Meeting_Body
CONSTRUCTION COMMITTEE
OCTOBER 15, 2025
Subject
SUBJECT: LINK UNION STATION PROJECT CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES (CMSS)
Action
ACTION: AWARD CONTRACT
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
AUTHORIZE the Chief Executive Officer to award a cost reimbursable fixed fee Contract No. AE127279MC084 to T.Y. Lin International, Inc. to provide Construction Management Support Services (CMSS) for the Link Union Station Project (Link US) for the not-to-exceed (NTE) amount of $13,796,413 for the two (2) year base term, and $49,634,124 for the four, one-year option terms, for a total combined not-to-exceed amount of $63,430,537, subject to the resolution of all properly submitted protest(s), if any.
Issue
ISSUE
Construction Management Support Services (CMSS) are needed during the delivery of the Link US project to support final design, pre-construction activities with the Construction Manager/General Contractor (CM/GC) contractor, third party construction, early work construction, main construction, administration of construction contracts, and contract close out. The CMSS consultant will provide Metro with flexibility to adjust the necessary resources with staff augmentation on an as-needed basis to deliver the Link US Project safely, on time, and within budget.
The two-year base term will occur during the Preconstruction Phase and the Early Work Phase. The first year of the contract will occur during the Preconstruction Phase utilizing the existing Preconstruction Budget. Prior to any Early Work by the CM/GC Contractor and the CMSS consultant, the project team will seek an increase in the Preconstruction Budget which will be informed by the final environmental document as well as the advancement of the design with the benefit of the contractor feedback using the collaborative delivery model. Future work will be funded through the annual budget process. This approach will result in more accurate budgeting for each year, while providing better control over consultant services costs.
Background
BACKGROUND
The Link US Project will transform how the commuter and intercity rail operates in Southern California with new run-through capability at Los Angeles Union Station (LAUS) by providing one-seat rides for Northbound and Southbound run through service, doubling the capacity of daily train movements, reducing dwell times by as much as 20 minutes, and accommodating future high-speed rail.
The Link US Project is planned to be implemented in two phases:
1. Phase A - Includes a run-through structure from the stub end of Union Station, over the 101 Freeway, and connects to the mainline tracks on the West Bank of the Los Angeles River. In this phase, the run-through structure will provide immediate run-through service for Metrolink and the Pacific Surfliner (LOSSAN) on two tracks that connect to Platform 3. However, the run-through structure will be built to accommodate up to nine run-through tracks for future passenger and intercity rail expansion, including California High-Speed Rail.
2. Phase B - Includes a new rail yard with four new operating platforms and up to nine run-through tracks for Metrolink, LOSSAN and California High Speed Rail, as well as a new Passenger Tunnel.
The Link US Project Phase A will be delivered utilizing the Construction Manager/General Contractor (CM/GC) project delivery approach that was previously approved by the Board on December 5, 2019. After the Board awarded a CM/GC contract to Flatiron Dragados LLC on April 16, 2025, a Notice to Proceed (NTP) to commence Phase 1 Preconstruction Services was issued on July 1, 2025.
CEQA & NEPA
The Link US Project completed California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) environmental clearance in July 2019, and a CEQA amendment was approved in October 2021. Furthermore, the Link US Project is in the process of completing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) environmental clearance with an updated forecast Fall 2025, with CHSRA as the NEPA Lead Agency, and is seeking a supplemental CEQA environmental clearance in Fall 2025.
Preconstruction Budget
On May 26, 2022, the Metro Board approved a Partial Preconstruction Phase Life of Project Budget (Preconstruction Budget) of $297.818 million for the Preconstruction Work of the Link US Phase A Project consisting of remaining planning, environmental, preliminary engineering, final design, all third-party work, early demolition work, real estate acquisitions, and all associated soft costs.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
On November 27, 2024, Metro issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a CMSS consultant to support the delivery of the Link US Project. The primary role of the CMSS consultant is to provide highly skilled and qualified individuals to assist and support Metro in the management and administration of Link US construction project under direction of Program Management staff as part of a fully integrated construction project team. CMSS staff have specialized technical and administrative expertise to assist with and support project delivery and implementation and to execute the required project reporting and control procedures established by Metro. In the performance of the contract, CMSS staff must adhere to and comply with all Metro policies and procedures, ensuring that the construction of projects is completed with a high level of quality and safety.
