The City of Sparks has a routine need to employ consultants in support of capital improvement or maintenance projects throughout the City. Support requirements occur most typically in the area of civil engineering (design), surveying, and materials testing. While these services meet the legal definition of a “professional service” and are therefore exempt from the requirement to perform a formal solicitation (per NRS 332.115), the City of Sparks routinely performs a solicitation to establish an “on-call” list of firms to perform these services on an as-needed basis.

A request for proposals for Civil Engineering Design Services was advertised on March 5, 2014, for response due on April 2, 2014. A total of twenty-two (22) civil engineering design, thirteen (13) surveying, and ten (10) Materials/Testing & Inspection firms responded.

A selection committee of seven professionals experienced in the management of these contracts (made up from the Capital Projects Division, Utility Division, Traffic Division, and Inspection Division) reviewed and scored the proposals individually.

A weighted score was generated based on four categories with base scoring of one to ten (1-10). The weighted areas are shown below:

1. Capabilities x3 (Relevant services, management abilities, ability to provide timely response, quality control programs, and special equipment)

2. Relevant Project Experience x4 (Similarity of projects, quality, and timeliness)

3. Local Government Experience x3 (Similarity of projects and Familiarity with orange book)

4. Personnel x3 (Qualifications, experience, and training).

The Purchasing Department compiled the scores and met with the Capital Projects Manager to determine a natural break in the scores for selection. Initial selection was made based purely on scores and expected work in the forth coming CIP, without names of awarded firms being known to the Capital Projects Manager. Based on review of the scores and the size and nature of the 14/15-15/16 CIP, the top ten scores were selected for Civil Design, the top six scores for Materials/Testing & Inspection, and the top five scores were selected for Surveying. Only after this determination was made, were the names of the firms disclosed to the Capital Projects Manager.

A copy of the selected firms is attached for your review. The selected firms will be used for an on call basis for 14/15-15/16 CIP projects. The Community Services Department will continue to request individual qualifications and/or proposals from consulting firms for projects, which due to their larger size or specific technical requirements are judged to require individual review and consultant selection. Contracts exceeding $50,000 will be brought back to the City Council for approval per the Sparks Municipal Code.

1. Council may approve the recommendation for the City’s Civil Engineering Design, Surveying, and Materials/Testing & Inspection Services On Call list.

2. The Council may direct the City Manager to provide other alternatives.