1 PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT
This agreement (“Agreement”) is made as of September 22, 2026 by and between the City of Commerce, a municipal corporation ("City") and SPECS Engineering Group, Inc. (“Consultant”). City and Consultant are sometimes hereinafter individually referred to as a “Party” and collectively referred to as the “Parties.”
R E C I T A L S
WHEREAS, City desires to utilize the services of Consultant as an independent contractor to provide Construction Management and Construction Inspection (CMCI) Services for the Deconstruction of the Commerce Refuse-to-Energy Facility (CREA) Project as set forth in the Scope of Services attached hereto as Exhibit A; and WHEREAS, Consultant represents that it is fully qualified to perform such consulting services by virtue of its experience and the training, education and expertise of its principals and employees.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of performance by the parties of the covenants and conditions herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Company's Scope of Services. The nature and scope of the specific services to be performed by Consultant are as described in Exhibit A.
2. Term of Agreement. This Agreement shall commence on September 22, 2026 (the “Commencement Date”) and shall remain and continue in effect until tasks described in Exhibit A are completed, but in no event later than June 30, 2027, unless sooner terminated pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement.
3. Compensation.
A. City agrees to compensate Consultant for services under this Agreement in compliance with the schedule set forth in Exhibit A. Consultant shall submit proper monthly invoices in the form and manner specified by City. Each invoice shall include a monthly breakdown of all monthly services performed together with the hours spent on each service. Consultant shall maintain appropriate and necessary documentation supporting the monthly invoices detailing the type of service provided. It shall be available for review by the City at all reasonable times upon request.
B. Total payment to Consultant pursuant to this Agreement shall not exceed $154,100.00.
C. If at the request of the City, Consultant is required to incur out of pocket expenses (including but not limited to, out-of-town travel and lodging) which are above and beyond the ordinary expenses associated with performance of this Agreement, Consultant shall be entitled to reimbursement of such expenses. Consultant shall only be reimbursed for those expenses which: (I) appear on Consultant’s monthly invoices; 2 (II) are accompanied by a copy of the City’s written authorization for Consultant to incur such expenses; and (III) receipts documenting such expenses.
4. General Terms and Conditions. The General Terms and Conditions set forth in Exhibit B are incorporated as part of this Agreement. In the event of any inconsistency between the General Terms and Conditions and any other exhibit to this Agreement, the General Terms and Conditions shall control unless it is clear from the context that both parties intend the provisions of the other exhibit(s) to control.
5. Addresses.
City of Commerce
City of Commerce
2535 Commerce Way
Commerce, CA 90040
Attn: Ernie Hernandez, City Manager
SPECS Engineering Group, Inc.
SPECS Engineering Group, Inc.
3 Pointe Drive, Suite 212
Brea, CA 92821
Attn: Jose Burbano, PE, PM / VP
6. Exhibits. All exhibits referred to in this Agreement are listed here and are incorporated and made part of this Agreement by this reference.
Exhibit A – Scope of Services and Compensation Schedule Exhibit B – General Terms and Conditions
SIGNATURES ON FOLLOWING PAGE
3 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the dates written below.
CITY
CITY OF COMMERCE
By: _____________________________ ______________________ Kevin Lainez, Mayor Date
CONSULTANT
SPECS Engineering Group, Inc.
By: _______________________________ ________________________ Jose Burbano, PE, PM / VP Date
ATTEST:
By: ______________________________ ________________________ Eduardo Sarmiento, City Clerk Date
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
By: ______________________________ ________________________ Noel Tapia, City Attorney Date
1 EXHIBIT A
SCOPE OF WORK
PROPOSAL FOR CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT AND
CONSTRUCTION INSPECTION (CMCI) SERVICES
FOR THE DECONSTRUCTION OF THE COMMERCE REFUSE-TOENERGY FACILITY (CREA) SUBMITTED BY:
SE]
SECTION 1: APPROACH & SCOPE OF WORK
SPECS ENGINEERING GROUP INC.
COVER LETTER...………………………………………………………………………………..............................2 SECTION 1: UNDERSTANDING OF THE PROJECT…...……………………...………………….……………..3 SECTION 2: SCOPE OF SERVICES…………………………………………………………………....................6 SECTION 3: QUALIFICATIONS……………..…………………………………………......................................12 SECTION 4: RELEVANT PROJECTS……………………………………………………………………………..17 SECTION 5: SCHEDULE……………………………………………………………………………………………20 FEE PROPOSAL……………………………………………………………………………………………………..21
1 SPECS ENGINEERING GROUP INC.
Andy Ramirez
Interim Public Works Director
City of Commerce
2535 Commerce Way
Commerce, CA 90040
REFERENCE: CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT AND CONSTRUCTION INSPECTION (CMCI) SERVICES –
DECONSTRUCTION OF COMMERCE REFUSE-TO-ENERGY FACILITY (CREA) PROJECT Dear Mr. Ramirez,
SPECS Engineering Group, Inc. (SPECS) is pleased to submit this proposal to the City of Commerce to provide Construction Management and Construction Inspection (CMCI) Services for the Deconstruction of the Commerce Refuse-to-Energy Facility (CREA) Project at 5926 Sheila Street. We understand this Federal Transit Administration (FTA)-funded assignment requires the City’s consultant to provide responsive construction management, on-site inspection, federal compliance support, complete project documentation, and closeout throughout a compressed 40- working-day construction period.
SPECS understands that this is a complex industrial deconstruction effort involving hazardous-material abatement, removal of process and mechanical/electrical/plumbing systems, structural steel, foundations and footings, utilities, deep subsurface removals, waste handling, backfill/compaction, and site restoration. Our approach is centered on continuous field visibility, disciplined inspection and hold points, timely schedule/cost/change management, hazardous-material and environmental coordination, and contemporaneous FTA-ready documentation so that compliance and closeout records are built as the work progresses.
SPECS confirms that our proposed Construction Manager and Construction Inspector will be available to support the City through preconstruction, the full 40-working-day construction period, and project closeout, with additional project controls, federal compliance, and specialty support provided as required.
SPECS expressly acknowledges that we reviewed the attached construction bid documents for the CREA Project, including the plans, specifications, addenda, technical reports, hazardous-material surveys, environmental documents, and applicable federal/FTA requirements and certifications. Our proposal and proposed approach are based on that review, together with the City’s RFP and written procurement clarifications.
Thank you for considering SPECS for this important assignment. We are prepared to mobilize in accordance with the City’s schedule and provide the field presence, technical oversight, documentation discipline, and federal compliance support necessary for successful delivery. Please contact me, at 626.497.8124 or [email protected] with any questions or to discuss our proposal.
Sincerely,
Jose Burbano, PE | PM / VP
9/1/2026
2 SPECS ENGINEERING GROUP INC.
PROJECT UNDERSTANDING
The Deconstruction of the Commerce Refuse-to-Energy Facility (CREA) is not a conventional building demolition project. It is the controlled dismantling, abatement, removal, and environmental closure of a former industrial refuse-to-energy facility containing interconnected structural, mechanical, electrical, process, and subsurface systems. The work must be completed within a 40- working-day construction period, requiring hazardous-material abatement, equipment decommissioning, structural
deconstruction, deep foundation removal, utility disposition, excavation and backfill, waste diversion, environmental controls, and site restoration to advance in a carefully coordinated sequence.
The facility historically operated as a waste incineration and energy-generation plant and therefore contains substantially more complex systems than a typical industrial structure. Major components include the incinerator, boilers, turbine system and related infrastructure, flue-gas cleaning equipment, ash-residue storage and handling facilities, pumps and process piping, tanks, electrical feeds, MEP systems, structural steel and concrete framing, foundations and subsurface structures, pavement and site improvements, weigh-scale equipment, utilities, and other remaining facility infrastructure.
SPECS understands that successful CMCI will depend on
controlling the interfaces between environmental abatement, equipment removal, structural deconstruction, deep excavation, utility work, material disposition, backfill, and site restoration. Our Construction Manager will establish inspection and
documentation hold points throughout this sequence so that critical work is verified before it is removed, covered, backfilled, or otherwise made inaccessible.
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS ABATEMENT AND
ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROLS
Hazardous-material abatement is a critical early activity because regulated materials are distributed throughout the former industrial facility and must be removed, segregated, documented, and cleared before affected structures and equipment can be safely deconstructed. The Pre-Demolition Asbestos, Lead, and Other Environmentally Regulated Materials Survey identifies asbestoscontaining materials (ACM), lead-based and lead-containing coatings, potential PCB/DEHP-containing electrical equipment, universal/electronic wastes, refrigerants, and other regulated materials.
The survey also identifies approximately 310 fluorescent lightfixture ballasts as potentially containing PCB/DEHP materials.
Lead-containing coatings are associated with industrial components such as structural beams, piping, machinery, handrails, bollards, frames, and similar painted surfaces, creating additional controls during torch cutting, grinding, dismantling, and structural steel removal. ACM must similarly be addressed before demolition methods can disturb affected materials. Universal wastes, fluorescent lamps, electrical/electronic components, refrigerants, and other regulated materials must be segregated from the general demolition and recycling streams.
SPECS will coordinate abatement with the Contractor's
deconstruction schedule and verify required notifications, qualified personnel, containment and removal procedures, packaging, transportation, disposal documentation, and required clearances.
Abatement will be managed area-by-area, allowing cleared portions of the facility to advance while controls remain in place elsewhere. If previously concealed or unidentified suspect materials are encountered, SPECS will document and isolate the affected area, coordinate evaluation with the appropriate environmental personnel, and evaluate resequencing of
unaffected work to minimize impacts to the 40-working-day schedule.
INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT AND STRUCTURAL
DECONSTRUCTION
A defining feature of CREA is the scale and interconnected nature of the industrial equipment that must be dismantled. Removal extends beyond the building shell and includes the incinerator and refuse-to-energy process equipment; boiler systems; turbine and power-generation infrastructure; flue-gas cleaning systems and ductwork; ash-residue handling and storage systems; tanks; pumps; process piping; electrical feeds; mechanical systems; equipment supports; and associated structural steel and concrete.
These components may be connected to foundations, structural framing, embedded utilities, piping, ductwork, electrical systems, or other equipment, making the sequence of removal critical.
SPECS will review the Contractor's Deconstruction Plan for the proposed sequence, equipment, access, staging and loading areas, haul routes, structural removal methods, environmental controls, and safety precautions. Field inspection will focus on whether actual deconstruction follows the accepted sequence and whether removal of equipment or structural components could affect the stability of remaining systems. Particular attention will be given to heavy and elevated equipment removal, crane and rigging operations, structural-steel dismantling, torch cutting, temporary bracing or shoring, exclusion zones, and work adjacent to deep excavations.
The Contractor's means and methods may involve large
excavators with demolition attachments, hydraulic breakers or shears, cranes and rigging for heavy picks, loaders, haul trucks, lifts, concrete-processing equipment, temporary shoring/bracing, dust-control systems, and specialty abatement equipment.
SPECS will not direct the Contractor's means and methods; however, our CM team will verify that the equipment and sequence being implemented are consistent with the accepted plans, available working areas, structural conditions,
environmental restrictions, and required safety controls. 3 SPECS ENGINEERING GROUP INC.
DEEP FOUNDATION AND SUBSURFACE
REMOVAL
The below-grade work is one of the project's most significant technical challenges. Existing concrete foundations and designated subsurface elements require removal to 20 feet below grade, substantially deeper than conventional building demolition.
This work may include footings, equipment foundations and pedestals, buried concrete, pit walls, monitoring wells, and other subsurface structures exposed as the facility is dismantled.
SPECS will establish inspection hold points before these excavations are backfilled. The CM/inspection team will verify required removal limits, document exposed subsurface
conditions, and coordinate survey verification where necessary.
Foundation elements extending beyond the required removal depth will be documented and surveyed as required so their remaining locations can be incorporated into the demolition asbuilt record. No critical subsurface feature will be allowed to disappear beneath backfill before its disposition has been verified and documented.
Deep excavation also creates significant construction interfaces.
SPECS will monitor the Contractor's excavation sequence, equipment access, temporary slopes or shoring, excavation-edge conditions, haul-out operations, adjacent structures and utilities, and environmental controls while coordinating geotechnical, survey, and environmental support as required.
