Title
Resolution to Approve a Professional Services Agreement with Metro Engineering Solutions, LLC for Architect/Engineering for the Ann Arbor Ypsilanti Broadband Conduit project, RFP 22-24 ($96,775.00)
Memorandum
Attached is a resolution to approve a professional services agreement with Metro Engineering Solutions, LLC in the amount of $96,775.00 for the design and route planning of fiber and conduit for the Ann Arbor Ypsilanti Broadband Conduit project.
This design and planning work is the next step in the joint project between the City of Ann Arbor, City of Ypsilanti, and SPARK for the construction of new fiber and conduit between the City of Ann Arbor’s existing fiber and conduit networks and the City of Ypsilanti and its Smart Zone. This new fiber and conduit will be used to promote economic development, collaboration and innovation in the area. This project received a $2.4 Million U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant, and each of the participating entities has approved the grant documentation and matching funds.
An MOU was drafted between and signed by the City of Ann Arbor, SPARK, and City of Ypsilanti which detailed responsibilities of each party involved. The City of Ann Arbor is responsible for creating and issuing the ITBs and RFPs related to this project as well as entering into the contracts with vendors for this project. In response to RFP 22-24, the City received two proposals which were publicly opened on April 8, 2022. Staff evaluated each of the proposals based on the selection criteria and specifications in the RFP and recommends that Metro Engineering Solutions, LLC be approved as the most experienced and best qualified proposer for this fiber and conduit route design and planning. The proposal from Metro Engineering Solutions, LLC is $11,775.00 higher than the other proposal, but was selected because of Metro Engineering Solution’s significant experience in the Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County area.
Staff is requesting your approval of a professional services agreement with Metro Engineering Solutions, LLC in the amount of $96,776.00 for the Architect/Engineering for the Ann Arbor Ypsilanti Broadband Conduit project.
Metro Engineering Solutions, LLC complies with the City’s Non-Discrimination and Living Wage ordinances.
Budget/Fiscal Impact: This contract is funded pursuant to an EDA Grant award of $2,400,000.00 along with an additional total of $600,000 in matching funds from the entities involved. The City of Ann Arbor’s portion of this $600,000 is $137,591 and the funding has already been provided to SPARK.
Staff
Prepared by: Tom Shewchuk, IT Director, ITSU
Reviewed by: John Fournier, Deputy City Administrator
Atleen Kaur, City Attorney
Approved by Milton Dohoney, Jr., City Administrator
Body
Whereas, The primary goal of this project is to design a fiber and conduit network between the City of Ann Arbor and City of Ypsilanti Smart Zones to promote economic development, collaboration, and innovation.
Whereas, This new fiber and conduit network will be owned and maintained by the City of Ann Arbor after the completion of the construction.
Whereas, SPARK was the lead applicant for the EDA Grant to finance this project and the City of Ann Arbor, and the City of Ypsilanti were co-applicants.
Whereas, Grant funding has been awarded by the EDA in the amount of $2,400,000.00. As a requirement for the EDA investment, a recipient share of $600,000.00 was required and the four organizations contributed as follows: SPARK - $200,000.00, LDFA - $150,000.00, Washtenaw County - $112,409.00, and the City of Ann Arbor - $137,591.00 (“the Grant Funds”).
Whereas, The City of Ann Arbor will manage this project to its completion, contracting and overseeing its design and construction, and SPARK will hold and distribute all related funds, paying all invoices from the Grant Funds;
Whereas, In response to RFP 22-24 - Architect/Engineering for the Ann Arbor Ypsilanti Broadband Conduit project the City received two proposals and selected the proposal from Metro Engineering Solutions, LLC as the recommended proposal; and
Whereas, Metro Engineering Solutions, LLC complies with the City’s Living Wage and Non-Discrimination ordinances;
RESOLVED, That City Council approve a Professional Services Agreement with Metro Engineering Solutions, LLC in the amount of $96,775.00 for the Architect/Engineering for the Ann Arbor Ypsilanti Broadband Conduit project (RFP 22-24) to be paid by SPARK using the Grant Funds;
RESOLVED, That the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized and are directed to approve said agreement after approval as to substance by the City Administrator and approval as to form by the City Attorney; and
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator be authorized to take the necessary actions to implement this Resolution regardless of fiscal year, including the execution of any required supplemental contract documents or any amendments that do not exceed the amounts authorized herein, after approval as to form by the City Attorney.