Joint Meeting Council/BFPD
08/18/26 05:15 PM
Engineering
Fidel Martinez
Contract
Doc ID: 6548
AGENDA ITEM
AGENDA MATTER:
AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR CENTENNIAL PARK LANDSCAPE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT CITY OF BARSTOW PROJECT # BGRD-26-0038
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Staff recommends awarding a contract to KNC Construction Inc. for the Centennial Park Landscape Improvements Project (“Project”) for the amount of $218,815.
On July 21, 2026, the City Council awarded the contract to Kormex Construction (“Contractor”) who was determined to be the low bidder after an informal solicitation procedure. On July 23,, 2026, the Contractor provided notification of a clerical error within the statutory period for identifying errors in a bid proposal. (Pub. Contr. Code § 5103.) As a result, City staff requested that the City Council reject all bids and began a subsequent informal bid process.
Staff re-advertised the informal bid for Project on July 28, 2026. The City received a total of four (4) bids by the deadline. The two lowest bids received were rejected (i.e., incomplete bid package and unallowed bid submittal from party previously withdrawing). Due to the time lost in rebidding the project, the line item associated with landscaping has been removed from consideration as the duration to engage in review of proposed landscaping cannot be addressed prior to the required completion date. Also removed is the associated line item for contingency. The removal of these allowances was applied evenly and fairly to all qualified bidders. The lowest responsive and responsible bidder remained KNC Construction Inc., in the amount of $218,815.
DISCUSSION:
The Project is the revitalization of an existing pocket park in downtown Barstow at the intersection of 1st Avenue and the famous Route 66, commonly known as East Main Street. The Project has been called the “Centennial Park Landscape Improvement Project” due to the City’s upcoming centenial celebration.
The Project is intended to revitalize, and enhance functionality, accessibility and the overall appearance of this existing park while creating a safe and welcoming environment for residents and transients. The Project includes construction of ADA compliant pathways, installation of shade canopies, new park seating, decorative retaining walls and planters, and at the center of the park, a newly designed monument sign for the finishing touch.
The City solicited informal bids for the Project in accordance with the City of Barstow’s Purchasing and Contract Policy. A total of four (4) bids were initially received. Following review of the bid documents and contractor qualifications, the low bidder was disqualified as non-responsive. The Project was then awarded by the City Council to Kormex Construction Inc. on July 21, 2026. On July 27, 2026, Kormex Construction Inc. notified the City that a clerical error had been identified in its proposal. The correction increased the total bid amount from $197,436 to $277,036, resulting in the contract being unable to be awarded as an informally bid contract. As a result, the City was required to reject all bids and re-advertise the project in accordance with City of Barstow’s Purchasing and Contract Policy.
The Project was re-advertised for informal bids on July 28, 2026, and received a total of four (4) bids by the bid submittal deadline of August 10, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. Bids were reviewed for completeness and contractor qualifications. The lowest bid received from JDR Construction was rejected due to Joint Meeting Council/BFPD
08/18/26 05:15 PM
Engineering
Fidel Martinez
Contract
Doc ID: 6548
AGENDA ITEM
incompleteness. The next lowest bidder, Kormex Construction, was ineligible to rebid the Project per Public Contract Code Sec. 5105 preventing award to a party withdrawing their bid based on clerical error.
Accordingly, the remaining two (2) eligible bids received from KNC Construction Inc. and Jergensen Construction Inc. were evaluated and determined to be responsive. KNC provided a proposal (Attachment B) in the amount of $268,815.00 City staff is recommending that Council award the project to KNC Construction, as the lowest responsible and responsive bidder for the newly listed and agreed upon amount of $218,815. Below are the four (4) listed contractor proposals received by the bid due date and time of August 10, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.
Contractor Proposal Bid Status
JDR Construction $180,000.00 Incomplete
Kormex Construction Inc. $229,351.00 Ineligible to Bid
KNC Construction Inc. $268,815.00 Complete
Jergensen Construction Inc. $299,387.25 Complete
However, due to concerns regarding the timing of project delivery based on the required time associated with contractor-design of the landscaping the project would likely be unable to be completed in a timely manner. Accordingly the allowances provided by the City for landscaping and the allowance included for contingency would not be required. Therefore the two allowance item amounts were removed from the Project across the board as to all bidders. This did not alter the incompleteness of the JDR Construction bid, or the inability to bid by Kormex pursuant to Public Contract Code § 5105. The removal of the allowance makes the consideration of the KNC bid $218,815.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The project will be funded utilizing the Cannabis Funds with an appropriation amount of $218,815 to FY 26-27 budget. The funds will be appropriated to Expenditure Account No.1005007 5831.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
That the City Council:
1. Award the construction contract to KNC Construction Inc., the lowest responsible bidder.
2. Authorize the City Manager, or her designee, the authority to sign the construction contract, and any related documents associated with the project.
3. Approve and appropriate a construction budget in the amount of $218,815.00 to Expenditure Account No. 1005007-5831.