cover
TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Brian Witkowski, P.E., New Development Engineer
DATE: September 26, 2024
SUBJECT:
A resolution authorizing the execution of a Phase 3 Construction Engineering Services contract with HR Green, Inc. in the not to exceed amount of $1,924,344.00 for the Farnsworth- Bilter-Church Roadway Widening, Resurfacing, and Intersection Improvements.
PURPOSE:
To approve entering into a Phase 3 contract for Construction Engineering services with HR. Green, Inc.
BACKGROUND:
This project has been planned for many years as the ultimate build-out of Farnsworth Ave and Bilter Road for the sections covered in this contract. The project is located on Farnsworth Ave from I-88 interchange to the lane drop approximately 700 feet south of Butterfield Rd, Bilter Rd from Church Road intersection to the west leg of Premium Outlets Blvd and Church Rd from approximately 220 feet north of the Bilter Rd intersection to approximately 800 feet south of the Bilter Intersection in the City of Aurora, Kane County, IL. The gross and net length is 9,134 ft (1.73 miles).
The work consists of roadway widening and resurfacing of approximately 1.73 miles. Farnsworth Ave is widening from a 4-lane section to a 6-lane section consistent with the cross section found north of Butterfield Road. Bilter Road is generally widening from a 2-lane cross section to a 4-lane cross section and Church Road is widening from a 2-lane cross section to a 3-lane cross section. The work will generally include the removal and replacement of existing pavement, installation of new watermain, storm sewer, sidewalk, ADA ramps, bike path, lighting and traffic signals along with work including signing, intersection radii widening, pavement marking, landscaping, and all other collateral work necessary to complete the project in accordance with the plans.
HR Green was instrumental in aiding the City of Aurora during the Phase I and Phase II portion of this project and were selected as part of a QBS process to continue their services in Phase III. .
DISCUSSION:
Due to the complex nature of the project construction and documentation requirements for such a large construction project, the City needs to hire a consultant for the Phase 3 Construction Engineering Services. The City will be utilizing the Consultant selected as part of a qualifications based selection.
The City published a Qualification Based Selection (QBS) for a Master Task Order for Phase 3 Engineering Services on August 5, 2024. Fourteen (14) firms submitted their qualifications. Staff reviewed the qualifications submitted and determined that HR Green, LLC was the most qualified with the top 3 firm's scores attached as Exhibit 'A'. Exhibit ‘A’ also has a breakdown of the selection criteria and weighting and the score breakdowns in each category. HR Green's team has successfully completed Phase 3 Construction Engineering Services for many federally funded projects including recent East New York Street, Indian Trail Reconstruction, ATC Pedestrian Bridge, and Eola Road within the City of Aurora. The attached Phase 3 Engineering Agreement (BLR 05530) from HR Green in the amount of $1,924,344.00 noted as Exhibit 'B' will provide full time construction and material inspection for this project.
However the project will be slightly altered from the original scope. City staff will work with the design engineer to reduce the scope of the construction project which will in turn reduce the amount of money that will be paid to the construction engineering consultant.
This followed the Request for Qualifications process and is not subject to the local preference policy
:
As this contract is professional services it is not legally allowed to be competitively bid. The 2023 cost estimate anticipated this would be a $9,000,000.00 construction project. In early 2024 this estimate was revised to $13,500,000.00. After the plans were finalized the construction cost was estimated to be $17,500,000 based on increased construction and material costs. The final bid construction cost came in at approximately $19,500,000. Typically, the construction engineering cost is estimated anywhere from 7-15% of the construction cost. This contract is for approximately 10% of the construction costs and therefore within acceptable tolerances for these services. Currently our estimates based on the reduced scope will reduce the construction cost by approximately 7 million dollars. These limits are anticpated to be the east leg of the Farnsworth Ave and Bilter Road intersection while the northern limits are expected to be limited to just north of the Thorntons gas station.
Since this contract is a hourly not to exceed contract it is based on the number of hours the Phase III consultant spends on the contract and we anticipate this to be less based on the reduced scope requiring less hours to complete the construction.
This will be paid for through GO bonds and Capital Improvement Funds.
Current accounts where money is held for 2024 are:
356-4060-431.73-99- $6,600,000
340-4060-431.73-99- $480,000
This contract will use the account 340-4060-431.73-99 until exhausted and then utilize account 356-4060-431-73-99.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
There are detailed staging plans included in the roadway construction plans. At times the road will be reduced from 2 lanes in each direction to 1 lane in each direction. Access to all businesses will be maintained at all times.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Please forward this to Finance Committee for approval.
cc: Infrastructure and Technology
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
title
A Resolution authorizing the execution of a Phase 3 Construction Engineering Services contract with HR Green, Inc. in the not to exceed amount of $1,924,344.00 for the Farnsworth- Bilter-Church Roadway Widening, Resurfacing, and Intersection Improvements.
body
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, the City seeks to reconstruct, widen and resurface Farnsworth Ave, Bilter Road and Church Road as well as make intersection improvements, and
WHEREAS, HR Green, Inc was chosen as the preferred construction engineering consultant firm after a qualifications based selection process.
WHEREAS, these construction improvements represent the ultimate buildout of Farnsworth Ave, and Bilter Road, and
WHEREAS, these construction improvements will mean there is no decrease in roadway capacity through these segments of Aurora roadway, and
WHEREAS, the 2024 City budget provides for $6,600,000 in account 356-4060-431.73-99 and $480,000 in account 340-4060-431.73-99 (GB164 Farnsworth and Bilter Improvements)
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: that a Phase 3 Constrution Engineering Contract with HR Green, Inc. in the not to exceed amount of one million nine hundred twenty four thousand three hundred forty four and zero cents ($1,924,344.00) shall be and hereby is approved.