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APPROVE MOTION TO AWARD A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT FOR THE SYSTEMIC INTERSECTION SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT (DISTRICT 2, 3, 4)
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RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council approve a motion to:
1. Approve findings pursuant to Stockton Municipal Code section 3.68.070 in support of an exception to the competitive bidding process.
2. Award a Professional Services Contract to W-Trans of Santa Rosa, CA, in the amount of $277,219.06, for design of the Systemic Intersection Safety Improvements, Project No. WT25052/Federal Project No. HSIPL-5008(226).
It is also recommended that the City Manager be authorized to take appropriate and necessary actions to carry out the purpose and intent of this motion.
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Summary
The Systemic Intersection Safety Improvements project will install multiple safety enhancements and improvements at three intersections: March Lane at Fred Russo Drive, March Lane and Precissi Lane, and Hammer Lane and Montauban Avenue (Attachment A). This project was identified as a high-priority project through the City's recently completed Systemic Safety Analysis Report and Local Road Safety Plan (SSAR/LRSP) analysis and findings. The project is funded by the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) which is a competitive federal-aid grant program established to achieve a significant reduction in traffic fatalities and serious injuries on all public roads. Caltrans, Division of Local Assistance, manages California’s local agency share of HSIP funds and has authorized the City to proceed with design of the project.
On March 2, 2026, the City advertised a Request for Proposals (RFP) for design of the Systemic Intersection Safety Improvements, Project No. WT25052/Federal Project No. HSIPL-5008(226). On April 6, 2026, three firms submitted a proposal for this project. The Selection Committee evaluated the proposals and found W-Trans of Santa Rosa, CA, to be the most qualified firm to perform the scope of work for design services on this project.
It is recommended that Council approve a motion authorizing the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Contract, in the amount of $277,219.06 with W-Trans for design services. It is anticipated that the design will be completed by June 2027.
DISCUSSION
Background
The HSIP is a competitive federal-aid grant program established to achieve a significant reduction in traffic fatalities and serious injuries on all public roads. These projects focus on infrastructure that become a priority based on identifiable collisions that could be reduced through safety countermeasures. Caltrans, Division of Local Assistance, manages California's local agency share of HSIP funds. The City submitted grant applications for multiple projects during the Cycle 12 funding period. The Systemic Intersection Safety Improvements project was submitted and awarded Cycle 12 HSIP funding.
The Systemic Intersection Safety Improvements project was identified as a high-priority project through the City's recently completed SSAR/LRSP analysis and findings. The project focuses on the following three specific intersections: March Lane at Fred Russo Drive, March Lane and Precissi Lane, and Hammer Lane and Montauban Avenue. The intersections along these heavily traveled primary arterials link key commercial and institutional destinations. The existing intersections are signalized but lack dedicated left-turn signal controls along the intersecting side streets of Precissi Lane, Fred Russo Drive, and Montauban Avenue. In addition, more proactive pedestrian safety measures are warranted.
The project will apply HSIP recognized and funded correctable countermeasures that address the recorded collision history at these intersections.
The project will install intersection safety improvements that address vehicular, pedestrian, and bicycle safety by installing: 1) protected left-turn signals along the intersecting side streets; 2) larger signal heads; 3) high-visibility crosswalks; 4) Accessible Pedestrian Signals and safer signal timing for pedestrians; and 5) video detection systems for signal operation (Attachment A).
Caltrans administers the HSIP program and has allocated $297,000 in federal funds for design of the project. The City’s required local match is $33,000. The combined federal and local funding amount of $330,000 will cover the costs for design, administration, and contingency. A separate authorization to proceed will be required for construction in the future. Public outreach for the project will be performed during the design of the project.
Present Situation
On March 2, 2026, the City advertised an RFP for design of the Systemic Intersection Safety Improvements, Project No. WT25052/Federal Project No. HSIPL-5008(226). On April 6, 2026, three proposals were received from the following firms:
• W-Trans (Santa Rosa, CA)
• Kimley-Horn (Oakland, CA)
• TJKM (Pleasanton, CA)
The Selection Committee evaluated and ranked all proposals based on each firm’s understanding of work, experience with similar kinds of work, qualifications of proposed team, capability of developing innovative or advanced techniques, familiarity with federal transportation funding procedures, and technical ability.
W-Trans received the highest ranking, based on the noted criteria, and was determined to be the most qualified firm for this project. Staff negotiated a fee in the amount of $277,219.06 with W-Trans for design services. The fee is approximately 15 percent of the estimated construction cost, which is reasonable for a project of this type and complexity. A total of $330,000 in federal and local funding is available for design, administration, and contingency costs. The federal funding has been programmed in the 2026-31 Five-Year Capital Improvement Program.
It is recommended that Council approve a motion authorizing the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Contract in the amount of $277,219.06 with W-Trans for design services of the Systemic Intersection Safety Improvements, Project No. WT25052/Federal Project No. HSIPL-5008(226) (Attachment B). It is anticipated that the design will be completed by June 2027.
Findings
Pursuant to Stockton Municipal Code (SMC) section 3.68.070, Council may approve findings which support an exception to the competitive bidding process. These findings include:
1. The City does not have sufficient staff resources to design this project.
2. The scope of design services requires an engineering firm experienced in the design of traffic safety improvements.
3. Use of the RFP process is appropriate for this Professional Services Contract because it relies on the evaluation of professional qualifications and performance as the basis for selection of a vendor. Use of the criteria helps ensure selection of a vendor that will provide the highest quality professional service, which is in the public interest.
4. The City negotiated a contract following solicitation of competitive proposals in accordance with SMC section 3.68.070.A.3.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
There are sufficient funds available in the Systemic Intersection Safety Improvements, Project No. WT25052/Federal Project No. HSIPL-5008(226), to award a Professional Services Contract to W-Trans in the amount of $277,219.06.
Attachment A - Vicinity Map
Attachment B - Professional Services Contract