January 26, 1999

The Honorable Board of Supervisors
County of Los Angeles
383 Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration
500 West Temple Street
Los Angeles, California 90012

Dear Supervisors:

AWARD OF A CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT
FOR GENERAL DEVELOPMENT
AT WILLIAM S. HART PARK
C.P. NO. 88526, SPEC. NO. 97-1060
(Fifth District -3- Vote Matter)

IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT YOUR BOARD:

2. Authorize the Director of Parks and Recreation to approve change orders and contingencies of up to a maximum amount of $95,200.
3. Approve and instruct the Chair to sign the attached Contract Agreement, and approve the Faithful Performance and Labor and Materials Bonds filed by the Contractor.
PURPOSE OF RECOMMENDED ACTION

The Department is now recommending that your Board award a construction contract to Alfa-26 Construction Company, in the amount of $952,000, for the General Development of William S. Hart Park.

The Safe Neighborhood Parks Proposition of 1992, under Section (8) Subsection (a),Paragraph (2), subparagraph (P), provided funds for rehabilitation of park facilities at Hart Park. The Safe Neighborhood Parks Proposition of 1996, under Section (3) Subsection (a), Paragraph (1), subparagraph (S), provided funds for renovation of campground and/or general park improvements at Hart Park.

JUSTIFICATION

The project site is located in the Newhall area of unincorporated north Los Angeles County. The project consists of the construction of a multi-use building intended for public use, and also for private parties and receptions. The existing open-air pole barn will be completely enclosed and finished to include a large meeting room, kitchen, restrooms, storage area, equipment rooms, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and entrance way. In addition, a gazebo and patio area, landscaping, drainage, and parking area improvements will be constructed. The restroom portion of the building will have access from the interior as well as the exterior so that it can serve the building users as well as visitors in that area of the park. The project also includes certain site preparation tasks which have been performed by at-risk youth under the supervision of Departmental personnel and, therefore, are not included as part of the construction contract.

This project is one of more than 200 capital improvement projects that the Department is undertaking as a result of the voters' approval of the Safe Neighborhood Parks Propositions of 1992 and 1996.

FISCAL IMPACT

There is no impact on the General Fund. This project is funded by the Regional Park and Open Space District (C.P. No. 88526, $850,000). Sufficient funds will be available in the current project appropriation under C.P. No. 88526 upon Regional Park and Open Space District approval of a $459,000 appropriation adjustment (see related item on Regional Park and Open Space District agenda).

FINANCING

The recommended construction contract with Alfa-26 Construction Company is for$952,000. In addition, $95,200 (10 percent of the contract amount) is requested for change orders and contingencies. Therefore, the total construction cost is currently estimated at $1,047,200 which exceeded the pre-bid construction cost estimate of $637,500. There is also a proportional increase of $48,014 in County services from $140,153 to $188,167 to provide sufficient construction management funding for the project scope. Therefore, the total project cost, including plans and specifications, plan review, construction, at-risk youth, consultant services and County services, is currently estimated at $1,309,000 (see Attachment A), which is $459,000 higher than the pre-bid estimate. The department has examined the project costs and considered other alternatives and is recommending proceeding with the current project.

FACTS AND PROVISIONS/ LEGAL REQUIREMENTS

The construction contract contains provisions requiring the Contractor to report solicitations of improper consideration by County employees and allowing the County to terminate the contract if it is found that the Contractor offered or gave improper consideration to County employees.

As required by your Board, the contract also provides that if the Contractor, or any subcontractor performing more than $250,000 of the contract value, should require additional or replacement personnel to perform a skilled trade not covered by an existing union hiring agreement under this contract, the contractor is encouraged to consider qualified County employees who are targeted for layoff or qualified former County employees who are on a reemployment list for said employment openings.

Additionally, on August 12, 1997, your Board adopted the plan to encourage County contractors to employ participants in the County's Department of Public Social Services' Greater Avenues for Independence (GAIN) Program. The contract contains a provision that, should the contractor require additional or replacement personnel to fill employment openings, consideration shall be given to hiring qualified participants in the GAIN program.

As required by your Board, the Contractor, Alfa-26 Construction Company, has submitted the proper identifying information concerning principal owners to the District Attorney's office and is in compliance with any court-ordered child, family, and spousal support obligations, if applicable.

