The Central Fire Station Building serves a two-fold purpose as a working fire house as well as administrative offices for fire department staff. The building has existing and anticipated repair needs, such as flat roof replacement and restoration of exterior and interior elements due to water intrusion.

Currently at maximum capacity in both the Fire Station and Administrative areas, voters approved the use of general obligation bonds in the 2016 election for the City to expand and renovate the Central Fire Station Building. The scope of the proposed project includes addressing existing base building repairs, redesign and remodel of the interior for better use of space, correction of existing conditions with the training tower, inclusion of a storm shelter, the addition of new air-conditioned storage (for pharmaceuticals), as well as an expansion of the building footprint. When completed, this project is anticipated to accommodate community growth, sustain fire station and administrative operations for the foreseeable future, and support the strategic planning goals to invest in public infrastructure and enhance public safety.

Between November 2016 and March 2017, the City invited three qualified architectural firms to interview for the design and construction management contract. PGAL was the recommended firm. The design concept was presented to Allen City Council (December 12, 2017) and finalized through the staff-led Technical Review Committee (the same group that reviews all private development plans).

On February 5, 2019, a Pre-proposal meeting was held at the Fire Station. Eight different firms attended or engaged in site visits. On February 27, only two Proposals were received, and both exceeded the established project budget. Consequently, a committee of 5 individuals (Fire, Engineering, Purchasing, Architect) evaluated the proposals and interviewed both proposers, inviting them both to submit revised bids with additional time granted to formulate a more confident bid. Both proposers were also invited to suggest value engineering options to better demonstrate their ability to meet our budget, without compromising scope.

Ultimately, Crossland Construction was unanimously recommended by the committee to receive the award for construction of the new facility. Although marginally higher in proposed cost, their proposal identified an ability to execute the project in a quicker time frame, a demonstrated work history in public projects (specifically fire stations), and successful work history with the City of Allen (Crossland Construction built Fire Station #2). Furthermore, they volunteered additional deductions with material substitutions or other modifications beyond their revised proposal, whereas the other proposer did not make any suggestions for further savings. Subsequent discussions with Crossland Construction led to value engineering deductions that resulted in an additional savings of $171,836 to arrive at a best-and-final offer from Crossland at $6,065,184.

Execution of the project will take place in two phases. The first phase will reconstruct the Training Center side of the building into a new Fire Station and will take 210 calendar days to complete. Immediately following, the Fire Administration Staff and Firefighters will vacate the southern half of the building within 30 days. The second Phase of renovating and weatherproofing the Fire Administration (southern half) section will take 180 calendar days to complete.

Contract award includes 4% contingency. Funding for this project will utilize GO Bonds only.

Staff recommends that the City Council award bid and authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with Crossland Construction Company, Inc. for the Central Fire Station Remodel and Expansion Project in the amount of $6,301,931.

I make a motion to award bid and authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with Crossland Construction Company, Inc. for the Central Fire Station Remodel and Expansion Project in the amount of $6,301,931.