Title
CONSIDERATION OF ACCEPTANCE AND AWARDING OF BID NO. 1213-42 TO ACTION SAFETY SUPPLY FOR SECTION 1 AND DIRECT TRAFFIC CONTROL, INC., FOR SECTION 2 FOR THE INSTALLATION OF PAVEMENT MARKINGS FOR THE TRAFFIC CONTROL DIVISION.
Body
BACKGROUND: The Traffic Control Division is responsible for the installation and maintenance of pavement markings on more than 200 miles of public roadways within the corporate limits of the City of Norman. Three primary types of materials are utilized for this purpose; waterborne paint, thermoplastic and raised pavement markers. City forces concentrate most of their efforts on the application of waterborne paint while private contractors do the majority of the thermoplastic markings and all of the raised pavement markers.
DISCUSSION: In order to expedite and streamline the process involved in the application of markings by private contractors, staff developed specifications for an annual contract that gives the Public Works Department a dependable source for the installation of markings at guaranteed unit prices.
The specifications have two distinct sections: Section I for the installation of thermoplastic markings and for the removal of existing pavement markings, and Section II for the installation of raised pavement markers. Bidders were asked to submit unit prices on individual items within each section based upon the estimated quantities that were provided.
Bid No. 1213-42 was opened on October 4, 2012 and will provide a contractor that can be available to install thermoplastic striping and raised pavement markers to the City on an as needed basis. Bids were received from two of the five vendors who were sent bid packages. Bids received from both vendors showed a significant increase when compared to last year's bids. This can logically be attributed to a worldwide shortage of raw materials to manufacture the thermoplastic resin. The apparent lower bidder for Section I is Action Safety Supply (Oklahoma City, OK) and for Section II, Direct Traffic Control, Inc. (Oklahoma City, OK). Staff will closely monitor expenditures for these items and will adjust quantities as necessary to remain within the budgeted amount. Staff has also evaluated other less expensive pavement marking materials, but determined the thermoplastic material at the current bid price to provide superior life cycle costs.
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends Bid No. 1213-42 be awarded as follows: Section I to Action Safety Supply (Oklahoma City, OK), and Section II to Direct Traffic Control, Inc. (Oklahoma City, OK), as the overall lowest bidders meeting all of the specifications. The budget amount for all sections is $179,133 in Pavement Marking (010-5023-429.42-35).