C2B-Issue RFQ Citywide Geotechnical And Laboratory Testing ServicesCOMMISSION ITEM SUMMARY
Condensed Title:
Request For Approval To Issue A Request For Qualifications (RFQ) For Geotechnical And Laboratory
Services On An As-Need Basis.
Key Intended Outcome Supported:
Ensure well-maintained infrastructure
Supporting Data (Surveys, Environmental Scan, etc.): The 2009 Customer Satisfaction Survey
indicated that 79% of businesses rated recently completed capital improvement projects as "excellent"
or "good."
Issue: I Shall the Mayor and City Commission approve the issuance of the RFQ?
Item Summary/Recommendation:
Geotechnical, Soil Testing and/or Lab Testing Services are required steps in the proper pre-planning of
construction projects for the City. Many of the City's CIP and Public Works projects will require, during
one time or another, a Geotechnical, Soils or Lab Testing Report to validate either the City's Engineer's
or any Architect's or Engineer of Records recommendations as to any site, building or any other
project's unknown characteristics.
By issuing a Geotechnical Services RFQ and its subsequent Agreement(s), the City will be able to
adequately plan and incorporate Geotechnical and Soil Testing Services as part of the pre-construction
preparatory work, which is a phase that is part of every City construction project. In addition, the
Geotechnical firm(s) would provide personnel that are qualified, trained and thoroughly familiar with the
City's rules, policies, and procedures in inspection, sampling testing, and reporting various areas and
stages of construction. The ability to have a rotating list of Geotechnical firms would enable the City to
procure these services directly at a cost savings to the City. It will be the Administration's intent to select
multiple firms to provide this service for the City.
It is the intent of the City of Miami Beach to select several firms under this RFQ, which will be contacted
on an as-needed basis. This contract shall remain in effect for three (3) years from the date of contract
execution by the Mayor and City Clerk and two (2), one (1) year renewal options at the sole discretion of
the City Manager.
Advisory Board Recommendation:
I N/A
Financial Information:
Source of Amount
Funds: 1 N/A
OBPI
MIAMI BEACH 29
Account
AGENDA ITEM _C_~...;;;.B __
DATE /-//-/2._
lD MIAMI BEACH
City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, Florida 33139, www.miamibeachfl.gov
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
Mayor Matti Herrera Bower and Members of the City Commission
Jorge M. Gonzalez, City Manager ~--/"
January 11,2012 u Q
REQUEST FOR APPROVAL TO ISSUE A REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS
(RFQ) FOR CITYWIDE GEOTECHNICAL AND LABORATORY TESTING SERVICES
ON AN AS-NEEDED BASIS.
ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDATION
Approve issuance of the RFQ.
ANALYSIS
Geotechnical, Soil Testing and/or Lab Testing Services are required steps in the proper pre-
planning of construction projects for the City. Many of the City's CIP and Public Works projects
will require, during one time or another, a Geotechnical, Soils or Lab Testing Report to validate
either the City's Engineer's or any Architect's or Engineer of Records recommendations as to
any site, building or any other project's unknown characteristics.
By issuing a Geotechnical Services RFQ and its subsequent Agreement(s}, the City will be able
to adequately plan and incorporate Geotechnical and Soil Testing Services as part of the pre-
construction preparatory work, which is a phase that is part of every City construction project. In
addition, the Geotechnical firm(s) would provide personnel that are qualified, trained and
thoroughly familiar with the City's rules, policies, and procedures in inspection, sampling testing,
and reporting various areas and stages of construction. The ability to have a rotating list of
Geotechnical firms would enable the City to procure these services directly at a cost savings to
the City. It will be the Administration's intent to select multiple firms to provide this service for the
City.
It is the intent of the City of Miami Beach to select several firms under this RFQ, which will be
contacted on an as-needed basis. This contract shall remain in effect for three (3) years from
the date of contract execution by the Mayor and City Clerk and two (2), one (1) year renewal
options at the sole discretion of the City Manager.
SCOPE OF SERVICES
Geotechnical Services
• The Consultant shall provide all labor, materials, equipment, transportation, and other
appurtenant work for performing subsurface explorations, obtaining representative
samples, and performing all other geotechnical services.
