Council tables Camino Real bridge design RFQ after split votes; asks staff to engage Coahuila counterpart

The City Council considered the recommendation of the evaluation panel to award RFQ 2025-028 for design services for the Camino Real International Bridge expansion to LJA Engineering. After discussion, an initial motion to award failed on a 2-3 vote. Council later voted to table the RFQ, asking staff to reach out to the Coahuila government and return with a procurement approach that includes the Mexican counterpart's participation.

Why it matters: the Camino Real International Bridge expansion is a cross-border infrastructure project; selection of designers and procurement processes have timing and diplomatic implications, and the state of Coahuila indicated written willingness to reimburse the city for the Mexican side's portion of design but raised the question of coordination and the selection process.

Staff described the RFQ process: three firms responded; each was interviewed in person. The evaluation panel recommended LJA Engineering, but several council members said they wanted more time to ensure the Mexican government and other partners were offered appropriate opportunity to participate and to confirm the reimbursement commitments and timelines. Council voted to table the item and asked the city manager and purchasing staff to confer with Coahuila representatives and to return with an approach that ensures the Mexican counterpart is consulted and reimbursement arrangements are documented.

The council later reconvened after executive session to consider the item and, following further discussion, voted to table rather than award or reject the RFQ. The motion to table passed with a majority vote; the council instructed the city manager to negotiate with counterparts and return to council for further instructions.