TO: AC Transit Board of Directors
FROM: Salvador Llamas, General Manager/Chief Executive Officer
SUBJECT: Construction Contract Award for Repairs to the General Office Garage Ramp
ACTION ITEM
AGENDA PLANNING REQUEST: ☐
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
Title
Consider approving the award of a firm-fixed price construction contract to Mar Con Builders, Inc. for $476,535 for the repairs to the General Office Garage Ramp.
Staff Contact:
Ramakrishna Pochiraju, Executive Director of Planning & Engineering
Body
STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE:
Goal - Safe and Secure Operations
Initiative - Infrastructure Modernization
Repair of the General Office Building’s structural components in the garage area ramp, including the building’s primary moment beams, will return the ramp to a state of good repair, stabilize the garage entrance ramp and ensure the building remains safe and structurally resistant to seismic activity.
BUDGETARY/FISCAL IMPACT:
This contract is funded entirely with District Capital in the FY2025-26 Capital Budget.
CONTRACT AWARD SUMMARY:
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Vendor Outreach Summary: |
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No. DBE/SBEs: |
129 |
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No. Registered Vendors: |
498 |
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Contract Summary: |
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# Proposals/Bids Received: |
Five (5) |
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Award Type: |
Low Apparent Bid |
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Independent Cost Estimate Range: |
Under $1,000,000 |
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Recommended for Award: |
Mar Con Builders, Inc |
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Small Business Type: |
SBE |
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DBE/SBE Utilization %:** |
57% |
* Neither SBE, nor DBE
** The District sets Small Business Enterprise (SBE) goals on contracting opportunities. The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) may authorize a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) goal; however, SBE goals may result in DBE awards and utilization.
Levine Act Disclosure
California Government Code § 84308, commonly referred to as the “Levine Act,” precludes an Officer of a local government agency from participating in the award of a contract if he or she receives any political contributions totaling more than $500 in the 12 months preceding the pendency of the contract award, and for three months following the final decision, from the person or company awarded the contract. This prohibition applies to contributions to the Officer, or received by the Officer on behalf of any other Officer, or on behalf of any candidate for office or on behalf of any committee. The Levine Act also requires disclosure of such contributions by a party to be awarded a specified contract. Disclosure is not required for contracts that are competitively bid, contracts under $50,000; contracts between two or more government agencies; contracts where no party receives financial compensation; and periodic review or renewal of development agreements or competitively bid contracts with non-material modifications.
BACKGROUND/RATIONALE:
On June 21, 2024, a Facilities Maintenance contractor was onsite to remove and replace approximately 900 square feet (SF) of concrete topping on a structural ramp in the parking structure of the General Office at 1600 Franklin Street in Oakland. The contractor halted work after completing the initial saw cutting due to concerns that arose during the operation. The damage assessment review found that the contractor made four vertical cuts along the ramp and one horizontal cut across the top, all deeper than the topping slab. These cuts penetrated the pan deck and damaged five structural I-beams at twenty locations. As a result, the building’s moment strength and overall structural integrity were significantly compromised.
The ramp was immediately stabilized with temporary measures which included top plating to distribute the load across the severed pan deck and underpinning to support the vertical load. An initial damage estimate was established at $450K. A Structural Engineer was engaged to certify the ramp safe for use with the temporary measures and to develop plans and specifications for the repair.
A public bid was posted on March 12, 2026, and bids were opened on May 14, 2026. The District received five (5) bids. The lowest bid was disqualified because it was not responsive to the SBE goal. The second lowest bidder was determined to be the lowest responsible bid which is the subject of this award.
ADVANTAGES/DISADVANTAGES:
The advantage of awarding this contract is that the building will be returned to a state of good repair with the structural integrity of the design intact.
No disadvantages have been identified.
ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS:
Staff considered the possibility of leaving the ramp in the current state with temporary surface support by plates and vertical load bearing support with the underpinning. This approach is not recommended because the support is only temporary in nature and does not provide any protection from seismic activity.
Staff determined, with input from an independent structural engineer, that the only reasonable approach was to repair the damage before it progressed any further and compromised the structural integrity of the building.
PRIOR RELEVANT BOARD ACTION/POLICIES:
SR 24-480d, Adopt FY 2025-26 Operating and Capital Budgets, June 11, 2025
Board Policy 465 - Procurement Policy
ATTACHMENTS:
None
Prepared by:
Joe Callaway, Director of Capital Projects
In Collaboration with:
Michael Daly, Senior Contract Specialist
Approved/Reviewed by:
Cecil O. Blandon, Director of Maintenance
Phillip Halley, Program Manager
Michael Silk, Acting Director of Procurement & Materials Management
Aimee L. Steele, General Counsel/Chief Legal Officer
Chris Andrichak, Chief Financial Officer
Ramakrishna Pochiraju, Executive Director of Planning & Engineering
Paul Kincaid, Assistant General Manager/Chief Executive Officer
Aaron Vogel, Chief Operating Officer