City Council Agenda Report
Meeting Date: June 2, 2026
From: Daniel S. Wall, P.E., Director of Public Works-City Engineer Department: Public Works
Submitted by: Rosemary Lozada, Management Analyst
Subject
Contract with DASH Construction Company Inc. for Citywide Street Tree Planting Project Recommendation
A. Find that award of the proposed contract is categorically exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) in accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15304, because the Project consists of only minor alterations in the condition of land, water and/or vegetation that does not involve removal of healthy , mature, scenic trees is merely to repair existing streets and involves no expansion of existing use;
B. Accept the bid proposal from DASH Construction Company, Inc. as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, and reject all other bids;
C. Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute a contract with DASH Construction Company, Inc. in substantially the same form as submitted, in an amount not-to-exceed $484,900; and
D. Authorize a contingency amount of ten percent (10%) or $48,490 in the event of an unexpected changed condition in the Project, and grant authority to the City Administrator to issue change orders for an amount up to the contingency amount, if necessary.
Background
The proposed Capital Improvement Project consists of the construction and installation of ten (10) street tree wells and the planting of over one-hundred fifty (150) trees along the sidewalks of the Bandini Boulevard and 37th Street corridors, in accordance with Case #1 and Case #3 of Plan No. D2791 – Citywide Street Tree Planting Project. The City’s tree well design is intended to collect runoff from the gutter and direct it into the tree well, where the runoff is treated through a combination of biofiltration, evapotranspiration, and infiltration, while also supplementing the irrigation needs of the trees. This tree well standard was designed in-house by the City of Vernon Public Works Engineering team.
On February 24, 2026, the Public Works Department advertised the Notice Inviting Bids (NIB) for Contract No. 20260208 – Citywide Street Tree Planting Project, in accordance with Vernon Municipal Code (VMC) Section 3.32.070(A) for competitive bidding. The NIB was posted on the City's PlanetBids website. The Department has utilized the template Notice Inviting Bids, Bid form, Project Specifications, Instruction to Bidders, and Specifications and Contract forms approved by the City Council. The bids for Contract No. 20260208 were received and opened on March 24, 2026. The calculated results are as follows:
1. DASH Construction Company, Inc. $484,900.00
2. Axion Group $551,250.00
Public Works staff reviewed the bids and deemed that the bid received by DASH Construction Company, Inc. is the lowest responsive and responsible bid. Based on a thorough bid evaluation, the staff recommends award of the proposed contract to DASH Construction Company, Inc.
Pursuant to VMC Section 3.32.030(A), City Council approval is required for contracts that exceed $100,000.00. The proposed contract has been reviewed and approved as to form by the City Attorney's Office.
Fiscal Impact
The fiscal impact shall not exceed $533,390, inclusive of a ten percent contingency. The project will be fully funded by the Los Angeles County Safe Clean Water Program (SCWP) in the Measure W Fund, Capital Outlay Account No. 025-040-430-660000.
Attachments
1. Contract With DASH Construction Company, Inc.