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ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: November 15, 2007 <br />Action Agenda <br />Item No. .~ - ~ <br />SUBJECT: Contract Approval: Construction Materials Testing and Observation Services <br />for Solid Waste Operations Center Project <br />DEPARTMENT: Purchasing and .Central PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No <br />Services <br />ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />Proposal Pam Jones (919) 245-2652 <br />Contract <br />PURPOSE: To consider approving a contract with Summit Engineering, Hillsborough, North <br />Carolina to perform construction materials testing and construction observation in conjunction <br />with the Solid Waste Operations Center Project. <br />BACKGROUND: The Board has previously approved a bid with l.aChase, Inc. for the <br />construction of the Solid Waste Operations Center on .Eubanks Road, Chapel Hill. The <br />construction of the project is set to begin soon. As the Board is aware, in order to ensure <br />independent test results, project owners are generally responsible for retaining a firm to provide <br />materials testing and observations of certain activities during construction. Representative <br />examples of such work include: testing of concrete after it is poured in place to ensure it is a mix <br />that would provide the stability needed and specified for the building; and observation to ensure <br />proper compaction of soils during the construction of parking lots. A broader explanation of the <br />scope of services is listed in the attached proposal. <br />Summit Engineering is a local firm that has provided similar services to the County in the past: <br />The company has proven its ability to provide quality service to the County on other projects at a <br />reasonable cost. Further, the firm's proximity to this project is a benefit to the County since it <br />would be able to respond quickly and at minimal travel expense to the site as the need arises. <br />This contract exceeds the County Manager's authorization to approve professional service <br />contracts ($5,000) and is therefore submitted for Board approval. <br />FINANCIAL IMPACT: Estimated expenditures for materials testing and observation of a typical <br />project of this type are $9,000 and are included in the project budget. <br />RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve a contract with <br />Summit Engineering, Hillsborough, NC to provide construction materials testing and observation <br />for the Solid Waste Operations Center Project; exempt this work from the qualifications based <br />selection process as allowed by GS 143-64.32; and authorize the Manager to sign a contract to <br />effect the work. <br />