REFUSE STORAGE PIT AND DEEP EXCAVATION
A particularly significant feature is the existing approximately 80- foot-long by 45-foot-wide by 40-foot-deep concrete-lined refuse storage pit. Unlike ordinary foundation demolition, removal and restoration of this area will involve substantial excavation and may expose debris, buried structural elements, unknown materials, or environmental conditions that were not observable before deconstruction.
SPECS will closely coordinate work within and around the pit with the Contractor, geotechnical representative, environmental personnel, surveyor, and City. Inspection will document materials encountered, concrete and structural removal, excavation limits, and unexpected conditions. Heavy-equipment operations near the pit and other deep excavations will receive particular attention due to access, stability, loading, and sequencing considerations.
Required removal and environmental conditions will be verified before the excavation is released for backfill.
CONTAMINATED MEDIA AND SOIL MANAGEMENT
Subsurface excavation introduces a separate environmental concern from the hazardous building materials identified above.
Excavation around the former refuse-to-energy facility, deep foundations, pit, utilities, and other buried improvements may expose soil or other media requiring evaluation and controlled management.
SPECS will implement the project's contaminated-media
requirements when stained, odorous, discolored, debriscontaining, or otherwise suspect materials are encountered. The affected material will be kept separate from clean soil and imported backfill while the appropriate environmental personnel evaluate the condition. As required, SPECS will coordinate characterization, sampling, stockpile management, waste profiling, transportation, manifests, and disposal documentation and maintain traceability from the location of discovery through final disposition. This approach prevents potentially impacted materials from becoming mixed with otherwise reusable or clean material and maintains a defensible environmental record.
UTILITY DECOMMISSIONING, REMOVAL AND
PROTECTION
The former industrial facility contains extensive utility and process infrastructure that must be distinguished between systems designated for removal, abandonment/capping, and protection for future use. These interfaces may include water, sewer, electrical systems, process piping, drainage, and other above- and belowgrade facilities interconnected with the equipment being dismantled.
Before cutting or removal, SPECS will verify available utility information, field identification, required notifications, and the Contractor's proposed disposition. Designated abandoned facilities will be removed or capped in accordance with project requirements, while utilities identified to remain will be protected throughout deconstruction and excavation. Significant
underground caps, terminations, removals, and protect-in-place locations will be photographed and documented before
concealment so that the City receives an accurate record of the final subsurface condition.
IMPORTED BACKFILL, COMPACTION AND SITE
RESTORATION
The former industrial facility contains extensive utility and process infrastructure that must be distinguished between systems designated for removal, abandonment/capping, and protection for future use. These interfaces may include water, sewer, electrical systems, process piping, drainage, and other above- and belowgrade facilities interconnected with the equipment being dismantled.
Before cutting or removal, SPECS will verify available utility information, field identification, required notifications, and the Contractor's proposed disposition. Designated abandoned facilities will be removed or capped in accordance with project requirements, while utilities identified to remain will be protected throughout deconstruction and excavation. Significant
underground caps, terminations, removals, and protect-in-place locations will be photographed and documented before
4 SPECS ENGINEERING GROUP INC.
concealment so that the City receives an accurate record of the final subsurface condition.
40-WORKING-DAY SCHEDULE AND CM FIELD
CONTROL
The 40-working-day construction duration creates little tolerance for sequential delays. Hazardous-material abatement must release areas for equipment decommissioning; equipment
removal must release structures for deconstruction; structural removal must provide access to deep foundations and the refuse pit; environmental and survey verification must occur before backfill; and backfill, testing, compaction, and grading must follow closely behind excavation.
SPECS will therefore manage the project around the controlling construction sequence:
The baseline schedule and short-term look-aheads will be used together with daily field coordination to identify upcoming submittals, inspections, testing, clearances, City decisions, and environmental requirements before they constrain the work.
SPECS will document delays and changed conditions
contemporaneously and coordinate resequencing where practical so that localized issues do not unnecessarily stop unrelated work.
DECONSTRUCTION, SALVAGE AND WASTE
DIVERSION
The project is specifically deconstruction, requiring materials to be separated, recovered, recycled, salvaged, or appropriately disposed of rather than treated as a single demolition waste stream. This becomes especially important given the volume of structural steel, concrete, industrial equipment, piping, metals, pavement, electrical components, and other materials generated by dismantling the facility.
SPECS will monitor material separation and disposition and verify compliance with the project's minimum 65 percent wastediversion requirement. Weight tickets, haul tickets, recyclingfacility receipts, salvage documentation, disposal records, and other required supporting documentation will be reconciled throughout construction. Rather than waiting until project closeout, SPECS will maintain a running diversion record so deficiencies in either the diversion percentage or supporting documentation can be identified while corrective action remains possible.
CM INSPECTION, DOCUMENTATION AND
CLOSEOUT
SPECS will maintain detailed daily reports and before/during/after photographic records documenting equipment and structural removal, hazardous-material abatement, utilities, excavation limits, the 20-foot foundation removals, refuse pit conditions, monitoring wells, contaminated-media encounters, backfill placement, compaction testing, hauling, and material disposition.
The project is also FTA-funded, making an organized and auditready project record essential. SPECS will maintain applicable federal compliance documentation, labor compliance records, hazardous-material manifests and environmental documentation, waste-diversion records, testing reports, quantities, payment and change documentation, photographs, and demolition as-builts throughout construction rather than assembling these records after the field work is complete.
SPECS' CM approach is centered on maintaining control over what is being removed, what it is connected to, what
environmental condition may be exposed, how deep removal must continue, where removed materials are going, what replaces them, and what documentation verifies each step.
5 SPECS ENGINEERING GROUP INC.
PROPOSED SCOPE OF SERVICES
SPECS Engineering Group, Inc. (SEG) will serve as the City of Commerce's representative and provide construction
management and construction inspection (CMCI) services for the Deconstruction of the Commerce Refuse-to-Energy Facility (CREA) at 5926 Sheila Street. Based on our review of the RFP, construction bid documents, addenda, technical reports, hazardous-material surveys, environmental requirements, and applicable federal provisions, our scope is organized under the City's four requested service categories. One Construction Manager and one HAZWOPER-certified Construction Inspector will provide the core assignment, supported as required by FTA/labor-compliance, project-controls, and certified
asbestos/industrial-hygiene resources. SEG will establish a secure electronic project record because the City will not furnish a field office or construction-management platform.
Our approach is built for the 40-working-day construction period.
Hazardous-material abatement is integrated into the same contract duration as equipment removal, structural
deconstruction, deep foundation and pit removal, backfill, grading, and restoration. SEG will use short-interval schedule control, clearly defined hold points, same-day escalation of critical issues, full-time field documentation during authorized operations, and rolling closeout so the City receives a safe, complete, and auditready project record without delaying final acceptance.
TASK 1 - PRECONSTRUCTION AND PROJECT
ADMINISTRATION
COMPREHENSIVE BID-DOCUMENT AND RISK REVIEW
SEG will complete a coordinated review of the plans,
specifications, addenda, as-builts, hazardous-material surveys, environmental documents, geotechnical information,
Contaminated Media Management Plan (CMMP), and
FTA/federal clauses. Review comments will focus on the
interfaces most likely to affect the 40-day critical path: abatement releases, utility verification and isolation, removal of process equipment and structural steel, engineered deconstruction and shoring, foundations extending at least 20 feet below grade, the large concrete-lined refuse pit, monitoring-well work, clean imported backfill, compaction, waste diversion, and final restoration. Findings will be consolidated into a risk and interface matrix identifying the responsible party, required decision, due date, and controlling record.
PROJECT ADMINISTRATION PLAN AND DOCUMENT
CONTROL
Within five business days of consultant notice to proceed and before field work begins, SEG will issue a project administration plan defining authority, communications, submittal and RFI routing, meeting cadence, change-control procedures, payment backup, reporting, escalation thresholds, and file
naming/indexing. Live logs will be established for submittals, RFIs, permits, decisions, potential changes, change orders,
nonconformances, testing, hazardous and regulated waste, diversion, certified payrolls, labor interviews, photographs, and closeout. Records will be searchable, version-controlled, and arranged for City and FTA review.
CONTRACTOR SUBMITTALS, PLANS, PERMITS, AND
CERTIFICATIONS
SEG will review the contractor's baseline schedule, detailed deconstruction sequence, engineered shoring and temporarysupport plans, equipment removal and lifting plans, hazardousmaterial work plans, environmental controls, site logistics, utility protection and capping plan, disposal and recycling destinations, backfill source and placement plan, quality-control procedures, and required permits and notifications. The review will verify that applicable licenses, C-22 classification, DOSH asbestos registration, SCAQMD notifications, safety and emergency plans, waste profiles, facility approvals, and federal certifications are received before the related work proceeds. Contractor safety, means and methods, and competent-person duties remain the contractor's responsibility; SEG will verify required documentation and promptly notify the City of observed noncompliance or unsafe conditions.
PRECONSTRUCTION MEETING AND ISSUE-RESOLUTION
PROCEDURES
SEG will prepare the agenda, conduct the City's virtual preconstruction meeting, and distribute concise minutes and an action-item log. The meeting will establish lines of authority, work hours, access and security, inspection and testing notice, abatement-area release, stop-work/escalation procedures, utility shutdown coordination, daily reporting, submittal and RFI response paths, change authorization, certified-payroll requirements, disposal documentation, public/stakeholder communications, and closeout expectations. Open items will be assigned an owner and required-by date.
6 SPECS ENGINEERING GROUP INC.
BASELINE AND SHORT-INTERVAL SCHEDULE CONTROL
The Construction Manager will evaluate schedule logic, durations, restraints, resource assumptions, and the critical path against the 40-working-day contract duration. The accepted baseline will be converted into a field-control schedule with milestones for abatement and clearance, utility isolation, equipment removal, structural deconstruction, foundation/pit/well removals, backfill and compaction, grading, and restoration. Three-week lookaheads will be reviewed weekly and compared with daily production. Activities threatening the controlling sequence or available float will be escalated the same day with recommended recovery actions.
EXISTING-CONDITION AND MOBILIZATION RECORD
Before disturbance, SEG will walk the site with the City and contractor; document accessible existing conditions, site access, adjacent improvements, utility markings, remaining equipment and structures, drainage, fencing, and areas requiring protection; and establish a dated photographic baseline. The record will support damage-claim avoidance, verify restoration obligations, and provide a clear starting point for daily progress tracking.
DELIVERABLES: project administration plan and indexed folder map; consolidated bid-document/risk review matrix; permit, certification, and preconstruction checklist; submittal and RFI logs; baseline schedule review and milestone control sheet;
preconstruction agenda, minutes, responsibility matrix, and action-item log; existing-condition photo record.
TASK 2 - CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT AND ONSITE INSPECTION
FULL-TIME FIELD INSPECTION AND DAILY COORDINATION
The HAZWOPER-certified Construction Inspector will be present full-time during authorized field operations and will coordinate daily with the contractor's superintendent regarding planned work, required inspections, hold points, tests, access, and emerging constraints. HAZWOPER training supports hazard recognition, controlled-zone awareness, and prompt escalation of unexpected releases or suspect materials. Each field day, the Inspector will document weather, personnel, subcontractors, equipment, work locations, quantities, progress, deliveries, delays, discussions, observed deficiencies, corrective action, and photographs. Daily reports will be filed by the next business day and reconciled with the schedule, pay quantities, certified payroll, extra-work records, and waste documentation.
HAZARDOUS-MATERIAL ABATEMENT AND REGULATEDWASTE CONTROL SEG will coordinate field oversight with the contractor's abatement team and the City's qualified Certified Asbestos
Consultant/industrial-hygiene resource. The HAZWOPERcertified Construction Inspector will observe work-zone controls, access restrictions, waste handling, transport records, and arearelease status. Controls will address documented asbestoscontaining materials, lead-based and lead-containing coatings, approximately 310 potentially PCB- or DEHP-containing lighting ballasts, universal and electronic waste, lamps, refrigerants, oils/fluids, and other regulated materials identified by the surveys or encountered during deconstruction. Work areas will be tracked from containment setup through removal, waste packaging, transport, disposal, required surveillance/clearance, and formal release for follow-on deconstruction. If concealed suspect material is discovered, SEG will document and isolate the affected area, notify the City, coordinate characterization by qualified personnel, and resequence unaffected work while disposition is resolved.
HAZWOPER supports field recognition and coordination; it does not replace licensed abatement, CAC/industrial-hygiene
surveillance, air monitoring, exposure assessment, or clearance.
