Title
Resolution to Authorize a Professional Service Agreement with Sam Schwartz Consultants, LLC., for the Moving Together Towards Vision Zero Action Plan and Associated Engineering Services (RFP 21-25) ($362,739.30) (8 Votes Required)
Memorandum
This memorandum and resolution seek to authorize an Agreement with Sam Schwartz Consultants, LLC., to complete professional planning, public engagement, engineering and Vision Zero design and implementation efforts to create an action plan for the Moving Together Towards Vision Zero Comprehensive Transportation Plan Update.
This effort will define, develop and recommend implementation activities deploying a Vision Zero approach to multimodal transportation systems. The Moving Together Towards Vision Zero Plan acknowledges that transportation system deaths and severe injuries are preventable and providing accessibility for all is imperative. The implementation actions developed under this contract will guide us as we implement projects, programs and policies focused on realizing the goals for the City of Ann Arbor’s transportation system, including Quick Build Solutions, an All Ages and Abilities Bicycle Network, context sensitive design(s), and speeds appropriate for enhancing safety and mobility for all system users.
Included under this agreement is the development of a major streets traffic calming program and expanding on the City’s successful neighborhood streets Traffic Calming program. The consultant team will conduct a literature review of current practices, work with community stakeholders to establish clear goals, objectives and action steps to achieve the shared goal of reducing speeds on major streets as a step towards eliminating fatalities and severe injuries on the City’s major streets corridors.
This Vison Zero Action Plan will assist the City as it strives to install quick build and short-term transportation improvements during FY 2022. While simultaneously establishing an implementation program to address projects in the forthcoming Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) timeframe. This effort will yield near-term capital improvements which align transportation programs with our Vision Zero goal. This action plan effort will be oriented to assure the highest quality of life consistent with the goals of the City, will be guided by a Vison Zero Advisory Committee and will include involvement of the Transportation Commission as well as substantial public involvement.
The City of Ann Arbor sought a consultant, through RFP 21-25, to work with City staff and stakeholders to initiate action steps, deploy Quick Build Solutions and support safety outreach activities to implement the 2021 Moving Together Towards Vision Zero Comprehensive Transportation Plan Update.
In August of 2021, the City received proposals in response to Request for Proposals (RFP) No. 21-25 from three firms. The RFP required each consultant to submit a statement of qualifications, description of past involvement with similar projects, work plan, fee schedule, and resumes of personnel that were qualified and available to work on the project. A selection committee comprised of Engineering staff, a Transportation Commission member, and a Washtenaw Biking and Walking Coalition member reviewed the proposals and determined which firms were most qualified to perform the required services. The firms were evaluated and scored on several criteria:
• Professional Qualifications (20%)
• Past Involvement with Similar Projects (35%)
• Proposed Work Plan (35%)
• Fee Proposal (10%)
After reviewing and scoring the proposals, the selection committee ranked the responding firms in the following order:
1. Sam Schwartz Consultants, LLC
2. Toole Design Group
3. WSP
Based on the proposals and fee schedules submitted, the selection committee recommended award of the contract to the top firm, Sam Schwartz Consultants, LLC.
Sam Schwartz Consultants, LLC., complies with the requirements of the City’s Non-Discrimination and Living Wage ordinances.
Budget/Fiscal Impact: Staff is recommending moving forward with Sam Schwartz’s proposal ($329,763.00) plus a 10% contingency ($32,976.30) for a total project cost of $362,739.30. Sufficient funds have been allocated toward these efforts in the FY2022 Major Street Fund and County Mental Health Millage, Operations and Maintenance budgets. The eight vote requirement allows the funding for the project to remain available in FY 2023 to complete the entirety of the project scope.
Per the adopted FY22 Budget, the following tasks of this scope will be funded with the following sources:
• Traffic Calming on Major Streets will be funded at $100,000.00 with County Mental Health rebate proceeds (per Amendment #9 of the adopted FY22 Budget)
• Communications explaining pedestrian safety will be funded at $75,000.00 with County Mental Health rebate proceeds (per Amendment #9 of the adopted FY22 Budget)
• Transportation Plan Implementation Strategy will be funded at ~$187,739.00 with FY22 Major Street fund expenditure budget (per Amendment #10 of the adopted FY22 Budget. Note: Amendment #10 allocated $300,000.00 for the implementation strategy as well as implementation - the remaining budget of ~$112,261.00 will go towards implementation of three quick-build safety projects on major streets per the language in the amendment)
Staff
Prepared by: Eli Cooper, Transportation Program Manager
Raymond Hess, Transportation Manager
Reviewed by: Craig Hupy, Public Services Area Administrator
Approved by: John Fournier, Acting City Administrator
Body
Whereas, The City of Ann Arbor aspires to provide safe transportation systems and achieve Vision Zero;
Whereas, The City’s Moving Together Towards Vision Zero Plan recommended a series of projects, programs, and policies to achieve zero fatal and incapacitating crashes in Ann Arbor;
Whereas, There is a need to begin execution on the recently adopted Plan and implement important new Vision Zero concepts such as Quick Build Solutions, All Ages and Abilities Bicycle Network, Major Streets Traffic Calming and safety enhancements for Focus Corridors and Locations;
Whereas, The City of Ann Arbor Council unanimously adopted the Moving Together Towards Vison Zero Plan on June 7, 2021, articulating and embracing Vision Zero as a target for the City’s transportation system;
Whereas, The Ann Arbor City Council passed a resolution to adopt the FY2022 budget which included funding support for development of a Vison Zero Implementation Strategy, development of a Major Streets Traffic Calming Program, deployment of Quick Build Solutions, and development and execution of a Vison Zero safety-oriented communication program;
Whereas, Sufficient funds have been allocated toward these efforts in the FY2022 Major Street Fund and County Mental Health Millage, Operations and Maintenance budgets; and
Whereas, Sam Schwartz Consultants, LLC., has been selected from a pool of three proposals that were received in response to a formal Request for Proposals R 21-25 and reviewed by an evaluation team consisting of representatives from the city staff, Washtenaw Bicycling and Walking Coalition and a member of the City’s Transportation Commission.
RESOLVED, That City Council approves the Professional Services Agreement with Sam Schwartz Consultants, LLC in the amount of $329,763.00 for the Moving Together Towards Vision Zero Action Plan (RFP 21-25);
RESOLVED, That a contract contingency amount of $32,976.30 be established and that the City Administrator be authorized to approve change orders to satisfactorily complete the project;
RESOLVED, That the funding for the contract and the contingency amount, as well as staff effort be available without regard to fiscal year;
RESOLVED, the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized and directed to execute the agreement for services after approval as to form by the City Attorney and approval as to substance by the City Administrator; and
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator or designee be authorized to take the necessary administrative actions to implement the resolution.