REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY: Travis Hopkins, City Manager
VIA: Chau Vu, Director of Public Works
PREPARED BY: Max Olin, Capital Projects Administrator
Subject:
title
Accept Lowest Responsive and Responsible Bid and Award Construction Contract to GA Technical Services, Inc. in the amount of $606,459.70 for the Central Library Electrical Switchgear Replacement Project, CC-1769
body
Statement of Issue:
Bids for the Central Library Electrical Switchgear Replacement Project were publicly opened on March 31, 2026. After reviewing all submissions, staff recommends that the City Council award the construction contract to GA Technical Services, Inc., the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.
Financial Impact:
The total project cost for the Central Library Switchgear project, including 20% contingency, and supplemental expenses is $818,720.60. Below is the project cost breakdown:
|
Item |
Amount |
|
Bid submitted by GA Technical Services, Inc. |
$606,459.70 |
|
20% Contingency |
$121,291.94 |
|
Supplemental |
$90,968.96 |
|
Total Construction Cost: |
$818,720.60 |
Full funding for this project has been allocated in the FY 2026/27 Proposed Budget. To initiate the project immediately, the department will temporarily utilize funds from delayed projects, which will be replenished on July 1, 2026.
Recommended Action:
recommendation
A) Accept the lowest responsive and responsible bid submitted by GA Technical Services, Inc. in the amount of $606,459.70; and,
B) Authorize the Director of Public Works to approve construction change orders within the approved contingency amount of twenty percent (20%) of the contract amount; and,
C) Authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute a construction contract in a form approved by the City Attorney.
end
Alternative Action(s):
Reject all bids or provide staff with alternative action.
Analysis:
The electrical equipment that provides power to the Central Library failed on April 14, 2023, resulting in the temporary closure of the facility to staff and patrons. Since the failure, the City has relied on temporary generators and associated electrical equipment to maintain library operations.
This project includes replacement of the existing electrical switchgear and transformers, installation of new duct banks, electrical vaults, Southern California Edison equipment pads, and demolition and removal of the existing damaged electrical infrastructure. Temporary transformers and switchgear currently provide power to the facility cost about $22,000 per month. These costs will continue until permanent electrical service is restored through completion of the project.
|
Bidder's Name |
Bid Amount |
|
|
|
|
KOBA Construction |
$565,000.00 |
|
GA Technical Services, Inc. |
$606,459.70 |
|
Mel Smith Electric, Inc. |
$824,300.00 |
|
AVA Builders |
$857,000.00 |
|
Outsource Utility Contractor LLC |
$879,481.63 |
|
MINAKO AMERICA CORPORATION |
$1,377,000.00 |
|
Pacific Industrial Electric |
$1,382,839.00 |
|
DAVIS MORENO CONSTRUCTION INC |
$1,578,787.00 |
|
Eco Energy Solutions, Inc |
$1,581,597.00 |
|
SNOWDEN ELECTRIC COMPANY, INC |
$1,596,500.00 |
Staff determined that Koba Construction was non-responsive to the requirements of the bid documents. Therefore, GA Technical Services, Inc., is the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.
Staff received ten bids ranging from $565,000 to $1,596,500. The engineer's estimate for the project was $1,000,000. Given the age of the existing electrical infrastructure, the need to demolish and replace failed equipment, the presence of existing underground electrical facilities, utility coordination requirements, and the need to maintain uninterrupted library operations during construction, staff recommends a construction contingency of twenty percent (20%). The contingency is intended to address unforeseen field conditions and necessary modifications that may be identified during construction.
GA Technical Services, Inc. submitted the lowest responsive and responsible bid in the amount of $606,459.70. Therefore, staff recommends awarding a construction contract to GA Technical Services, Inc. for the project.
The total project cost is $818,720.60, which includes the construction contract amount of $606,459.70, a twenty percent (20%) construction contingency of $121,291.94, and $90,968.96 for construction management, inspection, and project support services.
Environmental Status:
This action is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment) and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378) of the CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it has no potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly.
Strategic Plan Goal:
Non Applicable - Administrative Item
For details, visit www.huntingtonbeachca.gov/strategicplan.
Attachment(s):
1. RCA Contract Agreement Summary
2. Construction Contract
3. PowerPoint Presentation