PROCESS EQUIPMENT, STRUCTURAL DECONSTRUCTION,
AND SHORING
Inspection will follow the approved deconstruction sequence for the former refuse-to-energy plant, including the
incinerator/combustion systems, boilers, turbine-generator components, flue-gas cleaning equipment, ash-handling systems, tanks, pumps, ducts, piping, electrical equipment, MEP systems, platforms, stairs, and structural steel. SEG will verify that required abatement releases, utility isolations, engineered temporary support, lifting plans, exclusion zones, and competent-person controls are in place before destabilizing or removing structural elements. Deviations from approved sequencing, unplanned loading, unstable conditions, or inadequate protection will be documented and escalated immediately for City and contractor action.
DEEP FOUNDATIONS, REFUSE PIT, MONITORING WELLS,
AND BACKFILL
SEG will verify limits before irreversible removal and backfill of deep foundations and footings, the large concrete-lined refuse pit, and monitoring wells included in the authorized work. The Inspector will document exposed conditions, removal depths and 7 SPECS ENGINEERING GROUP INC.
extents, temporary excavation protection, groundwater or unexpected materials, survey/control points, and completion of required removals before authorizing the next operation. Imported fill source documentation, delivery tickets, lift thickness, moisture conditioning, and testing will be tracked. Existing crushed concrete or asphalt will not be accepted as fill where prohibited, and lifts will not be released until required testing demonstrates at least 90 percent relative compaction.
UTILITIES, CONTAMINATED MEDIA, AND ENVIRONMENTAL
CONTROLS
SEG will maintain a utility matrix identifying locate/verification status, protect-in-place requirements, shutdown windows, disconnection and capping points, responsible utility or trade, and as-built disposition. No utility removal will proceed until the affected service is identified and the required cap, abandonment, or protection is confirmed. Soil or media displaying staining, odor, discoloration, debris, or other indicators will be managed under the CMMP. SEG will document the observation, secure the area and stockpile controls, and coordinate classification, sampling, profiling, transport, and disposal records with the appropriate environmental professionals. Dust, track-out, noise,
stormwater/BMPs, equipment leaks, site security, and protection of adjacent property will be observed and recorded throughout the work.
DECONSTRUCTION DIVERSION AND DISPOSAL
DOCUMENTATION
SEG will track salvage, reuse, recycling, hazardous waste, universal waste, and disposal streams by material and
destination. Facilities and transporters will be checked against contract requirements before use. Weight tickets, manifests, bills of lading, facility certifications, and the City's Waste Management Report will be reconciled weekly so missing documentation is corrected before demobilization. The Construction Manager will forecast performance against the controlling minimum 65 percent diversion requirement and require a recovery plan when projected results fall short.
SUBMITTALS, RFIs, FIELD DIRECTIVES, AND DECISION
CONTROL
SEG will receive, log, review, route, and track submittals, RFIs, work plans, and requests for clarification. Incomplete packages will be returned with a specific information checklist and required response date. Field conditions requiring design, City, utility, regulatory, testing-laboratory, or specialty-consultant input will be documented with photographs, measurements, contract
references, and an identified decision-by date. SEG will not direct work outside the contract or authorize a change without City approval.
TIME, COST, QUANTITY, CHANGE, AND CLAIM
MANAGEMENT
The Construction Manager will track working days, controlling activities, production, delays, constraints, contingency, committed and forecast costs, and potential changes. Contractor payment applications will be checked against accepted work, measured quantities, daily reports, schedule progress, approved stored materials, certified-payroll status, and required
disposal/abatement backup. For potential changes, SEG will document entitlement, obtain a detailed proposal, prepare or coordinate an independent estimate, evaluate schedule effect, and submit a written recommendation to the City. Time-andmaterial work will be supported by contemporaneous daily records of labor, equipment, materials, and quantities signed in accordance with City procedures. Notices and claims will be logged and analyzed without waiving City rights.
PROGRESS MEETINGS, REPORTING, TESTING, AND
NONCONFORMANCE
SEG will conduct weekly or City-directed progress meetings and issue agendas, minutes, and an action register. Monthly reporting will summarize work completed, schedule status, working days, cost and contingency, changes, risk, hazardous-material and waste status, federal compliance, testing, photographs, and decisions required. SEG will coordinate City-provided inspection and compaction testing and other required special inspections, confirm notice and access, track results, and connect acceptance to the applicable hold point and pay item. Nonconforming work will be documented promptly, assigned a corrective-action due date, and re-inspected before acceptance or payment
recommendation.
FINAL GRADING, RESTORATION, AND SITE SECURITY
Inspection of the final phase will verify removal of temporary facilities and debris; required rough/final grades and drainage; placement of specified clean imported topsoil; repair of affected streets, sidewalks, fencing, and adjacent improvements; utility and monitoring-well dispositions; and a secure final site condition.
Survey, testing, and photographic evidence will be assembled 8 SPECS ENGINEERING GROUP INC.
before the contractor demobilizes so deficiencies can be corrected within the contract period.
DELIVERABLES: inspector daily reports and indexed
photographs for each field day; live submittal, RFI, decision, change, nonconformance, permit, test, utility, hazardous-material, regulated-waste, and diversion logs; weekly look-ahead review; progress-meeting agendas/minutes and action register; workingday/time record; monthly cost, schedule, risk, and progress report; pay-application verification package; change-order analyses and recommendations; corrective-work verification.
TASK 3 - FTA GRANT AND FEDERAL COMPLIANCE
MANAGEMENT
FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS INTEGRATED WITH FIELD
ADMINISTRATION
SEG will maintain a project-specific federal compliance matrix identifying each applicable FTA clause, certification, submission, responsible party, due point, and supporting record. Compliance will be integrated with submittal review, contractor onboarding, weekly field records, change control, payment recommendations, and closeout rather than treated as a separate end-of-project exercise. Applicable debarment/eligibility, lobbying, DBE, nondiscrimination, civil-rights, and records-access requirements will be tracked for the prime contractor and subcontractors within the authority assigned by the City.
CERTIFIED PAYROLL, WAGE, AND LABOR INTERVIEW
REVIEW
Certified payrolls will be logged and reviewed against the applicable wage determination, daily inspection reports, observed classifications, subcontractor activity, hours, rates, fringes, deductions, and apprenticeship requirements. Employee
interviews will be scheduled and documented across active classifications, with discrepancies compared against payroll and field records. Exceptions will be recorded within one business day, assigned a cure date, and tracked through resolution. SEG will provide the City with a compliance status and recommendation before affected payment is released; legal determinations and enforcement remain subject to City approval.
AUDIT-READY GRANT RECORD
Grant-related procurement and contract documents,
correspondence, approvals, certifications, payroll and interviews, eligibility records, payment support, change orders, reports, meeting records, and closeout materials will be indexed from project start. SEG will perform periodic completeness checks and maintain a document-retention map identifying the official record location. Missing, inconsistent, or unsigned items will be placed on a corrective-action list while the responsible party is still mobilized.
DELIVERABLES: FTA/federal compliance matrix; wage-decision and contractor/subcontractor eligibility file; certified-payroll register and review record; employee interview documentation; compliance exception/cure log; federal payment checklist; DBE/civil-rights and certification records as applicable; indexed audit file and retention map.
TASK 4 - PROJECT CLOSEOUT
ROLLING PUNCH LIST AND COMPLETION VERIFICATION
Closeout will begin during construction. SEG will maintain rolling lists for corrective work, missing submittals, permits, tests, manifests, diversion records, as-builts, utility dispositions, and federal documentation. At substantial completion, the
Construction Manager and Inspector will perform a coordinated site review with the City and contractor, issue an itemized punch list with responsibility and due dates, and verify each correction.
Final site conditions will be compared with the contract requirements and the preconstruction record.
CONTRACT AND GRANT RECONCILIATION
SEG will reconcile contract time, final quantities, approved and pending changes, contingency, payments, claims/notices, testing, abatement and regulated-waste records, 65 percent diversion support, utility work, permits, releases, warranties, and other required closeout items. The Construction Manager will provide written recommendations for substantial completion, final completion, final payment, and acceptance when supported by the record. Recommendations will identify any remaining condition, retention, or unresolved item requiring City action.
INDEXED ELECTRONIC CLOSEOUT FILE
SEG will deliver an indexed, searchable electronic project and grant closeout file organized to permit direct City and FTA review.
The transmittal will identify the folder structure, final logs, record status, and any City-retained originals. A final completeness check will confirm that required reports, photographs,
correspondence, approvals, pay records, changes, test results, manifests, diversion documentation, federal records, and completion recommendations are included before turnover. 9 SPECS ENGINEERING GROUP INC.
DELIVERABLES: rolling and final punch lists; corrective-work verification; substantial- and final-completion recommendations; final quantity, payment, time, change, claim, testing,
waste/diversion, and federal-compliance reconciliation; indexed electronic project and grant closeout file; final record transmittal and completeness certification.
STAFFING AND LEVEL-OF-EFFORT FRAMEWORK
CONSTRUCTION MANAGER: Single point of accountability from consultant notice to proceed through closeout. Leads project administration, City/contractor coordination, schedule and cost control, meetings, RFIs/submittals, changes, payment
recommendations, risk escalation, federal integration, and acceptance recommendations. The Construction Manager will be on site for critical operations and decision points and otherwise remain continuously available to the City.
CONSTRUCTION INSPECTOR - HAZWOPER CERTIFIED: Fulltime field presence during authorized contractor operations throughout the 40-working-day construction period, adjusted only to the contractor's accepted schedule and City authorization.
Leads daily inspection, photographs, quantities, testing coordination, hold-point verification, regulated-waste/diversion tracking, deficiencies, and punch-list verification. HAZWOPER supports hazard recognition, escalation, and controlled-zone coordination; licensed professionals retain surveillance, air monitoring, exposure assessment, and clearance.
FTA/LABOR-COMPLIANCE SUPPORT: Part-time coverage
during preconstruction, weekly payroll/interview review, monthly payment verification, corrective-action tracking, and final grant closeout.
CERTIFIED ASBESTOS/INDUSTRIAL-HYGIENE SUPPORT:
Task-driven coverage aligned with abatement mobilization, active regulated-material work, required surveillance/clearance, unexpected suspect-material response, and final documentation review.
PROJECT CONTROLS/OFFICE ENGINEERING AND
PRINCIPAL QA: Part-time support for logs, quantities, payment backup, record indexing, monthly reporting, independent quality review, and escalation. The detailed task-by-task hours by classification will use these same four task numbers and will be presented consistently in the fee proposal.
SCOPE ASSUMPTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITY
BOUNDARIES
This scope assumes one 40-working-day construction period, normal closeout, and inspection coverage matching the
contractor's accepted work hours. Overtime, weekend work, extended suspension, contractor-caused duration beyond the base period, or materially expanded services will be performed only with City authorization and corresponding adjustment to level of effort. SEG will furnish its own communications, field equipment, and secure electronic document-control platform. The contractor remains solely responsible for construction means and methods, site safety, competent-person duties, temporary works implementation, hazardous-material abatement, permits, and compliance of its forces and subcontractors. SEG will observe, document, coordinate, and recommend action but will not assume the contractor's safety or regulatory responsibilities. City-provided standard inspection and compaction testing will be coordinated by SEG; outside laboratory, disposal, design, survey, or regulatory fees are excluded unless expressly included in the final fee proposal. City approval remains required for contract changes, enforcement actions, payment, completion, and acceptance.
REQUIRED FIELD HOLD POINTS
ABATEMENT RELEASE: Required containment, notifications, surveillance/clearance documentation, waste records, and formal area release must be complete before overlapping deconstruction proceeds.
STRUCTURAL DECONSTRUCTION: Accepted engineered
sequence, shoring/temporary support, utility isolation, exclusion zones, and competent-person controls must be in place before structural stability is changed.
DEEP REMOVALS: Foundation, footing, refuse-pit, and
monitoring-well limits and completion evidence must be verified before backfill conceals the work.
BACKFILL AND COMPACTION: Clean imported-fill source and placement method must be accepted before delivery, and each lift must receive required testing before the next lift is placed.
FINAL RESTORATION: Final grades, drainage, specified topsoil, affected street/sidewalk repairs, utility dispositions, waste/diversion documentation, and site security must be accepted before demobilization.
