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CC - CONSENT ITEM: (1) Award of a Construction Contract to United Storm Water, Inc., as the Lowest Responsive and Responsible Bidder, in the Amount of $346,788, for the Construction of the Catch Basin Trash Excluder Retrofit Project, PW-005; and (2) Authorization to the Public Works Director/City Engineer to Approve Change Orders in an Amount Not-to-Exceed $34,679 (10% of Contract Amount) for Unanticipated Costs.
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Meeting Date: February 27, 2023
Contact Person/Dept: Sean Singletary/Public Works - Environmental Programs & Operations Division
Phone Number: (310) 253-6457
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Attachments: Yes [] No [X]
Commission Action Required: Yes [] No [X]
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (02/22/2023);
Department Approval: Yanni Demitri, Public Works Director/City Engineer (02/14/2023)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council (1) award a construction contract to United Storm Water Inc., as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, in the amount of $346,788, for the construction of the Catch Basin Trash Excluder Retrofit Project, PW-005; and (2) authorize the Public Works Director/City Engineer to approve change orders in an amount not-to-exceed $34,679 (10% of contract amount) for unanticipated costs.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
The City is required to comply with the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit issued by the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board (LARWQCB) and Trash Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL). The MS4 permit requires the City to implement Best Management Practices (BMPs) that would improve water quality in the Ballona Creek Watershed, and eliminate trash generated within the City’s jurisdictional boundaries from being deposited to Ballona Creek via the City’s public storm water drainage system. Both the MS4 Permit and Trash TMDL regulations require zero trash to be discharged to Ballona Creek. Compliance is attained by installing full-capture trash excluder inserts in catch basins. The inserts consist of automatic retractable screens (ARS) across catch basin curb openings and connector pipe screens (CPS) mounted inside catch basins across the pipe outlet. Both devices are typically installed on each catch basin; however, physical conditions may prevent installation of either or both of the devices at any particular location. The devices are designed to avoid blockages, maintain flood protection, and would eliminate trash into Ballona Creek.
There are 646 catch basins equipped with full-capture excluder inserts within the City. The number of catch basin remaining without trash excluder devices is approximately 366 that are either owned by the City or Los Angeles County Flood Control District (LACFCD). After field survey, evaluation and research, and County’s review and approval, there are 130 catch basins feasible to install the devices (ARS, CPS, or Both). LACFCD has produced maintenance agreements to allow the City to construct improvements in County-owned catch basins per MS4 requirements.
The notice inviting bids for the construction of the Project was posted on PlanetBids on December 1, 2022. On January 5, 2023, the City’s Purchasing Division received three bids in the following amounts:
BIDDER BID AMOUNTS
1. United Storm Water, Inc. $346,788.00
2. G2 Construction, Inc. $372,942.00
3. Downstream Services $425,488.00
Staff confirmed United Storm Water, Inc. as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder after careful evaluation of each firm’s documents, contractor’s license, and reference checks. Staff recommends the contract be awarded to United Storm Water as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. Construction inspection services will be provided by one of the City’s existing on-call construction management firms.
This project is anticipated to begin in April 2023 and is expected to be completed by June 2023.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
Funding for the project is included in the Adopted Budget for Fiscal Year 2022/2023 in Capital Improvement Program, Stormwater, Project No. PW005, Catch Basin Excluder Retrofit Project (Account Number 43480000.730100.PW005).

ATTACHMENTS
None.
MOTION
That the City Council:
1. Award a construction contract to United Storm Water, Inc. as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, in the amount of $346,788 for the Catch Basin Excluder Retrofit Project, PW-005;
2. Authorize the Public Works Director/City Engineer to approve change orders in an amount not-to-exceed $34,679 (10% of contract amount) for unanticipated costs;
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.