Recommend approval of a contract for the design of Savannah Springfield Canal with EMC Engineering, Inc.(Local) in the Amount of $546,559. 

Phase I of the Savannah Springfield Canal includes design for the widening to 100-foot bottom width of the canal from the railroad bridge crossing north of the new arena site to Highway 17 south on ramp from Louisville Road. The improvements will be the first initial steps toward the Springfield Canal upgrades which will provide 100-year storm conveyance to the Savannah River outfall.  The City of Savannah's conceptual plan has identified a specific scope of proposed improvements to be completed within the Phase I project. 

The scope of the engineering design includes:

1. Widening of the existing canal to 100-foot bottom width to include stabilized earthen banks for maintenance access and an ADA pedestrian walkway as part of the Tide to Town trail.
2. Topographic site surveying to include a tree survey and subsurface utility investigation.
3. Geotechnical Investigation to include soil test borings, cone penetrometer testing, hand auger borings and laboratory testing.   
4. Replacement of the bridge at the south end of the Phase 1 project.
5. Creation of a flood plain mitigation detention pond/wetland park.
6. Stabilize bank transition from the new canal cross section (100-foot wide) to the existing cross sections to the north and south.
7. Survey and complete a recombination plat for the area.
8. Relocation of aerial utility crossings.
9. Permitting services to include wetland mitigation, threatened and endangered species and archaeological, cultural & historic resources.
10. Construction bidding services
11. Construction contract administration and inspection services 

The funding for this request is from SPLOST.

The method used for this procurement was the request for proposals (RFP), which evaluates criteria in addition to cost. The proposals were evaluated on the basis of qualifications and experience, project approach, proposed schedule, project team, local vendor participation, DBE/LDBE, and fees.

This proposal was advertised, opened, and reviewed. Three proposals were received in response to this RFP. All proposals were reviewed and fully evaluated by a selection committee of City staff. Delivery: As needed. Terms: Net 30 days. The vendor is:

L.B.        EMC Engineering Services, Inc (Savannah, GA) ^(B)  $546,559

              Thomas & Hutton Engineering (Savannah, GA) ^(B)   $715,550

               Moffatt & Nichol, Inc. (Savannah, GA)^(B)                 $800,537

A pre-proposal conference was conducted, and seven vendors attended. (B) indicates local, non-DBE owned business. 

Approval