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Goleta council rejects bid protest, awards Matilda Park improvements contract to Kaya Services
Summary
Council rejected a protest by Western State Builders and awarded a $404,897.57 construction contract to Kaya Services LLC for Matilda Park Improvements; the council also authorized construction management and material‑testing services and limited change‑order authority.
The Goleta City Council on Oct. 7 rejected a bid protest and awarded the Matilda Park Improvements construction contract to Kaya Services LLC, the apparent low bidder on a project to replace playground equipment, fix drainage and bring paths into ADA compliance at the 0.2‑acre Matilda Park.
Public works staff reported that five bids were opened Aug. 12 and that Kaya Services submitted the low bid of $404,897.57, roughly 23.3% below the engineer’s estimate of $528,044. Western State Builders filed a bid protest alleging, among other items, that Kaya Services failed to meet a bid self‑performance requirement, did not hold specified installer certification for the Play and Park Structures playground components, and lacked the licenses required for earthwork and concrete. Public works staff, with assistance from the city attorney, reviewed the protest and found Kaya Services compliant with the bid documents and California public contract code.
Staff noted Kaya’s listed subcontractor (Labor Solutions LLC) produced a current Play and Park Structures installer certification dated July 15, 2025, and that Kaya holds a Class A general engineering contractor license that satisfies the bid requirements. After staff recommended rejecting the protest, the council voted to reject the protest and to award the construction contract.
Council action and amounts: The council voted to reject the protest and authorize the city manager to execute a construction contract with Kaya Services LLC for the Matilda Park Improvements Project in a not‑to‑exceed amount of $404,897.57. The council then authorized the public works director to approve contract change orders in an aggregate not‑to‑exceed amount of $80,979 and authorized the city manager to execute a professional services agreement for construction management, inspection and material testing services in a not‑to‑exceed amount of $100,275 (term through June 30, 2026). Roll call showed all members present voting aye.
Why it matters: The award moves a neighborhood park project toward construction. The city’s findings on the protest hinged on bid‑document requirements and California public contract code interpretation; the council’s decision implements staff’s recommendation and authorizes related construction oversight spending.
Speakers and participants included Public Works Principal Civil Engineer John Plummer and Associate Engineer David Anaya, who presented project background, and Lorenzo Rodriguez, who said he represented the contractor in the chamber. Western State Builders filed the protest but did not appear for the protest hearing.
The meeting record shows the council’s unanimous roll‑call vote approving the construction contract and related authorizations; staff said they would return to manage contract administration and any necessary monitoring while construction proceeds.
