Meeting_Body
OPERATIONS, SAFETY, AND CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE COMMITTEE
JULY 16, 2026
Subject
SUBJECT: METRO Structures and Facilities InspectionS
Action
ACTION: APPROVE RECOMMENDATION
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
AUTHORIZE the Chief Executive Officer to award a firm fixed price Contract No. AE138681000 to Atlas Technical Consultants, Inc. for the inspection of Metro structures and facilities in the amount of $13,293,420 for the four-year base term, $6,549,640 for the first two-year option, and $7,120,053 for the second two-year option, for a total amount of $26,963,113, effective August 5, 2026, subject to the resolution of any properly submitted protest(s).
Issue
ISSUE
Metro requires architectural and engineering services to conduct inspections of structures and facilities to maintain a State of Good Repair (SGR). These services are necessary to comply with oversight from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), as well as adhere to American Public Transportation Association (APTA) standards. Specifically, Metro must provide documented evidence of structural integrity for all guideways, elevated viaducts, bridges, and tunnels to satisfy state safety mandates, while also providing precise condition data for the National Transit Database (NTD) to remain compliant with FTA Transit Asset Management (TAM) rules. The contractor will provide accurate and actionable data to inform long-range capital planning and annual budgeting decisions.
Background
BACKGROUND
Metro’s Enterprise Transit Asset Management (ETAM) Department was formally established in 2015 within the Risk, Corporate Safety, and Asset Management Cabinet to develop and administer a Metro-wide integrated asset management program. The FTA’s Final TAM Rulemaking: 49 CFR Parts 625 and 630 Final Rule, requires transit agencies to conduct inspections of locations, facilities, and other assets. Additionally, both the CPUC and APTA require comprehensive inspections for transit structures.
This contract will provide Metro with improved capabilities to maintain a SGR and deliver the data to fully comply with these regulations. This includes information required to report to the NTD annually on facility asset inventories, conditions, and performance, as well as data to help prioritize SGR projects for renewing existing assets. Since 2017, ETAM has issued separate contracts for structures and facilities inspections to comply with all regulatory requirements. This recommendation combines the previous contracts into one more efficient package.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
To ensure that the assets required for safe operation of the rail and bus system are kept in good repair, it is necessary to provide periodic inspections of each structural and facility asset. To fulfill this commitment while advancing the strategic goal to provide responsive, accountable, and trustworthy governance within the Metro organization, this contract consolidates previously separate structural and facility inspection agreements into a comprehensive contract. .
By streamlining internal operations, this unified approach eliminates an approximate 10% overlap in redundant inspections and reduces parallel administrative burdens, such as labor compliance and safety planning thereby maximizing the utility of public funds. The duration of this contract provides for all required inspections to be fully executed during the base contract. Furthermore, this consolidated strategy facilitates strict compliance with the TAM Rulemaking and A-15 Facilities condition reporting. Maintaining alignment with these federal mandates secures Metro’s ongoing eligibility for Federal Grant funding, demonstrating accountable governance by constraining long-term expenses while protecting critical agency resources.
Findings
Professional engineers are required to perform structural evaluations, identify defects, recommend mitigation strategies for any identified flaws, and provide condition assessments for Metro’s TAM program.
Considerations
All inspections must comply with requirements from the CPUC, Federal Highway Administration , and National Bridge Inspection Standards , among others.
Key components of the scope include:
• Physical Inspections: Mandatory physical inspection of locations identified in the contract, including rail stations and maintenance yards.
• Condition Ratings: Assigning ratings using the Transit Economic Requirements Model (TERM 1.0 - 5.0) scale.
• Technology Integration: Utilizing specialized tools and ensuring all data is compatible with Metro’s platforms and structural defect tracking database.
• Personnel Requirements: The team must be led by a professional Structural Engineer registered in California with at least ten years of experience which is consistent with industry best practices.
Determination_Of_Safety_Impact
DETERMINATION OF SAFETY IMPACT
In order to comply with Federal regulations, Metro must evaluate the condition of locations that have a potential safety impact. The structures, facilities, and assets in this statement of work will be inspected, assessed, and given a condition rating consistent with the FTA TERM rating scale. The ratings and identified defects will be utilized to determine the need for targeted repairs to support safety and continuing SGR. Further, regular, rigorous inspections of bridges, tunnels, and stations identify potential structural deficiencies before they become hazardous to patrons.
Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Funding of $2,953,914 for this action is included in the FY27 Adopted Budget, in cost center 6821, Asset Management (AM), under project 405605 - Cust. Facility State of Good Repair.
Since this is a multi-year contract, the cost center manager and the Chief Risk, Corporate Safety, and Asset Management Officer will be accountable for budgeting the cost in future years.
Impact to Budget
The source of funding for this action is PA, PC, TDA Administration that is not eligible for bus and rail operating and capital expenses.