In accordance with your Board's action of April 14, 1998, the performance history of the Contractor, Alfa-26 Construction Company, was found to be satisfactory with respect to the County's Intranet "Contractor Tracking Site" web page.

As part of this Department's program to fulfill the Youth Employment Minimum Obligation adopted for the County by your Board on June 26, 1997, your Board approved a Youth Employment Plan for this project on September 15, 1998.

The Notice Inviting Construction Bids for this contract was advertised on the County Office of Small Business Web Site on September 15, 1998.

The contract has been reviewed and approved as to form by County Counsel.

CONTRACTING PROCESS

On September 15, 1998, your Board adopted the Plans and Specifications No. 97-1060 for the General Development of William S. Hart Park at an estimated construction cost range from $478,963 to $579,545, and instructed the Executive Officer-Clerk of the Board to advertise for construction bids in accordance with "Instruction Sheet for Publishing Legal Advertisement".

On November 3, 1998, three (3) bids were received (see Attachment B). Alfa-26 Construction Company, with a bid of $952,000, was the lowest responsible bidder meeting the criteria adopted by your Board.

Community Business Enterprise (CBE) participation in the project has been enhanced through the Capital Project CBE Outreach Program. Pursuant to the procedures adopted by your Board on May 1, 1973, the safety record of Alfa-26 Construction Company was reviewed and found to be satisfactory.

IMPACT ON CURRENT SERVICES (OR PROJECTS)

This project will require relocation of some of the animals at the existing barnyard to new exhibit pens. The new pens are being constructed as a separate project at an estimated cost of $25,000. This portion of the project will be funded through the Department's Regional Park Development Fund and there will be no impact to the General Fund.

Construction will begin in February 1999, and be completed in August 1999. Subsequently, a maintenance period of 60 calendar days is needed to allow the landscape to fully establish and to promote long term growth and stability. Therefore, it is anticipated that the general improvements will be available for public use in October 1999.

NEGATIVE DECLARATION/ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORTS

On September 15, 1998, your Board found the project to be categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act.

CONCLUSION

Please instruct the Executive Officer-Clerk of the Board to forward the original and four (4) conformed copies of this letter and the executed agreement to the Department of Parks and Recreation for distribution.

Respectfully submitted,

Rodney E. Cooper
Director

Attachments (4)

JAR:hpaward

c: Chief Administrative Officer
Executive Office (22)

AWARD OF CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT
FOR WILLIAM S. HART PARK
GENERAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
C.P. NO. 88526, SPEC. NO. 97-1060

I. PROJECT SCHEDULE

      

Project Activity

Scheduled

Completion Date

Revised

Completion Date

Date

Completed

1. Land Acquisition

N/A

    

2. Environmental Impact Report

N/A

    

3. Program

N/A

    

4. Schematic Design

05/97

 

06/97

5. Design Development

07/97

  

10/97

6. Construction Documents

09/97

5/98

10/98

7. Jurisdictional Approval

N/A

 

8. Construction Contract Award

11/98

01/99

  

9. Construction Start

11/98

02/99

  

10. Beneficial Occupancy

04/99

07/99

  

11. Final Acceptance

05/99

08/99

II. PROJECT COST SUMMARY

Cost Category

Estimated

Project Cost

Impact of

Proposed Action

Revised

Project Cost

Expenditures &

Encumbrances

To Date

1. Land Acquisition

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

2. Plans and Specifications

53,469

$0

53,469

53,328

3. Plan Review

10,641

1,286

11,927

11,927

4. Make-Ready Activities

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

5. Construction*

637,500

409,700

1,047,200

$0 $0 $0

6. Equipment

N/A N/A N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

7. Consultant Services

4,589

0

4,589

0

8. County Services

140,153

48,014

188,167

$59,348

9. Other: Youth Employment

3,648

0

3,648

1,690

TOTAL

850,000

459,000

1,309,000

$126,293

* Includes Change Orders and Contingency

hpaward

ATTACHMENT B

AWARD OF CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT
FOR GENERAL DEVELOPMENT
OF WILLIAM S. HART PARK
C.P. NO. 88526, SPEC. NO. 97-1060

BIDDER LUMP SUM BID

Alfa-26 Construction Company $ 952,000

Edwin G. Bowen Company, Inc. $ 971,779

Mallcraft, Inc. $1,000,199

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