DATE: May 7, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
FROM: Water Utilities Department
TITLE: REJECTION OF ALL BIDS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE LOMA ALTA SLOUGH WETLANDS ENHANCEMENT PROJECT
RECOMMENDATION
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Staff recommends that the City Council reject all bids for the construction of the Loma Alta Slough Wetlands Enhancement Project and authorize staff to re-advertise the project.
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BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
The Loma Alta Slough Wetlands Enhancement Project is a planned wetland restoration effort in South Oceanside on City-owned property. The Project site is located west of South Coast Highway adjacent to Buccaneer Beach Park and Pacific Street. The Project involves a phased restoration of the Loma Alta Slough habitat across seven vacant City-owned lots, totaling approximately 5.8 acres. The Project will expand existing wetlands and improve water quality while connecting new trails to the coast and future improvements including the Coastal Rail Trail extension.
To date, the project planning, design, permitting, and environmental documentation have been completed through multiple State and Federal grant awards to the City's Water Utilities Department. Grant funds originating from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, State Coastal Conservancy and the State Ocean Protection Council (OPC) total approximately $2.5M and are reserved for project construction. The City went to bid on March 3, 2025 to award a public works agreement for project construction.
On March 31, 2025, the City received two bids, both of which exceeded the Engineer's Estimate of $2,103,000, and the available budget for construction. After review, staff is recommending that Council reject all bids for the project and authorize re-advertising the project due to all bids received exceeded the Engineer's estimate for the project. Staff believe that rejecting all bids, conducting interviews with contractors, updating bid documents, review...
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