• The Consultant shall comply with all federal, state, and local rules and regu·lations with
regard to permits, bonds, drilling, plugging, and all other applicable aspects of drilling.
• The Consultant shall research and review all pertinent existing geologic and
geotechnical data and information available from USGS, area development, and the
company's own files.
• The Consultant shall review the proposed project information and requested scope of
work indicated as a minimum level of services desired relative to the anticipated
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Commission Memorandum -Issuance of the Geotechnical and Laboratory Services RFQ
January 11, 2012
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subsurface conditions present. If localized subsurface conditions are expected to vary
significantly, Consultant shall advise Owner of additional recommended services prior to
commencing work.
• The Consultant shall be responsible for contacting the appropriate agencies (state/city
utility check) for determining locations of utilities in the vicinity of the actual boring
locations.
• Borings shall be backfilled to the original ground surface in accordance with all
applicable local, state, and federal guidelines.
• Consultant shall perform the standard penetration test (SPT) in accordance with ASTM
Designation D 1586.
• In soil that is predominantly cohesive (silty clays, sandy clays, and material with
adhesive binder), Consultant shall use the thin-walled tube method for sampling in
accordance with ASTM Designation D 1587.
• Rock coring shall be performed in accordance with ASTM Designation D 2113.
• Double-ring infiltration test shall be conducted in accordance with ASTM Designation D
5093.
• Laboratory tests shall be assigned and performed by the Consultant to classify soils and
obtain geotechnical physical characteristics such as strength, compressibility, swell
potential, compaction characteristics, and chemical characteristics such as
corrosiveness. Perform laboratory testing consistent in quantity and. quality with local
geotechnical engineering practice to provide the required design parameters and
recommendations. The quantity of tests to be performed will be dependent upon the type
of soil and/or rock encountered during drilling and sampling with additional consideration
of the foundation types that may be required to support the proposed structures.
• The Consultant shall prepare a geotechnical engineering report containing a discussion
of the proposed construction, final boring logs, boring location plan, a description of the
drilling and sampling program, a description of the geology and subsurface conditions
encountered, groundwater conditions, laboratory test results, and foundation and
earthwork recommendations and design parameters.
The following is a list of major items that shall appear in the geotechnical engineering report:
• Previous Construction Activity and Existing Fill (If present): A discussion of previous
construction activity shall address any existing fills or subsurface openings, if
encountered. Outline the engineering properties of any existing fills with regard to
foundation design.
• Subsurface Conditions: Subsurface conditions encountered at the site shall be
discussed, based upon stratigraphic sequence observed and local geology. Figures shall
be provided displaying soil borings and generalized cross sections. A general description
of the engineering properties or parameters determined from the investigation and
applied to design recommendations shall be provided. Prevailing groundwater elevations
observed and those recommended for design shall be noted. "
• Site Preparation Recommendations: Provide grading and site preparation
recommendations taking into consideration the conceptual grading plan for the site.
• Compaction Requirements: The report shall contain detailed and specific criteria for
acceptable embankment, fill, or backfill materials and address whether the available
borrow material on site is suitable for general or structural fill. The report shall contain
recommendations for material usage at the site with regard to placement and
compaction requirements as well as any recommended treatment. Compaction criteria,
including acceptable gradations, moisture control, compactive effort, and need for
proofrolling shall be discussed, including criteria for both granular and cohesive fill, if
applicable. Preparation of subgrades for fill and backfill placement shall be discussed.
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Commission Memorandum -Issuance of the Geotechnical and Laboratory Services RFQ
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• Foundation Design: The geotechnical engineering report prepared by the Consultant will
be used to size and structurally design stable foundations for the structures. To
accomplish this task, the report shall contain recommendations in regard to the
recommended foundation type for each structure, as loading and site conditions may
require.
The report shall provide net allowable bearing pressures for shallow spread footings and mats,
at recommended bearing depths, considering the types of materials supporting the mats, and
note whether any overstressing is allowed under short-term loading such as dynamic, wind, or
seismic loading conditions. If over-excavation of unsuitable materials and backfill with structural
backfill are required to improve the foundation soils to allow the use of shallow foundations,
provide estimated vertical and horizontal extent of the over-excavation and structural backfill.
