Report Prepared by: Laura Ivancich, Management Analyst, Engineering Department
Title
SUBJECT: Approval of a Design Professional Services Agreement with Kitchell Corporation, for Construction Management Services for Project CP090007 - Fire Station 56 in the Amount of $676,190
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers approving a three-year design professional services agreement for Construction Management services for Fire Station 56 with Kitchell Corporation in the amount of $676,190.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Approving the Design Professional Services Agreement with Kitchell Corporation, for Construction Management Services for Project CP090007 - Fire Station 56 in the amount of $676,190; and,
B. Authorizing the City Manager or designee to execute the necessary documents.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve as recommend by Staff; or,
2. Approve, subject to modifications as conditioned by Council; or,
3. Deny; or,
4. Refer back to Staff for reconsideration of specific items as requested by Council; or,
5. Continue item to a Council future meeting.
AUTHORITY
City of Merced Charter, Section 200 - Powers.
Merced Municipal Code (MMC) Section 3.04 - Purchasing System.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
As provided for in the FY 2025/2026 adopted budget.
DISCUSSION
Background
On January 3, 2012, the City Council adopted the Merced Vision 2030 General Plan. Chapter 5 - Public Services and Facilities (amended in May 2017) of the plan states that “The location of fire facilities is a critical factor in providing adequate fire protection to the citizens of Merced. The time and distance that must be traveled to the scene of an emergency can determine whether fire suppression efforts will be successful.” The plan identifies that there are five (5) city fire stations strategically located in Merced and that the department’s call volume continues to increase. A sixth fire station is planned to be built in the general location of Bellevue Ranch.
Furthermore, the plan states that the fire department has a goal of maintaining a response time of four (4) to six (6) minutes for the first engine to arrive at a fire or medical emergency within an assigned district. This goal was chosen because of proven factors affecting property damage, and more importantly, life. As the City continues to grow in population and area, fire protection needs to evolve to meet the response time standard, which equates to potential relocation of existing facilities and the development of new stations with personnel and equipment to be added accordingly.
On December 4, 2023, City Council appropriated $1,000,000 from the Public Facilities Financing Plan to CP090007 thereby augmenting the existing $599,958. These funds were designated for the architectural design, planning, and engineering services required for the construction of the new fire station, and Emergency Operations Center.
On February 5, 2024, City Council accepted and appropriated $4,000,000 from State Assemblywoman Esmeralda Soria for Project CP090007 Fire Station 56. This additional funding advanced the project and brought the City closer to fully funding the construction of the new fire station.
On December 1, 2025, City Council approved site selection for Station 56 on the west half of M Circle, located just south of Bellevue Road. The proposed location provides a strategically located position within the city, ensuring efficient access to critical emergency response areas. It is well-connected to major thoroughfares, including M Street to the north and south, and Bellevue Road to the east and west, facilitating rapid deployment of fire and emergency services across the city. The site’s proximity to these key transportation routes enhances response times and overall operational effectiveness.
Utilizing existing city-owned property significantly accelerates the development timeline. This eliminates the need for property acquisition and the associated delays and costs, allowing for a more expedient implementation of the project. By leveraging this asset, we can streamline the planning and construction phases, ensuring that the new fire station is operational as soon as possible to meet the growing needs of our community.
Construction Management Contract
As the City continues to close the funding gap for Fire Station 56, staff recommended advancing the project using a progressive design-build delivery method. This approach allows the City to select a design-build entity (DBE) based on qualifications, which is critical for a specialized facility such as a fire station. Under a progressive design-build model, the City may enter into an initial agreement for design services and, once full construction funding is secured, amend the agreement to include construction. This approach not only provides additional time to secure funding but also facilitates early collaboration between the contractor and City during the design phase, helping to improve project efficiency and outcomes.
Due to the complexity and specialized nature of constructing a fire station, along with the progressive design-build approach, staff recommended retaining a construction management consultant to support, in coordination with the Engineering and Fire Departments, the administration of a progressive design-build agreement and the construction of Fire Station 56. A construction management consultant, procured based on qualifications, would assist City staff in developing a request for qualifications for the progressive design-build delivery method and provide ongoing project oversight, including budget management, quality control, scheduling, and coordination.
Staff advertised the Request for Qualifications on February 23, 2026, to provide Construction Management services for Fire Station 56. Eight (8) responses to the RFQ were received:
• Barrie & Co
• Cumming Group
• Epicus Group
• Kitchell Corporation
• KYA Services LLC
• Roebbelen Construction Management Services Inc.
• SJ Construction Management Services
• Vanir Construction Management Inc.
City staff evaluated the submittals consisting of Engineering and Fire staff. Following a thorough evaluation process, the reviewers selected Kitchell Corporation as best meeting the needs of the City. Some of the factors that attributed to the selection of Kitchell was their strong track record with delivering projects with the progressive design-build approach, as well as having public safety expertise within their team to provide practical, operational insight into the design of a fire station.
The Professional Services agreement will be for a three-year period. Staff recommends approving the agreement with Kitchell Corporation in the amount of $676,190 for the three-year period.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
Project CP090007 was established as a Capital Improvement Project, currently funded by Public Facility Financing Plan (PFFP) and State Earmark funding from Assemblywoman Soria. There is sufficient funding in the project to award this agreement.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Kitchell Corp Professional Services Agreement
2. Station 56 Delivery Method CM Presentation