HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 3v: Agreement with VCA Code Group and Scott Fezekas and Associaties, Inc. for Professional Building Plan ReviewSUMMARY
1. Scott Fazekas and Associates, Inc.
2. VCA Code Group
BACKGROUND
STAFF REPORT
Development Services Department
DATE: June 15, 2010
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Jason Kruckeberg, Assistant City Manager /Development Services Director 5
Jim Kasama, Community Development Administrato
Prepared by: Don Stockham, Building Official
SUBJECT: AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENTS WITH SCOTT
FAZEKAS AND ASSOCIATES, INC. AND VCA CODE GROUP FOR
PROFESSIONAL BUILDING PLAN REVIEW AND RELATED
SERVICES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
Recommended Action: Approve
The Development Services Department is requesting authorization to execute
contracts with the following two firms for building plan review and related services:
Due to the complexities of modern buildings and building codes as well as the large
quantity of plans submitted for review, the Development Services Department has
relied on outside plan review consultants for many years to review construction
plans for compliance with the following:
• All California and City building, plumbing, electrical, structural engineering
and mechanical codes and standards, including City of Arcadia code
amendments;
• State mandated residential and non - residential energy codes; and
• State mandated disabled access codes.
During the past five years the City has contracted with two firms: Scott Fazekas and
Associates, Inc., and VCA Code Group to provide professional plan review services
for all types of construction. They have been the City's plan review consultants for
nine years and 15 years, respectively.
DISCUSSION
The current plan review consultant contracts are expiring. Therefore, staff recently
distributed Requests for Proposal (RFP) to the following five firms in order to select
two qualified consultants. All five firms responded to the RFP.
• CSG Consultants, Inc.
• California Code Check
• Scott Fazekas & Associates, Inc.
• VCA Code Group
• Willdan Engineering
A Plancheck Committee was formed to review the proposals. The Committee was
comprised of Mark Krikorian, Fire Marshal; Kevin Merrill, Senior Engineering
Assistant; and Don Stockham, Building Official. The following criteria were used to
determine which consultants would best fulfill the City's requirements:
• Understanding the scope of work as demonstrated by the firm's proposal
• Quality of proposal
• Customer service philosophy and policies
• Ability of the consultant to provide the full range of requested services
• Demonstrated professional skills and credentials of staff
• Related experience of staff
• References
• Cost
All five proposals were reviewed and evaluated by the Plancheck Committee to
determine which firms would best meet the needs of the City. The rankings are as
follows:
1. V-CA Code Group
2. Scott Fazekas and Associates, Inc.
3. Willdan Engineering
4. CSG Consultants, Inc.
5. California Code Check
Building Plan Review
June 15, 2010
Page 2
The Committee determined that the two, top- ranked firms would best fulfill the City's
building plan review needs. These two firms met all of the required criteria and are
the two lowest in terms of cost. Scott Fazekas and Associates, Inc. is not raising
their fee, and VCA Code Group reduced their fee. These two firms have been the
City's plan review consultants for nine years and 15 years, respectively. The fact
that these two firms are the City's current plan review consultants means there will
not be a transition period for staff and the local building community to have to
become acquainted with new plan review methods and procedures.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no direct cost to the City for these plan review services. The plan review
applicant pays a plan review fee equal to 65% of the building permit fee. The plan
review consultant's fees are based on a percentage of the plan review fee collected
by the City, and the portion retained by the City covers the City's administrative
costs.
RECOMMENDATION
Because of the existing and projected work Toad, the Development Services
Department is recommending that the City continue to contract with two (2) firms to
provide plan check services.
It is recommended that the City Council authorize the City Manager to enter into
Professional Services Agreements in a form and content approved by the City
Attorney for a three (3) year time period with an option of three (3) one (1) year time
extensions based on satisfactory performance with Scott Fazekas and Associates,
Inc., and VCA Code Group for the specific purpose of providing building plan review
and related services.
Approved by:
Donald Penman, City Manager
Building Plan Review
June 15, 2010
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