Meeting_Body
PLANNING AND PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE
JANUARY 18, 2023
Subject
SUBJECT: EASTSIDE TRANSIT CORRIDOR PHASE 2
Action
ACTION: APPROVE RECOMMENDATION
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
AUTHORIZE the Chief Executive Officer to execute Modification No. 5 to Contract No. AE51242000 with Cordoba/HNTB Design Partners, Inc. to continue advanced conceptual engineering support in the amount of $17,958,254, increasing the total current contract value from $17,556,103 to $35,514,357 and extend the period of performance from February 28, 2023 to June 30, 2024.
Issue
ISSUE
This is a request to authorize additional funds for engineering professional services under Contract No. AE51242000. A Contract Modification is necessary to continue Advanced Conceptual Engineering (ACE) for high-risk project elements and to continue coordination with key Metro departments and stakeholders in order to move the project toward the selection of the project delivery method. Advancing this engineering work, such as geotechnical investigation, utility identification, and tunneling analysis, will help to mitigate risks for the project which could have a detrimental effect on the overall cost and schedule, and provide the engineering information required for Metro to finalize the selection of the eventual project delivery method.
Background
BACKGROUND
Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 is an approximately 9-mile light rail transit extension from the existing Metro L (Gold) Line serving the cities and communities of Commerce, Montebello, Pico Rivera, Santa Fe Springs, Whittier, and unincorporated East Los Angeles and West Whittier-Los Nietos. At the December 2022 Board meeting (Agenda Item 2022-0684), the Board approved the Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) to Greenwood Station with design options, and authorized staff to also include in the final environmental impact report the full Project alignment to Whittier per California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The project will also reinitiate the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to pursue federal funding.
Consistent with previous Board requests and staff responses in February and April, 2022 respectively, and as environmental work proceeds, the advancement of engineering activities is needed to minimize future risks and move the project toward the selection of the delivery method. Board approval is needed for engineering services per Modification No. 5, to Contract No. AE51242000, with Cordoba/HNTB Design Partners, Inc. to advance engineering support. This effort will focus on high-risk project elements that will benefit from early design and coordination, including ongoing coordination with program management, geotechnical and subsurface/tunneling analysis, identification of utility conflicts, hazardous material evaluation, and right-of-way updates.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
To support the project into the next phase, it is critical that Metro advance engineering and utility-related work, among other strategies, to help streamline preconstruction-related work and identify/mitigate risks. A contract modification is needed to advance engineering support services that will help inform further development of the project scope, schedule, and budget. Advancement of work related to items such as utility conflicts and relocations, right-of-way acquisition, and permitting/construction requirements with third-party agencies are critical next steps of the project development. Engineering activities that will be completed as part of this contract modification include further geotechnical and utility investigation, as well as exploration, refining, and confirming significant project scope design elements. Advancement of these activities also supports advancement of third-party coordination with agencies and utility owners which is anticipated to begin later this year.
Additionally, the team will continue studying various project delivery methods in conjunction with Program Management and the Early Intervention Team and will continue to evaluate and define risks in accordance with Metro and FTA risk analysis and risk register requirements.
Risks
Not pursuing engineering activities and deferring this work to a later phase in the project development, would likely increase cost and schedule risks for the project.
Determination_Of_Safety_Impact
DETERMINATION OF SAFETY IMPACT
Approval of the contract modification will not impact the safety of Metro’s customers or employees.
Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The FY 2022-23 budget contains approximately $8 million in Cost Center 4310 (Mobility Corridors), Project 460232 for professional services. Since this is a multi-year contract modification, the Cost Center Manager and Chief Planning Officer will be responsible for budgeting in future years.
Impact to Budget
The source of funds for this action will be Measure R 35% Transit Capital funds dedicated for this project. These funds are not eligible for Bus and Rail Operations.
Equity_Platform
EQUITY PLATFORM
Approving the execution of the contract modification will support the anticipated benefits of the proposed Project and not result in any harm or unintentional burdens. This action will allow further engineering exploration and analysis of high-risk project elements that could minimize or mitigate impacts along the alignment. This action will help streamline project delivery for the proposed project, which aims to provide high-quality transit to historically underserved and equity focus communities.
The engineering consultant’s DBE made a 54.91% Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) commitment. The current level of DBE participation is 52.46%. Based on the contract’s completion level, there is a shortfall of 2.45% due to not initiating work on the last remaining task in the contract. The last task is to support the project's Final Environmental Impact Report phase, which is scheduled to begin in early 2023. The last task in the contract will activate three (3) DBE subcontractors that have not started work. These subcontractors are responsible for drilling, lab work, and design which are a priority for this contract modification. The consultant has included six (6) DBE subcontractors to perform the proposed modification.
Implementation_of_Strategic_Plan_Goals
IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
The Project supports the following strategic plan goals identified in Vision 2028: Goal 1: Provide high-quality mobility options that enable people to spend less time traveling, Goal 3: Enhance communities and lives through mobility and access to opportunity, and Goal 5: Provide responsive, accountable, and trustworthy governance within the Metro organization.
Alternatives_Considered
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
The Board may decide not to approve the contract modification; however, this is not recommended as it may delay the subsequent project phases and would increase future project risks would negatively impact the overall project costs.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
Upon Board approval, staff will execute Contract Modification No. 5 to Contract AE51242000 with Cordoba HNTB Design Partners, Inc. for engineering activities and commence work as discussed in this report.
Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - Procurement Summary
Attachment B - Contract Modification/Change Order Log
Attachment C - DEOD Summary
Prepared_by
Prepared by: Jenny Cristales-Cevallos, Senior Director, Countywide Planning & Development, (213) 418-3026
Dolores Roybal Saltarelli, Deputy Executive Officer, Countywide Planning & Development, (213) 922-3024
Allison Yoh, Executive Officer, Countywide Planning & Development, (213) 922-4812
David Mieger, Senior Executive Officer, Countywide Planning & Development, (213) 922-3040
Ray Sosa, Deputy Chief Planning Officer, Countywide Planning & Development, (213) 547-4274
Timothy Lindholm, Deputy Chief Program Management Officer, (213) 922-7297
Debra Avila, Deputy Chief Vendor/Contract Management Officer, (213) 418-3051
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by: James de la Loza, Chief Planning Officer, (213) 922-2920
