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TJPA board approves basis of authority to release RFP for 40CT progressive design-build civil-and-tunnel package
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Summary
The board voted to approve staff's recommended basis of contract authority to release an RFP for the 40CT civil-and-tunnel progressive design-build package, adopting state public contract code authority and directing staff to proceed with evaluation and negotiations toward an award in early 2027.
The Transbay Joint Powers Authority board on Dec. 11 approved staff's recommended basis of authority to release a request for proposals for the 40CT civil-and-tunnel progressive design-build contract package, a key procurement step toward heavy civil tunneling work for the portal project.
Board staff recommended using state law authority (staff cited Public Contract Code section 22180 in the staff report) as the basis to enter a progressive design-build contract for the 40CT package, and explained that progressive design-build (PDB) allows early contractor collaboration to optimize design and mitigate construction risk. "Our design is at approximately 30%... so we look forward to bringing [a contractor] into the room to think through how to advance that design in a way that they find constructible and most efficient for our limited funds," a staff presenter said.
The RFP package will include a draft contract, general requirements and supporting documentation; shortlisted prime teams (top-level leads) identified on the authority's website include Dragados with Flatiron and Bernard Construction, with one originally shortlisted team having withdrawn. Staff said the procurement anticipates a two-phase preconstruction approach: a 30% design validation phase of about a year, followed by a second phase to advance to 60% design, price remaining risks, and negotiate a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) and construction pricing.
During roll call, directors recorded votes in favor from Andrzejak, Chang, Kirschbaum, Lavery, Mariano, Tolleson and Chair Jeff Gee. The motion was moved and seconded on the record and the clerk announced the item approved. Staff said the RFP release is scheduled for later this month, evaluation of proposals is planned for 2026, and the board should expect a negotiated contract approval in early 2027.
Alfonso Rodriguez, portal project director, told directors the authority has begun its right-of-way program and completed one appraisal in the first tranche of five properties, and that utility relocation design is paused at about 90% pending award of a new designer-of-record contract so that design completion can align with contractor onboarding and funding. Directors asked for clarification on utilities, right-of-way phasing, and notices-to-proceed for the two preconstruction phases; staff confirmed formal notices to proceed will be sought for each phase and that the second-phase amounts will be negotiated in the first phase.
No public comment was offered on the item. The board then moved to the portal update.
