To: Board of Supervisors
From: Warren Lai, Public Works Director/Chief Engineer
Report Title: APPROVE and AUTHORIZE a design- build contract with RavenVolt, Inc.for the CEC Government Fleet EVSE Projects
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Public Works Director, or designee, to execute a design-build construction contract with RavenVolt, Inc., an ABM Company (ABM), in an amount not to exceed $4,785,943 for the design and construction of the California Energy Commission (CEC) Government Fleet Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) Projects.
DIRECT that, as a condition of contract award, ABM shall provide payment and performance bonds in the form and amount required by the County and shall maintain errors and omissions insurance coverage for the design elements of the project, consistent with County standards and applicable law.
ORDER that, after ABM has signed the contract and returned it, together with the bonds, evidence of insurance, and other required documents, and the Public Works Director has reviewed and found them to be sufficient, the Public Works Director, or designee, is authorized to sign the contract for this Board.
DIRECT that, as a condition of contract award, ABM and its construction subcontractors shall execute a Project Labor Agreement for this Project.
AUTHORIZE the Director of Public Works, or designee, to sign any escrow agreements prepared for this project to permit the direct payment of retentions into escrow or the substitution of securities for monies withheld by the County to ensure performance under the contract, pursuant to Public Contract Code Section 22300.
AUTHORIZE the Public Works Director, or designee, to approve final plans, specifications and design documents necessary to implement and construct the EVSE Projects as described in the Contract and its attachments.
AUTHORIZE the Public Works Director, or designee, to order changes or additions to the work pursuant to the Public Contract Code Section 20142. The extra cost to the County for any change or addition to the work so ordered shall not exceed $210,000.
DELEGATE, pursuant to Public Contract Code Section 4114, to the Public Works Director, or designee, the Board’s functions under Public Contract Code Sections 4107 and 4110.
DETERMINE that the Project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15301(a), 15303(d), 15304(f), and 15311(a).
DIRECT the Department of Conservation and Development Director, or designee, to cause a CEQA Notice of Exemption (NOE) to be filed with the County Clerk and State Clearinghouse, and
AUTHORIZE the Public Works Director, or designee, to arrange for payment of a $50 fee to the County Clerk for filing the NOE.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The cost of the design-build contract with RavenVolt, Inc., is $4,785,943. In addition, the County is establishing a 10% Owner Project Contingency of $478,594 (controlled by the County to address unforeseen site or utility conditions during design and construction), the total committed construction budget is $5,264,537.
The estimated total project cost for all sites-inclusive of the negotiated design-build construction contract ($4,785,943), recommended 10% Owner contingency ($478,594), County-procured EVSE hardware, Owner allowances, and soft costs-is $8,000,000. Of this total project amount, $3,644,000 (46%) is expected to be offset by the CEC Government Fleet EVSE Projects grant, with the remaining $4,356,000 (54%) funded by the Measure X Sustainability Fund.
BACKGROUND:
Contra Costa County is implementing a grant-funded EV charging program to support fleet electrification and achieve carbon neutrality for government operations. On September 10, 2025, as the first phase of the procurement, the Public Works Department published a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) soliciting Statements of Qualifications (SOQs) from interested design-build entities. Thirteen SOQs were received and were reviewed, scored, and ranked by a selection committee comprised of County staff. The four highest ranking firms were shortlisted.
On February 10, 2026, the Board of Supervisors approved the second phase of the design-build procurement under Board Letter File #: 26-573, Agenda #: C.67. Following this authorization, a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) was issued to the four shortlisted firms. However, only one proposal was subsequently received, and it substantially exceeded the anticipated project budget. As noted in the RFP, the County reserved the right, in its discretion, to reject all Proposals and issue a subsequent request for proposals for the project, which was done.
On August 18, 2026 Public Works issued an Amended RFP as authorized under Board Letter File #: 26-3481, Agenda #: C.180, and the solicitation closed on September 15, 2026. No responsive bids were received by the close of the solicitation.
Pursuant to PCC Section 22038(c), Public Works entered into direct negotiations with ABM, resulting in the proposed design-build construction contract for $4,785,943. The negotiated scope delivers 64 EV charging ports (comprising 42 Level 2 ports and 22 DC Fast Charging ports) and critical electrical service infrastructure across five strategic County fleet locations.
Upon Board approval, the contract will be executed immediately so design and utility coordination with PG&E under Electric Rule 29 can proceed. Construction is expected to be completed by Summer of 2028.
The Project is exempt from CEQA because it consists of minor alteration to existing public facilities; construction of small electrical extensions, and construction of minor structures accessory to small parking lots pursuant to Sections 15301(a), 15303(d), 15304(f), and 15311(a) of the CEQA Guidelines.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
Without Board of Supervisors approval, the CEC Government Fleet EVSE Projects will not be built, the $3,644,000 CEC grant opportunity will be lost, and the County’s ability to support its growing electric fleet and achieve its carbon reduction goals will be delayed.