Title
Resolution to Approve a Professional Services Agreement with OHM Advisors, Inc. for the Sanitary Sewer Improvements Preliminary Engineering Project ($679,083.00)
Memorandum
Attached for your review and approval is a resolution to authorize a Professional Services Agreement with OHM Advisors, Inc. (OHM) for the Sanitary Sewer Improvements Preliminary Engineering Project.
Project Scope
The City issued a Request for Proposal (RFP #942) in October of 2015 for a professional firm to investigate sanitary sewer capacity constraints in six areas identified in the previous Sanitary Sewer Wet Weather Evaluation Project (SSWWE). Tasks include:
• Monitoring of sanitary sewer flows.
• Updating sanitary sewer system hydraulic computer model.
• Conducting field work and analysis to identify sources of sewer inflow
• Developing an education and outreach program.
• Evaluating alternatives for addressing sanitary sewer capacity constraints.
• Preparing preliminary engineering plans.
In response to RFP-942, nine firms attended a pre-proposal meeting, and two proposals were received. A review team composed of City staff evaluated the proposals and determined that the OHM proposal provided the most complete and comprehensive work plan; and demonstrated a thorough understanding of the project background, objectives, and goals. Staff thoroughly reviewed the proposed hours and rates to verify that they were reasonable. OHM’s hourly rates were compared with other rates typically seen in the engineering industry and found to be reasonable.
Project Background
During 2013 and 2014, the City of Ann Arbor (City) undertook the Sanitary Sewer Wet Weather Evaluation (SSWWE) Project. The SSWWE Project assessed the future risk of basement sanitary sewer backups in the City and identified six project areas where specific plans need to be developed to address sanitary sewer capacity constraints.
As part of the SSWWE Project, a Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) was formed to work with the project team to review the work performed and used the results to make policy recommendations regarding how to handle wet weather flow in the sanitary sewer system in the future. The CAC supported the SSWWE recommendations to undertake a detailed evaluation of the six identified project areas and to develop specific plans for addressing each of these areas.
Budget/Fiscal Impact
Funding for preliminary engineering is incorporated into the City’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) as projects UT-SN-16-03 through UT-SN-16-07, and is budgeted from the Sanitary Sewer capital budget in FY2016. As this work is part of a planned capital project, the project will have no unplanned operational impacts.
OHM complies with the City’s non-discrimination and Living Wage approval ordinances.
Staff
Prepared by: Nicholas Hutchinson, P.E., City Engineer
Reviewed by: Craig Hupy, Public Services Area Administrator
Approved by: Tom Crawford, Interim City Administrator
Body
Whereas, The Sanitary Sewer improvements Preliminary Engineering Project is necessary to follow up on recommendations made by the Citizen Advisory Committee from the Sanitary Sewer Wet Weather Evaluation Project;
Whereas, OHM Advisors, Inc. of Livonia, Michigan has submitted to the City a proposal for the necessary services, setting forth the services to be performed by said firm and the payments to be made by the City therefore, all of which are agreeable to the City;
Whereas, OHM Advisors, Inc. complies with the City’s Non-Discrimination and Living Wage Ordinances; and,
Whereas, The required funds for this Professional Services Agreement are available within the approved Sewer capital budget.
RESOLVED, That a Professional Services Agreement with OHM Advisors, Inc. in the amount of $679,083.00 be approved for Professional Engineering Services for the Sanitary Sewer Improvements Preliminary Engineering Project;
RESOLVED, That a contingency of $150,000.00 be established for additional work tasks that may be necessary to complete the project; subject to approval by the City Administrator;
RESOLVED, That the City makes the following declaration for the purpose of complying with the reimbursement rules of Treasury Regulations 1.150-2 pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, that the City reasonably expects to reimburse itself for expenditures for the costs of the Project with proceeds of Bonds;
RESOLVED, That the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized and directed to execute said agreement after approval as to form by the City Attorney and approval as to substance by the City Administrator; and
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator be authorized to take the necessary administrative actions to implement this resolution.