The Stephen G. Terrell Recreation Center project is a very large and complex undertaking with the involvement of many trades, each undertaking one or more type of construction.  It is customary on a facility project to involve 3rd party testing and inspection services throughout the duration of construction. These tasks are highly specialized and performed under the supervision of a Texas professional engineer and include sampling, testing, inspecting and reporting  on materials, fabrication, assembly and construction.  In this way the City of Allen can have the assurance that the final, complete project meets the intent of design specifications, construction and performance standards, and City of Allen codes as well as engineering, community development, building and code and parks and recreation staff expectations for project quality control.   

In October 2018, a total of 85 vendors submitted a Statement of Qualifications for ten various Professional Services.  Qualified firms were considered for a maximum of two categories.  All proposals submitted were evaluated based on Firm Experience, Firm Description and Services, and References.  Six City of Allen professionals of various backgrounds represented the evaluation committee.  Our goal was to determine the vendors ability to provide the best combination of experience, capability, quality, and services.  Based on review of these specific rating criteria, the evaluation committee has selected Alliance Geotechnical Group, Inc. for Materials Testing Inspections and Special Inspections. Their geotechnical report dated April 30, 2020 formed the basis for civil and structural engineering design decision-making during the entirety of the project design phase.

In early 2021, AGG's relevant prior experience with City of Allen projects and specifically the SGTRC site, led to their selection to provide construction phase testing, inspection and special inspection professional services. Special Inspections are in addition to other inspections listed in construction documents, as well as those conducted by city staff.  Special inspections are the inspection of specific aspects of construction, primarily of the construction of the building.  The role of the Special Inspector involves:

• Verify that items detailed in the construction plans and specifications were built according to such.
• Prepare, sign and furnish inspection reports to the Chief Building Official and Architect.
• Notify the City and General Contractor of discrepancies between the work and the governing construction documents.
• Verify that off-site shop fabrication of structural load-bearing components and assemblies maintain detailed fabrication and quality control procedures.

• A full outline of their services for this project is found in their detailed Proposal-Scope of Work

It should be noted that during certain portions of the construction, Alliance will be required to assign a person full-time on the project site, because of the intensity of the work, e.g., large concrete delivery and placement durations.  Throughout the duration of the project Alliance will conduct over 530 site visits allocated per their contract.

The Testing, Inspection and Special Inspection services are funded in the Stephen G. Terrell Recreation Center project budget.  The overall project budget allows for $1,200,000 and $350,000 for "other Consultation and Testing" and these services are covered in this budget category.   

Industry standards have traditionally held that budgets for these services usually fall within a range of .5% to 1% of building value, and the proposed fee is within that range.  The fee was reviewed by BRS Architecture and found to be reasonable given amount of sampling, testing, inspections and special inspections to be performed, as well as the size and complexity of the project.  Particularly noteworthy  is the quantity of concrete that is called for in the building piers, 150,000 square foot slab, tilt-up concrete wall panels, parking and fire lane paving, pedestrian paving, trails, and construction modifications on Exchange Parkway.  

As a reminder, on June 8, 2021, the City Council awarded a contract for construction to AP Gulf States, Inc., dba Adolfson & Peterson Construction for the Construction of the Stephen G. Terrell Recreation Center in the Amount of $40,406,500, well under the projected budget of $42,250,000 identified in the second chart below.  For your reference a full listing of the funding sources as well as a project budget is listed below.

Funding Sources as follows:

Tonight, the City Council is being asked to approve a 3rd party material testing and inspection contract in the amount of $355,760, well within the budgeted amount of $1,200,000 and $350,000 identified below.  As the project continue to move forward, additional items will be brought to City Council for approval throughout the project, which fall into the specific categories below.  Furniture, fitness equipment, playground equipment, security cameras and audio/video are just a few of these examples.  These items were not included in the general contract to leverage the most efficient and cost-effective means of acquisition.  

Staff recommends that the City Council Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Professional Services Agreement with Alliance Geotechnical Group, Inc., for Professional Testing and Special Inspection Services for the Stephen G. Terrell Recreation Center in the Amount of $355,760.

I Make a Motion to Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Professional Services Agreement with Alliance Geotechnical Group, Inc., for Professional Testing and Special Inspection Services for the Stephen G. Terrell Recreation Center in the Amount of $355,760.