The purpose of the on-call contract is to provide architectural services for various County facilities projects as they occur during the agreement period. When the Public Works Department receives a project request, it will be determined at the time whether or not it would be prudent to utilize this on-call architect. The on-call architect will provide typical architectural services, such as programming, design and construction administration. The type, size and location of projects will vary. Typical projects may include new construction, building renovations/modernizations, remodeling of an entire building or specific areas within a building, tenant improvements, exterior building restorations, MEP upgrades, structural improvements, code-related improvements and deferred maintenance projects. Projects may also include fire district buildings projects. Having this on-call agreement in place will save the county time and money when compared to the time and expense in conducting a consultant selection process on a project-by-project basis, and allow the design phase to commence sooner and provide for a shorter project completion schedule.
Perkins Eastman Architects was selected through a competitive qualifications-based selection process. The Public Works Department requested Statements of Qualifications ("SOQ's") and received twenty eight SOQs, and ten firms were short-listed. A selection committee comprised of County staff conducted interviews and ranked the short-listed firms. It is recommended that the above firm, who is in the five highest ranked firms, be awarded the agreement and that the on-call agreement be approved at this time. The agreement includes a one year extension option that can be exercised by the Public Works Director if he chooses. Government Code Section 31000 authorizes the County to contract for services including the type of architectural services that Perkins Eastman Architects provides.
If the agreement is not approved, the County will not be able to take advantage of the time and cost savings possible through the utilization of on-call architectural service agreement.