Title
Report regarding a resolution approving and authorizing the City Manager to execute a consulting services agreement with BKF Engineers (formerly MNS Engineers, Inc.) for construction management and inspection services for the South San Francisco Bridge Repairs Project (st1703). (Lawrence Henriquez, Senior Civil Engineer)
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution approving and authorizing the City Manager to execute a consulting services agreement with BKF Engineers (formerly MNS Engineers, Inc.) for construction management and inspection services for the South San Francisco Bridge Repairs Project (st1703), as part of the Bridge Preventive Maintenance Program, in a base amount of $399,179 with a 10% contingency, for a total authorization amount not to exceed $439,097; and authorizing the City Manager or authorized designee to execute the consulting services agreement.
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BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
The City of South San Francisco (“City”) has an ongoing Bridge Preventive Maintenance Program (BPMP) for the sixteen (16) vehicle bridges that are under the Caltrans Bridge Inspection Program. The BPMP was created to help local agencies extend the life of their bridges by performing certain activities that have been preapproved by the Federal Highway Administration.
The Bridge Preventive Maintenance Program Goals are to:
1. Maintain the existing inventory of bridges in a structurally safe and serviceable condition.
2. Correct minor structural deficiencies early in a bridge's life, rather than wait until a bridge has major problems requiring costly rehabilitation, reconstruction, or replacement.
3. Extend the service lives of existing bridges.
4. Make efficient use of limited resources.
Caltrans inspects the bridge inventory every two years and submits its findings to the City. City staff determines the appropriate actions based upon the reports and Caltrans work recommendations.
The following table outlines the nine (9) bridges that will be rehabilitated this year under the SSF Bridge Repairs Project (st1703):
|
BRIDGE NO. |
DESCRIPTION |
NOTES |
|
#35C0032 |
Dunman St. at Hickey Blvd. |
Rehabilitation in 2026 |
|
#35C0079 |
Colma Creek Bridge at Chestnut Ave. |
Rehabilitation in 2026 |
|
#35C0078 |
Colma Creek Bridge at Spruce Ave. |
Rehabilitation in 2026 |
|
#35C0031 |
Colma Creek Bridge at Linden Ave. |
Rehabilitation in 2026 |
|
#35C0021 |
Colma Creek Bridge at Produce Ave. |
Rehabilitation in 2026 |
|
#35C0101 |
Colma Creek Bridge at Utah Ave. |
Rehabilitation in 2026 |
|
#35C0173 |
Oyster Pt Blvd OH at Gateway Blvd. |
Rehabilitation in 2026 |
|
#35C0046 |
San Bruno Canal Bridge at North Access Rd. |
Rehabilitation in 2026 |
|
#35C0047 |
San Bruno Canal Bridge at North Access Rd. |
Rehabilitation in 2026 |
SCOPE OF WORK
The construction management and inspection services will involve daily oversight of construction activities, responding to RFIs, handling change-orders, preparing monthly progress payments, conducting and coordinating specified tasks such as project management, Caltrans meetings (if needed), reviewing traffic control plans and reviewing project submittals. The project duration is expected to last through late Spring 2027. Construction Management and Inspection Services are being sought in advance of the award of the construction project to provide for a constructability review of the Plans, Specifications and Estimates (PS&E) package prior to advertisement.
RFP PROCUREMENT
Staff issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) through the OpenGov website on December 22, 2025. To promote advertising, staff contacted various engineering firms from the City’s On-Call consultant list in addition to others. There were a total of nine (9) firms that downloaded the advertised RFP. Proposals were due on February 5, 2026. Nine (9) consulting firms submitted their proposals.
Three (3) consulting firms were invited for interviews that were scheduled for March 26, 2026. The interview panel consisted of four (4) Engineering staff members, comprised of senior engineers.
The interview panelists scored the presentation in the following areas:
1. Knowledge and Understanding: Demonstrated understanding of the RFP objectives and work requirements. Identification of key issues. Knowledge, approach and understanding of the required services and scope of work.
2. Management Approach and Staffing Plan: Qualifications of project staff (particularly key personnel such as the project manager), key personnel’s level of involvement in performing related work and the team’s experience in maintaining schedule.
3. Qualifications of the Project Manager: Experience with similar projects and proven track record of success with an in-depth knowledge of Caltrans procedures.
4. Qualifications of the Proposer Firm: Experience with similar projects. Technical experience in performing work related to type of services; capabilities of developing innovative or advanced techniques; strength and stability of the firm; technical experience and strength and stability of proposed subconsultants; experience navigating through the Caltrans procedures; and demonstrated communications quality and success.
5. Effectiveness of Interview / Presentation: An understanding of key challenges of the project along with a planned approach to engineering of the overall project.
On average, the interview was scored by the panel members as follows:
|
Rank |
Knowledge and Understanding (30 points) |
Management Approach and Staffing Plan (30 points) |
Qualifications of Project Manager (10 points) |
Qualifications of proposer firm and consultant team (15 points) |
Effectiveness of Interview (15 points) |
Average Score |
|
1 MNS |
27 |
26.50 |
9.25 |
13.50 |
13.75 |
90 |
|
2 VSCE |
25 |
25.25 |
7.75 |
12.50 |
13.00 |
83.50 |
|
3 CSG |
23.50 |
23.25 |
7.50 |
12.25 |
11 |
77.50 |
The following is a summary of the negotiated consultant fee proposal:
|
Consultant |
Fee |
|
BKF Engineers (formerly MNS Engineers, Inc.) |
$399,179.00 |
|
10% Contingency |
$39,918.00 |
|
TOTAL |
$439,097.00 |
Staff notes that when the entity that submitted the proposal was MNS Engineers, Inc.; however, subsequent to the evaluation of the RFP MNS merged with BKF Engineers.
Based on the knowledge, technical understanding, and experiences with similar projects, staff recommends BKF Engineers (formerly MNS Engineers, Inc.) to provide the Construction Management & Inspection Services for the project. The Highway Bridge Program is providing the City with $1,268,527 with the potential to request additional funding once the construction contract is awarded showing the actual cost needs.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Highway Bridge Program is providing the City with $1,268,527 for fiscal year (FY) 2026-27 for construction support as shown in the table below and staff will be submitting a request to Caltrans for additional funding. The project is included in the City of South San Francisco’s FY 2026-27 Capital Improvement Program and there are sufficient funds to award the Consulting Services Agreement. Funding for the Construction Phase of the project will be comprised of the Highway Bridge Program award in the amount of $1,268,527.
|
FUNDING SOURCE |
AMOUNT |
PURPOSE |
|
Highway Bridge Program |
$1,268,527.00 |
Construction / CM support |
|
General Fund |
$175,965.00 |
Construction |
|
Infrastructure Reserves |
$81,740.00 |
Construction |
|
Total |
$1,526,232 |
|
RELATIONSHIP TO CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES ACTION PLAN
Approval of this action will contribute to the City Council’s Priorities Action Plan Major Focus Areas of Quality of Life and Infrastructure and the Environment, by providing a safe, convenient, and accessible transportation infrastructure system that is well-connected to the region through the quality maintenance of the City’s bridge network.
CONCLUSION
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution awarding a Consulting Services Agreement to BKF Engineers (formerly MNS Engineers, Inc.) of Oakland, California for Construction Management and Inspection Services related to the South San Francisco Bridge Repairs Project (st1703) in a base amount of $399,179 with a 10% contingency, for a total authorization amount not to exceed $439,097; and authorizing the City Manager or authorized designee to execute the consulting services agreement.
ASSOCIATED DOCUMENTS:
1. Vicinity Map showing project bridge locations
2. E-76 Amendment Modification Summary