October 6, 2026
PORT
Economic Development
DATE: October 6, 2026
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM: Charles Gerard, Port Director
Lizeht Zepeda, Senior Business Assistance Officer
Kyle Lam, Management Analyst
Subject: Contract with W.R. Forde Associates, Inc. for the 2026 Point Potrero Marine Terminal Infrastructure and
Maintenance Project
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The proposed not-to-exceed amount of $5,478,693 for a three-year contract term will be funded by $3,950,000
available within the approved Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Port Budget under Account String 40163080-400708, within
Project Codes 36009, 36012, and 36036, and an
appropriation of $1,528,693 to the Port Budget for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 under Account String 40163080-400708,
Project Code 36012. Existing funds within Project Codes 36009, 36012, and 36036 will be transferred to Project
Code 36012, resulting in total project funding of
$5,478,693. There is no impact on the General Fund.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
None.
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
The Port of Richmond operates the Point Potrero Marine
Terminal (PPMT) and is responsible for infrastructure
maintenance of pavement, storm drainage, utility
metering, lighting, safety, and fire water systems that have reached the end of their service lives and require rehabilitation to support continued safe and secure
operating environment at the Port.
AGENDA
REPORT
October 6, 2026
RECOMMENDED ACTION: ADOPT a resolution to APPROPRIATE $1,528,693 from the Port’s cash account to the Port’s Fiscal Year 2026- 2027 Budget; AUTHORIZE the transfer of available funds
under Account String 40163080-400708 within Project
Codes 36009, 36012, and 36036 to Project Code 36012,
resulting in total project funding of $5,478,693; and
APPROVE a three-year contract with W.R. Forde
Associates, Inc. of Richmond, California, for pavement
rehabilitation, storm drain repair, striping, lighting, utility metering, and fire water valve upgrades at the Point
Potrero Marine Terminal in an amount not to exceed
$5,478,693, with a term expiration of October 14, 2029 – Economic Development Department (Charles Gerard
510-620-6792).
DISCUSSION:
The Port of Richmond owns and operates the Point Potrero Marine Terminal (PPMT), which supports a variety of tenant marine-related operations, including international automobile imports and processing, critical commercial marine operations that support the Bay Area, emergency environmental response operations, marine contractors and repair, historical and educational areas, and the Bay Trail for community access and enjoyment. Port operations depend on the condition of the terminal's paved areas, storm drainage, and utility systems. Maintenance of the pavement is required to preserve its integrity. Several storm drain lines and water valves dating to the 1950s have deteriorated and require repair. Finally, the Port proposes to install additional lighting, as well as water and electrical metering system to improve its ability to quickly and efficiently recoup utility expenses.
The 2026 Point Potrero Marine Terminal Maintenance Project addresses these conditions under a single construction contract. The scope of work includes asphalt crack sealing and slurry sealing of approximately 430,000 square yards of terminal pavement, localized pavement repair and sinkhole repair, asphalt mill and overlay in multiple areas, storm drain slip lining and drain inlet installation, thermoplastic and painted striping and delineation, light-emitting diode (LED) and solar lighting, installation of electrical and water metering and communication infrastructure, replacement of water valves, including fire water valving, and related site improvements such as guardrail, fencing, and fender replacement on the wharf.
The Port advertised the project on August 11, 2026, through the City's Bids Online system, which distributed the invitation for bids to 753 registered vendors (Attachment 1). Ten contractors attended the pre-bid meeting held on August 17, 2026. Sealed bids were opened on September 10, 2026, and four bids were received (Attachment 2). The engineer's estimate for the work was $4.6 million.
October 6, 2026
Bidder Location Bid Amount Evaluated Amount
Lucas Electrical Antioch $298,700.00 Non-responsive
Dynamo Construction Moraga $5,384,508.70 $5,384,508.70
W.R. Forde Associates, Inc. Richmond $5,478,693.00 $5,204,758.35 Argonaut Constructors Santa Rosa $6,623,148.00 $6,623,148.00 Port staff reviewed each bid for responsiveness, including contractor licensing, Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) public works registration, bid bond, signed addenda, non-collusion affidavit, workers' compensation acknowledgment, and subcontractor listing (Attachment 3). Lucas Electrical submitted prices for only three of the 48 bid items and did not bid the balance of the work. Its bid is therefore deemed non-responsive and cannot be considered for award.
The bids of Dynamo Construction, W.R. Forde Associates, Inc., and Argonaut Constructors were each found responsive. All three bidders hold active California contractor's licenses in good standing with the Contractors State License Board, and all three are registered with the DIR as required for Public Works. Each submitted the required bid bond, signed addenda, non-collusion affidavit, and workers' compensation acknowledgment, and each attended the pre-bid meeting.
Dynamo Construction submitted the apparent low responsive bid at $5,384,508.70.
W.R. Forde Associates, Inc. is a local Richmond-based business and qualifies for the City's Richmond Business Opportunity Ordinance which gives first preference to businesses within City limits to support local employment and economic growth. Under this policy W.R. Forde Associates, Inc. qualifies as a local bidder and price is reduced by five percent for purposes of bid evaluation only. Applying the preference, the evaluated bid of W.R. Forde Associates, Inc. is $5,204,758.35, which is $179,750.35 below the bid of Dynamo Construction. W.R. Forde Associates, Inc. is therefore the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. The preference governs the comparison of bids only; the contract amount and all payments to the contractor are based on the bid as submitted, $5,478,693.
The engineer's estimate is about 18 percent lower than the bid for W.R. Forde Associates, Inc. The California Construction Cost Index, which measures inflation in the construction economy, was relatively flat earlier this year but increased about 4.5 percent between May and August 2026. In discussions with the construction community, staff heard consistent concerns about material cost inflation. However, the two lowest responsive bids are within 2 percent of one another, indicating that the bid amounts reflect current market pricing for this type and volume of work rather than an irregularity in any single bid. Sufficient funds are available within the approved Port budget to award the contract at the bid amount.
The Port staff recommend the City Council adopt the resolution to appropriate $1,528,693 to the Port’s Fiscal Year 2026-2027 budget and awarding the construction contract to W.R. Forde Associates, Inc. as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder in an amount not to exceed $5,478,693 (Attachments 4 and 5). Award of this contract allows the Port to restore the terminal's pavement, drainage, and utility systems to
October 6, 2026
serviceable condition, to meter tenant water and electrical use accurately, and to maintain safe operating conditions for terminal tenants and their employees. Work will begin once a Notice to Proceed (NTP) is issued.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
The project consists of the repair, maintenance, and minor alteration of existing terminal pavement, drainage, utility, and lighting facilities, involves negligible or no expansion of existing use, and is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (Existing Facilities).
SYNERGISTIC POLICIES:
City Council Goals and Priorities – Strategic Goal Area 2.5: Revitalization of the Port.
This contract will advance the Port’s goals while maintaining a safe and secure area for all Port users.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – RFP
Attachment 2 – BidSummary Report
Attachment 3 – Bid Summary and Responsiveness Review
Attachment 4 – Resolution
Attachment 4 – Contract with W.R. Forde Associates, Inc.