To: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
From: Transportation
Meeting Date: November 17, 2026
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Department Contact: |
Howard N. Dashiell |
Phone: |
707-463-4363 |
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Department Contact: |
Alicia Winokur |
Phone: |
707-463-4363 |
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Item Type: Regular Agenda |
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Time Allocated for Item: 30 Minutes |
Agenda Title:
title
Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Bid Protest for the Hill Road Bridge Replacement over Mill Creek, County Road 327B, Milepost 2.05; and Adoption of Resolution to Acknowledge Receipt of Bids, Resolve Any and All Bid Protests, and Award Department of Transportation Contract Number 260021 to the Lowest Responsive, Responsible Bidder as Determined by the Board of Supervisors (Covelo Area)
(Sponsor: Department of Transportation)
Vote Requirement: Majority
End
Recommended Action/Motion:
recommendation
Adopt Resolution to acknowledge receipt of bids, resolve any and all bid protests, and award Department of Transportation Contract Number 260021 for the Hill Road Bridge Replacement over Mill Creek to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder (Covelo Area), as determined by the Board of Supervisors; and authorize Chair to sign same.
End
Previous Board/Board Committee Actions:
On July 7, 2026, by Resolution No. 26-119, the Board of Supervisors (BOS) authorized the Department of Transportation (DOT) to advertise and the Director of Transportation to award Contract No. 260020 and/or Contract No. 260021, subject to the conditions stated in the resolution, for removal of the existing bridge and construction of the Hill Road Bridge Replacement over Mill Creek, at an estimated construction cost of $7,874,000, including contingency.
Summary of Request:
The Mendocino County Department of Transportation (DOT), in concert with GHD, Inc., has prepared specifications, engineer’s estimate, and contract documents for DOT Contract No. 260021 for the Hill Road Bridge Replacement over Mill Creek in Covelo. The existing bridge, Bridge No. 10C0111, collapsed on June 12, 2026. The project will construct a new bridge on the existing alignment together with associated roadway and site improvements.
Bids for DOT Contract No. 260021 were opened on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at 2:00 PM, with seven bids received. Granite Construction Company (Granite), of Ukiah, California, was deemed the apparent low bidder with a bid of $6,313,940.93. On October 23, 2026, DOT posted a Notice of Intent to Award the contract to Granite.
The second-lowest bidder, Gordon N. Ball, Inc. (GNB), of Walnut Creek, California, with a bid of $6,359,913.50, submitted a bid protest dated October 28, 2026, based on:
1. Granite failed to identify its intended bridge supplier with its bid, as required by Section 55-4.01C(1) of the Special Provisions. GNB alleges that the omission was material because it afforded Granite an unequal opportunity to select its supplier and negotiate pricing and terms after bid opening.
On the date of bid opening, and within three hours of bid opening, Granite submitted a written statement identifying U.S. Bridge, a pre-approved supplier, as its intended supplier. In response to the protest, Granite maintains that the omission is an inconsequential bid irregularity that may be waived and did not change its bid price or provide an unfair competitive advantage and it was the same supplier used in the bid by GNB.
Please see the attached letter from the Director of Transportation for additional information. Two draft resolutions have been prepared for this item. Both parties have been invited to attend and address the Board of Supervisors. The Project is fully funded through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Highway Bridge Program (HBP), with Toll Credits covering the local match.
Alternative Action/Motion:
Reject all bids and direct DOT to re-advertise the project, delaying commencement of the project, or provide other direction to staff.
Strategic Plan Priority Designation: A Prepared and Resilient County
Supervisorial District: District 3
Supplemental Information Available Online At: N/A
Fiscal Details:
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source of funding: FHWA HBP, Toll Credits |
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current f/y cost: estimated $1,500,000 |
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budget clarification: N/A |
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annual recurring cost: N/A |
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budgeted in current f/y (if no, please describe): Yes |
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revenue agreement: N/A |
AGREEMENT/RESOLUTION/ORDINANCE APPROVED BY COUNTY COUNSEL: Yes
CEO Liaison: Steve Dunnicliff, Deputy CEO
CEO Review: Yes
CEO Comments:
FOR COB USE ONLY
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Executed By: Deputy Clerk |
Final Status: Item Status |
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Date: Date Executed |
Executed Item Type: item |
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Number: |
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