REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on an Agreement with Tetra Tech, Inc. for Design Professional Services for the Public Right-of-Way ADA Improvements and Bicycle Wayfinding Project
Report
BACKGROUND
In November 2024, Santa Clara voters approved Measure I that authorizes the issuance of $400 million of general obligation bonds to address unfunded infrastructure needs. In September 2025, the Council initiated Phase One of the Measure I General Obligation Bond and approved the Phase One project list, which includes two projects: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Improvements and Bicycle Wayfinding. In January 2026, the City Council authorized the issuance of the first series of Measure I General Obligation Bonds.
The Public Right-of-Way ADA Improvements project will implement accessibility improvements within the public right-of-way in accordance with the City Council approved Americans with Disabilities Act Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan (ADA Plan). The project prioritizes locations identified in the ADA Plan for improvements to curb ramps, sidewalks, and traffic signal push buttons. Attachment 1 identifies the proposed project locations, which were designated as high priorities in the ADA Plan. This prioritization was based upon requests from individuals with disabilities, as well as the improvements’ proximity to public facilities, transportation, and commercial areas.
The Bicycle Wayfinding project will design and install a comprehensive signage system to guide cyclists along designated routes, improving navigation and orientation within the City’s bicycle route network. The project includes community outreach, coordination with relevant City commissions and committees, development of wayfinding branding and sign concepts, signage design/layout along selected existing bicycle routes, and installation. Attachment 2 identifies the potential bicycle routes for the proposed signage system. The wayfinding routes are based on the City’s existing bicycle network, Bicycle Plan, and prior work completed by the City's Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) Wayfinding Subcommittee. The final routes and extent of signage installation will be determined based on available construction funding and any potential grant awards the City may receive.
As both projects require transportation engineering services, staff consolidated them into a single ADA Improvements and Bicycle Wayfinding Project (Project) for consultant procurement and design. This approach improves efficiency in project management and administration while streamlining delivery of the design services. The City will need to retain a consultant to provide engineering design services to complete project design and construction bid documents.
DISCUSSION
Pursuant to City Code Section 2.105.140(c) and State laws governing procurement of architectural and engineering services, the City followed a qualifications-based selection process. Under this process, proposers are evaluated based on their demonstrated competence and qualifications, and the most qualified proposer(s) is selected, subject to the negotiation of fair and reasonable compensation.
On April 13, 2026, a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) was published on the City’s e-procurement platform, which was viewed by over 60 members, including consultants, plan rooms, and builder exchanges, among others. Staff also provided direct notifications to consultants who had viewed similar projects in the past.
The City received four responsive proposals from Kimley-Horn, Sanbell, Tetra Tech, and Westwood. A proposal review panel consisting of staff from the Department of Public Works Design, Traffic, and Street Divisions evaluated each proposal against the criteria set forth in the RFP, including responsiveness to the RFP, firm qualifications, experience and availability of key staff, project approach, and ability to complete the project within the proposed schedule. Based on the panel’s evaluation, staff recommend awarding the agreement to Tetra Tech. Tetra Tech demonstrated a strong understanding of the Project and provided an excellent approach to investigating and resolving the design issues presented in the RFP. Tetra Tech’s proposed consultant team has extensive experience completing ADA infrastructure improvements, bicycle wayfinding, and active transportation projects.
The proposed Agreement (Attachment 3) includes a negotiated scope of services and fees based upon the understanding of the work to be performed. The scope of services generally includes project management, community outreach, preliminary engineering, preparation of construction documents, bid and construction support, and project close-out. The Agreement includes prevailing wage requirements.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This action is for design professional services and the action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") Guidelines section 15378 as the action being considered does not commit the City to undertake the project and future discretionary approvals are required by the City to approve the project for construction. Environmental review in accordance with CEQA will occur as part of the design and approval process.
FISCAL IMPACT
The proposed Agreement is for a total not-to-exceed amount of $1,608,108, consisting of $1,411,377 for basic services and $196,731 for additional services. Funding for the Agreement is available in the Measure I General Obligation Bond Projects Fund.
For the Public Right-of-Way ADA Improvements portion of the Project, the current funding available from the first tranche of the Measure I General Obligation Bond funds is $5,000,000 in the ADA Improvements Project.
For the Bicycle Wayfinding portion of the Project, the current funding available from the first tranche of the Measure I General Obligation Bond funds is $330,000, which includes $300,000 allocated to the Bicycle Wayfinding project and $30,000 in the Streets and Transportation Contingency, Escalation, Administration project for contingency and escalation. Staff is actively pursuing grant opportunities to secure additional funding for construction of the signage following completion of the design. For example, on May 19, 2026, the City Council adopted a resolution authorizing the filing of an application with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission for the allocation of an estimated $416,545 in Transportation Development Act Article 3, Pedestrian and Bicycle Project Funding for the Bicycle Wayfinding Project.
The proposed Agreement is structured to attribute design costs to each respective project within the bond fund. The table below shows the cost of the proposed agreement according to project.
Agreement Cost Summary
|
Project |
Basic Services |
Additional Services |
Total Not-to-Exceed |
|
Public Right-of-Way ADA Improvements |
$1,111,875 |
$166,781 |
$1,278,656 |
|
Bicycle Wayfinding |
$299,502 |
$29,950 |
$329,452 |
|
Total Agreement Cost |
$1,411,377 |
$196,731 |
$1,608,108 |
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with the Finance Department, the City Manager’s Office, and the City Attorney’s Office.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
1. Authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with Tetra Tech, Inc. for design professional services for the Public Right-of-Way ADA Improvements and Bicycle Wayfinding Project in the amount not-to-exceed $1,608,108, in a final form approved by the City Attorney; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute amendments to the agreement to make modifications as needed, including time extensions, subject to the compensation limit and appropriation of funds, in final forms approved by the City Attorney.
Staff
Reviewed by: Craig Mobeck, Director of Public Works
Approved by: Jovan Grogan, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. ADA Improvements Location Map
2. Bicycle Wayfinding Location Map
3. Agreement