383 Retention of a construction management firm  

  • TURNPIKE COMMISSION

    Retention of a Construction Management Firm

    [26 Pa.B. 1099]

    Montgomery County
    Reference No. 4-045

       The Turnpike Commission may retain a construction management firm to provide construction management and construction inspection services for the Turnpike Commission's Schuylkill River Bridge and Diamond Run Viaduct, widening and rehabilitation project. The existing Turnpike bridge over the Schuylkill River (DB-113, Milepost 331.06) will be re-decked and a new independent structure will be constructed to the south of the existing bridge. The existing bridge will carry three lanes of westbound traffic and the new bridge will carry three lanes of eastbound traffic. The new bridge will require five piers, one of which will be in the Schuylkill River, and the existing abutments will be extended to support the new structure. The existing Diamond Run Viaduct (DB-114, Milepost 331.52) will be completely removed and Diamond Run Creek will be relocated into a metal plate pipe arch culvert and a gabion-lined trapezoidal channel. A new two-span bridge will be built over the Contrail tracks and relocated Diamond Run, a single-span bridge will be built over Conshohocken Road and the area between the two bridges will be filled in. The height of embankment varies from approximately 20 to 40 feet. The existing four lane roadway will be milled, resurfaced, and widened to six lanes with 12` shoulders utilizing full depth bituminous pavement, for a distance of 1 mile. In addition, a noise wall will be constructed. Significant coordination will be required with the involved railroads and utilities. Estimate for construction is $36,000,000. Duration of the management and inspection services will be approximately 36 months.

       The selected firm will be involved with the final design and construction phases of the project. During the design phase, special assignment will include, but are not limited to: provide construction input at design review meetings, review plans, specifications and addenda for value engineering and constructability, perform an in-depth plan check on all tabulated quantities, prepare construction time tables, and evaluate contract bids. During the construction phase, specific assignments will include, but are not limited to: prepare all project correspondence, provide full-time, onsite construction inspection services utilizing computer documentation for records, conduct monthly progress meetings at the site, analyze schedules submitted by contractors, recommend for acceptance all materials and mix designs, track and coordinate contractor's submissions and design changes to the design consultant, witness or perform onsite material acceptance testing, inspect property demolitions, coordinate with the community members and all local governing agencies, monitor compliance with the requirements of environmental permits, track and monitor all utility involvement, prepare press releases and assist in the coordination of groundbreaking and ribbon-cutting ceremonies, provide geotechnical services as needed, monitor all costs to keep the construction contracts within budget, prepare contractor's monthly invoices, change orders and final documentation, conduct final inspections, recommend acceptance of final quantities for each contract, provide survey corps when required, provide and coordinate detailed as-built drawings for each contract, provide claim avoidance and defense, if required, monitor compliance MBE/WBE programs and prevailing wage requirements, and organize and participate in partnering as directed.

       The selected firm will be required to provide a full-time construction management team consisting of a project manager with qualified and experienced support personnel to maintain project control in areas of engineering, utilities, scheduling, public relations, quality control and toll plaza construction. Environmental monitoring will also be required. In addition, an onsite staff consisting of a resident engineer, clerk of the works, and an appropriate number of construction inspectors will be required. The project manager must be approved by the Commission. Construction inspectors must meet Commission NICET and Education Standards as follows:

       Sixty percent of the inspection staff assigned to this Commission project must meet any of the following requirements:

       (A)  Be certified by the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET) as a Transportation Engineering Technician--Construction, Level 2 or higher.

       (B)  Be registered as a Professional Engineer by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania with 1 year of highway experience acceptable to the Commission.

       (C)  Hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering with 2 years of highway experience acceptable to the Commission.

       (D)  Hold an Associate degree in Civil Engineering Technology with 3 years of highway experience acceptable to the Commission.

       The remaining 40% assigned to each Commission construction project shall meet the following minimum education and experience requirements:

       Education--Graduation from high school or equivalent certification or formal training. Completion of a training program in construction inspection approved by the Commission may be substituted for high school graduation.

