ITEM 6-N

Council Meeting: July 13, 1999

Santa Monica, California

TO: Mayor and City Council

FROM: City Staff

SUBJECT: Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Negotiate and Execute Contracts with United Inspection and Testing, Inc. for Material Testing and Inspection Services and with Psomas and Associates for Survey Inspection Services during the Excavation and Construction of the Santa Monica Public Safety Facility.

This report recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute contracts with United Inspection and Testing, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $200,000 including contingencies, for material testing and inspection services, and with Psomas and Associates, in an amount not to exceed $100,000 including contingencies, for survey inspection services for the Santa Monica Public Safety Facility.

On June 8, 1999, the City Council awarded a construction contract for excavation and utility relocation for the Santa Monica Public Safety Facility. The excavation and utility relocation is the first phase in the construction of the new facility. The second phase, building construction, is anticipated to begin this winter. Completion of construction and building occupancy is anticipated for the fall of 2001.

State and local law requires that independent testing and inspection services be performed for the Public Safety Facility construction. These inspection and testing services provide an independent review of the construction means and help ensure that potential problems with construction materials or installations are immediately identified and corrected. Two types of inspection services are needed immediately for the excavation phase of the project: 1) material testing and inspection services, which provide for the inspection and testing of concrete, steel, and masonry materials and methods used in the construction; and 2) survey inspection services, which provide for the monitoring of shoring soldier piles to ensure that lateral loads are supported until the permanent subterranean substructure is completed. Additional independent testing and inspection services, including an independent inspector of record as required by the Essential Services Seismic Safety Act, will be procured at the appropriate stages of construction.

SELECTION OF CONSULTANTS

Requests for proposals for material testing and inspection services were sent to six firms on May 10, 1999. Five firms responded with proposals by May 24, 1999. Requests for proposals for survey inspection services were sent to four firms on May 18, 1999. Two firms responded with proposals by May 28, 1999. United Inspection and Testing, Inc. is recommended for the material testing and inspection contract, and Psomas and Associates for the survey inspection contract on the basis of the firms' demonstrated experience with similar projects, strong record of performance, favorable references, and competitive fee proposals.

Funds for testing and inspection services are available in CIP Account Number C01005899. 589000.

It is recommended that the City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute contracts with United Inspection and Testing, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $200,000 including contingencies, for material testing and inspection services, and with Psomas and Associates, in an amount not to exceed $100,000 including contingencies, for survey inspection services for the Santa Monica Public Safety Facility.

Prepared by:

Suzanne Frick, Director of Planning and Community Development

Craig Perkins, Director of Environmental and Public Works Management

Andy Agle, Deputy Director, Planning and Community Development

Tony Antich, City Engineer

Lauren Friedman, Senior Architect

Tim McCormick, Building Official