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County narrows bidders for behavioral health crisis-stabilization and sobering center; supervisors press for transparency in procurement
Summary
Madera County staff said three design-build teams advanced in the procurement for a behavioral health crisis stabilization unit and sobering center funded by a conditional $24.9 million BCHIP award. Supervisors expressed concern about local contracting, committee makeup and a bridging architect's role.
County staff reported progress on a behavioral health crisis stabilization and sobering-center project funded by a conditional $24,900,000 Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BCHIP) award.
Joel Begay of the County Administrative Office and Jorge Mendoza, project manager, told the board that the county released a request for statements of qualifications (RSOQ) and a selection committee ranked submissions. The three highest-ranked design-build teams that advanced to the next phase are: (1) Querring General LLC and Boulder Associates (642.35 points); (2) W.E. O'Neil Construction and Perkins Eastman (624.4 points); and (3) Swinerton Builders and DLR Group (611.55 points). The county said the RSOQ rules limit the next phase to the top three teams.
Several supervisors questioned the procurement process. Supervisor Rogers said the board had not been apprised of the RFQ/RFP process in advance and asked why the selection committee included few people with construction experience. Rogers also raised concern that DLR Group, which performed preliminary schematic design work paid for by the county ($40,000), is a partner on one shortlisted team and urged the county to examine whether the firm had any competitive advantage or privileged information. County counsel and staff said legal review found no prohibiting conflict and that all design materials provided for the grant were published and made available to bidders.
Staff and counsel described how the design-build delivery method had been chosen to meet grant timelines and produce a guaranteed maximum price given constrained funds. County counsel recommended that, if the board wishes, staff could bring an action to reopen or restart the qualifications process, but warned that doing so would likely delay the schedule and could risk grant timelines.
Why it matters: The project is large and time-sensitive, with state grant terms and a mid-June Caltrans note on a different project timeline discussed in the meeting. Supervisors said they want clearer board notice about procurement steps and stronger emphasis on local contractor participation when feasible.
Next steps: Staff said they will proceed with the procurement process unless the board directs a restart; staff also offered to return with an action item if the board wants to reopen the RSQ process or change committee membership.