       Experience--1 year of experience in construction inspection or workmanship which required reading and interpreting construction plans and specifications or 1 year of experience in a variety of assignments involving the testing of materials used in highway or similar construction projects. A 2 or 4 year engineering college degree may be substituted for 1 year of experience.

       Technical question concerning the requirement for this project should be directed to Matthew J. Wagner, P.E., at (717) 939-9551, extension 5210.

    General Requirements and Information

       Firms interested in performing the above services are invited to submit letters of interest to John F. Graham, Jr., P.E., Deputy Executive Director--Engineering/Chief Engineer, Administration Building located on Eisenhower Boulevard at the Harrisburg-East Interchange near Highspire, PA (Mailing Address: P. O. Box 67676, Harrisburg, PA 17106-7676).

       The letters of interest must include the heading, the firm's Federal Identification Number and the Project Reference Number indicated in this advertisement. A Standard Form 254, ''Architect-Engineer and Related Services Questionnaire,'' not more than 1 year old as of the date of this advertisement must be submitted for the firm, each party in a joint venture and for each subconsultant the firm or joint venture is proposing to use for the performance of professional services. Standard Form 255, ''Architect-Engineer and Related Services Questionnaire for Specific Project,'' must accompany each letter of interest. Department of Transportation Form D-427 (as revised 6/89) must be completed to show an indication of both the prime consultant's and subconsultant's current workload by listing all Department of Transportation and Turnpike Commission projects.

       Standard Form 255 must be filled out in its entirety, including Item No. 6 listing the proposed subconsultants and the type of work or service they will perform on this project. DBEs must be presently certified by the Department and the name of the firms and the work to be performed must be indicated in Item 6.

       Firms with out-of-State headquarters or corporations not incorporated in Pennsylvania must include with each letter of interest a copy of their registration to do business in the Commonwealth as provided by the Department of State.

       The Turnpike Commission currently limits its participation in the remuneration of principals or consultant employes performing work on projects to $72,800 per annum or $35 per hour or their actual audited remuneration, whichever is less. The Commission currently limits its participation in the consultant's office indirect payroll costs (overhead) to 130% and the consultant's field indirect payroll costs (overhead) to 100% or the consultant's actual audited overhead rate, whichever is less.

       The following factors will be considered by the Committee during their evaluation of the firms submitting letters of interest.

       (A)  Specialized experience and technical competence of firm.

       (B)  Past record of performance with respect to cost control, work quality and ability to meet schedules. The specific experience of individuals who constitute the firms shall be considered.

       (C)  The prime consultant's and subconsultant's current workload as indicated on Department of Transportation Form D-427 (as revised 6/89). Letters of interest not including Form D-427 and subject to nonconsideration by the Selection Committee.

       (D)  Location of consultant's and subconsultant's office where the work will be performed.

       (E)  Listing of subconsultants intended. Any deviation from the subconsultants listed in the letter of interest will require written approval from the Commission.

       (F)  Previous experience in construction management of large highway or public works projects.

       (G)  Other factors, if any, specific to the project.

       The letters of interest and required forms must be received by 4 p.m., Friday, April 19, 1996. Any letters of interest received after this date and time will be time-stamped and returned.

       Firms will be shortlisted from the list responding to their advertisement in accordance with the Turnpike Commission policy. Shortlisted firms will be required to attend a Scope of Work meeting, submit a Technical Proposal, and if required, be interviewed through a formal presentation. The shortlisted firms will then be rated by the Technical Review Commission and an order of preference will be established by the Selection Committee.

       The Commission reserves the right to reject all letters of interest submitted, to cancel the solicitation requested under this notice and/or to readvertise solicitation for these services.

    JAMES F. MALONE, III,   
    Chairperson

    [Pa.B. Doc. No. 96-383. Filed for public inspection March 8, 1996, 9:00 a.m.]

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