STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date:
June 9, 2026
CONSENT
7 SUBJECT: PUBLIC WORKS QUALIFIED CONTRACTORS LIST FOR CALIFORNIA
UNIFORM PUBLIC CONSTRUCTION COST ACCOUNTING ACT
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Receive and file the Qualified Contractors List; and
2. Find that the proposed actions are exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15061(b)(3) and 15308. Or in the alternative that the proposed action is not a “project” under CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378.
SUMMARY OF THE MATTER
This report recommends that the City Council receive and file the City’s Public Works Qualified Contractors List for use under the California Uniform Public Construction Cost Accounting Act (CUPCCAA). CUPCCAA allows public agencies that have opted into the program to use streamlined bidding procedures for qualifying public projects.
The City is required to maintain a list of qualified contractors to receive notice of future informal bid opportunities. Staff solicited interested contractors and reviewed submitted information to confirm active contractor licenses and Department of Industrial Relations registration. Receiving and filing the list does not award any contracts, authorize construction, or approve any expenditure.
There is no fiscal impact as a result of this action. The recommended action is not subject to CEQA because it is an administrative action that does not authorize a physical change to the environment.
DISCUSSION
The CUPCCAA authorizes public agencies to become subject to uniform construction cost accounting procedures, to utilize alternative bidding procedures when contracting for public projects. The City elected to become subject to CUPCCAA and is required to maintain a qualified contractors list. The proposed Qualified Contractors List has been prepared in accordance with the CUPCCAA guidelines and associated Public Contract Codes. Contractors on the list will be notified of solicitations for public projects within the cost thresholds stipulated by the act.
CUPCCAA is legislation that was enacted by the State of California in 1983. The act allows public agencies to use alternative, streamlined bidding procedures for public works projects. CUPCCAA is a voluntary program available to all public entities in the State that have "opted in" to the provisions set forth in the act.
Laguna Beach has adopted the CUPCCAA and Laguna Beach Municipal Code Section 2.30.080 (Solicitation procedures for public projects) details the procedures that shall govern the bidding and awarding of contracts associated with public projects, as defined by Public Contract Code Section 22002.
These procedures are summarized below.
PUBLIC WORKS QUALIFIED CONTRACTORS LIST FOR CALIFORNIA UNIFORM PUBLIC
CONSTRUCTION COST ACCOUNTING ACT
June 9, 2026
1. Public projects with an estimated cost of $75,000 or less may be awarded by negotiated contract or by purchase order without competitive bidding.
2. Public projects up to $220,000 shall require informal bidding procedures.
3. Public projects with an estimated cost of more than $220,000 shall require formal bidding procedures.
Utilizing this program offers several advantages, including increased flexibility in the execution of public works projects under a certain dollar amount; streamlined award process; expedited project delivery; and simplified administration for these projects.
CUPCCAA requires public agencies to maintain a list of qualified contractors. Unlike formal prequalification, this is primarily a registration process to ensure licensed contractors receive notice of future projects. On March 18, 2026, a " Notice Inviting Interested Contractors" was released soliciting applications for interested contractors to be placed on the City's Qualified Contractors List. Contractors who submitted were vetted to ensure they have active contractor’s licenses and are currently registered with the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) and meet the requirements of Labor Code section 1725.5 to qualify for any City project. The complete Qualified Contractors List is provided as Attachment 1 and identifies the contractors that are qualified, along with their applicable Contractors State License Board (CSLB) license classifications. These classifications identify the types of construction work a contractor is authorized to perform, such as General Engineering (Class A), General Building (Class B), or specialty trade work (Class C), including electrical, paving, plumbing, roofing, and heating and air conditioning projects.
FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
The recommended action has no financial impact to the budget.
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY COUNCIL GOALS AND PRIORITIES
This item supports the City’s fiscal sustainability and operational efficiency goals by maintaining procurement procedures that allow for efficient delivery of public works projects in accordance with applicable state law and the City’s purchasing requirements.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
The recommended action is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378 because it does not constitute a “project.” Receiving and filing the Qualified Contractors List is an administrative action that does not authorize any construction, physical improvements, or direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. Any future public works project using the list will be subject to separate environmental review, as required.
The exceptions to categorical exemptions identified in CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2 do not apply because the recommended action does not involve a physical project.
PUBLIC WORKS QUALIFIED CONTRACTORS LIST FOR CALIFORNIA UNIFORM PUBLIC
CONSTRUCTION COST ACCOUNTING ACT
June 9, 2026
ATTACHMENTS
1. Qualified Contractors List (Pgs. 4-6)
Submitted By: Mark McAvoy Approved: Gavin Curran, for
Mark McAvoy, Director of Public
Works & Utilities
Dave Kiff, City Manager
Report Prepared By: Coordinated With:
Thomas Perez, City Engineer