Title
Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Five-Year Service Provider Agreement in an Amount Not-to-Exceed $750,000 to BSK Associates for On-Call Geotechnical, Environmental, and Construction Testing Services.
In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), this project is categorically exempt from further environmental review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (Existing Facilities). (Public Works 31041520)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jennifer Ott, City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The purpose of this report is to authorize approval of an agreement with BSK Associates, to provide on-call geotechnical, environmental, and/or construction testing services, for a not-to-exceed amount of $750,000 over a five-year term. All work executed under this Agreement will be restricted to funds appropriated and available for the specific project for which the work is assigned. The Agreement is on-call and therefore the work performed will be based on actual need over the term of the Agreement. If the demand is not there, the services will not be requested.
BACKGROUND
On-call service provider agreements are used for services requiring expertise that City of Alameda (City) staff does not have and/or to supplement City staff during periods of peak work demand. Currently, there is a need for on-call geotechnical, environmental, and/or construction testing services for various capital projects.
Anticipated work includes the full range of geotechnical, environmental and construction testing services for maintenance and capital improvement projects, including performing field investigations, preparing reports, construction support, materials testing, and peer review of geotechnical aspects of private land development.
DISCUSSION
On March 17, 2025, the City issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for geotechnical, environmental, and construction testing services. Eight Statement of Qualifications (SOQs) were received from the following firms: Achievement Engineering Group, Apex Testing Laboratories, BSK Associates, Construction Testing Services, ENGEO Incorporated, Ninyo & Moore, Rockridge Geotechnical, Terraphase Engineering, and Twinning.
City staff reviewed each firm based on the proposal packages submitted. The proposals were evaluated based on years of professional experience, letter of interest, relevant experience, including local experience, responsiveness to the RFQ, fee structure, client references, and overall completeness of their proposal and project approach. Bonus points were given for being an Alameda Local Business.
Based on the results of that evaluation, staff selected four firms that would best meet the City’s needs. Agreements were awarded to three of the four consultant firms by City Council on June 17, 2025. The Agreement for the fourth firm, BSK Associates was delayed as their proposed agreement language was reviewed and ultimately approved by the City Attorney. The BSK Associates agreement is now presented to City Council for award.
The Agreement would be in an amount not-to-exceed $750,000 cumulative for five years (see Exhibit 1) for a term beginning on September 4, 2025, and ending on June 30, 2030.
ALTERNATIVES
• Award the Agreement as recommended by staff.
• Do not award the Agreement. Not awarding the Agreement may impact staff’s ability to efficiently deliver quality capital projects to support the City.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Funding for work executed under these agreements will be from the Capital Improvement Program for which the geotechnical, environmental, and/or construction testing services are needed. The total budget for each Agreement over the five-year period is not to exceed $750,000; however, the actual amount expended will be based on actual need. The usage of the services is on an as-needed basis so that if the demand is not there, the services will not be requested. There is no impact on the General Fund. Any proposed increase in budget authority will be brought to the City Council in a separate item.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action is consistent with the City’s Strategic Plan priorities to Enhance Community Safety and Services and Invest in Transportation, Infrastructure, Economic Opportunities and Historic Resources. This action does not affect the Alameda Municipal Code.
This action is subject to the Levine Act.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
In accordance with CEQA, this project is categorically exempt from further environmental review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (Existing Facilities).
CLIMATE IMPACT
There are no identifiable climate impacts or climate action opportunities associated with this action.
RECOMMENDATION
Authorize the City Manager to execute a five-year service provider agreement in an amount not-to-exceed $750,000 to BSK Associates for On-Call Geotechnical, Environmental, and Construction Testing Services
Respectfully submitted,
Erin Smith, Director of Public Works
By,
Scott Wikstrom, City Engineer
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Ross McCarthy, Finance Director
Exhibit:
1. Agreement - BSK Associates