Meeting_Body
CONSTRUCTION COMMITTEE
JUNE 18, 2025
Subject
SUBJECT: SUPPLEMENTAL ENGINEERING SERVICES - CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS
Action
ACTION: AWARD CONTRACT
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
AUTHORIZE the Chief Executive Officer to:
A. AWARD a cost plus fixed fee Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity Contract No. AE128314E0132 to HNTB Corporation for Supplemental Engineering Services (SES) for Capital Improvement Projects for a term of five years for a Not To Exceed (NTE) amount of $70,000,000, subject to the resolution of any properly submitted protest(s), if any; and
B. EXECUTE Task Orders and modifications within the Board approved contract amount.
Issue
ISSUE
Supplemental Engineering Services (SES) are essential to support Metro's Program Management Department in effectively managing the additional workload, particularly for critical infrastructure improvements scheduled to be completed prior to the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. These services provide Metro the flexibility and technical expertise needed to deliver projects safely, on time, and within budget.
Background
BACKGROUND
The previous Bus and Rail SES Contract, which provided specialized engineering services specifically targeted to bus and rail facility projects, expired on June 27, 2023, though certain task orders remain active. The prior contract demonstrated the importance and effectiveness of supplementing internal resources through external expertise for discrete engineering tasks.
Given Metro’s expanded project portfolio, driven by major Measure M transit initiatives and critical infrastructure preparations for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, there is a clear need for a more comprehensive SES contract. This proposed new SES contract, valued at $70 million over five years, significantly expands the scope to address a broader array of Metro's specialized and technical engineering needs.
While Metro’s Program Management Office (PMO) continuously aims to achieve a balanced 50/50 internal-to-consultant staffing ratio, this initiative primarily applies to administrative and construction management functions. The engineering and design disciplines have historically depended more on external consultants due to the highly specialized technical nature of these services, such as structural engineering for complex rail and highway projects, advanced communication systems integration, and comprehensive environmental compliance documentation. The support needed from this contract will be project dependent as needs arise to support near-term project delivery schedules that Metro in-house engineering staff are not able to accommodate with their current project commitments.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
The proposed SES contract replaces and significantly expands upon the previous Bus and Rail SES Contract. The increase in scope and financial commitment directly aligns with Metro’s strategic initiatives, particularly the preparations required for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the ambitious Measure M transit expansion projects.
Detailed services covered under this SES contract include:
• Engineering and design support for bus and rail infrastructure, maintenance facilities, highway improvements, active transportation projects, communications and operations systems, joint development, and 2028 Games-specific infrastructure improvements
• Comprehensive project management and administration, feasibility studies, preliminary engineering, and detailed design and construction documentation from early conceptual stages (15%) through final deliverable stages (100%)
• Environmental documentation and permitting support (NEPA/CEQA compliance), hazardous material assessments, and remediation planning
• Right-of-way acquisition support, utility relocation, and coordination with third-party entities and jurisdictional authorities
• Bid phase support, engineering oversight during construction phases, and post-construction documentation management
This SES contract addresses Metro's critical need for flexible, timely, and highly specialized engineering resources, ensuring that Metro is well-positioned to deliver its large-scale projects safely, cost-effectively, and within the necessary timeframes. The technical proficiencies required for this SES contract are comprehensive and include all engineering and specialties disciplines that Metro may require in support of its projects. Projects that are contemplated to use this contract are:
1. Vermont Transit Corridor;
2. Projects to support Station Experience;
3. Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods Grant;
a. Imperial Highway Bus Corridor Enhancements;
b. Studebaker Bus Corridor Enhancements;
c. Valley Blvd Bus Priority Lanes;
d. E Florence Ave Bus Corridor Enhancements;
e. Broadway Bus Corridor Enhancements;
f. Olympic Bus Corridor Enhancements;
g. Hoxie First Last Mile Project;
h. Del Amo First Last Mile Project;
i. Avalon First Last Mile Project;
j. Pico/Flower First Last Mile Project;
k. El Monte Mobility Hub;
l. Chatsworth Mobility Hub;
m. Willow Mobility Hub;
n. North Hollywood Mobility Hub;
o. Expo/Crenshaw Mobility Hub; and
4. Zero Emission Bus Charging Infrastructure.
This is a preliminary list and projects will be added based on actual needs and available funding.
