REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on the Award of a Public Works Contract for the Henry Schmidt Park Playground Rehabilitation Project to Suarez & Munoz Construction, Inc.
Report
BACKGROUND
Henry Schmidt Park is located at 555 Los Padres Boulevard and is bounded by Los Padres Boulevard to the west, Saratoga Avenue to the south, and residential properties to the north and east (Attachment 1). The park was constructed 1977 and has been operating since that time without any major improvements. The Facility Condition Assessment (Kitchell, 2018) indicated that the playground and amenities were in poor condition and the building was in fair condition. The playground condition was downgraded to critical and the train-themed play structures were removed due to their unsafe condition.
In February 2023, the City Council approved an agreement with Gates & Associates, Inc. for the first phase of the Henry Schmidt Park Playground Rehabilitation (Project), which includes conducting a detailed site and facility condition assessment, technology needs assessment, ADA evaluation, community outreach, and preparing an overall site-specific plan and schematic design for the playground rehabilitation plan.
On April 9, 2024, the City Council approved the Henry Schmidt Park Master Plan Update, the playground schematic design, and Measure R Ordinance. The City Council also approved Amendment No. 1 to the Agreement with Gates and Associates, Inc. for the second phase of the Project on April 23, 2024. This phase included preparing bid documents (plans, specifications, and engineer’s estimate - PS&E) for public works bidding, assisting with obtaining permits, and providing engineering support services during bid and construction.
The Project scope of work includes demolition of the existing playground, installing new age-appropriate playgrounds for ages 2-5 and 6-12, covered and uncovered picnic areas, fitness stations, hardscape, perimeter path, site furnishings, site lighting, tennis court sports lighting, restroom renovations, removal and replacement of landscaping and irrigation, temporary access to building, parking lot pavement rehabilitation, and other miscellaneous work to complete the Project.
DISCUSSION
In August 2025, a competitive Request for Bids (RFB) for construction of the Project was published on the City’s bid notification system, BidNet. The RFB was viewed by over 35 vendors, including contractors, suppliers, plan rooms, and builder exchanges, among others. Additional vendors were able to view the RFB as members of various plan rooms and builder exchanges. Staff also reached out to contractors and vendors who had submitted bids on similar past projects.
On September 18, 2025, bids for the Project were opened via video conference. Seven bids were received ranging from $4,638,376 to $6,868,600. The Bid Summary is included as Attachment 2. The lowest bid submitted by Galeb Paving Inc. was reviewed and determined to be non-responsive because it did not include certain documentation required in the bid package and did not provide a full description of litigation history for the past ten years. The bid submitted by the second apparent low bidder Suarez & Munoz Construction, Inc. in the amount of $4,812,274 was reviewed by Public Works staff and the City Attorney’s Office for compliance with the terms and conditions of the bid documents and has been determined to be a responsive and responsible bid. This bid amount is 32 percent below the engineer’s estimate of $7,124,432. Staff recommends awarding the construction contract to Suarez & Munoz Construction, Inc.
Award of contract will enable construction of the Project to commence, with substantial completion anticipated in Fall 2026. The date is subject to change based on any unforeseen conditions discovered during construction. The contract includes prevailing wage requirements.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This project being considered is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15301 (c), “Existing Facilities,” as the activity consists of the repair, maintenance or minor alteration of existing facilities involving no or negligible expansion of the use beyond that presently existing.
FISCAL IMPACT
The approximate cost of the contract for the Henry Schmidt Park Playground Rehabilitation Project is $4,812,274, plus a 15 percent contingency of $721,841 for any potential change orders, for a total not-to-exceed contract amount of $5,534,115. Funding for the contract is available in the Henry Schmidt Park Playground Rehabilitation Project in the Parks and Recreation Capital Fund and the Henry Schmidt Playground Rehabilitation Project in the Measure I General Obligation Bond Projects Fund.
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with the Finance Department, Parks and Recreation Department, and 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. Determine that the proposed actions are exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15301 (c), “Existing Facilities,” of Title 14 of California Code of Regulations;
2. Award the Public Works Contract for the Henry Schmidt Park Playground Rehabilitation Project to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, Suarez & Munoz Construction, Inc., in the amount of $4,812,274 and authorize the City Manager or Designee to execute any and all documents associated with, and necessary for the award, completion, and acceptance of this Project in final forms approved by the City Attorney; and
3. Authorize the City Manager or Designee to execute change orders up to approximately 15 percent of the original contract price, or $721,841, for a total not to exceed amount of $5,534,115.
Staff
Reviewed by: Craig Mobeck, Director of Public Works
Approved by: Jovan Grogan, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Project Location Map
2. Bid Summary