Meeting_Body
CONSTRUCTION COMMITTEE
JANUARY 14, 2026
Subject
SUBJECT: SYSTEMS ENGINEERING AND SUPPORT SERVICES CONTRACT
Action
ACTION: APPROVE RECOMMENDATION
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
CONSIDER:
A. APPROVING an increase in total authorized funding and executing Modification No. 14 to Contract No. AE47810E0128 with SECOTrans (Joint Venture of Hatch Associates Consultants, Inc., NBA Engineering Inc., and Ramos Consulting Services, Inc), for pending and future Task Orders to provide systems engineering and support services for Metro Rail and Bus Transit projects, in the Not-To-Exceed (NTE) amount of $35,000,000, increasing the total contract authorized funding from an NTE amount of $149,782,000 to an NTE amount of $184,782,000, and exercising the second, one-year (1) option extending the contract term from April 25, 2026 to April 25, 2027; and
B. AUTHORIZING the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) or designee to execute individual Task Orders and Contract Modifications within the Board approved contract funding amount.
Issue
ISSUE
At its April 2018 meeting, the Board approved awarding a seven-year cost reimbursable fixed fee, Task Order (TO) based contract with three, one-year options, to SECOTrans, a Joint Venture for Systems Engineering and Support Services (SESS) Consulting. The approval required staff to return to the Board on an annual basis as projects progressed and new project requirements were identified to update contract expenditure authorization. The funds previously authorized by the Board for FY25 and FY26 will be exhausted by April 2026; therefore, the recommended increase will allow staff to continue with work anticipated for the remainder of the contract term ending through April 25, 2027.
Background
BACKGROUND
The challenge presented by the simultaneous implementation of numerous projects is to ensure the integration and standardization of the systems elements within and across the current Metro system. Consistent development and design ensure that the required integration is achieved within civil and electrical infrastructure, vehicles, control systems, communications, operations, maintenance, security, and training.
Prior to the award of the SESS contract, each project would use a different consultant for systems engineering work, resulting in inconsistent applications. This approach is no longer feasible or advisable with the large volume of projects now underway. With a single SESS design team on board, the standardization of design, construction, and functionality of systems elements will keep Metro’s long-term interest in system interoperability, maintainability, and safety at the forefront. A fully integrated network requires consistency of systems design and not a collection of potentially incompatible independent designs arising from separate projects. This approach has been implemented successfully in other transit agencies nationwide, and the benefits of full systems standardization include:
• Interoperability and efficient maintainability
• Improved commercial viability
• Reduced spares requirements
• Reduced training requirements
• Flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances
As of 12/15/2025, staff have executed 34 Task Orders and 170 Task Order Modifications (MODs) totaling $129,829,604.82 with $19,952,395.18 remaining that is available for future anticipated Task Orders, through April 25, 2026. Upon Board approval of this recommended action, staff would execute a Contract Modification to exercise a one-year option extending the Contract term to April 25, 2027. Examples of projects supported by this contract include Metro Operational Simulation Analyses, Metro Command and Control Center (formerly known as Rail Operations Control and Bus Operations Control Centers or ROC/BOC), Metro G Line BRT Improvements, Westside D Line 2/3, East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Transit, Eastside Phase 2, and Southeast Gateway Line (SGL). As indicated, staff is now seeking additional funding authorization to support Systems Engineering, Measure R, and Measure M projects through most of FY27.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
With the approval of Measure M, the ongoing implementation of Measure R, and required State of Good Repair initiatives, staff have engaged the SESS consultant to provide a broad range of systems engineering design and related support services to supplement current Systems Engineering Department resources. Metro’s capital program requires extensive resources with the ability to react quickly to a wide range of complex technical issues. With a strong core of consultant staff located in Los Angeles County, the SESS Consultant is capable of applying and withdrawing resources as project workloads fluctuate over time. The SESS Consultant has extensive experience and capability to support the complete project lifecycle, from the conceptual phase to final design and construction.
Due to the intensive system integration requirements and the length of time needed to deliver major capital improvement projects, this contract has enabled Metro to efficiently and effectively augment its Program Management staff where necessary, ensuring that the proper project resources are available to Metro.
The SESS Consultant provides a single systems engineering team, and associated sub-specialties, with the necessary resources to assist in the planning, development, and delivery of Metro’s aggressive schedule of projects for the next decade. Examples of systems engineering disciplines include traction electrification, overhead contact systems (OCS), train control, communications, supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA), rail simulations, corrosion control, systemwide electrical, and other specialized disciplines.
The Systems Engineering Services estimated level of effort for the additional NTE amount of $35,000,000 was developed using the current master schedule, construction estimates, and completed work to date from the Project Controls department. An estimated level of effort cost was determined for each project using past project costs, systems to civil project percentages along with historical rates. Depending on the type of transit project and the complexity, the percentages were derived from the overall construction costs to determine the systems construction and engineering costs. Systems Engineering level of effort costs were distributed across each fiscal year according to the master schedule.
