid meeting because their predicted worker availability was very low.
Bids were received from three contractors on October 27, 1998, as listed on the attached bid
summary (Attachment A). Bids ranged from a high of $933,000 to a low bid of $553,272.
Staffhas reviewed all bids submitted and recommends that Council reject all bids. Staff’s
recommendation is based on two reasons. First, the two lowest bidders contain some minor
irregularities in the listing of subcontractors. Secondarily, the day before the bid opening,
some discrepancies in the bid documents were identified. Staff believes that there was
CMR:439:98 Page 1 of 2
insufficient time to provide clarifications so that the bidders could prepare a good bid, which
may have led to the wide bid spread.
Staffrecommends that Council reject all bids. Staff will make certain that the discrepancies
are addressed and the bidders are given sufficient time to prepare accurate bids.
RESOURCE IMPACT
Funds for the project have been appropriated in the FY 1998-99 CIP project #9454 and
FY 1998-99 CIP project #8865.
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
Recommendations of this staff report are consistent with City policies.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This project is categorically exempt from California Environmental Quality Act.
ATTACHMENT
Environmental Compliance Laboratory - Bid Summary
PREPARED BY:
DEPARTMENT HEAD:
Phil Bobel, Manager, Environmental Compliance Division
GLENN S. ROBERTS
Director of Public Works
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:_ ~ ~ ~La~~
EMILY HARRISON
Assistant City Manager
CMR:439:98 Page 2 of 2