The CMSS contract is a cost reimbursable fixed fee contract, so consultant services will be performed using Annual Work Plans (AWP). Each AWP will include negotiated direct labor rates, indirect cost rates, general and administrative expenses, if any, a fixed fee, and negotiated hours for the level of effort to match the work for each phase, and within the board authorized Preconstruction Budget or Life of Project Budget (LOP).
The preconstruction phase services will include assistance with program management, contract management, constructability reviews, pricing, negotiating, risk management, quality management, and early works inspection. The construction phase services, including any Early Work, will include construction management support services and inspection. The overall contract is expected to have a value not-to-exceed $63,430,537 and a duration of up to six years for all services required to construct the Link US project, including CMGC Preconstruction, Construction, Testing and Commissioning, and Contract Closeout.
Metro will ensure that strict controls are in place prior to approving each AWP to closely monitor the CMSS consultant’s budget and AWP schedules. No funds will be obligated until the AWP is confirmed to be within the Board approved funding for the contract.
Determination_Of_Safety_Impact
DETERMINATION OF SAFETY IMPACT
The Link US project is being planned and designed in accordance with Metro, Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA), California High-Speed Rail (HSR), Caltrans, and City of Los Angeles standards, as well as state and federal requirements. The recommended Board action will have no detrimental safety impact.
Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The first year of the CMSS Contract to support the Preconstruction Phase by the CM/GC is fully funded as part of the $297.818 Million previously approved Preconstruction Budget. Prior to entering the Early Works Phase the project team will seek an increase to the Preconstruction Budget. Prior to entering the Construction Phase, the project team will establish the Life of Project Budget for Board approval. Since this is a multi-year contract, the Chief Program Management Officer and Project Manager will be responsible for budgeting in the future years.
Impact to Budget
The source of funds for the Preconstruction Budget are summarized below and are not eligible to be used for Metro bus/rail operating or capital budget expenses.
Metro is currently estimating the total cost of the project to be $1,597 Million with a completion date of September 15, 2031, pending final pricing by the CM/GC Contractor during the Preconstruction Phase.
In Fall 2024, Metro submitted an application to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) requesting an award from the Federal-State Partnership (FSP) for Intercity Passenger Rail Grant Program and to the California Transportation Commission (CTC) requesting a grant from the Solutions for Congested Corridors Program (SCCP). The FRA did not announce projects selected for a grant award from the FSP Program. The CTC did not select the project for a grant award from the SCC Program.
Staff will continue to explore federal and state funding opportunities, including from the FSP Program and California’s Cap and Invest Program, to address the project’s estimated funding gap of about $650 M. Staff will also work with Caltrans in its initiative to develop a framework for Metro and other County Transportation Commissions in the SCAG region to consider for addressing the project’s funding gap, including financing.
Equity_Platform
EQUITY PLATFORM
The Link US Project will improve the quality of life for residents at the LAUS-adjacent William Mead Homes, the first public housing project in the City of Los Angeles constructed in the 1950s and located within a Metro Equity Focus Community. This will be accomplished with the construction of a new sound wall, designed to reduce noise externalities from existing and future increases in train operations, and proposed quiet-zone safety improvements at the railroad crossing on N. Main Street to reduce the train horn noise in the area.
The increased rail service will make it easier for Metrolink riders to access key destinations, such as jobs, housing, and healthcare appointments, as well as provide access to the greater LA Metro public transportation system at LAUS. The Link US Project will also result in reduced train and idling times-saving as much as 5 minutes for each ride linking the counties of San Diego, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Barbara to LAUS-and fuel savings and emission reductions. Further, it is estimated that the Link US Project will generate 4,500 jobs during construction, resulting in over 200 permanent jobs. In addition, during Early Work and Phase 2 Construction, the Project Labor Agreement (PLA) and the Construction Careers Policy (CCP) will require the CM/GC to hire 40% Targeted Local Workers, 20% Apprentice Workers, and 10% Disadvantaged Workers.