10 SCOPE OF WORK | FLOW CHART
ON BOARD
Pre-Construction
• Gather Pre-Construction
Photos/Videos
• Setup Field Office
• Create the Project Management Plan
(PMP)
• Constructability Review of Project
Plans and Specifications
• Hand in RE Manual to Agency for
Approval
• Coordinate/Conduct PreConstruction Meeting, Identifying Stakeholders
• Develop Master Project Schedule with
all Project Phases
• Establish Schedule Monitoring and
Updating Protocols
• Identify Potential Construction
Conflicts and Provide Mitigation
Strategies
• Identify Local Stake Holders
• Review Cost Estimates with Approved
Project Budget
• Establish Dedicated Project Website
• Prepare all Required State and
Federal Documentation
• Review and Verify Compliance with
Agency Ordinances and Regulations
• Coordinate with Agencies for
Necessary Approvals
• Create and Maintain Compliance
documentation system
• Confirm Partnering and
Communication Between Parties
• Implement a Claims Prevention
Program
• Coordinate and Assist with Obtaining
Traffic Control and Encroachment
Permits
• Technical Evaluation of Construction
Bid Documents
NTP
Construction
Construction
• Monitor Project Safety
• Utility Coordination
• Review Project Plans/Specifications,
Work Schedule, and Geotechnical
Reports
• Verify Labor Compliance
• Verify Permits
• Prepare Inspection Daily Reports
• Process Monthly Estimates
• Review CPM and Monthly Updates
• Coordinate with Involved Agencies
• Monitor and Review All Submittals
• Maintain Public Outreach Services
• Maintain CAT Files per LAPM
• Monitor and Process Project RFIs
• Review and Monitor SWPPP
• Take photo and video documentation
on a daily basis
• Coordinate/Conduct Weekly
Meetings with the Agency and
Contractor
• Identify Effects of Revised Conditions
and Make any Recommendations
• Coordinate and Advise for any
Necessary Changes on Drawings
• Verify Compliance with all Regulatory
Agency Permits
• Provide Administration Services and
Office Engineering
• Coordinate Material Quality
Assurance Testing
• Prepare and Provide Monthly Reports
with Photos for Agency
• Weekly Statement of Working Days
• Hold Stakeholder Meetings
• Apply the Project Manual in
Combination with Agency’s
Construction Manual
• Review Contractor’s Cost Reduction
Proposals
• Prepare and Provide Quarterly
Reports
• Analyze Claims and Furnish Claims
Management
• Provide Conformance with Project
Requirements in a Written Document
• Process Change Orders
• Review Traffic Handling and Traffic
Control Plans
• Document Contractor’s Daily
Progress
• Provide Project Coordination
• Prepare Correspondence
• Develop Project Punch Lists
• Provide Cost Engineering Estimating
• Prepare Quantities and Calculations
for Monthly Estimates
• Provide Final Inspection and
Recommendations
• Coordinate Materials Testing
• Coordinate and Conduct Quality
Assurance Construction Surveys
• Monitor QA/QC
• Review Project’s Staffing Needs and
Adjust as Needed
• When Necessary, Negotiate Time
Extensions
• Perform Field Reviews
• Distribute Meeting Minutes
• Identifying Controlling Operation
Post-Construction
• Review/Approve AsBuilt Plans for
Submittal to Agency
• Assist Agency with
Mitigating any Issues
• Complete Project
Close-Out
• Adjustments
• Final Estimates
• Relief of
Maintenance
• Analyze any
Construction Claims
• Monitor and Close
Punch List Items
• Prepare Final Reports
• Make
Recommendations for
Final Completion
• Prepare Contract
Documents in LAPM
CAT Filing System for
Submittal to the Agency
• Submit Close-Out
Documents
• FTA documentation /
FHWA support audit
11 SPECS ENGINEERING GROUP INC.
QUALIFICATIONS OF THE FIRM & KEY PERSONNEL
SPECS Engineering Group, Inc. (SPECS) is a certified Small Business Enterprise and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise providing construction management, resident engineering, construction inspection, office engineering, document control, and contract administration for public infrastructure throughout Southern California. SPECS and its proposed personnel bring experience on federally funded and agency-overseen assignments involving structural removal and reconstruction, deep excavation, foundations, earthwork, utilities, environmental controls, traffic and access management, materials documentation, change management, payment review, and closeout.
For CREA, SPECS will apply those controls to the full removal of the decommissioned facility’s mechanical, electrical, plumbing, structural-steel, foundation, and footing improvements. Our role is to make the work verifiable: review contractor plans and submittals, establish hold points, document hazardous-material handling and disposal, track excavation and restoration, confirm correction of deficiencies, and build the City’s project and grant record as the work occurs.
Alignment with the City’s Highest-Risk Requirements
CITY PRIORITY SPECS QUALIFICATION / RESPONSE
Comparable
deconstruction
controls
Public-works experience with phased structural removal/reconstruction, deep excavation, foundations, utilities, controlled access, regulated work zones, and site restoration.
Hazardous-material
coordination
HAZWOPER-certified field inspection, clear hold points, photographic records, and coordination with qualified abatement and industrial-hygiene personnel for asbestos, lead, PCB-containing materials/equipment, and universal waste identified in the contract documents.
Compressed 40-day
delivery
A dedicated Construction Manager and full-time Construction Inspector, short-interval schedule review, same-day issue escalation, and daily verification of personnel, equipment, quantities, progress, deficiencies, and corrective actions.
FTA audit readiness
Federal-aid contract-administration experience supporting certified payrolls, labor interviews, wage and eligibility records, payments, change orders, certifications, and indexed closeout files.
Deep removals and
restoration
Field and management controls for foundation/footing removal to required limits, excavation and soil handling under the CMMP, import fill, compaction testing, utility protection, debris hauling, diversion, and final site-condition verification.
CORE STAFFING AND AVAILABILITY
NAME PROPOSED ROLE AVAILABILITY PRIMARY ACCOUNTABILITY
Jose Burbano, PE Project Manager / Project
Director Executive Oversight
Management liaison; staffing and resources; executive QA/QC; escalation support for significant schedule, change, claim, or risk matters.
Juan C. Arias, PE Construction Manager 100%
City representative; contract administration; schedule, cost, change, risk, and FTA-record oversight; coordination with David and specialty resources.
David Garcia Construction Inspector 100%
Full-time field inspection; daily reports; photographs, quantities, equipment and labor tracking; hazardous-work documentation; deficiencies and corrective-action follow-up.
CLIENTS
• City of Alhambra
• City of Huntington Beach
• City of Norwalk
• City of Cathedral City
• City of Rialto
• San Gabriel Valley COG On-Call
• LA County Public Works
• Orange County Public Works
• Caltrans D8 Specialty
CPM/CLAIMS
• Caltrans District 7,8, 12
• SB County Flood Control
OFFICES
San Bernardino County
4375 E. Lowell Street, Suites E&D
Ontario, CA 91761
Orange County
3 Pointe Drive, Suite 212
Brea, CA 92821
Contact Information:
C: 626.497.8124
O: 949.629.5831
SERVICES
• Construction Management
• Project Management
• Resident Engineering
• Structural & Electrical Engineering
• Federal & State Funded Projects
• Construction Inspection
• Constructability Reviews
• Public Relations & Outreach
• Office Engineering / Document /
Control/Labor Compliance
12 SPECS ENGINEERING GROUP INC.
ORGANIZATIONAL CHART
The proposed organization establishes a direct and responsive working relationship between the City of Commerce and SPECS’ key project personnel. Juan C. Arias, PE, will serve as Senior Construction Manager and the City’s primary day-to-day point of contact. He will lead construction administration, contractor coordination, progress meetings, schedule and cost monitoring, change management, and coordination of inspection and documentation activities. David Garcia will serve as the primary Construction Inspector, providing continuous field oversight, daily reporting, quantity verification, photographic documentation, and monitoring of hazardous-material, deconstruction, excavation, and restoration activities.
Jose Burbano, PE, will serve as Project Manager/QC, providing executive oversight, independent quality-control review, staffing support, and assistance with significant schedule, change, claim, or risk matters while preserving Juan’s day-to-day management authority. The additional SPECS personnel shown in the organizational chart will be available as needed to provide supplemental inspection, specialty engineering, environmental and technical support, and document control. This scalable structure allows SPECS to respond promptly to changing field conditions and increased workloads while maintaining consistent communication, clear accountability, and a complete project record.
13 SPECS ENGINEERING GROUP INC.
JUAN C. ARIAS, PE
SENIOR CONSTRUCTION MANAGER
Mr. Arias has 27 years of civil engineering experience, including 19 years in construction and more than 12 years as a Resident Engineer. He has led contract administration for complex public works and federally funded transportation contracts, including cost and schedule control, field-office management, payments, change orders, claims, submittals, RFIs, inspection staff direction, stakeholder coordination, and contract acceptance. His combination of senior project management and Resident Engineer experience gives the City a single accountable point for daily decisions, documentation quality, and timely escalation throughout the CREA assignment.
EXPERIENCE
27 years civil / 19 years
construction
EDUCATION
BS, Civil Engineering, Cal Poly
Pomona
REGISTRATION
California Civil PE No. C62369
AVAILABILITY
100% through
preconstruction, 40 WD, and
closeout
CREA-Relevant Qualifications
Compressed-schedule control. Directs baseline and update reviews, short-interval planning, decision deadlines, recovery discussions, time-impact documentation, and same-day escalation of conditions affecting the 40-working-day completion requirement.
Deep excavation and foundation work. Managed assignments involving structure excavation and backfill, secant walls, ground anchors, CIDH foundations, import borrow, slope stabilization, utilities, and restoration—directly relevant to removal of foundations and footings to specified depths and restoration of the CREA site.
Contract and change administration. Reviews submittals, RFIs, payment applications, potential changes, change-order proposals, schedule impacts, claims records, and acceptance documentation; provides clear written recommendations to the City.
Federal documentation. Brings extensive federally funded contract experience and will integrate FTA requirements into daily administration, including payroll and interview tracking, eligibility and certification records, payment/change documentation, and indexed closeout files.
Field-team leadership. Sets lines of authority, directs David’s daily inspection priorities, confirms required hold points, leads progress meetings, and coordinates City, contractor, environmental, testing, utility, and funding stakeholders without creating conflicting direction.
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
Caltrans District 7 - State Route 2 Multimodal Project
Senior Resident Engineer | $49.1 million | Federal-Aid Project ACST-P002(043)E | 2025 The project delivered multimodal upgrades along three segments of State Route 2 in West Los Angeles, Hollywood, and Echo Park. Work restored approximately 20 lane miles of pavement and included 2.8 miles of designated bus-priority lanes, upgrades to 25 traffic signals and approximately 230 curb ramps, and reconstruction of approximately 35 transit stops. Mr. Arias served as Resident Engineer and, during a two-month temporary assignment in the Burbank Field Office, as Acting Senior Construction Engineer. He directed contractor payments, change orders, difficult engineering and administrative functions, construction contract claims, and responses to submittals and RFIs.
Caltrans District 7 - Interstate 405 Sepulveda Pass Pavement Rehabilitation Senior Resident Engineer (Acting) | $94.1 million | Federal-Aid Project ACIM-4053(853E) | 2025 The project replaced sections of two lanes in each direction from Victory Boulevard to Mulholland Drive and repaired additional pavement along the primary corridor between West Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley. Other work included restoration or replacement of two overhead sign structures, replacement of 98 sign panels, upgrades to 6,400 feet of metal beam guardrail, and improvements to 10 curb ramps.
Mr. Arias served as Resident Engineer and Acting Senior Construction Engineer during a two-month Burbank Field Office assignment, directing contractor payments, change orders, field-office engineering and administrative functions, construction contract claims, submittals, and RFIs.
Caltrans District 7 - Route 14 Pavement Rehabilitation
Senior Project Manager | $160 million | 2023-2025
The project reconstructed approximately 16 miles of lanes and shoulders, replaced distressed pavement, and upgraded guardrail systems.
Additional improvements included modernized sign panels, curb ramps, traffic striping, and traffic loop detectors. Mr. Arias monitored cost, scope, schedule, and project progress; provided direction and support for construction issues; prepared a supplemental-funds request; reported progress to stakeholders; and helped project delivery in accordance with the contract documents. 14 SPECS ENGINEERING GROUP INC.
