Report to Mayor and City Council
Tuesday, September 19, 2023
Consent
SUBJECT:
Title
CONSIDER REJECTION OF BIDS FOR IFB 23-03, PROJECT NO. 919: WILMINGTON AVENUE AND 223RD STREET - ACCESS TO PULL BOXES (CITY COUNCIL)
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I. SUMMARY
Project No. 919: Wilmington Ave & 223rd St. Access to Pull Boxes is part of the Public Works Capital Improvement Program which includes site improvements within the Dominguez Channel at the Southwest corner of 223rd/Wilmington Avenue. The site improvements include providing access to existing pull boxes that are necessary to maintain the traffic signal at the intersection of 223rd Street and Wilmington Avenue.
The project was advertised in a newspaper of local circulation and through the PlanetBids portal from March 9, 2023, to April 6, 2023. One (1) bid was received and opened at the City Clerk’s Office. Public Works Engineering determined that CWS Systems was the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, with a total bid amount of $203,000.00.
Given that only one bid was received, staff is recommending that City Council reject the bid submitted by CWS Systems Inc. and re-advertise the Project with a wider outreach to secure more competitive bids.
II. RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Take the following actions:
1. REJECT the bids received for IFB 23-03 Project No. 919 - Wilmington Ave & 223rd St. Access to Pull Boxes
2. AUTHORIZE staff to re-advertise the project for construction bid in an effort to receive more competitive bid amounts.
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III. ALTERNATIVES
1. DO NOT reject the bid.
2. TAKE another action the City Council deems necessary and appropriate at this time consistent with the requirements of the law.
IV. BACKGROUND
Project No. 919: Wilmington Avenue and 223rd Street - Access to Pull Boxes is included in the City’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP) list.
In 2019, the City of Carson completed the freeway interchange project at the 405 Freeway and Wilmington Avenue. During construction, the contractor installed the pull boxes serving the traffic signal at the intersection of Wilmington and 223rd Street under the existing Flood Control Channel Bridge owned and operated by Los Angeles County. Due to the current locations, the LA County Traffic Signal Maintenance Division is not able to maintain the traffic signals if it requires maintenance/service. LA County Traffic Signal Maintenance Division requested that the City provide accessibility to the pull boxes so that they can maintain the traffic signal at said intersection. The accessibility improvements include the installation of entry gates, metal ladders, concrete landing pads, safety fences with foundation, anchors for safety lanyards, and clearing and grubbing existing vegetation. Demolition and improvement plans were prepared by P.A. Arca Engineering.
The Invitation for Bids (IFB 23-03) was advertised in a newspaper of local circulation and through the PlanetBids portal from March 9, 2023, to April 6, 2023. One (1) bid was received and opened at the City Clerk’s Office.
Given that only one bid was received, staff requests that the City Council reject the bid received for IFB-23-03 and authorize staff to readvertise the project in an effort to receive more competitive bid prices.
V. FISCAL IMPACT
None, rejecting a bid does not have a direct fiscal impact to the City.
VI. EXHIBITS
1. Project Location Map
2. City of Carson Bid Register for IFB 23-03
Prepared by: Arlington Rodgers, Director of Public Works and Gilbert M. Marquez, P.E., City Engineer