TO: Margate CRA Chair and Members of the Board
FROM: Cale Curtis, CRA Executive Director
DATE: March 12, 2025
Title
AUTHORIZING THE WAIVER OF BIDDING REQUIREMENTS; APPROVING THE AWARD OF THE CONTRACTS FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE FENCING FABRIC TO CAIBAI CONSTRUCTION, INC., AND THE RESURFACING OF THE BASKETBALL AND TENNIS COURTS TO FAST DRY COURTS, INC., AS PART OF THE CORAL GATE PARK IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT
BACKGROUND: The MCRA is undertaking several improvements at Coral Gate Park in accordance with the FY 2025 budget. In an effort to save time and cost, the MCRA has entered into a series of contracts, usually based on CO-OP or “piggyback” contracts with specialized vendors instead of using a single general contractor with subcontractors to perform the work. To date, repaving the walking paths, replacement of benches, installation of new sports lighting, and sod replacement have been authorized using this approach.
A proposal for replacement of dated old fence fabric surrounding the sports courts was obtained from Tropic Fence, Inc., based on Tropic’s annual contract with the City of Ft. Lauderdale. Although the use of this piggyback contract was initially considered, there were concerns over the quoted cost ($45,540) and certain terms in the Ft. Lauderdale contract that did not precisely match the desired scope of work at Coral Gate Park. A second quote was therefore solicited from Caibai Construction, a firm that had satisfactorily performed fencing installation for DEES. Caibai’s quote of $36,000 represented a savings of over 20% compared to Tropic Fence. Although the total cost slightly exceeds the limit exempted from formal bidding, staff have concluded that bidding this fencing project is unlikely to result in further savings and would cause an unnecessary delay in completing the work. Awarding the fencing contract to Caibai Construction is thus recommended.
A proposal was received from Fast-Dry Courts, Inc. (FDC) in the amount of $35,578.12 for the resurfacing of the basketball and tennis courts. The same scope of work was twice quoted by Sport Surfaces, LLC, in the amounts of $30,900 and $43,601.50, with the latter price based on a contract with Cooper City that expired last year. Again, based on the quotes received, staff have concluded that a formal bid process would delay the work without resulting in meaningful cost savings. The Parks Department is recommending awarding the contract to FDC based on past experience with both vendors. They found that FDC provides a higher quality of service, starting with site preparation, through performance of the work and site cleanup, which outweighs the relatively small difference between the vendors’ respective price quotes.
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approving this resolution and awarding the contracts to Caibai Construction and Fast Dry Courts, Inc.
FISCAL IMPACT: Not to exceed $36,000.00 for fencing and $35,578.12 for court resurfacing plus an allowance of $7,157.81 contingency for a total maximum impact of $78,735.93 This amount is within budget under account number #340-0510-512.63-62.
CONTACT PERSON: Cale Curtis, CRA Executive Director