Agenda Item #13.3
For Council Meeting of: July 28, 2026
CITY OF SANTA ROSA
CITY COUNCIL
TO: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: DAN HENNESSEY, DIRECTOR, TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT SUBJECT: CONTRACT AWARD – SANTA ROSA AVENUE AT BELLEVUE AVENUE TRAFFIC SIGNAL AGENDA ACTION: RESOLUTION
RECOMMENDATION
The Transportation and Public Works Department recommends that the Council, by resolution, reject the bid of Mike Brown Electric Co. of Cotati, California due to a bidding error; and award Contract No. C02283, Santa Rosa Avenue at Bellevue Avenue Traffic Signal Installation, in the amount of $1,026,700 to the lowest responsible bidder, St. Francis Electric, LLC, of San Leandro, California, approve a 15% contract contingency, and authorize a total contract amount of $1,180,705. The source of funds is the Capital Improvement Fund. No City General Fund money is included in this project.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This resolution will reject the bid of Mike Brown Electric Co. as nonresponsive and award a contract to St Francis Electric, LLC, of San Leandro, California, in the amount of $1,026,700, and approve a 15% contract contingency to authorize a total contract amount of $1,180,705 for the Santa Rosa Ave at Santa Rosa Avenue at Bellevue Avenue Traffic Signal Installation project.
GOAL
This item relates to Council Goal #2 - Invest in the Development and Maintenance of the City's Infrastructure by improving traffic safety and accessibility at the Santa Rosa Avenue at Bellevue Avenue intersection.
BACKGROUND
The Santa Rosa Avenue at Bellevue Avenue Traffic Signal Installation (Project) includes the construction of a 4-way traffic signal and protected intersection. Associated improvements include adding pedestrian crossings, restriping, and replacing four (4) curb ramps to comply with ADA.
ANALYSIS
1. The Project was advertised on May 22, 2026, and bids were opened on June 23, 2026. A total of five (5) bids were received, ranging from $981,092 to $1,233,661. The lowest and second lowest bids were 2.83% and 7.61% over the Engineer’s estimate of $954,058.
2. On June 25, 2026, St Francis Electric, LLC, of San Leandro, California, (SFE) submitted a bid protest, Attachment 1, alleging Mike Brown Electric Co. (MBE) failed to follow the requirements related to the maximum amount allowed in the City of Santa Rosa specifications for bid item #1, Mobilization. That requirement states: “Section 10-7.01 Payment: Mobilization shall be paid for at the contract lump sum price, which price shall not exceed 3% of the contract amount . . . .” MBE specified $65,000, which exceeds 3% of the total bid amount of $981,092.50. Based on MBE's total bid of $981,092.50, the maximum allowable Mobilization amount under Section 10-7.01 was $29,432.78 (3% of the total bid amount). MBE did not respond to the bid protest.
Transportation and Public Works Department’s review of MBE’s bid indicates MBE made an error by failing to follow the required specifications for bid item #1. A responsive bid must conform to the public agency's specifications for the contract. MBE’s bid failed to do so and is nonresponsive as a result.
3. The second lowest bidder, SFE, possesses a valid contractor’s license of the required class, as verified by the Contractor’s State License Board, and is registered with the State Department of Industrial Relations (DIR).
4. Construction is anticipated to begin Spring 2027. There is an approximate 6-month lead time for signal equipment. The length of the contract is 100 working days.
5. The Public Participation Plan is required and has been approved by the Transportation and Public Works Marketing and Outreach Coordinator.
6. The Project includes the Community Workforce Agreement, dated July 1, 2023, and SFE will provide the City with their Appendix A documentation.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds to authorize the total contract amount of $1,180,705 for this project are available from the Capital Improvement Fund and have been appropriated to Account Number JL 17643. This action has no current impact on the General Fund.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The Project is categorically exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15301(c) and 15303(d). The Project consists of minor alterations to existing public streets, sidewalks, and pedestrian facilities, including curb ramp upgrades, sidewalk improvements, restriping, pedestrian crossing improvements, and installation of a new traffic signal at an existing intersection. The Project involves negligible or no expansion of existing use and includes installation of small new equipment and accessory public infrastructure. None of the exceptions to the categorical exemptions set forth in CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2 apply.
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Not applicable.
NOTIFICATION
Not applicable.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1 – Bid protest
Attachment 2 – Summary of Bids
Attachment 3 – GIS Map
Resolution
PRESENTERS
Dan Hennessey, Director of Transportation and Public Works Department Greg Mariscal, Supervising Engineer
Chad Anderson, Project Manager
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