Agenda Item Wording:
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Award Fiscal Year 2024 / 2025 Cape Seal Contract- Authorize the City Manager to sign the construction contract for Fiscal Year 2024/ 2025 Cape Seal Project to VSS International, Inc. in the amount of $1,698,325.00.
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Deadline for Action: 5/19/2025
Submitting Department: Public Works
Contact Name and Phone Number:
Danny Galindo, Public Works Manager, danny.galindo@visalia.city , 713-4186
Nick Bartsch, Public Works Director, nick.bartsch@visalia.city ,713-4052
Department Recommendation:
Staff recommends that City Council authorize the City Manager to sign a contract to VSS International, Inc. in the amount $1,698,325.00 for the construction of the FY 24-25 Cape Seal Project (CIP 1410-72000/CP0247-999).
Background Discussion:
This project includes the application of Cape Seal to various streets identified in the City’s Pavement Management Program. The work will be focused on specific streets throughout the City as shown in the attached map.
To increase the longevity of the pavement surface, it is necessary for the City to maintain the pavement of the streets properly and promptly. Applying cape seal treatments at this life-stage of the streets is beneficial as it extends the pavement life at a relatively inexpensive price. As streets deteriorate further, without this preventive maintenance, future maintenance becomes more expensive and time consuming.
The Cape Seal maintenance treatment must be performed with consideration to the public. Public outreach is required to notify the residents in the work zone and to provide expectations on the extents of traffic control to be performed. Cape Seal consists of an application of a chip seal followed by a microsurfacing application onto the selected roadways. The chip seal consists of applying an asphalt-rubber seal binder combined with a heated application of aggregate cover material. After the chip seal has cured, the microsurfacing application is applied. This secondary application consists of a mixture of aggregate, emulsified asphalt, mineral filler, and other additives that creates a new drivable surface over the chip seal.
Prior to the chip seal process, the streets will be swept and prepared as necessary. The contractor will be required to provide access during the treatment process. The chip seal portion can be performed relatively quickly, 1-2 days depending on area, and provides a semi-finished surface which is typically opened within 24 hours following the treatment. Once the chip seal has cured, the roadway will be opened for 1-2 weeks until the microsurfacing is applied. During this time, the street will be swept again to remove excess aggregates left behind from the chip seal. Once the microsurfacing has been applied and been allowed to fully cure, the roadway is opened back up to the public within 24 hours typically. “No Parking” signs will be posted and flyers will be handed out to residents and businesses three (3) working days prior to beginning the Cape Seal work in the affected areas.
This project is funded solely using Measure N funds. The residents of Visalia passed Measure ‘N’ in November of 2016 to increase the City’s ability to perform street maintenance as one of its primary objectives (CP0247).
A formal City bid process was conducted and on May 13, 2025, City staff opened three (3) bids that were submitted for the project. Per the construction bid documents, the apparent low bid was established by the lowest total of the Base Bid and Alternate Bid 1. The results are summarized below and are listed in order from lowest to highest bid.
No. Contractor Location Base Bid + Alternate
1. VSS International West Sacramento, CA $1,698,325.00
2. American Pavement Systems Modesto, CA $1,878,737.74
3. Pavement Coatings Company Sacramento, CA $2,019,943.21
VSS International has submitted the lowest responsive bid and it is staff’s recommendation they are awarded the contract. VSS International completed Visalia’s FY 23-24 Cape Seal Project successfully, on time, and without any change orders. Engineering staff and the public works inspector commented that VSS performed quality work in a timely manner with excellent communication.
Fiscal Impact:
The Measure ‘N’ Cape Seal Project for FY24-25 (CIP 1410-72000/CP0247-999) has a current budget of $2,641,800.00.
Budget Summary: FY 24-25 Cape Seal Project, CP0247
Project Budget $2,641,800.00
Estimated Project Costs:
Construction Cost $1,698,325.00
Construction Contingency (10%) $ 169,832.50
Construction Management (2%) $ 33,966.50
Construction Inspection (3%) $ 50,949.75
Geotechnical Testing (1.5%) $ 25,474.88
Total Project Cost $1,978,548.63
Project Budget Surplus $ 663,251.37
Unexpended funds following completion of the project will be returned to the fund source from which they were originated.
Prior Council Action:
-October 16, 2023: City Council awarded the Construction Contract for FY23-24 Cape Seal Project to VSS International.
-September 16, 2024: City Council authorized the City Manager to file a Notice of Completion for the construction of the FY23-24 Cape Seal Project.
Other: N/A
Alternatives: None recommended
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I move to authorize the City Manager to award a contract to VSS International, Inc. in the amount $1,698,325.00 for the construction of the FY 24-25 Cape Seal Project (CIP 1410-72000/CP0247-999).
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Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Attachments:
Cape Seal Map
Summary of Bids
VSS International Cape Seal Bid
Levine Act Statement
RFB-24-25 Cape Seal Contract