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Award contract for Renovation of the Algiers Ferry Terminal
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DESCRIPTION: Request Board authorization to execute contract with CDW Services LLC for the renovation of the Algiers Ferry Terminal and Algiers Ferry Maintenance Building |
AGENDA NO: Click or tap here to enter text. |
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ACTION REQUEST: ☒ Approval ☐ Review Comment ☐ Information Only ☐ Other |
RECOMMENDATION:
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Authorize the Chief Executive Officer to execute a contract with CDW Services LLC for the renovation of the Algiers Ferry Terminal and Algiers Ferry Maintenance Building for the amount of $9,538,000 and a contract term of two years.
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ISSUE/BACKGROUND:
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In 2019, RTA received an award from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Passenger Ferry Grant Program to rehabilitate the Algiers Point Ferry Terminal and Lower Algiers Ferry Maintenance Building. In 2022, RTA received an additional FTA grant to further enhance the scope and scale of renovations of the Algiers Point Ferry Terminal.
The Algiers Point Ferry Terminal renovations will make the terminal more operationally effective by removing the now obsolete pedestrian bridge; upgrading the main passenger access ramp; retrofitting the site to improve site circulation, landscaping, and stormwater retention; and upgrading the interior for enhanced community use and RTA administrative offices.
The Ferry Maintenance Facility, located next to the Lower Algiers ferry landing, needs repairs. The exterior envelope of the building needs to be waterproofed; the HVAC system needs to be replaced; and there is general deferred maintenance that needs to be addressed.
The design process, led by Batture, LLC and their architecture sub-consultant, Studio West, was completed over the course of 2024. A robust community engagement process, which featured multiple community meetings throughout the year, informed the design. The construction bid documents were completed in January 2025; the bid package was released in April; and the bids were opened on May 28, 2025.
The scope of work for this project is aligned with the Agency’s Strategic Mobility Plan, Action Item #UP4 - Complete renovation of Algiers Point Ferry Terminal and replacement of Algiers barges.
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DISCUSSION:
The Capital Projects team prepared an initial budget of $8.4M, including construction contingency, for the renovation of the Ferry Terminal and Ferry Maintenance Building. The most recent Engineer’s Opinion of Probable Costs was completed in December of 2024 based on the 100% Construction Documents, and the estimated base bid cost at that time was $8.2M. For the Independent Cost Estimate (Attachment 3), staff have added a 12.5% adjustment factor to the Opinion of Probable Cost to reflect the impact of recent federal action (tariffs and immigration enforcement) on commercial construction costs, bringing the cost estimate for the project to $9.3 M.
Invitation for Bids (IFB) No. 2025-016 was released on April 15, 2025. Four (4) responsive proposals were received and determined responsive. The Procurement department found the lowest cost, responsive and responsible bidder to be CDW Services LLC, and Procurement has recommended CDW Services LLC’s bid for the award. This bid is approximately $238,000.00 over the Independent Cost Estimate. Staff will address this overage in relation to the project budget in three ways. First, RTA is in discussions with the City of New Orleans to transfer responsibility of Right of Way improvements in front of the Ferry Terminal from the RTA to the City’s Department of Public Works via a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement (CEA), to be paid for by City capital funds. This would save approximately $345,000.00 from the project budget. Second, the RTA will allocate local capital funds from the RTA’s capital budget to cover the delta between the project’s construction budget and the $9,538,000.00 bid price. Third, the RTA is securing use unexpended Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Ferry Boat Program (FBP) formula funds for ferry projects to cover a portion of the delta. The RTA is working with FTA staff to finalize the use of these funds.
The renovation of the Ferry Terminal is scheduled to be completed in September 2026, and the renovation of the Ferry Maintenance Building is scheduled to be completed in November 2026. The contract term will be for two years. RTA will work with the design team and the selected contractor to minimize disruptions to the ferry service and will keep the public informed of any scheduled disruptions and of alternative transit service during disruptions.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The $9.538 million cost of the renovation will be paid from $1,383,919 from FTA Grant LA2019-005, $4,938,758.00 from FTA Grant LA2024-024, and $1,307,723 from FHWA FBP funds with the balance of funding, totaling $1,907,600, coming from local match funds in account 01-6100-00-1501-000-00-00-00-00-00000-00000. If, as discussed above, the RTA executes a CEA with the City, the local match would be reduced by approximately $345,000.00.
NEXT STEPS:
Following award, staff will execute the contract with CDW Services LLC, issue a Notice-to-Proceed and kickoff the project.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution
2. Procurement summary IFB 2025-016
3. Independent Cost Estimate (modified Engineers Opinion of Probable Cost)
4. Administrative Review Form IFB 2025-016
5. Invitation to Bid (IFB) 2025-016
6. Bid - CDW Services LLC
Prepared By: Rafe Rabalais, rrabalais@rtaforward.org
Title: Director of Capital Projects
Reviewed By: Dwight Norton, dnorton@rtaforward.org
Title: Chief Planning and Capital Projects Officer
Reviewed By: Gizelle Johnson Banks
Title: Chief Financial Officer
9/16/2025
Lona Edwards Hankins Date
Interim Chief Executive Officer