Andre Eugent, Project Manager

Brynt Johnson, Director of Engineering and Building Services

Award of the Oakland Park Boulevard Phase 2 Median Landscaping Project

Issue Statement: The City seeks to make improvements to Oakland Park Boulevard between NW 21^st Avenue and NW 31^st Avenue by installing new landscaping and an irrigation system. The proposed improvements will enhance the visual appeal of the corridor and complete landscaping efforts previously completed between I-95 and NW 21^st Avenue.

Recommended Action: Award the Oakland Park Boulevard Phase 2 Median Landscaping Project to the most responsive and responsible bidder, Landscape Service Professionals, Inc., at a total bid price of $384,169; and approve the proposed Budget Amendment.

The City developed plans for the Oakland Park Boulevard Project, which includes the installation of new landscaping and an irrigation system. Design and construction plans were developed by Craven Thompson & Associates, Inc. (CTA).

The Oakland Park Boulevard Median Landscaping Project was originally planned as a single project extending from I-95 to NW 31^st Avenue; however, due to budgetary constraints the project was divided into two phases. Oakland Park Boulevard Phase I (I-95 to NW 21^st Avenue) was completed in 2018. In June 2020, the City was awarded the State’s Highway Beautification Grant. Additionally, in 2020, the project was approved for Broward County Surtax Funding. The award of said grants will provide the funding needed to proceed with the Oakland Park Boulevard Phase II Improvements.

This project includes the installation of landscaping, paver brick removal and installation of an irrigation system.

Bids were advertised on June 15, 2021, a pre-bid conference was held on June 29, 2021, bids were opened on July 23, 2021 and the City received a total of three (3) bids.  Craven Thompson & Associates, Inc. (CTA), as the Engineer of Record, reviewed the proposals and is recommending award to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder, Landscape Service Professionals, at a total base bid price of $384,169.

Landscape Services Professionals was not the lowest bidder; however, they were the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. The lowest bid received was from Arazoza Brothers Corporation, but Arazoza was not able to meet Broward County’s County Business Enterprise (CBE) goal, which was a requirement of the surtax funding. Failure to meet the County’s CBE requirement for this Surtax funded project ultimately led to Arazoza Brothers being deemed non-responsible and their bid was disqualified from consideration.

Landscape Service Professionals references were contacted, and positive recommendations were received from said references. Additionally, Landscape Service Professionals successfully completed multiple City projects such as Andrews Avenue, NW 10^th Avenue, and Stunson Nature Trail as subcontractors to the City’s prime Contractor. Landscape Service Professionals has provided sufficient evidence of successfully completing public sector projects of similar size and scope as this project. Staff is requesting approval and authority to expend contingency of up to 10%, or $38,417, for items not included in the contract that may be necessary throughout the construction process.  

The bids were reviewed by CTA for conformance to the City’s bid requirements.  The lowest responsive and responsible bidder, Landscape Service Professionals, with a base bid of $384,169 was 1% lower than the Engineer’s estimate. Landscape Service Professionals provided sufficient evidence of completing at least three (3) past public sector projects of similar size and scope within the last five (5) years. The third-lowest bidder, Green Construction Technologies, with a base bid of $479,548, was 24% higher than the Engineer’s estimate.

Funding for this project was included in the FY 2021 Budget which included Surtax Funding of $330,000 and FDOT State Highway Beautification Grant funding of $105,306. These unexpended funds will be carried over to the FY 2022 Budget through the attached proposed budget amendment.

The proposed expenditures for this project are as follows:

Bid Award for the Oakland Park Boulevard Phase 2 Median Landscaping Project