Meeting_Body
PLANNING AND PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE
MAY 16, 2018
Subject
SUBJECT: NORTH SAN FERNANDO VALLEY BUS RAPID
TRANSIT CORRIDOR PLANNING AND
ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY
Action
ACTION: AWARD ARCHITECTURAL AND ENGINEERING PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
AUTHORIZE the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to award and execute a 40-month firm fixed price Contract No. AE49337000 to IBI Group in the amount of $5,582,619 for a base contract to complete the North San Fernando Valley Bus Rapid Transit Corridor Planning and Environmental Study and one of two optional tasks to advance the design through either i) Advanced Conceptual Engineering (ACE) in an amount not to exceed $928,908, or ii) Preliminary Engineering (PE) in an amount not to exceed $3,176,895, for a total not-to-exceed amount of $8,759,514, subject to resolution of protest(s), if any.
Issue
ISSUE
The North San Fernando Valley (NSFV) Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Improvements Project is identified and funded by Measure M with an expected opening date between Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 and FY 2025. Currently, $180 million in Measure M funds are allocated for the project. The project was also highlighted in the Twenty-Eight by '28 initiative adopted by the Board in January 2018. In order to meet the Measure M schedule, a Proposed Project for the corridor needs to be identified and environmentally cleared through an Alternatives Analysis (AA) and environmental review study.
The Contract is for both the AA and environmental review needed to complete the Draft and Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Two optional tasks are also included for up to an additional 12 months for either ACE to the 15% level of design or PE to the 30% level of design.
Board approval of this professional services contract is needed in order to proceed with the work and meet the Measure M schedule. The Procurement and DEOD Summary for Contract No. AE49337000 are shown in Attachments A and B.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
Background
In June 2016, the Board approved a motion directing staff to begin environmental planning work for new BRT service in the North San Fernando Valley area within six months of the passage of Measure M. In January 2017, staff began work on the NSFV BRT Environmental Framework Report as the first phase of environmental planning. Three preliminary concepts were identified and will serve as the starting point for initial discussion. Other potential concepts may be identified and studied as part of the AA after having the benefit of stakeholder and public input.
The purpose of the NSFV BRT project is to provide a high-capacity east-west transit service in the North San Fernando Valley, ease traffic, meet the growing demand for transit in the San Fernando Valley, and contribute to the success of the existing and planned countywide transit system by adding connectivity to a large population and significant trip generators, including California State University Northridge (CSUN), Panorama Mall, Northridge Fashion Center, and medical centers.
Project Study Area
The study area extends approximately 19 miles from east to west and is identified in Attachment C. It contains a population of approximately half a million and includes the City of San Fernando along with several City of Los Angeles communities including Chatsworth, Northridge, North Hills, Panorama City, Pacoima, North Hollywood, Sun Valley, and Sylmar. The eastern and western edges of the study area include Metrolink regional rail stations and connections to the Metro Red and Orange Lines.
Planned Outreach Efforts
Public and stakeholder engagement throughout the planning and environmental process will provide valuable feedback that will further inform and define the BRT concept for the corridor. Metro will continue to reach out to communities and individuals who have relationships and insights into community specific needs through a comprehensive public participation program. A series of meetings, including pre-scoping, public scoping, and EIR public hearings, will be conducted throughout the study process.
Individual briefings with key stakeholders, including California State University Northridge (CSUN), and elected officials will also be on-going. Community participation activities will be managed through a separate contract using the Board-approved On-call Communications Bench. The selected planning and environmental firm will work collaboratively with the outreach contractor throughout the study period.
Determination_Of_Safety_Impact
DETERMINATION OF SAFETY IMPACT
Approval of this item will not impact the safety of Metro’s customers or employees.
Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The FY 2019 proposed budget includes $1,303,270 in Cost Center 4240 (Connectivity Team 1), Project 471403 (North San Fernando Valley BRT). Since this is a multi-year contract, the Cost Center Manager and Chief Planning Officer will be responsible for budgeting in future years.
Impact to Budget
The funding source for this project is Measure M 35% Transit Construction. As these funds are earmarked for the NSFV BRT Improvements project, they are not eligible for Metro bus and rail capital and operating expenditures.
Alternatives_Considered
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
The Board could consider completing the planning and environmental study using in-house resources. This option is not recommended as there are insufficient in-house resources to conduct a study of this magnitude without placing the Measure M schedule at risk.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
Upon Board approval, staff will execute Contract No. AE49337000 with IBI Group and initiate work.
Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - Procurement Summary
Attachment B - DEOD Summary
Attachment C - North San Fernando Valley Transit Corridor Study Area Map
Prepared_by
Prepared by: Sarah Syed, Senior Manager, Countywide Planning & Development, (213) 418-3312
Martha Butler, Senior Director, Countywide Planning & Development, (213) 922-7651
David Mieger, EO, Countywide Planning & Development, (213) 922-3040
Manjeet Ranu, SEO, Countywide Planning & Development, (213) 418-3157
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by: Therese W. McMillan, Chief Planning Officer, (213) 922-7077
Debra Avila, Chief Vendor/Contract Management Officer, (213) 418-3051
