To: Board of Directors
From: Lewis Broschard, Chief, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District
Report Title: Construction Contract with Thompson Builders Corporation for Tenant Improvements at the CCCFPD Communications Center
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
AUTHORIZE the Fire Chief, or his designee, to execute a construction contract for tenant improvements at the Fire Protection District Communications Center to include the New Fire Communications Center at 2010 Geary Road and Communications Division Offices at 2900 Dorothy Drive.
APPROVE the design and bid documents, including the plans and specifications, for the above project.
DETERMINE that the bid submitted by Thompson Builders Corporation complies with all requirements of the Project Specification, including the requirements of the County’s Outreach Program, and FURTHER DETERMINE that Thompson Builders Corporation submitted the lowest responsive and responsible bid for this project.
WAIVE any minor irregularities in Thompson Builders Corporation’s bid.
AWARD the construction contract for the above project to Thompson Builders Corporation in the amount of $12,345,678 and Direct that the Fire Chief, or designee, prepare the contract.
DIRECT that Thompson Builders Corporation shall submit two good and sufficient security bonds (performance and payment bonds) in the amount of $12,345,678.
ORDER that, after the contractor has signed the contract and returned it, together with the bonds, evidence of insurance, and other required documents, and the Fire Chief has reviewed and found them to be sufficient, the Fire Chief or designee is authorized to sign the contract for this Board.
ORDER that, in accordance with the project specifications and upon signature of the contract by the Fire Chief or designee, any bid bonds posted by the bidders are exonerated, and any checks or cash submitted for bid security shall be returned.
AUTHORIZE the Fire Chief, or designee, to sign any escrow agreements prepared for this project to permit the direct payment of retention into escrow or the substitution of securities for monies withheld by the County to ensure performance under the contract, under Public Contract Code Section 22300.
DELEGATE under Labor Code Section 6705, to the Fire Chief or any registered civil or structural engineer employed by the District, the authority to accept detailed plans showing the design of shoring, bracing, sloping, or other provisions to be made for worker protection during trench excavation covered by that section.
AUTHORIZE the Fire Chief, or designee, to order changes or additions to the work pursuant to Public Contract Code Section 20142.
AUTHORIZE the Fire Chief, or designee, to sign change orders up to a maximum contract value of $14,080,246, which includes a 10 percent contingency value and $500,000 for emergency generator procurement.
DELEGATE, pursuant to Public Contract Code Section 4114, to the Fire Chief, or designee, the Board’s functions under Public Code Section 4107 and 4110.
FISCAL IMPACT:
100% CCCFPD EMS Transport Fund. The Fire District will draw from an existing construction bond to make progress payments for construction and associated costs. The bond payments will be paid from the CCCFPD EMS Transport Fund.
In addition to this construction contract, approximately $1,500,000 will be required to purchase furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FFE).
BACKGROUND:
The Contra Costa Regional Fire Communications Center was originally constructed in 1966. Since then, call volume, number of on-duty dispatchers, and workload have grown significantly. In 2015, the Emergency Medical Services dispatching function was added to the center. The Fire Protection District has outgrown this center. When the Fire Protection District’s headquarters moved from 2010 Geary Road to 4005 Port Chicago Highway in 2017, this created the possibility of moving the Contra Costa Regional Fire Communications Center (CCRFCC) into the larger space at 2010 Geary Road to accommodate additional dispatchers and dispatch consoles. The long-term plan envisions moving many fire district functions, including dispatch, to the former Concord Naval Weapons Facility. However, this project is probably at least a decade away and has no identified funding. Therefore, this remodel and expansion is needed to bring the CCRFCC through the next decade. Eventually, the remodeled CCRFCC will provide value to the District as a backup communications center once the new headquarters campus comes to fruition.
The construction cost estimate was $12,500,000, and the general prevailing wage rates will be the minimum wage for this project. Bids were received and opened by the Public Works Department on April 4, 2024, and the bid results are as follows:
The Fire Chief recommends that the Board award the construction contract for this project to Thompson Builders Corporation, the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, for $12,345,678.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
If the project is not approved, construction will not occur, impacting the future efficiency and capabilities of dispatch and services in the area.