Dubuque Industrial Center West_South Siegert Farm Design RecommendationMasterpiece on the Mississippi
Michael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
David J. Heiar, Economic Development Director
Dubuque
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All- AmericaCity
11 11!
2007
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Dubuque Industrial Center West - South Siegert Farm Recommendation
for Design Services
DATE: July 12, 2011
On March 8, 2011, the City released a Request for Proposal for design and construction
services associated with the development of the South Siegert Farm. Eight proposals
were received in response to the Request for Proposal and four firms were selected for
an interview.
The selection committee is recommending IIW Engineers as the firm best suited to
provide design services for the new industrial park on Seippel Road. IIW has a proven
track record with the City of Dubuque for designing industrial parks (North Siegert farm
and DICW Phase II). They showed a great understanding of the geology in the area,
the complexities of a large scale grading project, and the detail and supervision needed
to ensure a successful result to the project. In these projects, they also have shown
their ability to modify the project during construction and create substantial savings for
the local tax payers.
Economic Development Director Dave Heiar recommends City Council award a contract
to IIW Engineers for design and construction services associated with the development
of the South Siegert Farm for a cost not to exceed $428,120.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
Dubuque
AihnericaCIly
2007
FROM: David J. Heiar, Economic Development Director
SUBJECT: Dubuque Industrial Center West — South Siegert Farm Recommendation for
Design Services
DATE: July 11, 2011
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this memorandum is to seek City Council authorization to award a
contract with IIW Engineers for design and construction services associated with the
development of the South Siegert Farm.
BACKGROUND
The development of the next phase of the Dubuque Industrial Center West is a high
priority of the City Council. The City purchased the South Siegert farm (175 acres) in
1997 to be prepared for the need to develop additional industrial sites.
The Dubuque Industrial Center West —South Siegert Farm RFP Selection Committee,
consisting of Rick Dickinson — Greater Dubuque Development Corporation, and City of
Dubuque staff Aaron DeJong, Kyle Kritz, Bob Green, Todd Irwin, Marie Ware, Jason
Hartman, and Dave Heiar drafted an RFP for the selection of a consultant to do the
design of the Dubuque Industrial Center West — South Siegert Farm Addition.
The RFP for design services was released on March 8, 2011. The scope of services
requests:
• At least two options for grading, landscaping, and lot sizes.
• Further development of the proposed biking/walking trail.
• A plan to phase construction for budgeting purposes.
The scope of services also recognizes the need to fund the construction of new streets
with RISE funding from Iowa DOT. Therefore, the engineering information for the RISE
program must be prepared for the City to submit an application.
Proposals were due on May 9, 2011. Eight proposals were received. The following is a
list of the firms that submitted proposals;
• BT Squared (Madison, WI)
• Epstein (Chicago, IL)
• Fehr - Graham & Associates (Freeport, IL)
• IIW Engineers (Dubuque, IA)
• MSA Professional Services (Dubuque, IA)
• Snyder & Associates (Madison, WI)
• Veenstra & Kimm (West Des Moines, IA)
• WHKS & Co. (East Dubuque, IL)
DISCUSSION
The selection committee was given copies of the eight proposals and was asked to
review them. The committee then met to determine which firms should be invited to an
interview with the selection committee. The committee chose 4 firms; Fehr - Graham,
IIW Engineers, MSA Professional Services, and WHKS & Co., to interview.
The proposed costs for the design portion of the project were similar among the four
interviewed firms. There were huge variations in the cost proposals for construction
services. Some proposals provided as few as 2 months of construction inspection,
while others proposed up to 9 months. Upon further questioning, it became very
apparent that each firm took a different approach to submitting a cost proposal. The
RFP requested a "not to exceed" cost proposal. If we used the same number of
inspection hours for each firm, the costs would actually be very similar. Most of these
firms have no experience with this size of a grading project in the Dubuque terrain.
There are many unknown variables, making it difficult to provide solid cost estimates
included but not limited to, 1) the amount of earth work required after final design is
approved, 2) soil conditions, 3) weather conditions during construction and 4) the
experience and efficiency of the contractor.
The selection committee is recommending IIW Engineers as the firm best suited to
provide design services for the new industrial park on Seippel Road. IIW has a proven
track record with the City of Dubuque for designing industrial parks (North Siegert farm
and DICW Phase II). Their offices are less than 15 minutes from the industrial parks. In
addition, they showed a great understanding of the geology in the area, the complexities
of a large scale grading project, and the detail and supervision needed to ensure a
successful result to the project. In these projects, they also have shown their ability to
modify the project during construction and create substantial savings for the local tax
payers.
Prior to the last two industrial park projects, the City had a history of lawsuits associated
with our industrial park development projects. IIW has worked with City staff to develop
project specifications to reduce the chances for this type of litigation. IIW `s staff has
also worked with contractors on a daily basis during the construction phase to avoid any
potential problems prior to escalation.
Even after the previous industrial parks have been developed, IIW has shown a
continued commitment to the City in making these developments successful. Whenever
the City needs detailed information on a particular area, they have provided that
information in a timely fashion to assist the City with any potential development
prospect.
2
The development of this industrial area will provide some special challenges. The
farmland is divided by Catfish Creek and a large pipeline (see attached maps). It is
highly likely that some of this land will not be useable for industrial purposes. IIW has
partnered with Confluence to add additional creativity to their team and to help examine
the potential recreational uses of certain portions of this development site. This is
another reason the committee is recommending IIW for this project. Confluence is a
consulting firm comprised of landscape architects and planners, with offices located in
Iowa, Missouri, and South Dakota. Confluence brings the skills of landscape
architecture, planning, and urban design to work with related disciplines as a creative
but practical means of merging client's needs with the environment. Confluence
attempts to make every project special through the art of 'place- making' to create a
human connection with each project, its location, and the environment.
Based on their past experience, IIW submitted a not to exceed cost for both phases of
work at $428,120. This price includes up to 9 months of construction inspection. The
experience of those committee members who have worked with IIW in the past, is that
the firm does not always reach the maximum "not to exceed" cost for a given project.
The final cost can be Tess than the contract amount based on actual hours.
BUDGET IMPACT
$469,688 is budgeted for fiscal year 2011, and the sources of revenue are land sales
and Tax Increment Financing. The contract will be structured so that the design of
potential streets will be eligible for RISE funding. IIW has shown a proven track record
with projects similar in nature and has offered costs that are in line with the budget for
the project.
RECOMMENDATION /ACTION STEP
The City Council is requested to approve a contract with IIW Engineers for a cost not to
exceed $428,120 to provide design and construction services for the Dubuque Industrial
Center West — South Siegert Farm Addition and authorize the City Manager to sign said
contract.
cc: Rick Dickinson, GDDC
Aaron DeJong, Economic Development
Kyle Kritz, Planning & Zoning
Marie Ware, Leisure Services
Jason Hartman, Assistant Budget Director
Todd Irwin, Engineering
Bob Green, Water Department
F: \USERS\Econ Dev \Siegert Farm \South Siegert Farm \South Siegert Farm RFP\20110711 Siegert Farm Design Consultant
memo.docx
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