Item 162/2026
Final
City of Garden Grove
INTER-DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM
To:
Lisa L. Kim From: Niki Wetzel
Dept:
City Manager Dept: Community Development
Date: 6/23/2026
Subject: Award contracts to CSG Consultants, Inc.; Willdan Engineering; The Code Group, Inc.; True North Compliance Services, Inc.; and Scott Fazekas & Associates, Inc; for on-call plan review and/or building contractual services (Cost: Not-to-exceed $250,000 each contract)(Action Item)
OBJECTIVE
For the City Council to award contracts to: CSG Consultants, Inc. (CSG), Willdan Engineering (Willdan), The Code Group, Inc. (VCA), True North Compliance Services, Inc. (True North), and Scott Fazekas & Associates, Inc. (SFA), for the City’s on-call plan review, inspection, code enforcement, and building related services on an “as-needed” basis.
BACKGROUND
The Community Development Department (CDD) has historically supplemented service delivery through third-party contract services to enhance customer service and improve response times. These services provide additional staffing support on an as -needed basis in the areas of plan review, inspections, code enforcement, and oth er Building & Safety functions.
Over the past five years, the Building & Safety Division has experienced consistently high levels of activity across varying economic conditions. Several major development projects have progressed through different stages of the development pipeline, wh ile demand for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) has continued to increase. A summary of permit valuation, permits issued, building inspection activity, and code enforcement cases opened during this period is provided in the table that follows.
Item 162/2026
Year 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Permit
Valuation
$97,526,642 $102,477,633 $343,123,620 $389,379,558 $316,038,437 Permits 4,839 5,689 6,657 6,820 6,992
Inspections 17,947 21,583 25,081 21,163 26,887
Code
Enforcement
Cases Opened
3,161 1,954 2,068 2,458 2,707
Periodically, the Building & Safety’s work volume exceed the capacity of in -house staff to accommodate in a timely manner . To maintain efficient review times and provide timely service, the City utilizes third-party contract services to supplement staff resources and assist with permit processing, code enforcement, plan review, and other Building & Safety functions during periods of increased workload.
DISCUSSION
CDD conducted a comprehensive Request for Proposals (RFP) process to identify qualified firms capable of providing on -call plan review, inspection, code enforcement, and other Building & Safety support services. The City received 15 proposals from firms interested in providing these services.
A selection panel comprised of three representatives from CDD evaluated the proposals based on qualifications and experience, technological capabilities, customer service, references, interview performance, the ability to provide on -site support, attend internal meetings, and assist City staff as needed. Following a thorough evaluation process, the panel identified five of the highest-ranked firms based on the City's anticipated service needs: CSG, Willdan, VCA, True North, and SFA . True North received the highest rating for plan review and related Building & Safety services, while SFA was rated highest for complex construction plan review.
CSG, Willdan, and VCA demonstrated the broadest range of Building & Safety support services. Based on the results of the evaluation and the City's anticipated project workload , staff recommends entering into agreements with these five firms.
Establishing contracts with multiple consultants will provide the City with a diverse pool of qualified professionals to address varying project demands and specialized service needs.
This approach also provides flexibility in identifying and assigning per sonnel, ensures continuity of service during periods of increased workload, and enables the City to maintain timely response and review timelines. Of note, contract firms have been especially valuable in ensuring that building inspections can be completed in a timely manner as City staff inspectors and inspection requests fluctuate over time. In addition, contract firms are critical in staff’s ability to meet State-required plan check times during periods of high volume.
Item 162/2026
CONCLUSION
CDD continues to experie nce significant development activity and fluctuating workload demands associated with major development projects, permit processing, inspections, code enforcement, and plan review services. To maintain timely service levels and provide operational flexibility, CDD conducted a competitive RFP process to identify qualified firms capable of supplementing in-house staff resources on an as-needed basis.
Based on the evaluation of qualifications, experience, service capabilities, and anticipated City needs, staff recommends entering into agreements with CSG, Willdan, VCA, True North, and SFA. Establishing contracts with multiple firms will provide the City with access to a diverse pool of specialized professionals, allowing staff to efficiently respond to varying workloads, address specialized project requirements, and maintain high levels of customer service while supporting the City’s ongoing development activity.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
It is anticipated that each contract will be established in the not -to-exceed amo unt of $250,000 per year with the option to extend the agreement in one year increments, for a total performance period of five years. Funding for contractual services is provided by the General Fund, and is included in the Building & Safety Division’s ope rational budget. No additional appropriation is necessary.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council:
Award contracts for on -call plan review, inspection, code enforcement, and building related services to CSG Consultants, Inc., Willdan Engineering, The Code Group, Inc., True North Compliance Services, Inc., and Scott Fazekas & Associates, Inc., in the not -to-exceed amount of $250,000 per contract per year, with the option to extend each agreement in one year increments, for a total performance period of five years, on an “as-needed” basis; Authorize the City Manager, or her designees, to execute the agreement, and make minor modifications as appropriate thereto, on behalf of the City; and Authorize the City Manager, or her designees, to exercise option year terms and execute option year amendments.
By: Kenneth Le, Administrative Analyst
ATTACHMENT(S)
1. Draft - CSG - Professional Services Agreement
2. Draft - SFA - Professional Services Agreement
3. Draft - True North - Professional Services Agreement
4. Draft - VCA - Professional Services Agreement
5. Draft - Willdan - Professional Services Agreeme