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Award of Contract to Archer Western Construction, LLC, for Design and Build of Lockhart Water Treatment Plant Expansion Project and Associated Budget Resolution (Contract No. RFP 21-R00077/PH; Amount: $10,350,000.00)
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BRIEF OVERVIEW
On July 7, 2021, the Procurement Department issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ No. 21-R00076/PH) for the Design-Build of the Lockhart Water Treatment Plant Expansion Project (Step 1).
Five (5) proposals were received on the opening date of September 15, 2021, from the following firms (in alphabetical order):
• Archer Western Construction, LLC - Tampa, FL
• Kimmins Contracting Corporation - Tampa, FL
• R2T, Inc. - Palm Beach Gardens, FL
• Vogel Bros. Building Company - Lakeland, FL
• Wharton-Smith, Inc. - Sanford, FL
A Professional Services Review Committee (PSRC) comprised of Rick Kirby, P.E., Utilities Engineering Manager; Michael Ullven, Airport Senior Project Manager; and Landis Legg, Utilities Plants Supervisor, met on October 21, 2021, to review and rank the five (5) written Proposals. The selection process was conducted using the guidelines set forth in Section 287.055, Florida Statutes. This statute only permits negotiation of fees or project costs as a part of the contract negotiation process (i.e., after the firms have been ranked).
The PSRC consensus scoring actions resulted in a short list of these three (3) firms in highest ranking order:
FIRM NAME TOTAL AVG. POINTS
Wharton-Smith, Inc. 86.67
Archer Western Construction, Inc. 78.00
Kimmins Contracting Corporation 76.00
On November 17, 2021, the Procurement Department issued a Request for Proposals (RFP No. 21-R00077/PH) for the Design-Build of the Lockhart Water Treatment Plant Expansion Project (Step 2) to the three (3) highest-ranked firms. On January 12, 2022, Kimmins Contracting Corporation withdrew from the RFP process. The two (2) remaining proposals were opened on February 23, 2022. The same Professional Services Review Committee met on April 13, 2022, to review and rank the two (2) written proposals.
The PSRC consensus scoring actions resulted in a short list of these two (2) firms in highest ranking order:
FIRM NAME TOTAL AVG. POINTS
Archer Western Construction, Inc. 84.33
Wharton-Smith, Inc. 71.07
As per the attached memo dated April 20, 2022, the PSRC concurs with the ranking order and recommended that contract negotiations begin with the highest-ranked firm. Staff entered into negotiations for RFP 21-R00077/PH with Archer Western Construction, Inc., and staff has successfully completed negotiations. The final negotiated contract is attached for your approval.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The estimated expenditure of $10,350,000 is in the following accounts:
4132-07213-5666529 ($2,150,000.00) = Connection Fee-Water Fund, Connection Fees-Water Dept., CIP-Lockhart Wellfld/WTP, and 4144-07244-5666529 ($7,850,000.00) = Capital Fund, Capital Dept. CIP-Lockhart Wellfld/WTP account.
LEGAL NOTE
The Board has the authority to take the recommended action pursuant to Part II, Chapter 2, Article V of the Hernando County Code of Ordinances.
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RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Board approve and authorize the Chairman’s signature on the attached Standard Form of Agreement Between Owner and Design-Builder and associated budget resolution for negotiated Contract No. 21-R00077/PH with Archer Western Construction, Inc., for the Design-Build of the Lockhart Water Treatment Plant Expansion Project. It is further recommended that the Board authorize the Chief Procurement Officer to approve change orders as they become necessary and required against available budgets.