Presenter/Contact
Presenter
Jared Werner, Chief Financial Officer
Contact Info
(830) 221-4385 - jwerner@nbtexas.org
Subject Header
SUBJECT:
Title
Approval of a contract with Brown, Reynolds, and Watford Architects to provide final design, bid phase, and construction phase services for Fire Station #7, including a Fire Training Facility; approval of an issuance of an invitation for competitive sealed proposals as the procurement method for construction of this project; and approval of a purchase of an ambulance from Frazer, and the purchase of an aerial ladder truck from Siddons Martin to be housed at Fire Station #7.
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BACKGROUND / RATIONALE:
History - Since the inception of the Creekside Town Center TIRZ, the construction of a fire station within the boundaries was always planned. The City had initially planned to locate the facility on a piece of property directly of FM 306 (near the area of Christus and RBFCU). However, due to several factors it was determined that a different property that was already owned by the City of New Braunfels would be a more ideal location. The board met in January 2019 to expand the TIRZ to include this property. On June 11, 2019, the TIRZ board met once again and approved a recommendation to begin design of the station as well as purchase the ambulance and aerial ladder truck that will eventually be housed at the station once completed. More information on these items are provided below.
Design - The city has completed preliminary design for the replacement of fire station #2 and #3 as part of the 2019 bond program. City Council has given staff direction to align the design and construction of stations #2, #3, and #7 to take advantage of economies of scale. Therefore, initiating the design process for station #7 now will allow for the opportunity for all three fire stations to be solicited for concurrently.
Brown, Reynolds, and Watford (BRW) was selected as the most qualified design team through an RFQ process for the Fire Training Facility during the planning process for the 2019 Bond. The project was ultimately not selected by City Council to move forward as part of the 2019 Bond. However, it was identified that the Fire Training could be constructed along with Fire Station #7 utilizing TIRZ funding in the Creekside area. BRW was also selected through the RFQ process for the development and design of Fire Stations #2 & #3 which were approved as part of the 2019 Bond Program. Fire Station #7 will be a heavy house including living quarters and four apparatus bays. The station will follow the design concepts and layout being developed for Fire Station #2. The cost of initiating design had not been included in the FY 2018-19 TIRZ Fund budget(s); therefore, a budget amendment was also approved at the June 11 meeting so that these services could be initiated immediately. The contract with BRW includes design, bidding and construction phase services of the station, fire training center, and the infrastructure needed to provide utilities and access to the site of the station for a not to exceed amount of $1,370,000.
Competitive Sealed Proposal- - City staff recommends issuing an invitation for a Competitive Sealed Proposal (CSP) as the procurement method for the contract to construct this project. The CSP method allows the City to evaluate the most qualified contractors and the best value for the project. The evaluation of the proposals received by City staff will be presented to City Council for direction regarding the approval of a contract for construction.
Ambulance and Aerial Ladder Truck - Per the City’s bond counsel, we can acquire the apparatus and put them in to operation prior to the completion of station #7. The only stipulation is that they be placed at the station that provides service to the TIRZ. Therefore, staff will be requesting approval to purchase an ambulance and aerial ladder truck. They will be housed at station #6, which is located directly off Hwy 46 South. There are two main advantages to ordering this equipment in advance of the station being completed. First, we take advantage of the current cost of equipment, avoiding potential inflationary and demand pressures that could affect the price by waiting. Secondly, having an aerial ladder truck at station #6 would reduce response times (for calls specifically requiring a ladder truck) in the Creekside area - where there continues to be more density and vertical construction occurring.
Ambulance Purchase - the City is a member of the Houston-Galveston Area Council (HGAC) purchasing cooperative. Participation in the cooperative allows the organization to purchase various services and commodities that have already been competitively bid in accordance with municipal procurement related statutes and requirements. Staff recommends utilizing the HGAC contract to purchase the ambulance from Frazer. The cost for the ambulance is $273,248. There is an additional $134,605 in ancillary equipment required to put the ambulance into service, however that equipment will be purchased from other vendors. The ambulance is not projected to be delivered until mid FY 2019-20. therefore, the full cost to purchase the ambulance and ancillary equipment has been incorporated into the FY 2019-20 TIRZ Fund Proposed Budget.
Aerial Ladder Truck Purchase - The City is a member of the Buy Board purchasing cooperative. This allows the organization to purchase various services and commodities that have already been competitively bid in accordance with all municipal procurement related statutes and requirements. Staff recommends utilizing the Buy Board contract to purchase the aerial ladder truck from Siddons-Martin. The cost for the truck is $1,335,295. There is an additional $111,385 in ancillary equipment required to put the ambulance into service, however that equipment will be purchased from other vendors. The truck is not projected to be delivered until late FY 2019-20. therefore, the full cost to purchase the truck and ancillary equipment has been incorporated into the TIRZ FY 2019-20 Proposed Budget.
ADDRESSES A NEED/ISSUE IN A CITY PLAN OR COUNCIL PRIORITY:
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X |
Yes |
City Plan/Council Priority: |
Strategic Priorities: Continue an ongoing program of infrastructure construction and maintenance. |
FISCAL IMPACT:
There are sufficient reserves available in the Creekside TIRZ Fund to support the expenditures described above. The majority of these costs have been incorporated into the FY 2019-20 TIRZ Fund Budget, which was also approved by the TIRZ Board at their June 11 meeting. That information will be incorporated into the Citywide FY 2019-20 Proposed Budget Document, which is currently in development.
Recommendation
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:
On June 11, 2019 the Creekside TIRZ board approved a recommendation to City Council to enter into a contract with BRW as well as the purchase of the ambulance from Frazer and aerial ladder truck from Siddons-Martin.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of a contract with Brown, Reynolds, and Watford (BRW) Architects to provide final design, bid phase, and construction phase services for Fire Station #7, including a Fire Training Facility; approval of an issuance of an invitation for competitive sealed proposals as the procurement method for construction of this project; and approval of a purchase of an ambulance from Frazer, and the purchase of an aerial ladder truck from Siddons Martin to be housed at Fire Station #7.