Provide estimated total and differential settlement for foundations using the recommended
bearing pressures. Provide an estimate of the time of settlement. Note factors of safety included
or recommended. Provide recommendations for resistance to lateral loads, such as passive
earth pressures and sliding friction for the base of foundations. Provide recommended
groundwater level for determination of buoyancy and means to resist buoyant forces, if needed.
Recommendations for deep foundations shall include diameter, depth, and any recommended
installation requirements. Provide allowable design loading capacities for vertical downward
loading, vertical upward loading, and horizontal loading, as appropriate to the site conditions.
Provide design parameters for analysis of laterally loaded drilled piers as required for input into
lateral pile capacity software. All factors of safety utilized in developing the allowable load
capacities shall be outlined in detail.
• Slope Stability and Excavations: The report shall address the recommended inclination
of both temporary excavation and permanent slopes.
• Excavation Requirements: If necessary, a section of the report shall address the
excavatibility of the soils and rock which may be exposed during foundation excavation
and site grading. The effort and type of equipment utilized to perform excavations is
dependent upon the size and depth of the excavation. Thus, the discussion shall be in
regard to area-type excavations and confined excavations, such as utility trenches.
• Dewatering: Conditions present at the site requiring groundwater control, dewatering, or
surface drainage during excavation for mats, footings, and other construction shall be
discussed. Anticipated types of dewatering shall be described. Special consideration to
exposed sub-soils within the bottom of excavations during construction shall be
addressed.
• Corrosion Potential and Chemical Attack to Concrete: An evaluation of representative
subsurface materials shall be performed to provide laboratory test results for chemical
constituents, specifically pH, chloride ion, soluble sulfates, and sulfides as well as
electrical resistivity. These parameters are required to evaluate the potential for
corrosion to underground piping and grounding, and selection of cement type to resist
potential sulfate attack.
• Pavements and Roadway: Provide typical pavement thickness suggestions in
accordance with Miami Dade County and FOOT specifications.
Any other items of consideration as deemed necessary by the geotechnical company. The
geotechnical engineering report shall be prepared by or under the direction of a Registered
Professional Engineer registered under the regulatory laws of the State of Florida.
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Commission Memorandum -Issuance of the Geotechnical and Laboratory Services RFQ
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Roadway Reports
Roadway reports shall include, but not be limited to:
• Copies of SCS and USGS maps with project limits.
• A report of tests sheet that summarizes the laboratory test results, the soil stratification
(i.e., soils grouped into layers of similar materials) and construction recommendations
relative to the current Standard Indices.
• Estimated seasonal high and/or low groundwater levels, and review with respect to
proposed pavement grades.
• Recommend type of geosynthetic for various applications.
• The Design LBR results from 90% and mean methods.
• Permeability/infiltration parameters for water retention areas/exfiltration trenches/swales.
• A description of the site and subsoil conditions, design recommendations and a
discussion of any special considerations (i.e., removal of unsuitable material,
recompression of weak soils, estimated settlement time/amount, groundwater control
etc.).
• An appendix which contains stratified soil boring profiles, laboratory test data sheets,
Design LBR calculations/graphs, and any other pertinent information.
In addition to the roadway report, the Consultant will also provide stratified boring profiles to the
Designer and review the entire set of plans for completeness before each submittal as
requested by the Department. The Consultant shall assist the Designer with detailing limits on
the cross-sections of subsoil excavation. Up to four draft roadway reports shall be submitted to
the District Geotechnical Engineer for each review prior to incorporation of the Consultant's
recommendations in the project design.
Permits
The consultant is responsible for obtaining and maintaining all required City of Miami Beach and
any Miami Dade County Public Works permits, including but not limited to, MOT, excavations,
etc. Additionally, if required, the consultant shall be responsible for all special events permits
from the City of Miami Beach and Miami Dade County Police Departments.
Additional Services
Other geotechnical services to perform geotechnical investigation and/or construction material
testing at other locations to be determined at a later date, may be required beyond the scope of
this work. Compensation for such additional services shall be negotiated based on hourly rates
contained in the Agreement awarded under this RFQ.
