Port of Dubuque ConsultantMEMORANDUM
October 30, 2001
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
Consultant Selection for Project Manager Services for Port of Dubuque
Responses were received for the request for proposal for project manager services and
construction and inspection services for the public components of the America's River
project. The workgroup called for in the Platinum Holdings Development Agreement
reviewed the responses and interviewed three firms. The selection committee is
recommending that the Durrant Group be retained to provide project manager and
construction inspection services at a cost of $822,858.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
Michael C. Van Milligen
MCVM/jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
MEMORANDUM
October 30, 2001
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Consultant Selection for Project Manager Services for Port of Dubuque
Introduction
The purpose of this memorandum is to request City Council approval of the selection of
a consulting firm to provide project management services for the public improvements
at the Port of Dubuque.
Background
A review committee was established to solicit proposals for project management
services for the public improvements that are part of the America's River project
recently awarded with Vision Iowa funds. These improvements include street, sidewalk
and utility improvements, construction of the riverwalk, amphitheater and conference
and education center. The review committee consisted of the workgroup called for in
the Platinum Holdings LLC Development Agreement as well as city representatives. It
included City Manager Mike Van Milligen, Rick Dickinson, Greater Dubuque
Development Corporation Executive Director, Sue Czeshinski, Convention & Visitors
Bureau Director, Jerry Enzler, Dubuque County Historical Society Executive Director,
Jim Rix and David Hockenberry, Platinum Hospitality Group, Administrative Services
Manager Pauline Joyce (the selected firm will report to Pauline Joyce), Planning
Services Manager Laura Carstens, Associate Planner Pam Myhre, and myself. In
addition Public Works Director Mike Koch, Economic Development Director Bill Baum
and Building Services Manager Rich Russell participated in the review process.
On September 5, 2001 Request for Proposals were sent to over 20 national
architectural and construction firms requesting their proposal to provide 1) project
management services for public improvements at the Port of Dubuque including the
conference and education center; and 2) construction inspection services for these
improvements. A total of five proposals were received. On October 2, the review
committee met to determine which firms should be interviewed based upon the
information provided. The abilities and experience of the consultant team, the general
understanding of the proposed project, the proposed scope of work, the ability to meet
deadlines and the proposed fee for services were all reviewed as part of the decision to
invite the consultant teams to Dubuque for an interview. Those teams interviewed
included:
· The Durrant Group (Dubuque, la)
· Hanscomb (Chicago, III)
· HOK Design + Build (Kansas City, KS)
Discussion
On October 8th and 9th, formal interviews were held with the above mentioned firms.
The formal interviews included a presentation by the consultant team and then a
question/answer session with the Committee. Elements considered critical in the firms
approach to designing this project included: 1) Experience with similar projects; 2) cost
estimating; 3) construction inspection; and 4) experience in working with the Corps of
Engineers. Elements considered critical in the firms approach to construction inspection
included: 1) experience of the on-site personnel; 2) ability to manage similar sized
projects; and 3) experience with projects located adjacent to bodies of water. The track
record of the proposed team in working on past, successful projects and the
commitment of staff to this project on a full-time basis were also viewed as very
important elements to both the design and construction inspection services for this
project. In addition, fees for services rendered was also used in the decision making
process. The proposed fees for the final three firms are as follows:
Base Bid Alternates* Total
· The Durrant Group $720,308 $102,550 $ 822,858
· Hanscomb $793,600 $ 70,000 $ 863,600
* HOK Design + Build $979,410 $ 250,000 $1,229,410
*Includes miscellaneous expenses such as travel, testing, field office, safety inspection and additional cost
estimating..
The result of the first interview process narrowed the review committee's decision to two
firms, Hanscomb and The Durrant Group. Upon completion of the reference checks,
the review committee met several times to discuss the strength and weaknesses of
either proposal. Critical issues in these discussions involved the firm's ability to deliver
the projects on time and budget, incorporating adjacent sites into the c;3nstruction
management process, construction inspection services, cost estimation and success on
previous projects. All committee members agreed that both firms were highly qualified
and would be able to provide quality services for the City of Dubuque. Based upon this
information, the consensus was to recommend that The Durrant Group be selected as
the project manager firm.
Recommendation
Based on an extensive review of the proposals, interviews, follow-up discussion and
reference checks, the interview Committee recommends that The Durrant Group be
retained to provide project manager services for the public improvements at the Port of
Dubuque.
Action Step
The action step for the City Council is to concur with the selection of The Durrant Group
as the consultant to provide project manager services for the public improvements at
the Port of Dubuque and direct the City Manager to negotiate a contract not to exceed
$822,858.00.
cc: Review committee
RESOLUTION 473-01
A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE SELECTION OF A CONSULTANT TO
PROVIDE PROJECT MANAGER SERVICES AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN APPROPRIATE CONTRACT FOR SAID SERVICES.
Whereas, the City of Dubuque, Iowa has made a commitment to the America's River
Project to design and construct public improvements at the Port of Dubuque; and
Whereas, a Request for Proposals solicited consultant services to provide project
manager services for the public improvements at the Port of Dubuque; and
Whereas, The Durrant Group is recommended to provide the project manager
services.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CiTY COUNCIL OF THE CiTY OF
DUBUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1. That the selection of The Durrant Group as the consultant to provide
project manager services for the public improvements at the Port of Dubuque for the
City of Dubuque is hereby approved.
Section 2. That the City Manager is hereby authorized to execute, on behalf of
the City Council of the City of Dubuque, Iowa, a contract with The Durrant Group for
consultant services not to exceed $822,858.00
Passed, approved and adopted this 5th day of November, 2001.
/s/ Terrance M. Duggan, Mayor
Attest: /s/ Jeanne F. Schneider, City Clerk
/'//~K~anne F. Schneider
~" City Clerk