To: Delrico J. Loyd, Public Works Committee
From: Barry June, Parks and Recreation Director
title
RE: Parks Request to Award ITB #23-342 - Designing & Project Administering Services for Chevy Commons Play Garden
recommendation
BOARD ACTION REQUESTED:
Genesee County Parks and Recreation staff requests the approval to award ITB #23-342 for the designing and project administering for a play garden at Chevy Commons to Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, Inc. (MVVA) for a total contract amount not to exceed $892,000.00.
BACKGROUND:
The recent transformation of Chevy Commons from a vacant Brownfield site into a nationally recognized 67-acre park combined with the announcement of the site as a defining feature of a newly established state park in Flint & Genesee County primes Chevy Commons for additional development that expands the outdoor recreational opportunities offered by the site. There is a need to focus new development on creating new experiences for children, providing a natural environment for play of an unrivaled regional quality. This is to be a signature playground that is meant to be of such a unique character that it will be a regional tourist attraction.
DISCUSSION:
The bid was advertised by the Genesee County Purchasing Department. Four firms submitted proposals. Three respondents were invited to participate in interviews. Questions remained regarding the qualifications of each firm and comparability of the three proposals, including cost proposals. After interviews and follow-up presentations from all three firms, MVVA was chosen receiving the highest score of the evaluation process, meeting the needs of the project. The evaluation process was completed by Barry June, Parks and Recreation Director; Natalie Pruett, Mott Foundation Representative; Andrew Cole, Michigan DNR Representative; and Kristen Bennett, Michigan DNR Representative.
MVVA was the only firm to give complete responses in its interview to the questions provided by Purchasing. It has designed at least 14 comparable projects that have been built. While the other two firms have experience in engineering projects, neither could demonstrate experience in completing comparable projects.
Although MVVA’s total is highest, it is within the project budget. The lower cost proposals from other firms reflect their lack of experience and project understanding.
* $527,000 (INFORM)
* $556,000 (Fleis & Vandenbrink)
* $659,415 (Wade Trim)
* $892,000 (MVVA)
This project is being fully funded by ARPA funds.
IMPACT ON HUMAN RESOURCES:
None.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
This project is being full funded by ARPA funds. NO USE OF PARKS FUND. NO USE OF GENERAL FUND. To be paid from account 2088-770.32-978.000. A budget amendment is attached.
IMPACT ON FACILITIES:
None.
IMPACT ON TECHNOLOGY:
None.
CONFORMITY TO COUNTY PRIORITIES:
This project promotes public health to create safer and healthier residents, promotes safe communities, expands the role of the county as a convener to enhance relationships that contribute to the growth of our community, brings diverse people and groups to the table, embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion, and embraces community growth.
resolution
TO THE HONORABLE CHAIRPERSON AND MEMBERS OF THE GENESEE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
BE IT RESOLVED, by this Board of County Commissioners of Genesee County, Michigan, that the request by the Parks and Recreation Director to authorize entering into a Professional Services Contract between Genesee County and Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, Inc. (MVVA), whereby MVVA will provide design and project administering services for the play garden at Chevy Commons, for the period commencing December 7, 2023 through completion of the project, in an amount not to exceed $892,000.00, to be paid from account 2088-770.32-978.000, is approved (a copy of the memorandum request and supporting documents being on file with the official records of the November 29, 2023 meeting of the Public Works Committee of this Board), and the Chairperson of this Board is authorized to execute the contract on behalf of Genesee County and the Chief Financial Officer is authorized to record the attached budget amendment.