ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
MEETING DATE: March 12, 2025 AGENDA CATEGORY: Consent - Bids TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Kristina Budak, Water Director
DATE: February 28, 2025
SUBJECT: Pioneer Canal Headgate Replacement Project (Ward 4)
1. Accept bid and approve contract with Nicholas Construction, Inc. ($2,301,594).
2. Appropriate $1,200,000 from the Agricultural Water Fund Balance to the Water Department’s Capital Improvement Program budget for the project.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends acceptance of low bid and approval of contract.
BACKGROUND:
On October 3, 2023, Meyer Civil Engineering, Inc. conducted a forensic investigation of the existing Pioneer Canal Headgate to determine the most effective approach for restoring it to reliable operation.
The Pioneer Canal Headgate was damaged over several previous high flow water years and was no longer operating efficiently. The study identified three options: 1) Rebuild with concrete walls ; 2) Rebuild with steel bay frames; 3) Reconstruct the headgate with radial gates, allowing sediment to pass downstre am instead of accumulating at the structure. After evaluating these options, City selected the third option— full reconstruction with motor controlled radial gates—to improve operational efficiency and long -term performance.
The scope of work for this project in general consists of replacing the existing Pioneer Canal Headgate on the north side of the Kern River about 900 feet northeast of the Stockdale Highway Kern River bridge. The work will include demolition and removal of the existing headgate, adjacent retaining wall, and associated rip rap; construction of a new headgate equipped with two motor-controlled radial gates and a weir board bay; installation of wingwalls, abutments, and an adjacent retaining wall; canal improvements, including side slope stabilization with riprap and invert reinforcement with soil-cement.
Item 1:
The Engineer’s Estimate for this construction contract was $ 1,898,687. On February 6th, 2025, six bids were received. The acceptable bids were as follows:
Nicholas Construction, Inc.
251 Carsen Way
Shafter, CA 93263
in the amount of $2,301,594.00
W.M. Lyles Co.
525 W. Alluvial Avenue
Fresno, CA 93711
in the amount of $2,525,915.00
SW Construction
5303 Woodmere Drive
Bakersfield, CA 93313
in the amount of $2,637,011.02
NMN Construction
2741 Walnut Avenue
Tustin, CA 92782
in the amount of $3,611,275.00
Metro Builders & Engineers Group, Ltd
2610 Avon Street
Newport Beach, CA 92663
in the amount of $3,840,045.00
Granite Construction Company
3005 James Road
Bakersfield, CA 93308
in the amount of $5,139,195.00
City staff recommends award of the contract to Nicholas Construction , Inc. for a compensation amount of $2,301,594.00 based on their proposal being the most favorable to the City.
Item 2:
The project budget was initially established using budgetary estimates from Fiscal Year 2022-23; at that time the construction phase was projected to cost $1,281,094. The bids received as well as the engineer’s estimate exceeded budgeted funds. Appropriation of $1,200,000 from the Agricultural Water Fund is being requested in order to fully fund the construction contract, as well as provide for engineering services, construction management, and inspection services during the construction phase.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The funding source for this project is the Agricultural Water Fund; with approval of the requested appropriation, s ufficient funds will be available in the Water Resources Capital Improvement Budget, therefore this agreement has no impact to City’s General Fund.
COUNCIL GOAL:
Reliable Infrastructure
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Agreement