Caltrans District 7 - Construct Stormwater Treatment BMPs Resident Engineer | $8.8 million | Federal-Aid Project ACNH-X037(201)E | 2018-2020 The project constructed 27 permanent stormwater Best Management Practices: 13 biofiltration swales, five Austin Vault sand filters, four detention basins, three gross-solids-removal devices, and one infiltration basin. Mr. Arias provided complete contract administration, including change orders addressing field conflicts and plan revisions, a G-12 additional-funds request, monthly progress payments, Caltrans positions for Dispute Resolution Board meetings, inspector direction, resource and budget monitoring, monthly status reporting, public and worker safety oversight, and review of submittals and RFIs.
Caltrans District 7 - Route 605 Individual Slab Replacement and Cold Plane AC Pavement Senior Project Manager | $17.9 million | Federal-Aid Project ACIM-6052(7)E | 2023-2025 The project performed individual slab replacement and cold-planed asphalt pavement on Route 605 in Baldwin Park and Irwindale. Work also included roadway excavation, Class 3 aggregate base, rapid-setting lean concrete base, slurry seal, HMA and RHMA, HMA dikes, jointed plain concrete pavement, signs, rock slope protection, ADA curb ramps, vegetation control, guardrail and terminal systems, signal and lighting modifications, ramp metering and census stations, irrigation, and planting. Mr. Arias monitored cost, scope, schedule, issue resolution, and stakeholder reporting and prepared a Supplemental Request for Construction Capital.
Caltrans District 7 - Construct Secant Walls and Slope Repair Senior Project Manager | $53.3 million | 2023-2025
The project constructed two secant walls and repaired a slope along Route 1 in Ventura County near Big Sycamore Maintenance Station and Park. Work included import borrow, structure excavation, aggregate and lean concrete base, HMA, cold-planed pavement, ground anchors, concrete barrier, cable-net drapery, and striping. Mr. Arias monitored budget and the Timely Use of Funds deadline, reviewed change orders, coordinated with the Resident Engineer, and supported the documentation required for contract acceptance.
Caltrans District 7 - Seismic Retrofit and Barrier
Senior Project Manager | $4.6 million | Federal-Aid Project ACNH-P039(41)E | 2023-2025 The project performed seismic-retrofit work at San Gabriel River Bridge No. 53-0113 in Azusa. Work included approach slabs, paving-notch extensions, cleaning and painting structural steel, vegetation control, minor concrete, guardrail, transition railing, and terminal systems. Mr.
Arias reviewed change orders and worked with the Resident Engineer to complete acceptance documentation within the Timely Use of Funds deadline.
Caltrans District 7 - Route 2 / Route 5 Seismic Retrofit Senior Construction Engineer (Acting) | $8.7 million | Federal-Aid Project ACNH-X037(235)E | 2025 The project seismically retrofitted the existing eastbound Route 2 to northbound I-5 and westbound Route 2 to southbound I-5 ramp tunnels.
Work included temporary barriers, structure excavation and backfill, HMA, concrete barriers, guardrail and terminal systems, lighting modifications, and fiber-optic cable-system modifications. During his Burbank Field Office assignment, Mr. Arias directed contractor payments, change orders, engineering and administrative functions, claims, submittals, RFIs, and field-office coordination.
Caltrans District 7 - Minor Concrete, Slope Paving, and Security Fencing Senior Resident Engineer (Acting) | $3.1 million | Federal-Aid Project ACNH-Q101(406)E | 2025 The project placed minor concrete, slope paving, security fencing, stamped-concrete rock blanket, quick-change post bases, irrigation, vines, upgraded roadside signs and theft-deterrent pull boxes, and vegetation control. Electrical work modified lighting, ramp-metering, signal, and related infrastructure. Mr. Arias directed payments, changes, difficult field-office functions, submittals, RFIs, and meetings addressing ongoing contractor claims.
Caltrans District 7 - Rehabilitate Landscaping and Irrigation System Senior Resident Engineer (Acting) | $2.8 million | Federal-Aid Project ACIM-0101(858)E | 2025 The project removed existing irrigation, installed new plastic pipe and riser assemblies, completed planting and wood-mulch work, checked and tested irrigation facilities, implemented SWPPP requirements, and performed plant-establishment work. Mr. Arias directed contractor payments, change orders, field-office engineering and administrative functions, submittals, and RFIs and coordinated with Maintenance Electrical to resolve damaged facilities before construction began.
Caltrans District 7 - Install Bioswale, Vegetation, and Modify Existing Irrigation System Resident Engineer | $2.25 million | Federal-Aid Project ACNHPI-710-1(015)E | 2016-2020 The Route 710 project installed a bioswale, vegetation, irrigation-system modifications, 11 backflow preventers, chain-link fencing and gates, galvanized-steel supply lines, and three years of plant establishment. Mr. Arias managed all aspects of construction from the preconstruction meeting through project acceptance.
15 SPECS ENGINEERING GROUP INC.
DAVID GARCIA
CONSTRUCTION INSPECTOR (HAZWOPER)
Mr. Garcia is a construction inspection and office engineering professional experienced in field documentation, quantity tracking, progress-payment support, submittal and RFI coordination, change documentation, materials and testing records, utility coordination, and organized project files. His experience includes excavation, structural foundations, reinforcing steel, concrete and masonry construction, electrical and communication systems, grading, drainage, removals, and site restoration. His HAZWOPER certification provides project-specific awareness for working around hazardous-material operations and recognizing conditions that require immediate escalation and coordination with qualified abatement and industrial-hygiene personnel.
EDUCATION
BS, Civil Engineering, Cal State LA
CERTIFICATIONS
HAZWOPER; 30-Hour Cal/OSHA;
UAS; Defensive Driving
PROPOSED ROLE
Full-time Construction Inspector
AVAILABILITY
100%
CREA-Relevant Qualifications
Hazardous-work documentation. Observes and documents contractor compliance with approved work plans and delineated work areas; tracks required notices, hold points, photographs, labels, containers, manifests, bills of lading, disposal/clearance records, and corrective actions for asbestos, lead, PCB-containing materials/equipment, and universal waste identified in the contract documents.
Daily field visibility. Prepares same-day reports documenting contractor and subcontractor personnel, major equipment, work locations, quantities, progress, safety or environmental concerns, deficiencies, corrective actions, and a sequenced photographic record.
Excavation and restoration inspection. Verifies limits and elevations for removals; documents soil handling and stockpiles under the CMMP; coordinates testing; tracks import material, lift placement, moisture/compaction results, utility protection, and final grading/restoration.
Schedule and quantity support. Compares daily production against the approved schedule and look-ahead plan, promptly identifies constraints, verifies quantities and haul records, and provides traceable support for payment and change evaluation.
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
LA Metro / Caltrans - Soundwall Package 10
Construction Inspector | $48.9 million
Provided field inspection and documentation for a multi-location program involving removals, masonry soundwalls, reinforced-concrete foundations, electrical and communication systems, grading, drainage, tree removal/replacement, and restoration within active freeway environments.
SR-210 Soundwall Improvements - Baldwin Avenue to East of Santa Anita Avenue Construction Inspector | $28 million
Inspected excavation, foundation work, reinforcing steel, concrete, and construction of 14- to 16-foot masonry soundwalls. Coordinated access and traffic controls and documented conformance, progress, field issues, and corrective work for Metro, Caltrans, the City of Arcadia, and affected stakeholders.
City of Alhambra - Poplar Boulevard Street Rehabilitation Construction Inspector | $700,000 | Federal Project STPL-5130(024) Supported a federally funded public-works contract through organized records, quantities, materials documentation, submittal and RFI coordination, payment support, and closeout tracking. The work included pavement removal and replacement, concrete improvements, utilities, drainage protection, traffic controls, and restoration.
City of Rialto, Frisbie Safe Routes to School, Rialto, CA Construction Inspector | $650,000
This project improved pedestrian accessibility and student safety surrounding Frisbie Middle School through construction of new ADAcompliant curb ramps, sidewalks, curb and gutter, driveway approaches, and pedestrian pathways. The project included removal and replacement of deficient concrete improvements, localized pavement rehabilitation, adjustment of utility facilities to grade, installation of detectable warning surfaces, signing and striping improvements, and reconstruction of curb returns to meet current ADA and Caltrans accessibility standards. Performed daily field inspections, verified compliance with approved plans and specifications, coordinated materials testing and utility conflicts, documented contractor activities. 16 SPECS ENGINEERING GROUP INC.
RELEVANT PROJECTS
The following projects were selected because they demonstrate the construction-management disciplines most applicable to deconstruction of the Commerce Refuse-to-Energy Facility: controlled demolition, structural and foundation work, temporary works, utility coordination, environmental controls, worker and public safety, and complete field documentation.
Poplar Boulevard Street Rehabilitation
Cost: $700K
The City of Alhambra’s federally funded Poplar Boulevard Street Rehabilitation Project (Federal Project No. STPL-5130(024)) rehabilitates approximately 4,350 linear feet of Poplar Boulevard from Winchester Avenue to Main Street. The project required implementation and monitoring of a Solid Waste Management Plan addressing construction and demolition debris, recycling and diversion requirements, hauling, disposal-facility documentation, weight tickets, and closeout reporting. The project includes cold milling the existing pavement and placing an asphalt-rubber hot-mix overlay, localized full-depth pavement repairs, asphalt-base reconstruction, and crack sealing. Additional work includes replacement of deficient curb and gutter, sidewalk panels, and alley approaches; adjustment of sewer and storm-drain manholes, water valves, and other utility facilities; replacement of traffic-detection loops; preservation and resetting of survey monuments; and installation of thermoplastic striping, pavement markings, and raised pavement markers. Construction requires staged traffic control, protection of the storm-drain system, maintenance of access to adjacent residences and businesses, and compliance with federal-aid, Caltrans, and Greenbook requirements.
REFERENCE: Tadeh Asiun, Engineering Associate |
[email protected] | 626.677.0730
Robert Bias, PW Engineering | [email protected] |
626.570.5062
Melissa Ramos, PW Deputy Director |
[email protected] | 626.993.5939
111 S. First Street, Alhambra, CA 91801
TECHNICAL FEATURES:
• Solid Waste Removal Plan
• Recycling & Diversion Requirements
• Roadway Rehabilitation
• Federal-Aid Project STPL-5130(024)
• Grind & Overlay
• HMA / ARHM-GG-C
• Pavement Crack Sealing
• Concrete curb-and-gutter replacement
• Sidewalk & Alley-Approach
Reconstruction
• Tra:ic Loops
Humboldt Drive Bridge Rehabilitation
Cost: $5M
The City of Huntington Beach’s Humboldt Drive Bridge Rehabilitation Project (CC-1451; Federal-Aid No. BRLO-5181(175)) involves rehabilitating Bridge No. 55C-0284 over the Short Channel to improve structural performance and extend its service life. The project includes hazardous-material controls associated with bridge rehabilitation and demolition over water. Work requires containment measures to prevent debris and construction materials from entering the channel, coordination of environmental requirements, inspection of containment systems, and documentation of hazardousmaterial handling and disposal. Major work includes replacement of the bridge deck, steel girders, diaphragms, bearings, barriers, sidewalks, and approach slabs, along with structural concrete repairs, pavement restoration, signing, striping, and waterline modifications. The project requires extensive utility coordination, including pole spotting and relocations with Frontier and Charter, installation of a temporary water highline, and coordination of permanent utility improvements. Construction is carefully staged to maintain traffic and pedestrian access, including a temporary pedestrian walkway during bridge demolition and reconstruction. Additional responsibilities include community outreach and coordination with adjacent residents and businesses, compliance with Coastal Commission and environmental requirements, and complete federal-aid documentation in accordance with Caltrans Local Assistance Procedures Manual requirements.