Materials Testing, Inspection, and Reporting
The Consultant shall provide the City of Miami Beach with personnel that are qualified, trained
and thoroughly familiar with the City's rules, policies, and procedures in inspection, sampling
testing, and reporting in the following areas:
• Bituminous Construction Materials
• Sand, Coarse Aggregate, Limerock and Cemented Coquina Mine Inspection
• Base, Sub-Grade and Embankment Materials
• Pavement Parking Materials
• Portland Cement Concrete
• Precast Concrete Products
• Pre-Stressed Concrete Products
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Commission Memorandum-Issuance of the Geotechnical and Laboratory Services RFQ
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• Drilled Shaft Inspection
• Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) Data Entry
• Pavement Coring Reporting (PCR) Data Entry
• Consultant Contract Project Management
• Construction Materials Investigations, Special Studies & Projects
• Miscellaneous Construction Related Activities
• Materials Inspection and Testing Related Maintenance Activities
• Asphalt Concrete Inspection/Evaluation
The Consultant shall provide (when required) qualified and experienced technicians in the
following:
• Aggregate Field Testing
• Concrete Field Technician Levell and II
• Aggregate Laboratory Testing
• Concrete Laboratory Technician
• LBR Technician
• Asphalt Paving
• Asphalt Plant
• CTCI-Concrete Transportation Construction Inspections
• Pre-stress Inspector Technician
• Drilled Shaft Inspector
• Pile Driving Inspector
Laboratory Services
The Consultant shall have a capable materials laboratory. The Consultant laboratory shall have
a Quality Control Program that includes provisions for checking test equipment and lab
personnel proficiency. The laboratory must keep up-to-date records of calibration checks.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
For purposes of compliance with this minimum experience requirement, the term "Proposer" is
hereby defined to mean the firm and/or business entity which is submitting a proposal pursuant
to this RFQ. Accordingly, the firm and/or business entity must meet the minimum requirements
listed below in order to be deemed responsive. Non-responsive bids will be disqualified from
consideration.
Interested Firms shall address the following items in the RFQ response:
• Team's Experience
• lnoicate the firm's number of years of experience in providing Geotechnical,
Soil Testing, and Laboratory Testing Services for diversified projects for
public agencies as well as private clients.
• List all successfully completed projects undertaken in the past five (5) years.
Describe the scope of each project in physical terms and by cost, describe
the respondent's responsibilities, and provide the name and contact
telephone number of an individual in a position of responsibility who can
attest to respondent's activities in relation to the project. An SF254 can
suffice this request.
• Provide the name(s) of the person, within your organization who was most
actively concerned with managing each project;
• List and describe all legal claims against any member of the team alleging
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Commission Memorandum -Issuance of the Geotechnical and Laboratory Services RFQ
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errors and/or omissions, or any breach of professional ethics, including those
settled out of court, during in the past five (5) years.
• Project Manager's Experience: Provide a comprehensive summary of the experience
and qualifications of the individual who will be selected to serve as the Project Manager.
This individual must have a minimum of five (5) years experience in the preparation and
coordination of geotechnical services to include, but not limited to, subsurface
explorations, obtaining representative samples, materials testing, inspections and
reporting, and performing any other geotechnical services as required under this RFQ.
The Project Manager must provide documentation as to their past experience in
providing as to his/her past experience in providing geotechnical services.
• Previous Similar Projects: Provide a list of a minimum of ten (1 0) projects which
demonstrates the Team's experience in providing the services outlined in this RFQ. Must
provide the following information for each sample project.
• Client name, address, phone number, email
• Consultant name, address, phone number, fax and/or e-Mail address
• Description of the scope of the work
• Role of the firm and the responsibilities
• Month and Year the project was started and completed
• Total cost and/or fees paid to your firm
• Total cost of the construction, estimated and actual
• Qualifications of Project Team: Provide a list of the personnel to be used on this
project and their qualifications. A resume of each individual, including education,
experience, and any other pertinent information shall be included for each team member
to be assigned to this project.
