7.3. SR 06-20-2005 - Laserfiche WebLink

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U [J:!]@[ff3'[]OO@'[]!JJm @@!13f1]O{ffJ@[ff3 Executive Committee Agenda Item # 7 NCDA Agenda Item #2c May 27,2005 MEMO TO: NCDA Executive Committee / Capital Budget Committee NCDA FROM: Staff RE: Rail Passenger Capital Improvements Engineering Agreement with BNSF The third element of the advanced and final design of the Northstar Commuter Rail Project is the engineering of the track and signal improvements to the BNSF railway. (The NCDA has already entered into contracts for the advanced and final design of the commuter rail station and facilities and for the LRT connection.) Because the railroad is owned by BNSF, BNSF will conduct the engineering pursuant to an agreement with the NCDA. BNSF will retain engineering consultants to perform engineering services, provide oversight and necessary flagging services, prepare and complete the advanced and final designs, prepare cost estimates, and prepare all bid packages. BNSF will absorb the first $50,000 of its overhead costs, without request for reimbursement. The contract will specify the capacity improvements that will be included in advanced and final design. Note that BNSF will allow NCDA's technical staff to review the work prepared by the railroad. The proposed contract includes the engineering of the track improvements. Once preliminary engineering is complete on track improvements, the Agreement will need to be amended to include services and costs relating to the signal improvements. It is also contemplated that a budget amendments will be necessary for the engineering of several supplementary track improvements. The budget for the proposed contract is $993,288 and is within the NCDA's budget for advanced and final design. As required by the FTA, staff are preparing an independent cost estimate. The Agreement will terminate on October 10, 2006. Note that the FTA will also review the Agreement for consistency with federal requirements. At the March 2005 meeting, the NCDA delegated to the Executive Committee the authority to approve the negotiated agreement with BNSF in order to act in an expeditious manner to meet schedule constraints. Due to unanticipated delays in the project schedule, it was not necessary to use the delegated authority and it is recommended that the NCDA approve the agreement as described above. Action Requested: That the Executive Committee / Capital Budget Committee recommends that the NCDA authorize the chair to finalize negotiations and execute the Rail Passenger Capital Improvements Engineering Agreement with BNSF, as described above. Northstar Corridor Development Authority 2]003" Avenue. Anoka. Minnesota 55303-2265 (763) 323-5700 Fax: (763) 323-5682 \vw\v.northstartrain.org