REFERENCE: Steven Folkes | steven.folkes@surfcityhb.org | 714.375.8571 2000 Main St. #5, Huntington Beach, CA 92648
TECHNICAL FEATURES:
• Federal-aid bridge rehabilitation
• Controlled Structural Removal
• Phased bridge demolition and
reconstruction
• Bridge deck/girder replacement
• Structural concrete construction and
repairs
• Temporary pedestrian walkway
• Waterline modifications
• Frontier / Charter Relocations
• Coastal Commission and environmental
permit compliance
• Community outreach
• LAPM and FHWA documentation
• Quality Assurance, quantity verification
• Staging tra:ic control
• WPCP implementation
• Stormwater BMP compliance
• Caltrans District 8 Coordination
• SCE / ACOE Coordination
17 SPECS ENGINEERING GROUP INC.
SR-210 / ALDER AVENUE INTERCHANGE
IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT
Cost: $8M
The SR-210/Alder Avenue Interchange Improvements Project was a complex roadway, interchange, and structures improvement project constructed under Caltrans District 8 oversight in the City of Rialto. The included widening of the SR-210 eastbound and westbound on- and off-ramp facilities, roadway reconstruction, retaining walls, drainage and flood-control improvements, traffic signals, utility relocations, ADA improvements, and safety enhancements. Work was performed within an active interchange carrying significant passenger and heavy-truck traffic generated by nearby industrial development and the Pilot Travel Center. Major roadway elements included lean concrete base (LCB), jointed plain concrete pavement (JPCP), continuously reinforced concrete pavement (CRCP), HMA and RHMA pavement, pavement delineation, Class II bicycle facilities, ADA-compliant sidewalks and curb ramps, Midwest Guardrail System (MGS), anchor blocks, and alternate in-line terminal systems. Construction generated waste streams requiring manifesting and documented transportation and disposal.
Project controls included review and tracking of waste manifests, verification of hauling and receiving facilities, reconciliation of disposal documentation with field activities, and maintenance of complete records supporting regulatory compliance and project closeout.
REFERENCE: Rudy Victorio | CIP Project Manager
[email protected] | 909.820.2532
TECHNICAL FEATURES:
• Waste Manifests
• Flood Channels
• Environmental Compliance
• Retaining Walls
• Drainage Improvements
• JPCP / CRCP
• HMA / ARHM
• Median Islands
• ADA Curb Ramps
• Tra:ic Signal System Modifications
• Streetlighting System Modifications
• Signing, Striping, and Pavement
Delineation
I-605 Hotspots at Studebaker Road and
Alondra Boulevard
Cost: $1M
The City of Norwalk’s I-605 Hotspots Project improves traffic operations, pavement conditions, pedestrian accessibility, and safety at the heavily traveled intersection of Studebaker Road and Alondra Boulevard, immediately adjacent to I-605 and Cerritos College. The project includes reconstruction of the existing concrete intersection, roadway excavation, median modifications, new aggregate base, doweled jointed plain concrete pavement, asphalt pavement, and an asphalt-rubber hot-mix overlay.
Additional improvements include ADA curb ramps, sidewalks, curb and gutter, an alley approach, utility adjustments, signing and striping, traffic-signal and street-lighting modifications, landscaping, irrigation, and relocation of an existing monument sign and electrical system. Construction requires phased traffic control, maintenance of public access, and coordination between the cities of Norwalk and Cerritos.
REFERENCE: Mario Mera, Engineering Division
Manager | [email protected] | 310.863.2980
12700 Norwalk Boulevard Rm #11, Norwalk, CA 90650
Roberto Gonzalez, Public Works Inspector |
[email protected] | 562.916.1328
18125 Bloomfield Ave, Cerritos, CA 90703
TECHNICAL FEATURES:
• JPCP
• HMA / ARHM
• Median Islands
• ADA Curb Ramps
• Sidewalk and Alley Approach
Reconstruction
• Tra:ic Signal System Modifications
• Streetlighting System Modifications
• Signing, Striping, and Pavement
Delineation
• Landscape, Irrigation & Stabilized
Decomposed Granite
• Monument Sign & Electrical System
Relocation
18 SPECS ENGINEERING GROUP INC.
I-5 VALLEY VIEW AVENUE INTERCHANGE
OC PROJECT
City of Santa Fe Springs / Caltrans District 7
Cost: $139M
The $139 million I-5 Valley View Avenue Interchange Project widened approximately 1.5 miles of I-5 by adding HOV and mixed-flow lanes in each direction and reconstructing the Valley View Avenue interchange and adjacent frontage roads. Major work included bridge substructure and superstructure construction, a new overcrossing spanning the UPRR corridor, on- and off-ramp reconstruction, retaining and sound walls, arterial roadway rehabilitation, drainage improvements, ADA curb ramps and sidewalks, traffic signals, and street lighting. Extensive utility work included major SCE vault and pole relocations, live fiber-optic relocations, waterline improvements, and a 24-inch sewer bypass. Construction required day-and-night operations, complex freeway traffic staging, and a 92-hour continuous arterial closure. The project also required SWPPP and BMP implementation, MUTCD-compliant traffic control, Cal/OSHA coordination, and extensive interagency and stakeholder coordination. The project received a Caltrans Excellence in Partnering Award.
REFERENCE: Jerome Arabe, Senior Transportation
Engineer | [email protected] | 951.522.9259 |
100 S. Main St., Los Angeles, CA 90012
TECHNICAL FEATURES:
• I-5 Widening
• Valley View Interchange Reconstruction
• UPRR Overcrossing
• On and O:-Ramp Reconstruction
• Retaining and Sound Walls
• Arterial Pavement Rehabilitation
• ADA Ramps and Sidewalks
• Tra:ic Signals & Street Lighting
• SCE Relocations
• Drainage & Water Line Improvements
I-5 CARMENITA AVENUE INTERCHANGE
CROSSING OVER I-5 & UPRR
City of Santa Fe Springs Caltrans District 7
Cost: $160M
Project replaced the existing two-lane steel overcrossing with a ten-lane concrete structure carrying five lanes in each direction across I-5 and the adjacent UPRR corridor. The project widened approximately 1.2 miles of I-5 by adding one HOV lane and one general-purpose lane in each direction, widening shoulders, and constructing median barriers. Additional improvements included complete interchange and ramp reconfiguration, realignment of six frontage and local roadways, ADA-accessible sidewalks and curb ramps, traffic signal and street-lighting improvements, and extensive utility coordination. Construction required phased bridge demolition and reconstruction, temporary ramps, traffic shifts, freeway closures, detours, and coordination among Caltrans District 7, the railroad, utility companies, and surrounding jurisdictions. The project received the California Transportation Foundation’s Freeway/Expressway Project of the Year Award.
REFERENCE: Peter Lee, PE, Senior Transportation
Engineer, Caltrans District 7 | [email protected] | 213-798-1535 |
626-905-1710 | 100 S. Main St., Los Angeles, CA 90012
TECHNICAL FEATURES:
• 10-Lane Overcrossing
• Road Widening
• HOV & General-Purpose Lanes
• Shoulder Widening and Median Barriers
• ADA Ramps & Sidewalks
• Tra:ic Signals & Street Lighting
• Underground utility coordination
• Multiagency and railroad coordination
19 SPECS ENGINEERING GROUP INC.
CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE MANAGEMENT & CONTROLS
SPECS understands that maintaining the project schedule will require active coordination of the deconstruction sequence, hazardous-material abatement, utility activities, waste removal and documentation, structural demolition, foundation removal, site restoration, inspections, and required agency approvals. Our Construction Management team will establish schedule controls at the outset of the project and continuously monitor construction progress to identify potential delays before they affect critical activities or the required completion date.
Prior to the start of construction, SPECS will review the Contractor’s baseline schedule for consistency with the Contract Documents, required milestones, anticipated work sequence, submittal and procurement activities, utility coordination, permitting requirements, and required inspections. Particular attention will be given to activities that may constrain subsequent work, including hazardous-material abatement and clearance, removal and disposal of regulated materials, equipment mobilization, deconstruction sequencing, and removal of the approximately 20-foot-deep foundations and below-grade improvements. The schedule review will also consider the Contractor’s proposed equipment and access requirements so that demolition operations, hauling, environmental controls, and site activities are logically coordinated.
During construction, SPECS will compare actual field progress against the accepted baseline and subsequent schedule updates. The Construction Manager and Inspector will document manpower, equipment, quantities, completed work, and activities affecting progress through daily reports, photographs, meeting records, and schedule tracking. Upcoming activities and schedule constraints will be discussed during progress meetings, with emphasis placed on near-term work, outstanding submittals and RFIs, inspections, material handling requirements, and decisions needed from the Contractor, design team, or Agency.
Schedule management will be closely coordinated with the project’s environmental and hazardous-material requirements. Activities involving asbestos-containing materials, PCB-containing materials or equipment, universal waste, contaminated or regulated materials, and other designated waste streams must be properly sequenced with abatement, containment, removal, transportation, disposal, manifests, and required clearances. SPECS will monitor these activities to help prevent premature follow-on work and to verify that required documentation and approvals are obtained without unnecessarily delaying subsequent deconstruction activities.
SPECS will maintain a forward-looking approach throughout construction by reviewing upcoming work and identifying potential schedule impacts associated with differing field conditions, utility conflicts, hazardous-material discoveries, contractor performance, submittal or RFI turnaround, weather, inspection requirements, and disposal or hauling constraints. When an activity begins to fall behind schedule, SPECS will promptly identify the issue, evaluate its effect on upcoming work and project milestones, and coordinate with the Contractor and Agency regarding appropriate recovery measures.
Any Contractor-requested time extension or delay will be independently evaluated against the Contract Documents, contemporaneous project records, and the approved schedule. SPECS will document the cause, duration, responsibility, and potential effect of the delay and provide the Agency with a clear recommendation regarding entitlement to additional contract time.
Through consistent schedule review, field verification, documentation, and proactive coordination, SPECS will provide the Agency with an accurate understanding of project status throughout construction and help maintain progress toward timely completion of the CREA deconstruction work.
20 FEE PROPOSAL
SUBMITTED BY:
21 SPECS ENGINEERING GROUP INC.
FEE PROPOSAL
Andy Ramirez
Interim Public Works Director
City of Commerce
2535 Commerce Way
Commerce, CA 90040
9/1/2026
REFERENCE: CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT AND CONSTRUCTION INSPECTION (CMCI) SERVICES –
DECONSTRUCTION OF COMMERCE REFUSE-TO-ENERGY FACILITY (CREA) PROJECT Dear Mr. Ramirez,
SPECS Engineering Group Inc. hereby submits its Fee Proposal for Construction Management and Construction Inspection Services for the Deconstruction of the Commerce Refuse-to-Energy Facility Project. This Fee Proposal has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the RFP and its applicable addenda and provides a total not-toexceed fee of $133,984.00.
The enclosed fee schedules provide a task-by-task breakdown of proposed labor hours and costs, hourly billing rates by personnel classification, reimbursable expenses, and applicable pricing assumptions and exclusions. The proposed hourly rates are fully burdened and include direct salaries, fringe benefits, indirect costs, overhead, and net fee. These rates will serve as the basis for invoicing for services performed.
SPECS does not anticipate incurring separate travel expenses or applying markups to outside services. Except for any assumptions or exclusions expressly identified in the enclosed fee schedules, the proposed fee includes the personnel and resources necessary to perform the services described in the RFP, including preconstruction, the anticipated 40- working-day construction period, and project closeout.
Below is a table with the hourly rate schedule:
SPECS Engineering Group Inc. Hourly Rates:
Project Manager / Project Director……………………………………………………………………………………...….. $220.00 Senior Construction Manager................................................................................................................................... $220.00 Construction Inspector (HAZWOPER)...................................................................................................................... $168.00 We appreciate the opportunity to submit our Fee Proposal and look forward to the possibility of supporting the City of Commerce on this important project.
Respectfully submitted,
Jose Burbano, PE
Project Manager / VP
SPECS Engineering Group Inc.
