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Council committee recommends professional services agreement with Urban Engineers for construction inspection
Summary
Public works committee discussed Resolution 24 of 2025 to authorize negotiation of a professional services agreement with Urban Engineers Inc. for on‑call construction inspection and construction management services; staff said the contract would be used as needed and estimated spending at no more than $100,000 per year for three years.
Councilman Rodriguez, chair of the public works committee, presented Resolution 24 of 2025 authorizing the city to negotiate and enter a professional services agreement with Urban Engineers Inc. to provide construction inspection and construction management services on an as‑needed basis.
City Engineer Joel Saters told the committee the city has numerous ongoing and planned projects — including Sycamore Street, Berryhill Street, and Chestnut Street this year and other corridors thereafter — and that last year the city issued over 500 street‑cut permits for utility work. Saters said the department is understaffed to inspect all work and requested a consultant roster the city can call upon as needed.
Saters said the RFP was posted on PennBid, about 40 firms downloaded documents, and the city received two proposals; he recommended Urban Engineers and noted the firm assembled a team of subconsultants. Urban Engineers' representative described a team that includes five additional firms, two MBEs and one WBE (JBC Associates, located in the city limits), and said the firm has prior inspection experience in Harrisburg, including Third Street and Second Street projects.
On costs, Saters said the city will call consultants on an as‑needed basis and will not exceed the consulting line item budget. When pressed for an estimate by Councilwoman Ross, Saters said he foresaw "no more than $100,000 per year for the 3 years" (total $300,000) under the contract. Urban Engineers said its team will exclude any conflicted firm from projects where a conflict exists.
Council members asked about local hiring and minority‑owned business participation. Urban Engineers said they plan to use local teaming partners and that some prior agreements achieved over 20% MBE participation on similar work. Council members requested outreach to local trade schools and small, city‑based contractors for workforce and subcontracting opportunities.
The committee voted to forward Resolution 24 of 2025 to the next legislative session for council consideration.
