R2001-61 AUTHORIZING NEGOTIATION OF A CONTRACT

Home Browse Search

BACKGROUND: continued page 2 Westlawn Consulting Services, Inc. was organized in 1998 and is involved in project manage- ment, feasibility studies and pre-engineered building sales. Established in 1996, BWC-CM provides construction management and design/build services. BWGCM is separate from, but owned by Blank, Wesselink, Cook and Associates, Inc. (BWC), which designed the Multi-Modal Transportation Facility. The close association between BWC-CM and BWC was felt to be an asset which should result in cost savings and speedy resolution of any questions dealing with the intent of the architect's plans and specifications. There was a slight concern that this relationship could result in BWC-CM not acting in the City's best interest if there were a dispute over a possible error in the architect's plans. The statement of past experience included in BWGCM's proposal gives five examples (attached) where BWC designed the project and BWGCM served as construction manager. These five examples do not prove that significant errors in the architect's plans were not covered up by BWC-CM. However, these examples and the letters of reference indicate that BWC and BWC-CM were able to work through any problems they encountered, and that the project owners were happy with the results. (See attached letter from BWC-CM.) Staff found that BWC-CM's larger size and resources were major assets. BWC-CM proposed using two on-site inspectors,backed up by two or three staff inembers,plus three subcontractors who would act as technical advisors, as needed. There was a slight concern that using two on-site inspectors might result in miscommunications with the contractors, if the two inspectors were not consistent in how they treated each issue. Westlawn proposed using one on-site inspector/manager (Mr. Arends) and one subcontractor to act as a technical advisor, as needed. Staff was concerned that Westlawn's small staff might not be available at all times during this project if conflicts with other projects arose, such as litigation over another construction project. Staff was also concerned that Westlawn would be unable to perform the work if Mr. Arends had an unexpected absence. Following are the lists of relevant projects provided by both companies: WESTLAWN CONSULTING BLANK, WESSELINK, COOK SERVICES, INC.: CONSTRUCTION MANAGERS, INC.: 1. Decatur Indoor Sports Center- 1. Mt. Zion Presbyterian Church renovations - Completed: Sept., 2000 Cost: $450,000 Cost: $6,500,000 2. Argenta United Methodist Church- 2. First United Methodist Church renovations - Cost: $600,000 � Completed: Nov., 1998 Cost: $1,700,000 3. Prairie International Trucks, Inc. garage/office addition- 3. Hickory Point Golf Course Cost: $780,000 Club House- Completed: May, 2001 4. Intermet Corporation warehose/shipping Cost: $1,650,000 Cost: $1,350,000 5. L & F Products tank farm & truck load/unload station - Cost: $500,000