REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on an Agreement with BKF Engineers for Design Professional Services for the Benton Street Bikeway and Pavement Rehabilitation Project
Report
BACKGROUND
At the November 12, 2024 City Council meeting, the Council adopted a resolution accepting the Benton Street Bikeway Planning Study and approved bicycle design concepts for Benton Street. The Benton Street Bikeway and Pavement Rehabilitation Project (Project) will design and construct bicycle facilities on Benton Street between Dunford Way and Monroe Street and Lincoln Street between Harrison Street and Homestead Road (Attachment 1). The Project includes the installation of Class IIB buffered bicycle lanes on Benton Street between Dunford Way and Maryann Drive; a Class IIIB Bicycle Boulevard on Benton Street with speed humps/cushions between Maryann Drive and Lincoln Street; Class II standard bicycle lanes on Benton Street between Lincoln Street and Monroe Street; and Class II standard bicycle lanes on Lincoln Street between Harrison Street and Homestead Road. Due to the significant investment in bikeway infrastructure on the pavement surface, staff coordinated the pavement maintenance and rehabilitation needs identified on Benton Street and Lincoln Street in the City’s pavement program and will complete those improvements under this Project along with the bikeway improvements.
To prepare the design and construction bid documents, the City will need to retain a consultant to provide engineering design services.
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 February 6, 2026, a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) was published on the City’s e-procurement platform, which was viewed by over 80 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 proposals from three firms: BKF Engineers, Sandis Civil Engineers Surveyors Planners, and TJKM Transportation Consultants. 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, key staff experience and availability, project approach, and project schedule. Based on the panel’s evaluation, staff recommends awarding the agreement to BKF Engineers (BKF). BKF demonstrated a strong understanding of the Project and provided an excellent approach to investigating and resolving the design issues presented in the RFP. BKF has also successfully completed similar services for various public agencies in the past.
The proposed agreement (Attachment 2) 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, preliminary engineering, construction documents, agency coordination and permitting, bidding 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 $847,509, consisting of $770,462 for basic services and $77,047 for additional services. Funds for the proposed agreement are available in the FY 2026/27 Adopted Capital Improvement Program Budget in the Benton Bike Lanes project in the Streets and Highways Capital Fund.
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with the Finance Department 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 BKF Engineers for the Benton Street Bikeway and Pavement Rehabilitation Project in an amount not-to-exceed $847,509, 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. Project Location Map
2. Agreement