In addition to the projects identified above and in Attachment B, staff expect the SESS Consultant to continue providing systems engineering services for current and future rail and bus transit projects, and other capital improvement projects, including, but not limited to, the following:
• Metro Command and Control Center (MC3) formerly known as Rail Operations Control and Bus Operations Control Centers (ROC/BOC)
• East San Fernando Valley Transit Corridor
• Eastside Phase 2 Extension
• Southeast Gateway Line Transit Corridor
• Sepulveda Pass Transit Corridor
• Vermont Transit Corridor
• G Line BRT Improvements
• Westside D Line Extension Section 2/3
Determination_Of_Safety_Impact
DETERMINATION OF SAFETY IMPACT
The use of a consistent systems design process has a positive safety benefit during the construction and subsequent operations of Metro’s Bus and Rail transit network.
Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The requested NTE contract funding is based on the anticipated level of services that will be required through most of FY27. Funding for the individual TOs is included in the Board approved life-of-project (LOP) budgets or annual budgets; therefore, this work is within the various project budgets.
Since this is a multi-year contract, project managers, cost managers, and the Chief Program Management Officer will be responsible for budgeting costs in future years.
Impact to Budget
Funding for TOs issued under this contract is provided by the specific project(s) utilizing the services. These projects are typically funded by a mix of federal, state, and local funds, including Measure R and Measure M. Where appropriate, certain Operations projects are funded with operating eligible funds.
Equity_Platform
EQUITY PLATFORM
The Systems Engineering and Support Services funds Conceptual Engineering, Preliminary Design and Specifications, Final Design, including Design Services During Construction of Transit Rail and Bus Projects for various Metro projects including Southeast Gateway Line, East San Fernando Valley Transit Corridor, and other Metro transit projects, including in and serving riders from Equity Focus Communities. All services supported by this contract are centered on avoiding project delays and promoting cost saving measures to effectively deliver the projects with minimal impacts and provide enhanced mobility and regional access to Metro’s customers, who are primarily low-income households (89% as of our 2024 Annual On-Board Survey).
SECOTrans JV made an overall 15% DBE commitment on this contract. However, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has issued an Interim Final Rule (IFR) that makes changes to the DBE Program, including suspension of goals and enforcement, effective October 3, 2025. Metro is currently reviewing the Interim Final Rule (IFR) to identify necessary program and procedural changes to ensure full compliance.
Although the DBE commitment is not a factor in the staff’s recommendation, there are 12 certified small businesses participating in this contract. This is noteworthy since small businesses are vital for the economy as they drive job creation, foster innovation, and strengthen local communities.
Vehicle_Miles_Traveled _Outcome
VEHICLE MILES TRAVELED OUTCOME
VMT and VMT per capita in Los Angeles County are lower than national averages, the lowest in the SCAG region, and on the lower end of VMT per capita statewide, with these declining VMT trends due in part to Metro’s significant investment in rail and bus transit.* Metro’s Board-adopted VMT reduction targets align with California’s statewide climate goals, including achieving carbon neutrality by 2045. To ensure continued progress, all Board items are assessed for their potential impact on VMT.
As part of these ongoing efforts, this item is expected to contribute to further reductions in VMT. This item supports Metro’s systemwide strategy to reduce VMT through design and engineering activities that unify Metro’s system design, construction, and functionality of systems elements improving and further encouraging transit ridership, ridesharing, and active transportation. Metro’s Board-adopted VMT reduction targets were designed to build on the success of existing investments, and this item aligns with those objectives.
*Based on population estimates from the United States Census and VMT estimates from Caltrans’ Highway Performance Monitoring System (HPMS) data between 2001-2019.
Implementation_of_Strategic_Plan_Goals
IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
The Systems Engineering Support Services contract supports the following strategic goals:
Strategic Goal 1: Provide high-quality mobility options that enable people to spend less time traveling. Through this contract, the systems engineering consultant team will continue to implement innovative and state-of-the-art engineering solutions to provide efficient mobility options throughout the LA County area.
Strategic Goal 2: Deliver outstanding trip experiences for all users of the transportation system. The contract ensures the timely delivery and implementation of systems that provide essential communications, security, comfort, and reliability to all users. These factors are important areas of concern identified by Metro management and annual customer surveys.
Strategic Goal 5: Provide responsive, accountable, and trustworthy governance within the Metro organization. With a regular annual authorization update to the Board, Metro staff will offer transparency and accountability of Systems related work involved in the Measure M program and other major capital projects.
Alternatives_Considered
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
The Board may choose to reject the recommendation and request staff to re-procure these services through a RFP; staff does not recommend this. The use of a qualified SESS consultant has allowed the agency to secure highly technical expertise without the necessary increase in Metro’s long-term labor costs. Further, by providing for an extended term contract, the Board has afforded staff the resources that seek to provide an integrated and consistent network design that serves Metro’s interests.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
Upon Board approval, staff will execute Modification No. 14 to Contract No. AE47810E0128 and specific task orders will be issued on an as needed basis.
Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - Procurement Summary
Attachment B - Task Order Log
Attachment C - DEOD Summary
Prepared_by
Prepared by: Ron Tien, Executive Officer, Systems Engineering, (213) 418-3445
Michael Ratnasingham, Deputy Chief Program Management Officer, Systems Engineering, (213) 418-3440
Carolina Coppolo, Deputy Chief Vendor/Contract Management Officer, (213) 922-4471
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by: Tim Lindholm, Chief Program Management Officer, (213) 922-2250
Conan Cheung, Chief Operations Officer, (213) 418-3034
