REPORT TO SHASTA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

BOARD MEETING DATE:  February  28, 2023
CATEGORY:  Consent - Public Works-23.

SUBJECT:

Award to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, MDS Engineering & Construction, Inc., on a unit cost basis, the contract for “CSA 2-Sugarloaf Water System Improvement Project,” Contract No. 610895.

Supervisorial District No. :  4

DEPARTMENT CONTACT:  Al Cathey, Public Works Director, (530) 225-5661

STAFF REPORT APPROVED BY:  Troy Bartolomei, Assistant Public Works Director

RECOMMENDATION

Award to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, MDS Engineering & Construction, Inc., on a unit cost basis, the contract for “CSA 2-Sugarloaf Water System Improvement Project,” Contract No. 610895, in the amount of $1,658,284.

DISCUSSION

The County was awarded a State of California Small Community Drought Relief Program grant.  It provides for improvements to the CSA 2-Sugarloaf Water System. These improvements include a new storage tank, water meters, and replacing leaky sections of the distribution system. Six bids for constructing the improvements were received on October 27, 2022. There were multiple bid irregularities. The Board approved rejection of these bids during the January 10, 2023 meeting. During the same meeting, the Board approved revised project plans and specifications and directed staff to re-advertise the project. On February 9, 2023, eight bids were received and opened.  The low bid was 16% below the Engineer’s Estimate. Staff recommends that the Board award the contract to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, MDS Engineering & Construction, Inc., in the amount of $1,658,284.

ALTERNATIVES

The Board may decline to proceed with the project at this time. The pipeline leakage is taxing the water supply wells in this drought.  At times it has been necessary to haul potable water to supplement the low well yields.  It is recommended the project proceed.

OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT

County Counsel has approved the contract documents as to form. Risk Management has approved the contract documents. The Recommendation has been reviewed by the County Administrative Office.

FISCAL IMPACT

The total project cost estimate is $2,700,000. Sufficient appropriations are included in the Adopted Fiscal Year 2022-23 CSA #2 Sugarloaf Water Administration budget.  The State of California Small Community Drought Relief Program will cover the cost of the project.  The CSA will be in a negative cash position for periods of time while awaiting reimbursement from the State of California.