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CONSENT CALENDAR
City of San Bernardino
Request for Council Action
Date: January 15, 2025
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
From: Rochelle Clayton, Acting City Manager;
Lynn Merrill, Director of Public Works
Department: Public Works
Subject: Rejecting Construction Bids for Storm Drain
Improvement Project (All Wards)
Recommendation:
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino, California adopt Resolution 2025-017 Rejecting the Construction Bids for the Storm Drain Improvement Project.
Executive Summary
City Staff recommends rejecting the bid received for the Storm Drain Improvement Project from Gentry General Engineering, Inc. in the amount of $915,551.00 as the bid exceed the allocated funding for the project
Background
The Public Works Department is tasked with the ongoing maintenance and management of the city’s storm drain system. Several key intersections across the city experience significant flooding during the rainy season due to outdated or insufficient storm drain infrastructure. To address these recurring issues, staff issued a Request for Bids to improve the storm drain system at the most affected locations.
This project represents Phase I of the storm drain system upgrades, targeting seven high-priority intersections throughout the City that are prone to flooding. These locations have been identified as having inadequate storm drainage capacity, primarily due to the age and deterioration of the existing infrastructure. The proposed upgrades are essential for mitigating flooding risks and improving overall stormwater management.
The Storm Drain Improvement Project encompasses several locations across the city, addressing critical infrastructure needs in various neighborhoods. The project spans multiple intersections and street corners, with work planned in the following areas:
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•The northwest and southwest corners at North Mountain View Avenue and West Marshall Boulevard (Ward 7)
•All four corners at North Lugo Avenue and East 21st Street (Ward 2) •The northeast and northwest corners at D Street and Marshall Avenue (Ward 7)
•The north corners at West 28th Street and North Stoddard Avenue (Ward 7) •The intersection at I Street and Marshall Avenue (Ward 5) •1212 West Mill Street (Ward 3)
•2617 West Rialto Avenue (Ward 3)
The proposed improvements aim to enhance stormwater management and reduce flooding risks in these areas. The scope of work for the project includes a comprehensive range of activities, including the fabrication and installation of construction signage, clearing and grubbing, and the removal and construction of various concrete improvements. These include curb ramps, sidewalks, driveway approaches, curbs, gutter systems, cross gutters, and spandrels. Additionally, the project will involve roadway milling, removal and replacement of deteriorated asphalt concrete pavement, crack sealing, and the application of an asphalt concrete overlay.
Traffic striping, pavement markings, and the adjustment of existing utility frames and covers will also be part of the work.
The project will ensure compliance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) and Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) requirements, and include necessary traffic control measures, survey marking, and other associated tasks as outlined in the project plans and specifications. These improvements are essential to maintaining the city's storm drain infrastructure and improving the overall safety and functionality of the affected areas.
On June 21, 2023, the Mayor and City Council adopted Resolution No. 2023-080, which approved the Fiscal Year 2023 and Fiscal Year 2024 Operating Budget and Capital Improvement Plan. This resolution provided the financial framework and authorization necessary for various projects and initiatives, including infrastructure upgrades and facility improvements. The adoption of this resolution confirmed the allocation of funds for critical projects, ensuring that necessary renovations, such as those for the storm drain improvements, are supported within the City's broader budgetary and strategic planning efforts.
Discussion
This Storm Drain at Various Locations project was advertised for public bidding on September 4, 2024, on Planet Bids.
Sealed bid was received and opened on October 8, 2024. The City received one bid as follows:
Bidder City Base Bid
Gentry General
Engineering, Inc.
Colton, CA $915,551.00
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The City has reviewed the bid package and confirmed that Gentry General Engineering, Inc. from the City of Colton, California, is the lowest responsible and responsive bidder, with a total bid amount of $915,551.00. The lowest bid is significantly above the Engineer’s overall estimate of $400,000.00.
Upon review, this bid exceeds the Engineer's estimate by a considerable margin. Due to the considerable difference between the bid amount and the estimated cost, City Staff recommends rejecting the current bid to keep the project within the approved budget. Although sufficient funds are available for the project, we recommend rejecting the current bid due to its substantial deviation from the Engineer’s estimate, as well as the fact that only a single bid was received. We propose re-evaluating both the scope of work and the Engineer’s estimate before reissuing the bid. This will allow for a more competitive bidding process and enable the City to assess whether the price is aligned with current market conditions.
2021-2025 Strategic Targets and Goals
This project is consistent with Key Target No.1e: Improved Operational & Financial Capacity - Minimize risk and litigation exposure. Approval of this resolution will ensure the project is executed within budget, thereby reducing potential financial strain and mitigating litigation exposure associated with cost overruns.
Fiscal Impact
There is no financial impact to the General Fund resulting from the rejection of this bid.
Conclusion
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino, California adopt Resolution 2025-020:
1. Rejecting the Construction Bids for the Storm Drain Improvement Project.
Attachments
Attachment 1 Resolution No. 2025-017
Attachment 2 Bid Tabulation
Ward:
All Wards
Synopsis of Previous Council Actions:
None