The Sugar Land Police Department facility was built in 1996 at a time when there was less tension in society. Moreover, the need for stronger security for the police facility was less imperative than it is now. Most recently, noted in the 2018 Police Department management study conducted by the Center for Public Safety Management, LLC (CPSM) among other things was a need to enhance the security for the police facility including adding bullet proof glass to our police functions public counters (records and municipal courts). Through a recent Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) audit, conducted by the Texas Department of Public Safety, the police department was noted for having vehicles in the parking lot that could be accessed unrestricted by the public, therefore, stronger measures should be considered. The Sugar Land Police Department remains to be the only police facility in Fort Bend County and the greater Houston area that does not have a security fence with controlled access. The goals are to enhance the safety of the police department including safety of the staff and officers, access to the facility, police vehicles, equipment, as well as officer's personal vehicles. Police staff recommends erecting a sound structural security fence.
The project scope consists of ornamental steel security fencing around three sides of the site. The north side, due to future construction, shall utilize an 8-foot high black vinyl coated chain link fencing with 3-strand barbwire on top. There will be three vehicular gates and three personnel gates. The scope also requires electrical services to all gates to provide the required access control. The access control work will be handled as a sperate contract by the Engineering staff through DSC Security (City's access control contractor). Also included is a 5% contingency to address any landscaping issues, sprinkler system repairs/modifications, and unforeseen conditions.
The bid was advertised on January 27 and on February 3, 2021. Bids were received on February 25, 2021. There were five bids received, with three bids being disqualified due to not following the bid procedures, resulting in two qualified bidders. The low bid came in from the Swift Corporation, LLC in the amount of $365,000.00. The cost estimate was prepared by Lane Wolf at a cost of $422,000.00 for the overall project. The consultant, PGAL Architects, has evaluated the bid and made the recommendation to award the contract to Swift Corporation, LLC. A bid summary table is provided below:
Available funds have been identified in the state seizure fund, which has a fund balance of $504,865.00 at the end of FY2020. Seizure funds are acquired through the sale of seized property that was used in the commission of a crime. Sugar Land receives a percentage of the sale of property seized by the Sugar Land Police, Special Crimes unit, or the Fort Bend County Narcotics Task Force. State seizure funds may only be used for law enforcement purposes, and may not be used to offset or decrease total salaries, expenses, and allowances that the law enforcement agency receives from the governing body at or after the time the proceeds are awarded. The new construction budget of $410,000.00 will be available under CMU2102, Police Station Security Fencing. The budget covers the security fencing, electrical power, security access control, and a contingency.
A notice to proceed shall be issued once the contract has been fully executed and a pre-construction meeting held. The contractor shall have 75 calendar days to complete the scope of work.
The Engineering and Police Departments recommend the City Council approve a construction contract with the Swift Corporation, LLC for the construction of the Police Station Security Fencing, CMU2102, in the amount of $365,000.00 and approve a budget amendment in the amount of $410,000.00 from the Police Department State Seizure Funds.