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ADOPT RESOLUTION TO AWARD A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT FOR THE BRIDGE REHABILITATION AND REPLACEMENT PROGRAM PHASE V PROJECT (MULTIPLE DISTRICTS - DISTRICT 4, DISTRICT 5, DISTRICT 6)
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RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution to:
1. Transfer funds in the amount of $289,160 from the Bridge Maintenance Program, Project No. WT23010, to the Bridge Rehabilitation and Replacement Program Phase V, Project No. WT19011/Federal Project No. BPMPL-5008(220).
2. Approve findings pursuant to Stockton Municipal Code section 3.68.070 in support of an exception to the competitive bidding process.
3. Award a Professional Services Contract to MGE Engineering, Inc. of Sacramento, CA, in the amount of $366,506.54, for the Bridge Rehabilitation and Replacement Program Phase V, Project No. WT19011/Federal Project No. BPMPL-5008(220).
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 resolution.
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Summary
The Bridge Preventative Maintenance Program (BPMP) is a federally funded program managed by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to assist local agencies with extending the useful life of their bridges. The City has a Caltrans approved bridge preventative maintenance plan for specific bridges in priority order. The next highest priority bridges in need of preventative maintenance are as shown in Attachment A. Staff has grouped four bridges into the Bridge Rehabilitation and Replacement Program Phase V project. The project was included in the 2018-23 Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).
On July 1, 2025, the City advertised a Request for Proposals (RFP) for preliminary engineering services for the Bridge Rehabilitation and Replacement Program Phase V, Project No. WT19011/Federal Project No. BPMPL-5008(220). On July 23, 2025, one firm submitted a proposal for this project.
On August 28, 2025, staff readvertised the Bridge Rehabilitation and Replacement Program Phase V, Project No. WT19011/Federal Project No. BPMPL-5008(220). On October 1, 2025, one firm submitted a proposal for this project. The Selection Committee evaluated the proposal and found MGE Engineering, Inc. to be qualified to provide preliminary engineering services for this project.
It is recommended that Council adopt a resolution transferring funds and authorizing the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Contract in the amount of $366,506.54 with MGE Engineering, Inc. for preliminary engineering services for the Bridge Rehabilitation and Replacement Program Phase V, Project No. WT19011/Federal Project No. BPMPL-5008(220). It is anticipated that the design will be completed by September 2027.
DISCUSSION
Background
The BPMP is a federally funded program managed by Caltrans in order to assist local agencies to extend the useful life of their bridges by performing maintenance activities that are pre-approved by the Federal Highway Administration. To utilize this program funding, local agencies must have a prioritized bridge preventative maintenance plan approved by Caltrans. Following Caltrans approval of the local agency’s plan, local agencies can start the design and construction phases of the project provided federal funding is approved by Caltrans. The City developed a BPMP that prioritizes maintenance needs on City-owned bridges based on structural deficiencies, scour, disrepair, and other factors. Many of the conditions are supported by Caltrans’ bridge inspection reports and other field inspections. The City’s BPMP plan was approved by Caltrans in 2012 and updated in 2026. The City is required to design and construct projects in priority order according to the approved list. The next highest priority projects from the approved list are:
1. West Lane over Mosher Slough (29C0086)
2. Taylor Street over Wilson Way (29C0153)
3. Union Street over Miner Avenue (29C0188)
4. El Dorado Street over Mosher Slough (29C0239)
The scope of work needed on these bridges generally includes deck sealing with methacrylate, repairing an exterior chain link fence, and barrier repairs. The City grouped the bridges into a combined Bridge Rehabilitation project and secured federal-aid funds to begin the preliminary engineering phase. The project was included in the 2018-23 Five-Year CIP.
Caltrans requires a Letter of Justification from the agency requesting award of a contract when only one firm has responded to a solicitation for proposals. Caltrans has approved staff’s justification for award of a Professional Services Contract to MGE Engineering, Inc. for preliminary design of the Bridge Rehabilitation and Replacement Program Phase V project.
Although the project was advertised to include Disadvantage Business Enterprise (DBE) requirements. On October 3, 2025, the U.S. Department of Transportation published an Interim Final Rule amending regulations for the DBE program. The DBE Interim Final Rule stipulated that any contract awarded on or after October 3, 2025, must not have a DBE goal nor include DBE goal compliance requirements. Accordingly, the recommended contract award has no weight or consideration of any DBE goals.
Present Situation
On July 1, 2025, the City advertised an RFP for preliminary engineering services for the Bridge Rehabilitation and Replacement Program Phase V, Project No. WT19011/Federal Project No. BPMPL-5008(220). On July 23, 2025, one firm submitted a proposal for this project.
On August 28, 2025, staff readvertised the Bridge Rehabilitation and Replacement Program Phase V, Project No. WT19011/Federal Project No. BPMPL-5008(220). Staff reached out to 14 different consultants to solicit interest in proposing on the project. On October 1, 2025, one proposal was received from MGE Engineering, Inc. of Sacramento, CA.
The Selection Committee evaluated the proposal based on the firm’s understanding of work, experience with similar kinds of projects, staff qualifications, State and federal procedures, and demonstrated technical ability. Staff determined MGE Engineering, Inc. to be qualified for this project. Staff negotiated a fee in the amount of $366,506.54 with MGE Engineering, Inc. for preliminary engineering services. The fee is approximately 17 percent of the total estimated construction cost, which is consistent for projects requiring structural expertise.
It is recommended that Council adopt a resolution transferring funds and authorizing the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Contract in the amount of $366,506.54 with MGE Engineering, Inc. for preliminary engineering services for the Bridge Rehabilitation and Replacement Program Phase V, Project No. WT19011/Federal Project No. BPMPL-5008(220). It is anticipated that the design will be completed by September 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 staffing available to provide the design of this project within the required deadlines.
2. The scope of the design services requires an engineering firm experienced in bridge rehabilitation design.
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
With the transfer of funds in the amount of $289,160 from the Bridge Maintenance Program, Project No. WT23010, to the Bridge Rehabilitation and Replacement Program Phase V, Project No. WT19011/Federal Project No. BPMPL-5008(220), there will be sufficient funding to award a Professional Services Contract to MGE Engineering, Inc., in the amount of $366,506.54, for the project.
Attachment A - Vicinity Map