Title
Resolution - A Resolution Authorizing a Change Order and Providing Additional Funds for Holland Road Phase 2 Improvements (Stonebriar Trail to Garden Path Lane) with Ed Bell Construction Company for an Amount Not to Exceed $657,800.16 (Utility Fund)
Requested Action
Consider the Resolution authorizing a Change Order to the contract of Ed Bell Construction Company for Holland Road Phase 2 Improvements (Stonebriar Trail to Garden Path Lane).
Recommendation
The Engineering Staff recommends approval of the Resolution.
Description/History
The Holland Road Phase 2 Improvements project was awarded to Ed Bell Construction Company on December 13, 2021 for an amount not to exceed $13,956,277.11. To mitigate potential pavement failure due to the significant sanitary sewer depth, an alternative was provided for the sanitary sewer trench backfill. This alternative included flowable fill to within ten feet to the top of pavement for a cost of $1,724,250.00. Based on the high cost of this alternative, Staff recommended award of the base bid without this alternative. At the time of award it was stated that a lower cost option would be investigated as a change order.
After the project started, alternatives to the flowable fill were proposed by Ed Bell to provide a better trench backfill option than native material while still being a lesser cost than the as-bid flowable fill alternative. The proposed option is to replace the flowable fill above the pipe embedment zone with material meeting the TxDOT specification of Type A Grade 1 Flexible Base. The proposed cost for this change is $657,800.16.
Justification
The Engineering Design Consultant and city staff agree that the proposed option of flexible base material above the pipe embedment zone can provide a much more stable trench backfill than the native material. It is understood that the contractor will have methods in place to achieve appropriate compaction with the material especially given the possibility of groundwater. After significant discussion, both staff and Freese and Nichols agree that the construction, compaction and de-watering methods proposed by the contractor will accomplish the desired compaction and better protect the future pavement. Therefore, the proposed change for flexible base material is recommended.
The City Engineer will attend the meeting to answer Council’s questions regarding the proposed contract modification and funding. A resolution is attached for Council’s consideration.
Funding Source
The funding source will be from the Utility Fund.
Prepared By
Gus Chavarria, Capital Improvements Project Manager, Engineering Dept., 817-276-4235