The Diversity and Economic Opportunity Department (DEOD) established a 25% Small Business (with 3% designated for Micro Business (MB)) and a 3% Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) goal, and a separate 10% Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) goal for Phase 1 for this California High-Speed Rail Authority (“CHSRA”) funded procurement. As a condition of funding, Metro implemented the CHRSA’s Small Business Program and accepted SB and MB certification from the State of California, Department of General Services, as well as Metro-certified SBE firms. The recommended CMSS firm met or exceeded the goals by making a 20.74% SB commitment, a 5.29% MB commitment, and a 3.03% DVBE commitment.
While the Consultant made a DBE commitment, the U.S. Department of Transportation has issued an Interim Final Rule (IFR) that makes changes, including suspension of goals and enforcement, to the DBE Program effective October 3, 2025. Metro is currently reviewing the IFR to identify necessary program and procedural changes to ensure full compliance. As such, while the DBE commitment is not a factor in the staff recommendation, there are 9 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 planning and investment activities that will improve and increase rail service, thereby encouraging taking transit, including Metrolink, Amtrak, Metro Rail, High-Speed Rail, Municipal Bus Systems, and High-Speed Ridesharing.
Metro staff have conducted preliminary analysis to show that the net effect of this multi-modal item is to decrease VMT. Using data provided by LOSSAN, SCRRA, and SCAG, it is estimated that this project will result in 299,889,346 additional passenger-miles per year. This will result in an annual reduction in VMT of 239,911,477 per year, or a 679,687 daily VMT reduction.
*Based on population estimates from the United States Census and VMT estimates from the highway performance monitoring system data between 2001-2019.
Implementation_of_Strategic_Plan_Goals
IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
The Link US project supports Strategic Goal 1: Provide high-quality mobility options that enable people to spend less time traveling. The proposed run-through tracks would increase regional and intercity rail capacity, reduce train idling at LAUS, enable one-seat rides from Santa Barbara County to San Diego County through LAUS, and accommodate a new high-quality transportation option such as the High-Speed Rail in Southern California.
The project also supports Strategic Goal 2: Deliver outstanding trip experiences for all users of the transportation system. The proposed new passenger concourse and the new outdoor plaza (West Plaza) would improve customer experience and satisfaction by enhancing transit and retail amenities at LAUS and improving access to train platforms with new escalators and elevators.
Lastly, the project supports Strategic Goal 4: Transform LA County through regional collaboration and national leadership. The project requires close collaboration with many local, regional, state, and federal partners including the City of Los Angeles, SCRRA, LOSSAN Authority, Caltrans, CHSRA, The California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA), FRA, and Amtrak.
Alternatives_Considered
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
The Board may choose not to move forward with approval to award the contract. This is not recommended since that would lead to project delays and corresponding cost increases. Any delay would postpone platform improvements, affecting major events in and around Los Angeles. It would also disrupt timelines and cost estimates in future grant applications and existing funding agreements with the CHSRA and the California State Transportation Agency for Proposition 1A and Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP) funds. A delay would also directly delay the submittal of grant applications and decrease the opportunity for the project to be selected for awards due to the larger project cost and funding gap that can be reasonably expected for the grant programs to address.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
Upon Board approval, staff will execute Contract No. AE127279MC084 to support the Link US Project preconstruction phase of the project.
The Project anticipates returning to the Board for a Supplemental CEQA Record of Decision in the Fall of 2025. The NEPA Record of Decision will be presented to the California High Speed Rail Authority, the delegated authority from the FRA, for certification in Fall 2025.
After completion of design for an Early Work Package, as well as the successful negotiation with the CM/GC Contractor, staff intends to return to the Board to request an increase to the Preconstruction Budget and execute a Modification to the CM/GC Contract for Early Works Construction in Winter or Spring 2026.
After completion of the remaining design and successful negotiation with the CM/GC Contractor, staff will return to the Board for approval of the Life of Project Budget and award of the remaining Phase 2 Construction Work in Fall 2026.
Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - Procurement Summary
Attachment B - DEOD Summary
Prepared_by
Prepared by:
Alice Hsu, Deputy Executive Officer, Regional Rail, (213) 418-3113
Scott McConnell, Executive Officer, Regional Rail, (213) 922-4980
Michael McKenna, Deputy Chief Program Management Officer,
(213) 922-4239
Carolina Coppolo, Deputy Chief Vendor/Contract Management Officer
(213) 922-4471
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by:
Tim Lindholm, Chief Program Management Officer (213) 922- 7297