22 PROJECT ACTIVITIES PROJECT MANAGER /
PROJECT DIRECTOR
SENIOR CONSTRUCTION
MANAGER
CONSTRUCTION
INSPECTOR TOTAL HOURS
Perform focused constructability and deconstruction sequencing review. 8.0 4.0 12.0 Review plans, specifications, addenda, hazardous-material information, environmental documents, and federal requirements. 6.0 4.0 10.0
Review the baseline schedule, work plans, permits, and initial contractor submittals. 5.0 3.0 8.0 Review the project budget, anticipated changes, and preliminary project risks. 5.0 1.0 6.0 Conduct the preconstruction site visit and document existing conditions, utilities, and access constraints. 3.0 5.0 8.0 Prepare and conduct the preconstruction meeting; issue the agenda and meeting minutes. 5.0 3.0 8.0 Establish project controls, administrative forms, logs, filing procedures, and the risk register. 5.0 2.0 7.0 Verify licenses, safety plans, environmental documentation, and required federal certifications. 3.0 2.0 5.0 SUBTOTAL TASK 1 40.0 24.0 64.0
Coordinate project startup and issuance of the Notice to Proceed. 2.0 2.0 4.0 Provide on-site construction inspection and prepare daily reports with photographs, quantities, personnel, equipment, progress, deficiencies, and corrective actions. 6.0 160.0 166.0 Monitor hazardous-material abatement, waste disposal, environmental controls, utility coordination, and deconstruction sequencing. 14.0 58.0 72.0
Monitor site safety, access requirements, and exclusion-zone controls. 4.0 24.0 28.0 Review the baseline schedule, look-ahead schedules, progress, and potential delays. 12.0 8.0 20.0 Review submittals, RFIs, work plans, permits, and contractor correspondence. 16.0 8.0 24.0 Conduct progress meetings and prepare agendas, minutes, and action-item logs. 14.0 8.0 22.0 Review payment applications, measured quantities, and supporting cost documentation. 12.0 8.0 20.0 Track contract time, budget, contingency, project risks, and the change-order log. 12.0 6.0 18.0 Evaluate change-order proposals and claims; prepare cost and entitlement recommendations. 14.0 6.0 20.0 Coordinate testing; document nonconforming work, retesting, and corrective work. 4.0 18.0 22.0 Review contractor redlines and verify record-drawing information. 2.0 6.0 8.0 Coordinate with the City, agencies, utilities, and specialty consultants. 6.0 6.0 12.0 Prepare weekly and monthly status, schedule, cost, and executive reports. 10.0 2.0 12.0 SUBTOTAL TASK 2 128.0 320.0 448.0
Review certified payrolls, conduct labor interviews, and verify applicable wage determinations. 6.0 10.0 16.0 Verify contractor and subcontractor eligibility, certifications, and DBE/EEO documentation, if applicable. 8.0 8.0 16.0 Maintain audit-ready grant, procurement, approval, payment, change-order, and compliance records. 8.0 8.0 16.0 Prepare funding, expenditure, and compliance status reports. 8.0 6.0 14.0 Coordinate FTA correspondence, identified deficiencies, and corrective actions. 10.0 8.0 18.0 SUBTOTAL TASK 3 40.0 40.0 80.0
Prepare and manage preliminary, secondary, and final punch lists. 4.0 8.0 8.0 20.0 Verify corrective work and final site conditions. 3.0 6.0 5.0 14.0 Review as-builts, redlines, waste manifests, and hazardous-material disposal documentation. 6.0 7.0 4.0 17.0 Coordinate the final walkthrough and required regulatory inspections. 5.0 6.0 4.0 15.0 Prepare final labor-compliance and certified-payroll documentation. 8.0 5.0 13.0 Recommend substantial and final completion; assemble and deliver the indexed closeout file. 14.0 8.0 3.0 25.0 SUBTOTAL TASK 4 40.0 40.0 24.0 104.0
TOTAL ANTICIPATED HOURS 80.0 248.0 368.0 696.0
TASK 1 - PRECONSTRUCTION AND PROJECT ADMINISTRATION
TASK 2 - CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT AND INSPECTION
TASK 3 - FTA GRANT AND FEDERAL COMPLIANCE MANAGEMENT
TASK 4 - PROJECT CLOSEOUT
FOR THE CITY OF COMMERCE
DECONSTRUCTION OF THE COMMERCE REFUSE-TO-ENERGY FACILITY (CREA) PROJECT CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT AND CONSTRUCTION INSPECTION SERVICES | FTA-FUNDED PROJECT September 1, 2026
23 TASK 1 TASK 2 TASK 3 TASK 4
PRECON. &
ADMIN.
CM &
INSPECTION
FTA
COMPLIANC
PROJECT
CLOSEOUT
Project Assignment Total Hours Rate Direct / Other
Cost Total Cost
PROJECT MANAGER / PROJECT DIRECTOR 40.0 40.0 80.0 $220.00 - $17,600.00 SENIOR CONSTRUCTION MANAGER 40.0 128.0 40.0 40.0 248.0 $220.00 - $54,560.00 CONSTRUCTION INSPECTOR (HAZWOPER) 24.0 320.0 24.0 368.0 $168.00 - $61,824.00 $133,984.00
- - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - -
-
- - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - -
-
$133,984.00
- - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - -
$133,984.00
3. No travel expenses or markups on outside services are anticipated unless expressly identified above.
4. Overtime, night work, or weekend work is excluded unless authorized in writing by the City.
5. The fee is based on the scope of services described in the RFP and applicable addenda.
6. Revise these assumptions and exclusions to reflect the final staffing plan and negotiated scope.
D: SPECIALTY SERVICES (OPTIONAL / IF REQUESTED)
A + B + C + D: TOTAL NOT-TO-EXCEED FEE
NOTES, ASSUMPTIONS AND EXCLUSIONS
1. Fee is based on the anticipated 40-working-day construction period, plus preconstruction and project closeout (with FHWA documentation / FTA Grants)
2. Hourly billing rates are fully burdened and include direct salary, fringe benefits, indirect costs, overhead, and net fee.
B: CONSTRUCTION SUPPORT (SUBCONSULTANT, IF APPLICABLE)
B: SUBTOTAL CONSTRUCTION SUPPORT
C: OTHER / SPECIALTY COSTS
C: SUBTOTAL OTHER / SPECIALTY COSTS
A + B + C: TOTAL BASE CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT COSTS
September 1, 2026
PHASE / RFP TASK
Hours
A: PRIME (SPECS ENGINEERING GROUP)
A: SUBTOTAL PRIME CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT
SPECS ENGINEERING GROUP, INC.
CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT AND CONSTRUCTION INSPECTION (CMCI) SERVICES
FOR THE CITY OF COMMERCE
DECONSTRUCTION OF THE COMMERCE REFUSE-TO-ENERGY FACILITY (CREA) PROJECT FTA-FUNDED PROJECT | CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT AND CONSTRUCTION INSPECTION SERVICES 24 1
EXHIBIT B
GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS
1. Status as Independent Contractor.
A. Consultant is, and shall at all times remain as to City, a wholly independent contractor. Consultant shall have no power to incur any debt, obligation, or liability on behalf of the City of Commerce or otherwise act on behalf of Commerce as an agent.
Neither the City of Commerce nor any of its agents shall have control over the conduct of Consultant or any of Consultant’s employees, except as set forth in this Agreement.
Consultant shall not, at any time, or in any manner, represent that it or any of its agents or employees are in any manner agents or employees of the City of Commerce.
B. Consultant agrees to pay all required taxes on amounts paid to Consultant under this Agreement, and to indemnify and hold City harmless from any and all taxes, assessments, penalties, and interests asserted against City by reason of the independent Consultant relationship created by this Agreement. In the event that City is audited by any Federal or State agency regarding the independent status of Consultant and the audit in any way fails to sustain the validity of a wholly independent Consultant relationship between City and Consultant, then Consultant agrees to reimburse City for all costs, including accounting and attorney's fees, arising out of such audit and any appeals relating thereto.
C. Consultant shall fully comply with the workers' compensation law regarding Consultant and Consultant’s employees. Consultant further agrees to indemnify and hold City harmless from any failure of Consultant to comply with applicable worker's compensation laws. City shall have the right to offset against the amount of any fees due to Consultant under this Agreement any amount due to City from Consultant as a result of Consultant’s failure to promptly pay to City any reimbursement or indemnification arising under this Section 1.
D. Consultant represents to the City, and City relies on Consultant’s representations, that Consultant shall serve solely in the capacity of an independent contractor to the City. Neither the City nor any of its agents will have control over the conduct of Consultant or any of Consultant’s employees, except as otherwise set forth in the Agreement. Consultant may not, at any time or in any manner, represent that it or any of its agents or employees are in any manner agents or employees of the City. The City has no duty, obligation, or responsibility to the Consultant’s agents or employees, including the Affordable Care Act coverage requirements. Consultant is solely responsible for any tax penalties associated with the failure to offer affordable coverage to its agents and employees under the Affordable Care Act with respect to Consultant’s agents and employees. Consultant warrants and represents that the City will not be responsible and will not be held liable for issues related to Consultant’s status as an independent contractor, including Consultant’s failure to comply with Consultant’s duties, obligations, and responsibilities under the Affordable Care Act. Consultant further agrees to defend, indemnify, and hold the City harmless 2 for any and all taxes, claims, and penalties against the City related to Consultant’s obligations under the Affordable Care Act.
2. Standard of Performance
Consultant shall perform all work to the highest professional standards and in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the City Manager or his/her designee. No additional or different tasks or services shall be performed by Consultant other than those specified in Exhibit A.
3. Indemnification.
A. Consultant is skilled in the professional calling necessary to perform the services and duties agreed to be performed under this Agreement, and City is relying upon the skill and knowledge of Consultant to perform said services and duties.
B. City and its respective elected and appointed boards, officials, officers, agents, employees and volunteers (individually and collectively, "Indemnities") shall have no liability to Consultant or any other person for, and Consultant shall indemnify, defend, protect and hold harmless Indemnities from and against, any and all liabilities, claims, actions, causes of action, proceedings, suits, damages, judgments, liens, levies, costs and expenses of whatever nature, including reasonable attorneys' fees and disbursements (collectively "Claims"), which Indemnities may suffer or incur or to which Indemnities may become subject by reason of or arising out of any injury to or death of any person(s), damage to property, loss of use of property, economic loss or other loss occurring as a result of or allegedly caused by Consultant’s performance of or failure to perform any services under this Agreement or by the negligent or willful acts or omissions of Consultant, its agents, officers, directors, subcontractor, sub consultant or employees, committed in performing any of the services under this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions of this subsection shall not apply to Claims occurring as a result of the City’s sole negligence or willful acts or omissions.
C. Consultant agrees to obtain executed indemnity agreements with provisions identical to those set forth in this Section from each and every subcontractor, sub consultant or any other person or entity involved by, for, with or on behalf of Consultant in the performance of this Agreement. In the event Consultant fails to obtain such indemnity obligations from others as required in this Section, Consultant agrees to be fully responsible according to the terms of this Section.
Failure of the City to monitor compliance with these requirements imposes no additional obligations on City and will in no way serve as a waiver of any rights hereunder. This obligation to indemnify and defend Indemnities as set forth herein shall survive the termination of this Agreement and is in addition to any rights which City may have under the law. This indemnity is effective without reference to the existence or applicability of any insurance coverage which may have been required under this Agreement or any additional insured endorsements which may extend to 3 City.
4. Insurance.
A. Without limiting Consultant’s indemnification of Indemnities pursuant to Section 3 of this Agreement, Consultant shall obtain and provide and maintain at its own expense during the term of this Agreement the types and amounts of insurance as described below:
(I) Consultant shall maintain Commercial General Liability Insurance with coverage at least as broad as Insurance Services Office Commercial General Liability Form CG 00 01 in an amount not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence, $2,000,000 general aggregate, for bodily injury, personal injury, and property damage. Defense costs must be paid in addition to limits. There shall be no cross liability exclusion for claims or suits by one insured against another. The policy must include contractual liability that has not been amended. Any endorsement restricting standard ISO “insured contract” language will not be accepted.
(II) Consultant shall maintain Business Auto Coverage on ISO Business Auto Coverage Form CA 00 01 covering bodily injury and property damage for all activities of the Consultant arising out of or in connection with Work to be performed under this Agreement, including coverage for any owned, hired, nonowned or rented vehicles, in an amount not less than $1,000,000 combined single limit for each accident.
(III) Consultant shall maintain Workers’ Compensation Insurance (Statutory Limits) and Employer’s Liability Insurance with on a state approved policy form providing statutory benefits as required by law with employer’s liability limits no less than $1,000,000 per accident for all covered losses; (IV) Consultant shall maintain Professional Liability or Errors and Omissions Insurance that covers the services to be performed in connection with this Agreement, in the minimum amount of $1,000,000 per claim and in the aggregate. Any policy inception date, continuity date, or retroactive date must be before the effective date of this Agreement and Consultant agrees to maintain continuous coverage through a period no less than three (3) years after completion of the services required by this Agreement.
B. City, its officers, officials, employees and volunteers shall be named as additional insureds on the policy(ies) as to commercial general liability and automotive liability.
