City introduces Job Order Contracting (JOC) for faster delivery of smaller public works projects
Loading...
Summary
Staff introduced a Job Order Contracting (JOC) alternative delivery method for smaller public-works projects, described state law limits on task orders, proposed local thresholds and equity goals, and said the administration will return a formal contract (Form A contractor selected) at a future committee or consent agenda.
Public Works staff introduced Job Order Contracting (JOC) to the committee on April 22 as an alternative delivery method intended to speed delivery of smaller public-works projects.
Staff explained JOC is authorized under state law as an on-call construction contract where individual task orders are typically limited by statute (state limit cited at $500,000). The city’s proposed approach would bring task orders over $300,000 to council for review while using JOC to process smaller task orders more quickly. The proposed contract includes goals for subcontracting to historically underrepresented firms: a 10% minority-owned business enterprise (MBE) and 5% women-owned (WBE) aspirational goals.
Staff described the pricing method using RSMeans standard unit costs plus a contractor coefficient (overhead and profit) and noted that state law requires a high percentage of subcontracting on JOC work to distribute opportunities. Staff said Form A (a known, experienced JOC contractor) was selected and will be proposed for the formal contract. Councilmembers asked for more examples of projects appropriate for JOC, requested more discussion about changing aspirational goals to minimum subcontracting requirements, and asked staff to address potential disadvantages such as reduced transparency, scope creep and limits to competition. Staff offered to return to the Planning & Public Works committee with the full contract and examples of applicable projects or present the contract on a consent agenda if the committee preferred.
Ending: Staff will return with the proposed JOC contract and examples of eligible task orders for a deeper committee discussion, including options for equity goals and oversight.
