Geotechnical Consulting Services -
Western Beaches Storage Tunnel
The Works and Utilities Committee recommends the adoption of the report dated
June 26, 1998 from the General Manager of Water and Wastewater Services.
The Works and Utilities Committee reports, for the information of Council, having
requested the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services to immediately alert the
media to the success of the Western Beaches Storage Tunnel project and to provide an
update on the pollution counts at all the beaches, including Woodbine Beach.
The Works and Utilities Committee submits the following report (June 26, 1998) from
the General Manager of Water and Wastewater Services:
Purpose:
To obtain authorization to amend the consulting agreement dated September 25, 1996, with
Geo-Canada Limited to provide geotechnical consulting services during the Phase I design
and construction period of the Western Beaches Storage Tunnel project.
Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
Funding in the total amount of $38.5 million for engineering services and construction of
Phase I of the Western Beaches Storage Tunnel (WBST) project has been previously
approved by the Council of the former City of Toronto, and is available in Account Nos.
295480-39220-76000-295480 and 217713-39220-76000-217713 of the former City of
Toronto. A contract for the amount of $32.0 million for the design/build of Phase I of the
project has been awarded, and the amount of $60,000.00 for geotechnical consulting
services during design and construction of Phase I of the project has been provided for
within the approved budget of $38.5 million.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1) the terms of reference of the consulting agreement dated September 25, 1996, for
undertaking geotechnical investigations for the Western Beaches Storage Tunnel be
amended to include the provision of geotechnical consulting services during the Phase I
design and construction of the project;
(2) the consulting fee of $266,865.70, including GST, provided for in the consulting
agreement dated September 25, 1996, with Geo-Canada Limited be increased by $60,000.00
to $326,865.70, including GST; and
(3)the appropriate City officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to
give effect thereto.
Council Reference/Background/History:
The Board of Management of the former City of Toronto, at its meeting of September 19 to
September 25, 1996, in considering a report dated September 13, 1996, from the
Commissioner of Corporate Services, approved the engagement of Geo-Canada Limited to
undertake geotechnical investigation for the Western Beaches Storage Tunnel (Board of
Management Minutes No. 27). Geo-Canada Limited was selected for this assignment as a
result of a proposal call whereby a total of 34 firms were invited and proposals from seven
geotechnical consultants were received. The Geo-Canada Limited proposal achieved the
overall highest ranking based on a pre-determined point score system.
Further, the Board of Management of the former City of Toronto at its meeting of
December 18, 1997, in considering a report dated December 17, 1997, from the City
Engineer, approved, inter alia, the award of Phase I of the WBST Design/Build Project at a
cost of $32.0 million to the McNally-Frontier Joint Venture.
Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:
As indicated above, Geo-Canada Limited was engaged by the City in 1996 to undertake
geotechnical investigations along the alignment of the WBST. The results of these
investigations have been utilized in the preparation of the conceptual design of the tunnel
project and form part of the design/build contract documents.
In the meantime, Phase I of the tunnel project has been awarded and the contractor is
undertaking detailed design and construction work for the storage facility.
During the entire design and construction period for Phase I of the project (approximately
20 months), specialized geotechnical consulting services are required to assist the City in:
-reviews and approvals of detailed design calculations, design/shop drawings and
contractors' methodology statements;
-field inspections, as required, to ensure that the work is being carried out in accordance
with approved designs and methodology statements from a geotechnical point of view; and
-reviews of claims by the contractor for change conditions and extra work related to
geotechnical conditions.
The estimated cost of these geotechnical services amounts to $60,000.00, including GST,
and services will be paid on the basis of time plus expenses. We are requesting authorization
to continue and extend the engagement of Geo-Canada Limited to provide these services for
reasons as follows:
(1) Geo-Canada Limited has carried out the initial geotechnical investigations for the
WBST project which have been incorporated into the design/build contract document.
Therefore, they are most familiar with geotechnical conditions in the vicinity of the project
and the specifics of the WBST project.
(2) Geo-Canada Limited was selected for the initial engagement for the WBST as a result
of a (competitive) proposal call. Of seven proposals received, they achieved the overall
highest ranking.
(3) As per the requirement in consulting agreements, Geo-Canada Limited has provided
Professional Liability Insurance for their services related to the initial geotechnical
investigations. The City's protection provided by this insurance may be jeopardized if
another geotechnical consultant is engaged to assist the City in the design and construction
phase.
(4) The costs for the required geotechnical services have been estimated and the actual
costs are dependent on the design/construction schedule, project progress, difficulties
encountered in the field and contractors' performances. Therefore, these services are to be
paid on the basis of time plus expenses and do not lend themselves to the calling of
competitive bids.
Conclusions:
Geotechnical consulting services are required to assist the City during the Phase I design
and construction period of the WBST project. Geo-Canada Limited has carried out the initial
geotechnical investigations and has a detailed knowledge of local geotechnical conditions
and of the specifics of the project.
Therefore, this firm would provide seamless continuation of geotechnical services for the
WBST to the City and is best suited to assist the City during the Phase I design and
construction period.
Contact Name and Telephone Number:
Werner Wichmann, City Engineer, Former City of Toronto
Toronto Community Council Area
Phone: (416) 392-7703; Fax: (416) 392-0816
Email: "wwichman@city.toronto.on.ca".