Background/Purpose of Request:
Funding for the expansion of the Utility Operations Center has been approved in previous fiscal years and the project is on the approved Capital Improvement Plan. There currently is no additional room for offices in the UOC Building. In Fiscal Year 2018, two offices and an overhead mezzanine for light storage were created using existing space. No more offices can be created without increasing the building footprint. Currently, several employees share office space, and this is not conducive to the type of work they perform. Multiple interruptions reduce efficiency. The utility continues to grow and requires additional space to do so.
In Fiscal Years 2020 and 2021 this project was advertised with both the design, bid, build, and design-build approach. A scope and fee were unable to be negotiated with the available funds at that time. In Fiscal Year 2022, additional funds for this project were approved in the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). A Request for Qualifications from Architects and Engineers was advertised on July 13, 2021, and responses were received on August 13, 2021. Both S3 Architects and MHAworks submitted responses. A selection committee was formed and MHAworks was selected. A scope and fee were then negotiated for the design and construction administration for the UOC Building Expansion Project.
Consequently, Staff recommends that the Board of Commissioners approve and execute the Professional Services Agreement between Brunswick County and MHAworks in the amount of $107,600 for the design and construction administration of the UOC Building Expansion Project. |