C. All insurance policies shall be issued by an insurance company currently authorized by the Insurance Commissioner to transact business of insurance or is on the List of Approved Surplus Line Insurers in the State of California, with an assigned policyholders’ Rating of A- (or higher) and Financial Size Category Class VI (or larger) 4 in accordance with the latest edition of Best’s Key Rating Guide, unless otherwise approved by the City’s Risk Manager.
D. All insurance policies shall provide that the insurance coverage shall not be non-renewed, canceled, reduced, or otherwise modified (except through the addition of additional insureds to the policy) by the insurance carrier without the insurance carrier giving City thirty (30) days' prior written notice thereof. Any such thirty (30) day notice shall be submitted to CITY via certified mail, return receipt requested, addressed to “Director of Human Resources & Risk Management,” City of Commerce, 2535 Commerce Way, Commerce, California, 90040. Consultant agrees that it will not cancel, reduce or otherwise modify said insurance coverage.
E. Consultant shall submit to City (I) insurance certificates indicating compliance with the minimum worker's compensation insurance requirements above, and (II) insurance policy endorsements indicating compliance with all other minimum insurance requirements above, not less than one (1) day prior to beginning of performance under this Agreement. Endorsements shall be executed on City’s appropriate standard forms entitled "Additional Insured Endorsement".
F. Consultant’s insurance shall be primary as respects the City, its officers, officials, employees and volunteers. Any insurance or self-insurance maintained by the City, its officers, officials, employees and volunteers shall be excess of Consultant’s insurance and shall not contribute with it.
G. Consultant agrees that if it does not keep the aforesaid insurance in full force and effect, and such insurance is available at a reasonable cost. City may take out the necessary insurance and pay the premium thereon, and the repayment thereof shall be deemed an obligation of Consultant’s and the cost of such insurance may be deducted, at the option of City, from payments due Consultant.
5. Release of Information/Confidentiality.
A. Consultant in the course of its duties may have access to confidential data of City, private individuals, or employees of the City. Consultant covenants that all data, documents, discussion, or other information developed or received by Consultant or provided for performance of this Agreement are deemed confidential and shall not be disclosed by Consultant without written authorization by City. City shall grant such authorization if disclosure is required by law. All City data shall be returned to City upon the termination of this Agreement. Consultant, its officers, employees, agents, or subconsultants, shall not without written authorization from the City Manager, voluntarily provide declarations, letters of support, testimony at depositions, response to interrogatories, or other information concerning the work performed under this Agreement or relating to any project or property located within the City. Response to a subpoena or court order shall not be considered "voluntary" provided Consultant gives City notice of such court order or subpoena. Consultant’s covenant under this section shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
5 B. Consultant shall promptly notify City should Consultant, its officers, employees, agents, or subconsultants be served with any summons, complaint, subpoena, notice of deposition, request for documents, interrogatories, request for admissions, or other discovery request, court order, or subpoena from any person or party regarding this Agreement and the work performed thereunder. City retains the right, but has no obligation, to represent Consultant and/or be present at any deposition, hearing, or similar proceeding. Consultant agrees to cooperate fully with City and to provide the opportunity to review any response to discovery requests provided by Consultant. However, City's right to review any such response does not imply or mean the right by City to control, direct, or rewrite said response
6. Ownership of Work Product.
A. Consultant shall maintain complete and accurate records with respect to sales, costs, expenses, receipts, and other such information required by the City that relate to the performance of services under this Agreement. Consultant shall maintain adequate records of services provided in sufficient detail to permit an evaluation of services. All such records shall be maintained in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and shall be clearly identi¬fied and readily accessible. Consultant shall provide free access to the representatives of the City or its designees at reasonable times to such books and records; shall give the City the right to examine and audit said books and records; shall permit the City to make transcripts therefrom as necessary; and shall allow inspection of all work, data, documents, proceedings, and activities related to this Agreement. Such records, together with supporting documents, shall be maintained for a period of three (3) years after receipt of final payment.
B. Upon completion of, or in the event of termination or suspension of this Agreement, all original documents, designs, drawings, maps, models, computer files, surveys, notes, and other documents prepared in the course of providing the services to be performed pursuant to this Agreement shall become the sole property of the City and may be used, reused, or otherwise disposed of by the City without the permission of the Consultant. With respect to computer files, Consultant shall make available to the City, at the Consultant's office and upon reasonable written request by the City, the necessary computer software and hardware for purposes of accessing, compiling, transferring, and printing computer files.
7. Conflict of Interest.
A. Consultant covenants that it presently has no interest and shall not acquire any interest, direct or indirect, which may be affected by the services to be performed by Consultant under this Agreement, or which would conflict in any manner with the performance of its services hereunder. Consultant further covenants that, in performance of this Agreement, no person having any such interest shall be employed by it. Furthermore, Consultant shall avoid the appearance of having any interest which would conflict in any manner with the performance of its services pursuant to this 6 Agreement.
B. Consultant covenants not to give or receive any compensation, monetary or otherwise, to or from the ultimate vendor(s) of services to City as a result of the performance of this Agreement, or the services that may be procured by the City as a result of the recommendations made by Consultant’s covenants under this section shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
8. Termination. Notwithstanding any other provision, this Agreement may be duly terminated at any time by the City at its sole discretion with or without cause by serving upon the consultant at least ten (10) days prior written notice (“Notice of Termination”).
Upon receipt of said notice, the Consultant shall immediately cease all work under this Agreement, unless the notice provides otherwise. Unless expressly agreed upon in writing by the City, the City shall not be obligated to pay for any services rendered nor any costs or expenses paid or incurred after the date of termination. The effective date of termination shall be upon the date specified in the written Notice of Termination.
Consultant agrees that in the event of such termination, Consultant must refund the City its prorated share, except for services satisfactorily rendered prior to the effective date of termination. Immediately upon receiving written Notice of Termination, Consultant shall discontinue performing services, preserve the product of the services and upon payment for services, turn over to City the product of the services in accordance with written instructions of City.
In the event this Agreement is terminated pursuant to this Section, the City shall pay to Consultant the actual value of the work performed up to the time of termination, provided that the work performed is of value to the City. Upon termination of the Agreement pursuant to this Section, the Consultant will submit an invoice to the City.
9. Personnel. Consultant represents that it has, or will secure at its own expense, all personnel required to perform the services under this Agreement. All of the services required under this Agreement will be performed by Consultant or under its supervision, and all personnel engaged in the work shall be qualified to perform such services.
Consultant reserves the right to determine the assignment of its own employees to the performance of Consultant’s services under this Agreement, but City reserves the right, for good cause, to require Consultant to exclude any employee from performing services on City's premises.
10. Non-Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunity.
A. Consultant shall not discriminate as to race, color, creed, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental handicap, medical condition, or sexual orientation, in the performance of its services and duties pursuant to this Agreement, and will comply with all rules and regulations of City relating thereto. Such nondiscrimination shall include but not be limited to the following: employment, upgrading, demotion, transfers, recruitment or recruitment advertising; layoff or termination; rates of pay or other forms of compensation; and selection for training, 7 including apprenticeship.
B. Consultant will, in all solicitations or advertisements for employees placed by or on behalf of Consultant state either that it is an equal opportunity employer or that all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental handicap, medical condition, or sexual orientation.
C. Consultant will cause the foregoing provisions to be inserted in all subcontracts for any work covered by this Agreement except contracts or subcontracts for standard commercial supplies or raw materials.
11. Assignment. Consultant shall not assign or transfer any interest in this Agreement nor the performance of any of Consultant obligations hereunder, without the prior written consent of City, and any attempt by Consultant to assign this Agreement or any rights, duties, or obligations arising hereunder shall be void and of no effect.
12. Performance Evaluation. For any Agreement in effect for twelve months or longer, the City Manager may require a written annual administrative performance evaluation within ninety (90) days of the first anniversary of the effective date of this Agreement, and each year thereafter throughout the term of this Agreement. The work product required by this Agreement shall be utilized as the basis for review, and any comments or complaints received by City during the review period, either orally or in writing, shall be considered. City shall meet with Consultant prior to preparing the written report. If any noncompliance with the Agreement is found, City may direct Consultant to correct the inadequacies, or, in the alternative, may terminate this Agreement as provided herein.
13. Compliance with Laws. Consultant shall keep itself informed of State, Federal and Local laws, ordinances, codes and regulations which in any manner affect those employed by it or in any way affect the performance of its service pursuant to this Agreement. Consultant shall at all times comply with such laws, ordinances, codes and regulations. The City, its officers and employees shall not be liable at law or in equity occasioned by failure of Consultant to comply with this Section.
14. Licenses. At all times during the term of this Agreement, Consultant shall have in full force and effect all licenses (including a City business license) required of it by law for performance of the services hereunder.
15. Non-Waiver of Terms, Rights and Remedies. Waiver by either party of any one or more of the conditions of performance under this Agreement shall not be a waiver of any other condition of performance under this Agreement. In no event shall the making by City of any payment to Consultant constitute or be construed as a waiver by City of any breach of covenant, or any default which may then exist on the part of Consultant, and the making of any such payment by City shall in no way impair or prejudice any right or remedy available to City with regard to such breach or default. 8 16. Attorney's Fees. In the event that either party to this Agreement shall commence any legal or equitable action or proceeding to enforce or interpret the provisions of this Agreement, the prevailing party in such action or proceeding shall be entitled to recover its costs of suit, including reasonable attorney's fees and costs, including costs of expert witnesses and Consultant.
17. Notices. Any notices, bills, invoices, or reports required by this Agreement shall be deemed received on (a) the day of delivery if delivered by hand during Consultant regular business hours or by facsimile before or during Consultant regular business hours; or (b) on the third business day following deposit in the United States mail, postage prepaid, to the addresses heretofore set forth in the Agreement, or to such other addresses as the parties may, from time to time, designate in writing pursuant to the provisions of this section.
18. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed and interpreted both as to validity and to performance of the Parties in accordance with the laws of the State of California. Legal actions concerning any dispute, claim or matter arising out of or in relation to this Agreement shall be instituted in the Superior Court of the County of Los Angeles, State of California. However, the Parties may agree to submit any dispute to non-binding arbitration.
19. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be the original, and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
20. Severability. If any provision or any part of any provision of this Agreement is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the balance of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.
21. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, and any other documents incorporated herein by specific reference, represents the entire and integrated agreement between Consultant and City. This Agreement supersedes all prior oral or written negotiations, representations or agreements. This Agreement may not be amended, nor any provision or breach hereof waived, except in a writing signed by the Parties which expressly refers to this Agreement. Amendments on behalf of the City will only be valid if signed by the Mayor and attested by the City Clerk.
22. Authority. The person or persons executing this Agreement on behalf of Consultant warrants and represents that he/she has the authority to execute this Agreement on behalf of Consultant and has the authority to bind Consultant to the performance of its obligations hereunder.
23. Force Majeure. A Party’s performance of any obligation under this Agreement shall be suspended if, and to the extent that, the Party is unable to perform because of any event of Force Majeure. In any such event, the Party unable to perform shall be 9 required to resume performance of its obligations under this Agreement upon the termination of the event or cause that excused performance hereunder. “Force Majeure” herein means an event which is beyond the reasonable control of a Party, including without limitation, (a) acts of God including flood, fire, earthquake, hurricane or explosion, pandemic; (b) war, invasion, hostilities (whether war is declared or not), terrorist threats or acts, riot or other civil unrest; (c) government order or law that prevents either Party from performing its obligations as set forth in this Agreement; (d) actions, embargoes or blockades in effect on or after the date of this Agreement; (e) action by any governmental authority that prevents either Party from performing its obligations as set forth in this Agreement; (f) national or regional emergency; (g) strikes, labor stoppages or slowdowns or other industrial disturbances, other than those involving the affected parties employees; (h) shortage of adequate power or transportation facilities.
Neither Party shall be liable for any delay or default in, or failure of, performance resulting from or arising out of any Force Majeure event, and no such delay, default in, or failure of performance shall constitute a breach by either Party hereunder. Where a Force Majeure event gives rise to a failure or delay in either Party performing its obligations under this Agreement (other than obligations to make payment), those obligations will be suspended for the duration of the Force Majeure event. A Party who becomes aware of a Force Majeure event which gives rise to, or which is likely to give rise to, any failure or delay in performing its obligations under this Agreement, will forthwith notify the other and inform the other of the period for which it is estimated that such failure or delay will continue. The affected Party shall take reasonable steps to mitigate the effects of the Force Majeure event.