05/28/13 Board of Public Works Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING MAY 28, 2013 170 there was ambiguity on the quality of the work, and the experience requirements were too high. Ms. Greene added they are looking for performance based specifications and it was difficult to determine if the current specs were divisible. Mr. Gilot noted if they can divide the specs, they can get more bids and possibly smaller companies that can do some of the work. APPROVE SPECIAL PURCHASE — WHP TRAINING TOWERS (EMS CAPITAL) Mr. Gilot stated this item was discussed in great detail at the Agenda Review Session and he was looking for a cost breakdown and an independent third party analysis of the proposal from WHP for the purchase of a pre - engineered fire training tower and burn building. Fire Chief Steve Cox presented a letter of recommendation from Terry Haymond, Development Strategies Group, confirming he has no proprietary interest. Chief Cox stated Mr. Haymond added information on the cost comparison, structural durability, and maintenance costs, and gave three scenarios and the costs associated with the type of structure purchased. Chief Cox noted the first ten years of maintenance on a constructed steel building average around $100,000.00 versus only $25,000.00 on the pre- fabricated structures. Chief Cox stated he would like to purchase the structure with the brick facade for several reasons. He noted it will be very visible in its' current location and the brick will look nicer; and brick walls will hold up structurally longer and better than steel walls. He added that fire fighter ladders are heavy enough to dent a metal wall when placed against it. Chief Cox stated that there are two companies that provide pre - manufactured buildings, however one is not customizable. WHP Training Tower's buildings are. He stated when you are building almost a $4,000,000.00 training facility you need to be able to change the set -up for good training scenarios; you can't have the same set -up every time. Another concern, he stated, is the potential for the corrugated steel interior walls to warp. Chief Cox stated WHP is the only provider that has paginated liners that are heat resistant. He noted the Fire Department will be spraying a lot of water in there and the other company has had problems with rusting walls. Mr. Gilot noted there appears to be savings but the Fire Department added back prop items that eat up the savings. Chief Cox stated he asked WHP to re -work the estimate, eliminating some of the props because they are movable so the Fire Department does not need so many. He added that WHP's cost is 17% lower than the Fire Department's costs on the props. Ms. Greene stated they have two separate items here, the purchase of the buildings and the purchase of props, and they need to keep them separate. She added this situation is very different from what is normally done; they are integrating two modular units into a construction project. She noted the general contractor will be integrated into the installation of the tower with the pouring of the base, so common construction wages will need to be used. Ms. Roos noted they need to make sure there are also savings in the design of a pre - fabricated building versus design of the construction of the building. Chief Cox stated he spoke to the Architect and they can do the design. Ms. Greene added they need to confirm the scope of their work can be reduced. Mr. Relos asked if there is a guarantee on the brick facade, noting concerns regarding the effects of excessive heating and water spraying. Chief Cox stated this company has built more than five- hundred (500) of these buildings and has a terrific history of construction in all types of climates. Assistant Chief Todd Skwarean added that the inside walls are treated to keep the outside walls cool. Mr. Gilot stated his previous questions were answered regarding showing the detailed savings, and an independent letter of recommendation. Ms. Greene stated she sees this as a significant savings purchase. She added that based on the construction, it does not fit a sole source; however the other manufacturer does not meet the quality of the construction of WHP. Mr. Gilot stated he would like to see quotes on the props and see whether there are savings here. Chief Cox stated he already has Mr. Haymond working on this. Ms. Greene added she would want to treat the props as a separate significant savings purchase. She noted the project is being financed with a bond; they would need to make sure the bond would cover the props. Ms. Roos noted there was an error on the Scenario III cost analysis, with the brick facade. She noted the memo stated "less Nichiha Brick" and it should state "plus Nichiha brick ". Mr. Gilot made a motion to approve the Special Purchase of the Scenario III engineered training tower and burn building in the adjusted amount of $1,869,447.00 subject to removal of the props from the purchase; Legal and Purchasing review; and subject to bond financing. Ms. Roos seconded the motion, which carried. Mr. Murray Miller, Local No. 645, asked if this project will include any local contractors and if it is4 o separate projects. Ms. Greene stated it is one construction project with two components. The training tower and the burn building are being treated as equipment purchases, and all the rest falls under the general contractor. Mr. Relos questioned what percentage of the project the building purchase represents. Chief Cox stated it is less than half of the total project.