title
Resolution Authorizing the Award of a Construction Contract in the Amount of $4,297,914 to Wells Brothers Construction Co., Inc. for the Hooker Road MUP, Hinton Avenue MUP, and Wrightsville Avenue/Greenville Avenue Intersection Improvements Projects
body
|
Department: |
Engineering |
Meeting Date: |
9/23/2025 |
|
Contact Name: |
Rachel McIntyre |
Public Hearing: |
No |
|
Contact Phone: |
910-765-0581 |
Advertising Date/Advertised By: |
N/A |
|
Attachments: |
Attachment #1: Resolution; Attachment #2: Certified Bid Tab; Attachment #3: Project Map |
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this resolution is to award a construction contract to Wells Brothers Construction Co., Inc. of Turkey, North Carolina, in the amount of $4,297,913.52 for the Hooker Road MUP, Hinton Avenue MUP, and Wrightsville Avenue/Greenville Avenue Intersection Improvements projects.
BACKGROUND:
The Hooker Road MUP project will provide an eight-foot-wide asphalt multi-use path along the north side of Hooker Road from Mallard Drive/Rose Avenue to Wrightsville Avenue. The Hinton Avenue MUP project will provide an eight-foot-wide asphalt multi-use path along the west side of Hinton Avenue from Park Avenue to Michelle Drive and along the east side of Hinton Avenue from Michelle Drive to Greenville Avenue. The Wrightsville Avenue/Greenville Avenue Intersection Improvements project will provide sidewalks and bike lanes on both sides of Greenville Avenue from Hinton Avenue to Wrightsville Avenue. These projects are in close geographic proximity and have been combined for the design and construction phases.
The Hooker Road MUP project, combined with the Hinton Avenue MUP project and Wrightsville Avenue/Greenville Avenue Intersection Improvements project, was advertised for bid on January 30, 2025. A bid opening was scheduled for March 25, 2025, but an insufficient number of bids were received to open, and the projects were re-bid. Bids were opened on April 3, 2025, and one proposal was received, which greatly exceeded the engineer’s estimate and overall budget for the projects. On May 6, 2025, City Council rejected the bid. The contract proposal and estimate were revised, and the projects were re-advertised on June 3, 2025. Bids were opened on July 8, 2025, and three bids were received. There was an administrative error that affected the bids received, and City Council rejected the bids on August 5, 2025.
The projects were re-advertised on August 6, 2025, and a bid opening was held on August 28, 2025. Three bids were received. Wells Brothers Construction Co., Inc. was the lowest responsive, responsible bidder with a bid of $4,297,913.52. This amount includes $2,394,080.91 for the Hooker Road MUP, $950,953.68 for the Hinton Avenue MUP, and $952,878.93 for the Wrightsville Avenue/Greenville Avenue Intersection Improvements, all of which are within ten percent of the engineer’s revised estimate as required by NCDOT and the Federal Highway Administration (“FHWA”). Wells Brothers Construction Co., Inc. subcontracted 1.7% of the combined projects to certified MBE/WBE/HUB/DBE firms, which does not meet the 5% goal for the projects, however, Wells Brothers Construction Co., Inc. submitted documentation of good faith efforts, which has been reviewed by the City’s Purchasing Department and approved by NCDOT.
The projects have federal Surface Transportation Block Grant - Direct Attributable (“STBG-DA”) funds from the Wilmington Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (“WMPO”), which require a twenty percent local match, as well as City funding. Additional City funding is required to award the construction contract, cover the full-time Construction Engineering and Inspection (“CEI”) services that are required by the federal funding, and provide an appropriate construction contingency.
These projects, shown in the attached map, will greatly enhance the regional bicycle and pedestrian network in this part of Wilmington via connections to the River to Sea Bikeway and the Gary Shell Cross-City Trail.
budget
BUDGET IMPACT:
The budget impact of awarding the construction contract for these projects is $780,688 from interest earnings and capital balances. The remaining $274,046 needed to award the contract is from residual balances in various other projects.
recommendation
RECOMMENDATION / ACTION REQUESTED:
Passage of the attached resolution, along with the companion ordinance, is recommended.