Report Prepared by: Joe Cardoso, P.L.S., City Surveyor, Engineering Department
Title
SUBJECT: Award Bid to Stockbridge General Contracting, Inc., a California Stock Corporation for Construction of Phase 1 of General Vang Pao Park, Project CP240049 in the Amount of $986,977.00
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers awarding a Construction Contract to Stockbridge General Contracting in the Amount of $986,977.00 for the construction of Phase 1 of General Vang Pao Park, Project CP240049, including Aletha June Playground and the General Vang Pao Memorial, located at the corner of Cardella Road and Freemark Avenue.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Awarding the construction contract for Aletha June Playground in General Vang Pao Park, Project CP240049 to Stockbridge General Contracting, Inc., in the amount of $986,977.00; and,
B. Authorizing the City Manager to execute the necessary documents and to approve change orders not to exceed $42,328.00.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommended by staff; or,
2. Approve, subject to conditions other than recommended by staff (identify specific findings and/or conditions amended to be addressed in the motion); or,
3. Deny; or,
4. Refer to staff for reconsideration of specific items (specific items to be addressed in the motion); or,
5. Continue to a future meeting (date and time to be specified in the motion).
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Article XI, Section 1109 - Contracts on Public Works.
Merced Municipal Code Chapter 3.04, Article IV - Public Works Contracts.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
As provided for in the 2025-26 Adopted Budget
DISCUSSION
Background
General Vang Pao Park has been a dedicated park site for almost a decade. The site was dedicated as part of a community development plan along with 5 others in the Bellevue Ranch area of Merced. However, no funding was dedicated to the site’s completion. The area includes approximately 7 acres of useable space and doubles as a flood basin. Many grants had been applied for and fell short.
Over the last several years Parks & Community Services worked with a series of local stakeholders to develop funding, community support and site plans to prepare for construction. Initial site planning funding was allocated by City Council in 2024, and Park Master planning was awarded to Melton Design Group.
Several community meetings were held to determine priorities for the park both from a neighborhood and cultural perspective. The Department was awarded funding from First 5 of Merced County to purchase an all-inclusive playground for the park through their 2024 Safe Play Initiative. The department worked with City Engineering Staff, Melton Design Group and historical leaders and members from Merced Lao Family to design the General Vang Pao Memorial on the site.
P&CS worked with City PIO and Grant Consultant CPPG to write a proposal to fund the General Vang Pao Memorial through the Arts in California Parks grant and was awarded the grant in Winter 2025.
With enough funding to begin construction of Phase 1 of the park, City Engineering worked directly with Melton Design Group and City partner agencies to develop site plans in preparation for a Notice Inviting Bids.
Contract
The City has a project to construct Phase 1 of General Vang Pao Park located at the corner of Cardella Road and Freemark Drive. Included in this project is the construction of the General Vang Pao Memorial supported by the 2025 Arts in California Parks Implementation Grant, and the Athena June All-Inclusive playground purchased with funding from the First 5 of Merced County Safe Play Initiative. Inclusive swings are also a component of this project, utilizing funding allocated by City Council several years ago to add inclusive swings in Merced’s playgrounds.
The work to be performed includes, but is not limited to, clearing and grubbing, installing sidewalk, wood fiber, pour-in-place rubber playground surfacing, signage, landscape, irrigation, play equipment installation, storm drain system and parking.
Such other items or details, not mentioned above, that are required by the Drawings and Technical Specifications Plans, City of Merced Standard Specifications and Typical Details, and the Special Conditions shall be performed, placed, constructed, or installed.
Under the direction of Staff, Melton Design Group prepared plans and specifications, with a base bid and two bid alternates. The project was advertised for bids, and the bids were opened on April 7, 2026, with the following results of the base bid:
Stockbridge General Contracting, Inc., Clovis, CA $ 966,217.00
Juarez Brothers General Engineering, Inc., Madera CA $1,165,104.65
Avison Construction, Inc., Madera, CA $1,265,841.60
Frontline General Engineering Construction., Inc, Tracy, CA $1,144,254.54
Cal Valley Construction, Inc., Fresno, CA $1,370,057.80
American Paving Inc., Fresno, CA $1,424,806.13
The Engineer’s estimate for construction was $980,000.
Due to the lowest responsive bidder’s base bid amount falling under the $1,000,000 threshold, the project labor agreement requirements do not apply, therefore removing the $26,000 line item the bidder placed on the base bid, making the base bid amount $940,217.
Staff met with the design team and decided to include in the contract five solar overhead lights at $8,200 each for $41,000.00, a calypso drum for $4,100, and two wavy railing at $830.00 for $1,660.00 for the bid alternates. Making the total construction contract $986,977.00.
The following is the proposed budget for the project:
Construction Contract $986,977.00
Contingency $ 42,328.00
Engineering, Testing & Inspection $ 25,000.00
TOTAL: $1,054,305.00
The construction is required to be complete by September 30th, 2026.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
CP240049 was established as a Capital Improvement Project and there is sufficient funding in the project to award this contract.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Stockbridge General Contracting’s Construction Contract
2. Bid Results
3. General Vang Pao Park- Phase 1 Aspects