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RESOLUTION R-1920-53: A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORMAN, OKLAHOMA, SELECTING HW LOCHNER AS THE CITY OF NORMAN’S APPOINTED BRIDGE INSPECTION CONSULTANT TO THE OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR COMPLIANCE WITH THE NATIONAL BRIDGE INSPECTION STANDARDS.
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BACKGROUND: The Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) is tasked by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to perform Bridge Safety Inspections for all publicly owned structures greater than 20 feet in length. Inspections are performed at least once every two years to identify any critical findings, document the bridge condition and make repair recommendations if necessary. The City of Norman currently has 77 bridges requiring inspection per FHWA criteria.
Data obtained from the Bridge Safety Inspections is used to identify bridges that are in need of rehabilitation, maintenance or replacement. Maintenance activities are scheduled to prolong the life of the bridges and the investment they represent. Bridge replacement or rehabilitation projects are planned to insure the safety of the traveling public. For these reasons, it is important to select a bridge inspection team that will provide quality inspections and timely feedback.
DISCUSSION: The Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) has prequalified consulting firms to perform Local Government bridge safety inspections based on qualifications mandated by the National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS). The new bridge inspection contract will start April 1, 2020 and extend to March 31, 2022. This will be a two-year contract period. Funding for bridge inspections will be 100% Federal funds. To comply with the NBIS standards and avoid federal-aid sanctions, all Local Governments are required to either select a prequalified consulting firm prior to December 1, 2019, or let ODOT select a prequalified consulting firm.
To select one of the prequalified consulting firms, cities are required to evaluate consultant letters of interest, and select a minimum of three consultants for interview. An interview committee, consisting of a minimum of three members, must interview the desired consultants, and evaluate them using a ranking matrix. Documentation of the interviews must be provided, including committee members, interview questions, and the ranking matrix showing the final composite scores. Interviews for the City of Norman’s appointed Bridge Safety Inspection Consultant were conducted on October 21, 2019.
The City of Norman interview committee consisted of:
• Tony Mensah, Streets Superintendent
• Jason Spencer, Capital Projects Engineer
• Paul D’Andrea, Capital Projects Engineer
The prequalified consulting firms selected for interview included:
• H.W. Lochner, Inc.
• CEC Corporation
• MKEC Engineering, Inc.
The interview committee selected H.W. Lochner, Inc. to perform the next cycle of bridge inspections due to experience of their Principle in Charge and overall experience of the inspection team.
To complete the selection process, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation requires a resolution, signed by an authorized representative, attested by the City Clerk, stating the selected consulting firm for the NBIS Bridge Inspections, accompanied by the ranking matrix.
If approved, ODOT will enter into a contract with H.W. Lochner, Inc. to provide required bridge inspection services for the City of Norman beginning April 1, 2020, and extending to March 31, 2022. ODOT will negotiate the inspection contracts with the bridge inspection consultants, and pays for the inspections with Federal funds. No monies are required from the City of Norman.
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of Resolution R-1920-53 selecting H.W. Lochner, Inc. as the City of Norman’s appointed Bridge Safety Inspection Consultant to the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) for compliance with the National Bridge Inspection Standards.