Over the next three years, the City of Garden Grove has multiple water main replacement capital improvement projects slated, some of which will be designed in-house. Subsurface utility investigation services, including potholing and identifying existing utilities along the water main alignment, are essential tasks during the preliminary design period.

Currently, the City of Garden Grove does not have potholing staff and therefore needs to engage the services of a consultant/contractor to meet the various needs of capital project design.

Staff requested proposals from three firms, and all three (3) consultants submitted proposals.  A qualified panel of staff rated the proposals on the basis of qualifications without considering cost.  Based on evaluation results, T2 UES, Inc. rated highest and C Below, Inc. second highest in qualifications and ability to provide subsurface utility investigation services for capital projects. Based on future needs for services for the projects slated, staff is recommending contracts with two of the three consultants. The following is a summary of the ratings with the highest total being the most qualified:

There is no impact to the General Fund. Each agreement will be established for a three (3) year period in the not-to-exceed amount of $250,000 per contract, for a total of $500,000. The services will be funded from the various capital projects requiring subsurface utility services.

It is recommended that the City Council:

• Award contracts for on-call Subsurface Utility Investigation Services to 1). T2 UES, Inc. and 2). C Below, Inc. in the amount of $250,000 per contract for a total of $500,000 for a term of three years; and

• Authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement on behalf of the City, and make minor modifications as appropriate thereto.

By:    Jessica Polidori, Associate Engineer