Determination_Of_Safety_Impact
DETERMINATION OF SAFETY IMPACT
Although this SES contract is not directly related to a specific safety issue, this Board action should have a positive impact on the safety of Metro’s patrons and employees
Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of the recommendations will have no financial impact to the FY25 budget. Since this is a multi-year contract Project Managers, Cost Center Managers, and the Chief Program Management Officer will be responsible for budgeting costs of task orders related to this contract
Impact to Budget
As specific engineering design support needs arise, task orders will be issued and funded from the associated project budget, upon approval by the responsible Project Manager. The sources of funds will be reflective of the respective projects’ budget which includes federal and/or state grants as well as local funds. Where appropriate, local funds will comprise of operating eligible funds.
Equity_Platform
EQUITY PLATFORM
The Contract provides Engineering, Design and Specifications for various Metro projects throughout the County of Los Angeles, including in many Equity Focus Communities (EFC). These services are essential for the support and on-time delivery of Metro projects that serve Metro customers. All services supported by this contract help avoid project delays and promote cost saving measures to effectively deliver the projects and provide greater access and mobility for those who rely on transit to meet their daily needs.
Program Management presented at the Transportation Business Advisory Council and attended meetings with the Small Business Community to further define the experience and background for this solicitation and held one on ones for firms interested in learning more about the scope.
The Diversity and Economic Opportunity Department (DEOD) established an overall 33% Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) goal for federally funded projects, and 30% Small Business Enterprise (SBE) and 3% Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) goals for non-federally funded projects in the solicitation. The successful firm met the goals by making a 33% DBE commitment, a 30% SBE commitment, and a 3% DVBE commitment. A summary of the DBE, SBE and DVBE subconsultants is provided in Attachment B. There are twenty-six DBE, twenty-five SBE, and three DVBE firms on the team. Further, the firm is participating in Metro’s Mentor-Protégé Program (MPP) as part of the Contracting Outreach and Mentoring Plan (COMP) and has committed to mentoring at least four firms (two DBE firms, one SBE firm, and one DVBE firm) on this contract.
Vehicle_Miles_Traveled _Outcome
VEHICLE MILES TRAVELED OUTCOME
Vehicle Miles Traveled (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 will improve and further encourage 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.
Implementation_of_Strategic_Plan_Goals
IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
These recommendations support Goal #3, Enhance communities and lives through mobility and access to opportunity and Goal #4 Transform LA County through regional collaboration and national leadership.
Alternatives_Considered
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
Staff considered two alternatives:
1) Solicit qualifications proposals for each individual task whenever the need or request arises. This alternative is not recommended because it would require extensive additional staff time to process each individual task. Each task order would essentially be a separate procurement. This could result in project delays due to the lead time required to complete each procurement cycle if the needed services are not determined early enough. Additionally, procuring services on a per-assignment basis would impose a significant additional burden on the Engineering, Capital Projects, and Vendor/Contract Management departments.
2) Utilize existing engineering staff to provide the required technical support. This alternative is also not feasible as Metro’s current engineering capacity is fully utilized to support the existing major projects, capital improvement projects, and State of Good Repair projects. Due to these commitments, it is anticipated that the current staff would be challenged to provide the technical support necessary for upcoming capital projects which will be under concurrent development with already existing projects. If this second alternative is exercised, Metro would need to hire additional staff with expertise in several currently underrepresented disciplines to perform this work.
Both courses of action are not deemed to be practical or cost effective.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
Upon Board approval, staff will execute the SES contract in accordance with Metro Acquisition Policies and Procedures, providing there is no timely protest to be resolved. Specific Task Orders will then be issued on an as-needed basis.
Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - Procurement Summary
Attachment B - DEOD Summary
Prepared_by
Prepared by: Michelle Quinn, Executive Officer, Program Management (213) 922-3026
Carolina Coppolo, Deputy Chief Vendor Contract Management Officer (213) 922-4471
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by: Tim Lindholm, Chief Program Management Officer (213)922-7297
