Staff recommends that City Council award a Contract for Professional Engineering Services to HDR Engineering, Inc., in the amount of $788,773.

Council is asked to consider authorizing and executing a Contract for Professional Engineering Services with HDR Engineering, Inc. for design services for a shared-use path along Zimmerman Trail known as the Stagecoach Trail. The contract will provide services for preliminary and final design through bidding services. A contract for construction contract administration and construction observation may be requested after the construction duration is determined and final design is approved by MDT. The cost of design services is appropriate for this type of project, given the site conditions and design elements required to complete the project.

The City was awarded a Transportation Alternatives (TA) Grant to design and construct the shared-use path along Zimmerman Trail to connect the Skyline Trail to Rimrock Road.  A LAG Agreement between the City and MDT was signed on February 28, 2024. The shared-use path will provide a connector from Highway 3 and the Billings Heights Area to the West End of Billings. The shared-use path is a part of the marathon loop and is a Billings TrailNet Priority.

The City publicly advertised a Request for Proposal in the Yellowstone County news and on the City website on August 9, 16, 23, 30 and September 6, 2024.  One proposal was received from HDR Engineering, Inc.  HDR Engineering, Inc. was selected based on City staff review of their proposal that demonstrated experience in shared-use path design, drainage design, geotechnical design, and working with MDT. No other firms submitted proposals on the project.  Other consultants declined to propose on the project due to the complexity of the geotechnical elements and storm drainage challenges with the project. The selection was based on firm experience, project engineer, key project staff and subconsultants, available resources and consultant location, and project methodology and approach, as required by State law.

City Council may:

• Approve a Contract for Professional Engineering Services with HDR Engineering, Inc. in the amount of 788,773; or,
• Not approve a Contract for Professional Engineering Services with HDR Engineering, Inc. If the contract is not approved, the design for Stagecoach Trail cannot be completed.

The project was budgeted in FY25 in the amount of $5,543,062, comprised of Transportation Alternative Grant Funds ($4,799,183), Billings Trailnet Grant Funds ($100,000), Trails Stewardship Grant Funds ($100,000), and City Parks and Recreation Operating Funds ($543,875) used for the City grant fund match.  There are adequate funds to award this contract.  Remaining funds in the amount of $4,754,289 will be used for construction and construction contract administration of the project.