• Risk-Assessment Plan (RAP): All Consultants must submit a Risk-Assessment Plan.
The RAP must not be longer than two (2) pages front side of page only should be
included within the RFQ response. The RAP should address the following items in a
clear and generic language:
• Potential project risks. (Areas that may cause the Contractor not to finish on
time, not finish with budget, cause any change orders, or be a source of
dissatisfaction with the owner)
• Explanation of how the risks can be avoided/minimized
• Propose any options that could increase the value of this project
• Explain the benefits of the RAP. Address the quality and performance
differences in terms of risk minimization that the City can understand and
what benefits the option will provide to the user. No brochures or marketing
pieces please.
RFQ PROCESS
The procedure for response, evaluation and selection will be as follows:
1. RFQ issued
2. Pre-qualification meeting
3. Receipt of qualificaiton packages
4. Opening and listing of all responses received.
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Commission Memorandum -Issuance of the Geotechnical and Laboratory Services RFQ
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5. An Evaluation Committee, appointed by the City Manager, shall meet to evaluate each
response in accordance with the requirements of this RFQ. If further information is
desired, respondents may be requested to make additional written submissions or oral
presentations to the Evaluation Committee.
6. The Evaluation Committee will recommend to the City Manager the proposal(s) that the
Evaluation Committee deem to be in the best interest of the City by using the following
criteria for selection:
20 Risk Assessment Plan that reflects a clear understanding of project
objectives; a thorough review of existing conditions; familiarity with the
project site; a thorough understanding of all permitting and regulatory
requirements and impacts; and other considerations that may impact the
desi n and construction of the ro osed im rovements.
15 The experience, qualifications and portfolio of the Project Manager, as
well as his/her familiarity with this project and a thorough understanding
of the methodolo and desi n a roach to be used in this assi nment.
15 Past performance based on quality of the Performance Evaluation
Surveys and the Administration's due dilligence based upon reference
checks erformed of the Firm s clients.
10 The experience and qualifications of the professional personnel
assigned to the Project Team as well as their familiarity with this project
and a thorough understanding of the methodology and design approach
to be used in this assi nment.
5 Willingness to meet time and budget requirements as demonstrated by
ast erformance, methodolo and a roach
5 Certified minority business enterprise participation. Either the Prime
Consultant or the sub-Consultant team may qualify for proof of
certification for minority business enterprise participation. Accepted
minority business enterprise certifications include the Small Business
Administration SBA , State of Florida, or Miami-Dade Count .
5 Location
5 Recent, current and ro·ected workloads of the firms
5 The volume of work previously awarded to each firm by the City, with the
object of effecting an equitable distribution of contracts among qualified
firms, provided such distribution does not violate the principle of
selection of the most hi hi ualified firm.
7. The City Manager shall re..commend to the City Commission the firm or firms,
acceptance of which the City Manager deems to be in the best interest of the City.
8. The City Commission shall consider the City Manager's recommendation(s) in light of
the recommendation(s) and evaluation of the Evaluation Committee and, if appropriate,
approve the City Manager's recommendation(s). The City Commission may reject the
City Manager's recommendation(s) and select another response or responses. In any
case, City Commission shall select the response or responses, acceptance of which the
City Commission deems to be in the best interest of the City. The City Commission may
also reject all proposals.
9. Negotiations between the selected respondent and the City take place to arrive at
agreement terms. If the City Commission has so directed, the City may proceed to
negotiate an agreement with a respondent other than the top ranked respondent if the
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Commission Memorandum -Issuance of the Geotechnical and Laboratory Services RFQ
January 11, 2012
Page 8 ofB
negotiations with the top ranked respondent fail to produce a mutually acceptable
agreement within a reasonable period of time.
10. A proposed contract is recommemed by the City Manager to the City Commission for
approval.
11. If and when a contract or contracts acceptable to the respective parties is approved by
the City Commission, the Mayor and City Clerk sign the contract(s) after the selected
respondent(s) has (or have) done so.
CONCLUSION
The Administration recommends that the Mayor and the City Commission authorize the
issuance of a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for geotechnical and laboratory services on an
as-needed basis.
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