RCTC approves three on‑call right‑of‑way support contracts totaling up to $3.3 million

The Riverside County Transportation Commission on Nov. 4 approved three on‑call right‑of‑way support services agreements for a three‑year term with a combined not‑to‑exceed amount of $3,300,000 to support right‑of‑way needs on commission projects and for the Western Riverside County Regional Conservation Authority.

Paul Mimmack, senior management analyst for the Right of Way Department, told the committee the contracts will provide project management, appraisal coordination, title and escrow services, acquisition, relocation assistance, utility relocation coordination, eminent domain coordination, property management, right‑of‑way certification, construction support and project closeout on an as‑needed task order basis.

Staff said 12 firms downloaded the request for proposals, four submitted responsive proposals, and an evaluation committee selected Bender Rosenthal Inc., Epic Land Solutions and Monument Right of Way as the most qualified based on the RFP criteria. "We recommend awarding contracts for on‑call right of way support services on an as‑needed task order basis to meet project schedules, control costs and assure compliance with federal and state regulations," Mimmack said.

When a commissioner asked why HDR Engineering was not selected, staff responded that HDR submitted a responsive bid but that nearly half of the key personnel listed in HDR’s proposal were proposed as subconsultants rather than HDR staff and that those subconsultants had limited right‑of‑way experience. "They don't have much experience in right of way; they are mostly an engineering firm," Mimmack said.

The committee moved and seconded the recommendation and approved the agreements by roll call vote. The motion passed on a roll call tally recorded as eight yes votes and no recorded no votes or abstentions.

The committee authorized the chair or executive director, following legal counsel review, to execute the agreements; authorized the executive director or designee to issue task orders under the agreements; and forwarded the item for final action by the full commission.

Clarifying details recorded in the staff presentation include the RFP posting date (July 2, 2025), a pre‑proposal meeting on July 9, 2025, a proposal clarification deadline of July 15, 2025, and the four responsive proposers (Bender Rosenthal, Epic Land Solutions, Monument Right of Way and HDR Engineering). Additional procurement debriefs were offered to bidders after award, per staff comment.