SUBJECT
title
Approve selection committee’s recommendation to authorize staff negotiations with Eisman & Russo, Inc. for construction engineering and inspection (CEI) services for Thompson Nursery Road. (No fiscal impact)
body
DESCRIPTION
Thompson Nursery Road is a proposed four-lane urban collector roadway located to the south of Winter Haven. The corridor limits of the Project are from the intersection of US 17 @ SR 540 to the intersection of Thompson Nursey Road @ West Lake Ruby Drive (approximately 6.4 miles).
Polk County has identified the construction of Thompson Nursery Road as a priority given the population and employment growth projected for the region surrounding Thompson Nursery Road. This expected growth is evident in the increased traffic demands on nearby roadways, and future development projects planned along the corridor.
On June 7, 2022, the County entered into an agreement with Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. for professional engineering services for the Thompson Nursery Road project. This project will require a separate engineering firm to provide construction administration, inspection, and quality control services once the construction of the project commences. It is anticipated that construction will begin in September 2025.
Roads and Drainage requested Procurement to solicit proposals for the purpose of providing CEI services for the Thompson Nursery Road project.
Request for Proposal (RFP) 25-245, Construction Engineering & Inspection (CEI) Services for Thompson Nursery Road was issued, and five vendor submitted proposals. The selection committee met on Monday, March 17, 2025, to evaluate and score the proposal. The three highest scored proposers were elevated for interviews. On March 31, 2025, the selection committee conducted interviews and received presentations from all three proposers. After the interviews, the consensus of the selection committee was to request the Board authorize staff to enter into contract negotiations with all proposers starting with the highest ranked proposer, Eisman & Russo, Inc.
The following is a listing of the firms and their rankings:
Proposer Rank
Eisman & Russo, Inc. Bartow, FL 1
AECOM Technical Services, Inc. Tampa, FL 2
RS&H, Inc. Lakeland, FL 3
A recommendation of award was posted, and no protests were received.
RECOMMENDATION
Request Board approve the selection committee’s recommendation and authorize staff to enter into negotiations with all proposers interviewed starting with the highest ranked proposer, Eisman & Russo, Inc. in regards to RFP 25-245, Construction Engineering & Inspection (CEI) Services for Thompson Nursery Road.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact during negotiations.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Ken Brush
Procurement Contracts Manager
Procurement
(863) 534-6727
kenbrush@polk-county.net