Equity_Platform
EQUITY PLATFORM
Regular inspections specifically target the condition of facility components and accessible features (such as elevator hoist ways, ramps, wayfinding assets, and signage) to remain in strict compliance with Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations requirements. This enables members of the public, particularly those with disabilities or mobility challenges, to have reliable and dignified access to the transit system. By utilizing objective condition data, Metro can direct critical repairs and rehabilitation projects to facilities across Metro’s service area, including in Equity Focus Communities (EFCs) where transit dependency is highest. This strategy works to mitigate the risk of deferred maintenance for public infrastructure in these areas, providing a consistent quality of service regardless of geographic or socioeconomic factors.
The Diversity and Economic Opportunity Department did not establish Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) participation goal for this procurement. The U.S. Department of Transportation has issued an Interim Final Rule that makes changes to the DBE Program, including suspension of goals, counting of DBE participation, and enforcement effective October 3, 2025. While the DBE commitment is not a factor in the staff recommendation, there are five 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
Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) and VMT per capita in Los Angeles County are lower than national averages, the lowest in the Southern California Area Government (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.
VMT has already been analyzed for this item through an evaluation of the program’s role in maintaining the State of Good Repair (SGR) for the regional transit network. The result of this analysis was that there was no impact on VMT, as the item did not exceed any thresholds for inducing new vehicle travel. This impact conclusion is based on the fact that this is a maintenance and inspection contract designed to ensure the continued reliability and safety of existing transit infrastructure. By preventing service disruptions and maintaining a safe environment for commuters, the project supports the retention and growth of transit ridership, which is consistent with Metro's goal of reducing overall VMT.
*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 Metro Structures and Facilities Inspections project is fundamental to supporting Goal 1): “Provide high-quality mobility options that enable people to spend less time traveling.” By performing regular, rigorous inspections of structures, facilities, and trackable assets, Metro can identify and mitigate potential deficiencies before they escalate and impact revenue service. This proactive inspection strategy supports the reduction of unplanned service disruptions, so that Metro’s transit network remains an efficient and reliable alternative to private vehicle travel.
This project also directly aligns with Goal 2): “Deliver outstanding trip experiences for all users of the transportation system by focusing on the condition and performance of the assets passengers interact with daily.” The scope involves assigning Transit Economic Requirements Model (TERM) ratings to facilities, which documents that stations, lighting, and environmental systems are maintained at high industry standards. By verifying through expert review that these systems are functional, safe, and reliable, Metro provides a more comfortable and predictable environment, directly improving the overall quality of every passenger’s journey.
Finally, the project also plays a critical role in Goal 3): “Enhance communities and lives through mobility and access to opportunity by ensuring that infrastructure improvements are distributed equitably across the region.” Regular inspections provide the objective data needed to prioritize renewal projects in communities that are most dependent on public transit. Furthermore, by specifically auditing accessible features like elevator hoist ways, and ramps for federal compliance, the project guarantees that all community members, particularly those with mobility challenges, and those residing in EFC’s, have consistent and reliable access to essential services and economic opportunities.
Alternatives_Considered
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
Two alternatives were considered:
1. The Board may approve separate parallel contracts for facilities and structures. This alternative is not recommended due to the 10% redundancy in site inspections and duplicative administrative requirements, which could add undue costs over this eight-year contract. This model requires redundant efforts for labor compliance, certified payroll, and an overlap of inspections and project management plans. Operationally, it would create difficulties for Metro Operations by requiring duplicative track allocation requests and redundant requests for support at locations recently visited by another contractor.
2. Hire approximately seven additional FTEs and specialized certifications that the project team currently does not have. This alternative is not recommended because a critical drawback to this approach would be the inability to leverage external expertise. Relying solely on internal staff would eliminate access to third-party experts and independent contracted structural engineers who provide an essential objective review of inspection reports. Furthermore, internalizing the work would remove the specialized insights of industry professionals who focus on niche areas. Finally, relevant qualified candidates would be required, and these positions would be designated as “hard to fill.” Candidates with the necessary experience, expertise, and certifications equivalent to those proposed by the contractor are not readily available, therefore this staffing issue would potentially delay commencement of inspections, and Metro could not guarantee the ability to successfully complete all inspections as required.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
Upon Board approval, staff will execute Contract No. AE138681000 with Atlas Technical Consultants, Inc. to provide inspection services for Metro’s structures, facilities, and related assets.
Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - Procurement Summary
Attachment B - DEOD Summary
Prepared_by
Prepared by: Denise Longley, Executive Officer, Administration, (213) 922-7294
Stephen Toms, Director, Enterprise Transit Asset Management, (213) 922-5548
Vicente Pena, Project Manager, Transit Asset Management, (213) 922-5542
Carolina Coppolo, Deputy Chief Vendor/Contract Management Officer, (213) 922-4471
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by: Kenneth Hernandez, Chief Risk, Corporate Safety, and Asset Management Officer, (213) 922-2990
