CITY OF COMMERCE
AGENDA REPORT
TO: Honorable City Council
FROM: City Manager
SUBJECT: Award Construction Contract to DASH Construction Company, Inc. for the Roundabout at Greenwood Avenue and Watcher Street Intersection Project MEETING DATE: December 9, 2025
RECOMMENDATION:
The City Council will consider:
Approving Plans and Specifications for the Roundabout at Greenwood Avenue and Watcher Street Intersection Project (Project); and Waiving a minor irregularity in the bid submitted by DASH Construction Company, Inc. as non-material error for the Project and awarding a construction contract to DASH Construction Company, Inc. in the amount of $181,622 for the total Base Bid Schedule amount; and Authorizing up to 15% of the construction contract for construction contingency for unforeseen conditions; and Authorizing up to 10% of the total construction contract and contingencies for Construction Management and Inspection Services; and Authorizing Construction Management and Inspection Services by Transtech Engineers, inc. pursuant to their On-Call Professional Consulting Services Agreements.
BACKGROUND
In 2023, the City of Commerce received a resident request to review traffic conditions at the intersection of Watcher Street and Greenwood Avenue due to concerns that vehicles, particularly those traveling southbound on Greenwood Avenue, were failing to stop at the intersection.
In response, City staff conducted a traffic review of the location and implemented several immediate safety improvements, including:
Replacement of standard stop signs with oversized stop signs; Installation of red reflective strips beneath each stop sign; Repainting of existing red curbs;
Installation of advance “Stop Ahead” warning signs; and Enhancement of street lighting within the intersection area.
Following these improvements, a subsequent request was made to evaluate the feasibility of a roundabout at the intersection.
To address this request, KOA Corporation (KOA) was retained to prepare a feasibility study for a potential roundabout at Watcher Street and Greenwood Avenue. The study recommended a Pilot Roundabout Option, which includes signing, pavement markings, and striping transitions to match existing conditions; temporary curb ramps at each corner to accommodate relocated crosswalks; a central circular island composed of manufactured rubber curbs; and flexible delineators to define the corner bulb-outs and splitter islands.
On May 14, 2024, KOA presented the concept plan to the City Council and received authorization to proceed with the preparation of the Plans, Specifications, and Estimate (PS&E) for the Pilot Roundabout Option. Following the implementation and evaluation of the pilot roundabout, staff will return to the City Council with recommendations to either construct a permanent roundabout or maintain the pilot configuration as a long-term solution.
Due to the close proximity of the proposed roundabout to the Union Pacific (UP) railroad crossing on Greenwood Avenue, which results in a reduced travel lane on Greenwood just south of the crossing, staff and KOA have been coordinating closely with UP and the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to ensure their applicable requirements are satisfied. This coordination has included UP’s review of the project design plans, traffic studies, and proposed signage improvements. An Agreement with UP for their review and coordination services in an amount not to exceed of $25,000 was executed on December 26, 2024, under the City Manager’s administrative authority. The project will incorporate all applicable UP required improvements.
ANALYSIS
On September 4, 2025, staff advertised the project for construction bids. The following seven (7) bids were received by the City at the Bid Opening held on October 2, 2025. A copy of the bid tabulation is attached:
BID RANKING
BIDDER
BASE BID SCHEDULE
Lowest Bidder
DASH Construction Company, Inc.
$181,622.00
2nd Lowest Bidder
Gentry General Engineering, Inc.
$198,235.00
3rd Bidder
Axion Group
$217,275.50
4th Bidder
Nesbou Homes
$233,252.00
5th Bidder
Toro Enterprises, Inc.
$250,019.00
6th Bidder
Gentry Brothers, Inc.
$261,295.00
7th Bidder
Vido Samarzich, Inc.
$268,090.00
In accordance with the California Public Contract Code, public works contracts must be awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. During the bid review, staff identified a calculation error in the bid submitted by DASH Construction Company, Inc., in which an extra digit was inadvertently added to one of the bid items. Considering that the calculation error is clerical and non-material DASH Construction Company, Inc. determined to be the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. The City notified all bidders of the corrected bid amount on October 23, 2025, and provided an opportunity for bidders to submit any questions or concerns. The only bidder who contacted the City was DASH Construction Company, Inc., who acknowledged the error.
Following staff’s review, including verification of the contractor’s California license, Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) registration, state and federal debarment status, and references, DASH Construction Company, Inc. has been confirmed as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. A detailed bid analysis is attached for reference.
The following is a summary of the project cost:
Bid Amount to be Awarded
$181,622
Construction Contingencies (15%)
27,243
Subtotal
208,865
Construction Management, Inspection (10%)
20,887
Total Project Cost
$229,752
FISCAL IMPACT
The total estimated cost of this project including construction contract, contingencies, construction management, inspection services, material testing, and UP railroad permit, is $229,752. Funds are available in the approved Measure AA fund Account #41-5170-57010.50015 for this project.
ALTERNATIVES:
Approve recommendation
Reject recommendation
Provide staff with further direction
RELATIONSHIP TO STRATEGIC GOALS:
This agenda item relates to the 2016 Strategic Plan, Infrastructure and Facilities:
Guiding Principle 4: Develop and invest in infrastructure and beautification projects that support economic growth Approved and Recommended by: Shahid Abbas, Director of Public Works Fiscal Impact reviewed by: Alvaro Castellon, Director of Finance Approved as to form by: Noel Tapia, City Attorney
Respectfully submitted: Ernie Hernandez, City Manager ATTACHMENTS:
Bid Analysis
Construction Contract- DASH Construction Company, Inc.