Title
Doogan Park Construction Engineering Services
History
RFP #24-059 “Doogan Park Construction Engineering Services” (attached) was issued on August 15, 2024, for design, engineering and construction document services for the redevelopment of Doogan Park.
The Doogan Park project includes complex challenges including permitting (MWRD, ACOE and others), the determination of the soccer field as natural grass or artificial turf, stormwater detention, expanded and improved parking, the impact of sound from pickleball play, site security including the Brown Park tunnel, sewer and water for the restroom building, the location of the transformer and other site amenities.
The approved elements of the renovation include: ten pickleball courts, two tennis courts, two bocce ball courts, a half basketball court, a 60’ baseline baseball field, a full-size 360'x 210' soccer field, playground, 30'x40' shelter with restrooms, a pavilion, sledding hill, infrastructure to add lights to the pickleball courts at a later time, an expanded parking lot on the north and squared off parking lot on the south. The existing south pavilion, oak trees, frisbee golf course and paths are intended to remain intact, however, final design may impact the frisbee course and/or paths.
This project has been awarded a $600,000 Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) in support of the elements described above.
Six (6) proposals (attached) were received by the September 5, 2024, deadline as summarized below. All, except CBBEL included the lighting infrastructure in the quote as specified in the RFP Scope of Work.
Planning Resources Inc: $168,520.00
Bollman Engineering, PLLC: $231,657.00
Wight and Company: $239,500.00
Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd (CBBEL) $263,115.00
$277,915.00 w/lighting infrastructure
EVA Design and Engineering, LLC: $264,000.00
Gewalt Hamilton Associates, Inc. $298,500.00
Village staff selected Planning Resources, EVA Design and Engineering, Gewalt Hamilton Associates and Christopher B. Burke Engineering to interview based on each’s experience with projects of similar size and scope, cost and the professional expertise and experience of the proposed project team.
Bollman Engineering was not selected due to a lack of demonstratable expertise related to the development of park projects of similar size and scope.
While Wight & Co. possess professional expertise and created the conceptual design, the Village wanted a second opinion for the final construction document design phase. As such, Wight was not included in the interviews.
Interviews were held on September 16 and 17, 2024 with Village staff including personnel from Engineering Programs and Services, Public Works and Recreation and Parks.
In the interviews, staff explored each’s depth of experience, the firm’s project team’s expertise as demonstrated by successful projects of similar size, complexity and scope, the approach to the project design and the proposed schedule in meeting the objectives of the RFP. While price was considered at the end of evaluation, the review first focused on the selecting the most qualified overall firm which could best achieve the desired objective of the Doogan Park project.
Each of the firms’ proposals reflect varying degrees of experience and professional expertise within a similar price point, however, staff believe Christopher Burke Engineering to be the best firm capable of delivering the goals of the project based on CBBEL’s scope of parks experience, depth and breadth of its team, experience with permitting through various agencies, successful OSLAD grant management and CBBEL’s previous work with the Village, and in particular, their unique and extensive knowledge of the Village’s stormwater system.
In business for 38 years, CBBEL includes a team of over 230 professionals including a host of licensed traditional civil engineers, surveyors and landscape architects. Members of CBBEL’s teams are certified in flood plain management, erosion and sentiment control, and in stormwater quality. The proposed project team includes the project manager (civil engineer), water resources engineer, client liaison, design engineer, landscape architect, electrical engineer and irrigation design engineer, survey engineer along with the full resources of the Firm. The Village has worked with CBBEL as a consultant to the Village in reviewing stormwater submittals of select projects for compliance with the Village’s Land Development Code.
CBBEL’s proposal details several projects of similar scope and complexity including the
the Village of Algonquin’s Stoneybrook Park Reconstruction. This OSLAD grant project included the redesign of a 3-acre park. CBBEL developed construction plans for detailed park improvements including a playground, pickleball courts, shelter, half-court basketball and parking lot.
The Doogan Park parcel includes unique stormwater challenges related to the neighborhood. CBBEL possesses extensive historical knowledge and experience with the Village’s stormwater management system which will support this project.
CBBEL’s proposal included a proposed alternative to the park’s renovation which overcomes some inherent obstacles and challenges. CBBEL is the only firm which considered possible changes to improve the overall flow, function and effectiveness of the design. As an example, CBBEL’s concept separates the baseball and soccer field allowing for simultaneous use of each. The playground half-basketball court and pavilion are centrally located allowing parents to supervise children with varying interest and activities within proximity.
While CBBEL is fully capable of executing the Village’s concept, the design proposal demonstrates the critical thinking necessary to incorporate elements which will yield a successful and welcome redevelopment of Doogan Park.
Based on each firm’s proposal, overall experience, personnel qualifications, proposed partners, proposal price, schedule and ability to achieve the objectives of the project based on the RFP, Village staff ranked the firms as follow from highest to lowest:
• Christopher B. Burke and Engineering
• EVA Design and Engineering
• Gewalt Hamilton Associates
• Planning Resources Inc.
The project recognizes that CBBEL’s proposal is higher than the second and fourth ranked firms.
Planning Resources’ (PR) proposal includes projects of similar scope; however, the proposed project team is less experienced than CBBEL. The proposed project manager has not been engaged in projects of similar scope and has been with the firm for a short period of time (one month at the time of the interview).
EVA’s project approach includes an understanding of how stormwater management plays a key role in the design, however, CBBEL’s comprehensive knowledge of the stormwater challenges in this subdivision, and how this interrelates to the 143rd St. project is seen as a significant advantage over EVA.
CBBEL is serving as a sub-consultant to the 143rd St. project. That project, along with stormwater work occurring with the Doogan Park parcel have a significant impact on the redevelopment of Doogan Park.
Village staff then engaged in negotiations with CBBEL, which resulted in a decrease in the total cost to $238,490. The attached Work Effort and Fee Structure was revised on October 4th and includes lighting for the following areas: pickleball, tennis, pavilion, and restrooms.
Staff recommends awarding RFP #24-059 to Christopher B. Burke Engineering at a total value not to exceed $238,490. A CBBEL representative will attend the meeting to answer questions.
Financial Impact
$143,000 is available in 3000000 432500 for these services. A budget adjustment of $95,490 will be required for the balance of this work. The original budget was set at 9% of the project cost ($1,593,200). Proposals received were significantly higher.
Recommended Action/Motion
I move to approve awarding RFP #24-059, Doogan Park Construction Engineering Services to Christopher B. Burke Engineering, LTD for an amount not to exceed $238,490;
AND
Authorize the Village Manager to execute all related contracts, subject to Village Attorney review.