REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on Agreement with BKF Engineers for Design Professional Services for the Central Santa Clara Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Green Stormwater Improvement Project
Report
BACKGROUND
In May 2012, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) created the One Bay Area Grant (OBAG) program to guide how the MTC distributes Federal Highway Administration transportation funding to Bay Area communities. The OBAG program is in its third cycle of funding (OBAG 3), and the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), in partnership with the MTC, issued a call-for-projects for the OBAG 3 on June 3, 2022. The Department of Public Works applied with the Central Santa Clara Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvement Project.
In January 2023, the MTC approved a $9,029,000 grant award for the Central Santa Clara Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvement Project (Project). On November 7, 2023, Council established the Project in the Biennial Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Budget, adopted a resolution of local support for the Project to accept the OBAG Federal grant funding, and approved the required local funds necessary to complete the project. The City’s local match is being used to cover the costs of the design services proposed for approval in this report.
The Project includes several bicycle and pedestrian improvements that are part of the City’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plans. These improvements are located on Cabrillo Avenue, Lafayette Street, Monroe Street, Royal Drive, Scott Boulevard, and Warburton Avenue (Attachment 1). Anticipated bicycle facility upgrades include the installation of various improvements on Warburton Avenue (Scott Boulevard to Lafayette Street) and Lincoln Street (Warburton Avenue to El Camino Real). Anticipated pedestrian improvements include items such as new curb ramps, curb bulb-outs, and sidewalks; potential new traffic signals, Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons, and streetlighting improvements.
The Central Santa Clara project will be combined with a second CIP project, the Green Stormwater Infrastructure Design and Construction Project, which is currently in the Biennial CIP. The goal of the Green Stormwater Infrastructure project is to address the Municipal Regional Stormwater NPDES Permit issued by the State that requires the City of Santa Clara to install green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) that will treat five acres of stormwater runoff by June 30, 2027. GSI can be installed on streets or parking lots to treat stormwater runoff. To help identify suitable locations, a feasibility report was prepared, which identified Lincoln Street as one of the suitable locations to install GSI, with the goal of treating approximately 3.5 acres of stormwater. The identified area for the GSI on Lincoln Street is located within the proposed bicycle and pedestrian project; therefore, staff added the GSI-related work on Lincoln Street to the Project.
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 August 4, 2025, a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) was published on the City’s e-procurement platform. The City received five proposals from BKF Engineers (BKF), HMH, Kimley-Horn, Sanbell, and Tetra Tech. A proposal review panel consisting of staff from the Department of Public Works’ Design and Traffic divisions evaluated each proposal against the criteria set forth in the RFP, including responsiveness to the RFP, qualifications of the firm, experience, availability of key staff, project approach, and ability to complete the project within the proposed schedule. Based on the panel’s evaluation, staff recommends awarding the agreement to 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. Also, BKF has extensive civil engineering experience working in the Bay Area and has successfully completed similar federally funded projects 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, preparation of construction documents, bid and construction support, and project close-out.
Staff recommends entering into the agreement with BKF to provide design professional services for the Project. Approval of this agreement will provide design professional services necessary to develop the design and construction documents to implement the Project. The Agreement includes prevailing wage requirements.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This award is for the design phase and construction support services and is not a project that has the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment under the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") Guidelines section 15061(b)(3). The Project will be reviewed for all CEQA documentation as part of their design review. As a recipient of federal grant funding, the Project is also required to be reviewed in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
FISCAL IMPACT
The proposed Agreement is for a total not-to-exceed amount of $1,403,000. This amount includes $1,220,000 for basic services, and a not-to-exceed amount of $183,000 for additional services. The proposed agreement is being funded through the City’s local match, not the grant. The grant funds will be used to cover the cost of the future construction contract. Funding for the Agreement is available in the Green Stormwater Infrastructure Design and Construction project and the Central Santa Clara Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvement project in the Streets and Highways Capital Fund and the Green Stormwater Infrastructure Design and Construction project in the Measure I General Obligation Bond Projects 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. Approve and authorize the City Manager to execute an Agreement for design professional services with BKF Engineers for the Central Santa Clara Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Green Stormwater Improvement Project in the not-to-exceed amount of $1,403,000, in a final form approved by the City Attorney; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to make minor modifications to the Agreement including time extensions, if needed, in a final form 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 with BKF Engineers