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Council rejects Wright Construction bid; awards Clover Heights storm‑drain contract to Jay Vega Engineering
Summary
Council accepted staff recommendation that Wright Construction’s low bid be declared non‑responsive because the prime contractor did not demonstrate it would perform at least 50% of the construction work. Council awarded the Clover Heights storm‑drain contract to the next lowest responsive bidder, Jay Vega Engineering (bid $1,499,309).
Malibu City Council followed staff and city‑attorney recommendations to declare Wright Construction’s low bid on the Clover Heights Avenue storm‑drain project non‑responsive and award the contract to Jay Vega Engineering, the next lowest responsive bidder.
Why: City staff explained the contract specifications require the prime contractor to perform at least 50% of the contract work with its own forces rather than subcontracting the majority of work. After reviewing bids and subcontractor listings, staff and the city attorney concluded Wright Construction’s submission showed the prime would perform less than 50% of the work; Jay Vega’s bid showed the prime performing a substantially larger share.
Bid details: Council heard that 15 bids were received. The recommended award was Jay Vega Engineering at $1,499,309. Staff said the project is funded by a FEMA hazard‑mitigation grant and addresses more than 1,000 linear feet of new 40‑inch storm drain to reduce flooding in the Clover Heights neighborhood.
Public comment: A representative of Wright Construction, Jason Merritt, told the council he disputed the city’s calculation and said the company believed it met the requirement; staff said the city’s analysis and the city attorney review supported the non‑responsive determination.
Action: Council voted to accept staff’s recommendation to declare Wright Construction non‑responsive and to award the contract to Jay Vega Engineering. Staff said it would be available to answer follow‑up questions and will finalize contract documents for execution.
Ending: Council directed staff to return with the executed contract and noted the project will move forward under the FEMA hazard‑mitigation grant funding once the contract is finalized.
