City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council approve a Professional Services Agreement with
PRP Engineering, Inc. to provide design services for the Braddock Sewer Station
Improvement Project, P-521.
BACKGROUND:
The Braddock Sewer Pump Station is located at the northeast corner of the
intersection of Braddock Drive and Sawtelle Boulevard. Sewer flows from a 720-
acre area of Culver City and abutting portions of the City of Los Angeles flow to the
station and are pumped into a force main in Braddock Drive to a City of Los Angeles
trunk sewer in Overland Avenue. Approximately 1,500,000 gallons of sewage are
pumped through the station on a daily basis.
Operational challenges have been experienced at the station for several years.
Pumps clog and sediment builds up rapidly causing sporadic reductions in pump
efficiency. The alarm system is triggered two to three times weekly when sewage in
the collection well rises higher than normal. Staff continues to pay close attention to
the station and is frequently called-out on an overtime basis to tend to station
maintenance.
In an effort to resolve the ongoing challenges, the Public Works Department
commissioned PRP Engineering, Inc. and APD Consultants, Inc. to prepare a study
to address the ongoing maintenance issues at the sewer pump station. The report
recommends construction of a new larger and deeper wet well with submersible pre-
rotation pumps. These types of pumps provide the necessary suction to collect the
sewer in the wet well by a screw-centrifugal pump rather than the standard impeller
Meeting Date: 5/11/2009 Item Number: C-4
AGENDA ITEM: Approval of a Professional Services Agreement with PRP
Engineering, Inc. to Provide Design Services for the Braddock Sewer Pump
Station Improvement Project, P- 521
Contact Person/Dept.: Andy O’Connell PW/Eng Phone Number: (310) 253-6406
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [] Attachments: [X]
Public Notification: Master E-Mail Notification List (05/06/09). Notification by telephone
to PRP Engineering, Inc., PSOMAS, Cannon, and RBF Consulting on (04/15/09)
Department Approval:
Charles D. Herbertson (04/30/09)
City Attorney Approval:
Carol Schwab (by H. Baker) (05/06/09)
Chief Financial Officer:
Jeff Muir (by N. Kimball) (05/05/09)
City Manager Approval:
Jerry B. Fulwood (05/06/09) City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
type pump. The screw-centrifugal pumps have a successful history and provide for
the passage of larger solids.
On January 12, 2009, the City Council approved the release of a Request for
Proposal (RFP) to qualified design firms for the preparation of the necessary plans
and specifications for the proposed reconstruction of the Braddock Sewer Pump
Station. The RFP included the design report as prepared by PRP Engineering, Inc.
and the proposers were asked to submit their proposals based on the information
contained in the report but they were free to submit an alternative design if they so
desired.
DISCUSSION:
On February 12, 2009, proposals were received from four civil engineering
consulting design firms as shown in the table below.
Firm
Proposed
Fee
1 Cannon $165,923
2 PRP Engineering, Inc. $129,400
3 PSOMAS $159,363
4 RBF Consulting $228,355
A rating system for each proposal was developed which included the following
criteria:
• Understanding of Scope
• Proposed Project Approach
• Relevant Experience and Qualifications of Proposed Team
• Availability of Team to Meet Schedule
• Responsiveness to RFP
• Proximity of Firm to Culver City
For architectural and engineering services contract, California Government Code
Section 4526 requires that selection by local agencies for professional services of
private architectural, landscape architectural, engineering, environmental, land
surveying, or construction project management firms shall be on the basis of
demonstrated competence and on the professional qualifications necessary for the
satisfactory performance of the services required. And local agencies shall assure
that these services are engaged on the basis of demonstrated competence and City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
qualifications for the types of services to be performed and at fair and reasonable
prices to the public agencies.
After evaluating each proposal based on the above criteria, staff recommends the
City Council award a Professional Services Agreement to PRP Engineering, Inc. as
the firm that is most knowledgeable about the pre-rotation pumps and has the most
experience in the redesign of small pump stations.
The proposed design would begin in June 2009 after execution of the contract
documents. The approval of the final plans and specifications and authorization to
advertise for construction bids is expected to be presented to the City Council for
consideration in December 2009.
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
Sufficient funding is available in Capital Improvement Project P-521, Pump Station
Improvements (Account No. 20400521.730100).
ATTACHMENT:
1) PRP Engineering, Inc. Response to RFP
MOTIONS:
That the City Council:
1. Approve a professional services agreement with PRP Engineering, Inc. to
provide design services for the Braddock Sewer Station Improvement Project,
P-521 for a not-to-exceed amount of $129,400; and,
2. Authorize the Public Works Director/City Engineer to increase the contract for a
not-to-exceed amount of $12,940 (10%), if necessary; and,
3. Authorize the City Attorney to review/prepare the necessary documents; and,
4. Authorize the City Manager to execute such documents on behalf of the City.