Non_Exclusive_Franchise_Towing_Agreement.pdf

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

FURNISH AND DELIVER

NON EXCLUSIVE FRANCHISE TOWING AGREEMENT

FOR THE

POLICE DEPARTMENT

CITY OF PASADENA, CALIFORNIA

Request for Proposals - Non Exclusive Franchise Towing Agreement Release Date: Thursday, February 15, 2024

Attachments:

A - City of Pasadena Towing Franchise System Operations Manual 2024 B - REQUIRED_FORMS_-_AAs_-_SIG-LEGAL-STATUS_-_DECLARATION_OF_NONCOLUSION (27)

C - DISQUALIFICATION_DISCLOSURE (4)

D - CONFLICT_OF_INTEREST (5)

E - Pasadena_Taxpayer_Protection_Amendment_Disclosure (2) G - DESIGNATED REPRESENTATIVESdocx J - Franchise Application K - Sample Franchise Agreement L - 10.46 Pasadena Municipal Code N - 2024 Insurance Requirements for Franchise Tow Companies

1. Introduction

1. Summary

The City of Pasadena (“City”) is requesting applications for non-exclusive franchises for vehicle towing and impound services as directed by the Pasadena Police Department and the Department of Transportation (DOT).

The project specifications are located at this universal resource link:

https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/pasadena/projects/76394. The results will be posted at this URL location following evaluation process and selection of the Franchises.

2. Background

Pasadena is an ethnically diverse community that is home to approximately 141,510 people. Pasadena is the 9th-largest city in Los Angeles County. It is one of the primary cultural centers of the San Gabriel Valley. The City covers approximately 22.5 square miles, with an average of ten residents per acre. The median age of its residents is approximately 39 years.

There are over 100,000 jobs in a wide variety of industries in the City of Pasadena.

The City has determined that the business of police towing by the Police Department and department of Transportation affects the health, safety and public welfare of the residents of the city. The custody and control of vehicles owned by the public which are towed and/or stored at the order of the Pasadena police for purposes of impound or facilitation of traffic flow require a high degree of proficiency with the procedures established by the California Department of Motor Vehicles and a high level of trust and confidence by the public and the police department in the facilities used for storage and the personnel and equipment utilized for towing vehicles to impound, many of which may be of high value, may be or contain evidence of criminal activity, and which, if improperly towed or stored, may result in legal action against the city. The further responsibility of the police towing franchisee is to collect only the prescribed fee from owners of impounded vehicles and to release said vehicles promptly and efficiently, but only upon the evidence of proper documentation requires that only those towing contractors who have demonstrated that they possess the facilities, control systems and knowledgeable personnel to protect the interests of the city and vehicle owners.

3. Contact Information

Deadline for Questions

The deadline to submit questions related to this solicitation is Wednesday, February 21, 2024, prior to 3:00 pm.

Questions regarding this solicitation should be submitted directly through the City's eProcurement Portal Q&A function. Do not contact any City employee or official regarding this solicitation. Any questions submitted after the date and time specified may not be considered.

Procurement Contact:

Antonio Watson https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/pasadena/projects/76394 awatson@cityofpasadena.net

(626) 744-8382

Anthony Russo Lieutenant Email: arusso@cityofpasadena.net Phone: (626) 744-7159 Department:

Police Department

4. Timeline

Release Project Date February 15, 2024

Question Submission Deadline February 21, 2024, 3:00pm

Proposal Submission Deadline February 26, 2024, 3:00pm mailto:arusso@cityofpasadena.net tel:(626)744-7159

2. General Instructions

1. NOTICE REGARDING DISCLOSURE OF CONTENTS OF DOCUMENT

All responses to this Request for Applications (RFA) accepted by the City of Pasadena (City) shall become the exclusive property of the City. At such time as the City Manager recommends an applicant to the City Council, and such recommendation, with any recommended franchise appears on the Council agenda, all applications accepted by the City shall become a matter of public record and shall be regarded as public, with the exception of those elements of each application which are defined by the contractor as business or trade secrets and plainly marked as "Trade Secret", "Confidential" or "Proprietary". Each element of an application which an applicant desires not to be considered a disclosable public record must be clearly marked as set forth above, and any blanket statement (i.e. regarding entire pages, documents or other non-specific designations) shall not be sufficient and shall not bind the City in any way whatsoever. If disclosure is required or permitted under the California Public Records Act or otherwise by law, the City shall not in any way be liable or responsible for the disclosure of any such records or part thereof.

2. Electronic Submission and Delivery Instructions

Parties interested in responding are required to submit proposals electronically through the City of Pasadena's eProcurement Portal no later than 3:00 pm on Monday, February 26, 2024. Please upload sufficiently early electronically through the city's eProcurement Portal before the time and day listed in the Notice Inviting Proposals. Proposals must be received in the system prior to the deadline.

The entire proposal must be formatted on standard-size 8½”x11” pages; 12 point font only. The "Technical Proposal," "Additional Data," and "Statement of Qualifications" can be no more than 50 grand total pages.

The Price Proposal must include all costs associated with the Technical Proposal as described in the Price Proposal instructions in the “#Proposer's Submittals/Checklist.”

The Technical Proposal should disclose your technical approach in as much detail as possible, including, but not limited to, the requirements of the technical proposal instructions. Along with all required forms and submittals (See #Attachments, and #Proposer's Submittals/Checklist. No Pricing shall be included in this part.

Proposals received after the Proposal Deadline may not be accepted by the City.

3. Pre-Application Meeting

There will be no pre-application meeting.

4. Definitions https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/pasadena https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/pasadena/projects/76394?section=679105 https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/pasadena/projects/76394?section=679113 https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/pasadena/projects/76394?section=679105

The words (A) "City", (B) "Department", (C) "Director", or (D) "Contractor", as used in this RFP, shall be understood to refer respectively to (A) the City of Pasadena, California; (B) the several departments therein; (C) the directors of the several City departments; or any of their properly authorized assistants; and ( D) the person, firm or corporation with whom the contract is made by said City or the agent or legal representative who may be appointed to represent such person, firm or corporation in the signing and performance of said contract.

5. Addenda

If any person contemplating submitting a proposal of the items or services listed herein is in doubt as to the true meaning of any part of this RFP, he/she may submit a question through the City's eProcurement Portal Q&A section for an interpretation or correction thereof.

Any interpretation or correction of City specifications will be made only by addendum, duly issued by the City representative(s) identified in Section 3, above. Addenda (if any) shall be made available to each Proposer. A proposer’s failure to address the requirements of any and all addenda may result in the proposal not being considered. If the City determines that a time extension is required for the proposal, the City will issue an addendum that will give the new submission date. The Proposer is responsible to register on the City's eProcurement Portal and follow the project ,Non Exclusive Franchise Towing Agreement, to insure they receive all RFP documents including addendums which are available as a download.

The City reserves the right to change any part of these Instructions to PROPOSERS and Specifications any time prior to Deadline for Submissions. Any changes shall be in the form of addenda and will become a part of the Proposal documents and of the contract.

https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/pasadena

3. Scope of Work

1. Overview

The City of Pasadena is seeking the services of a qualified applicants to provide impound, towing, street sweeps, and storage services to the City, as directed by the Police Department and/or the Department of Transportation. In addition, franchisee(s) must make available through standby or other arrangements towing, recovery, and storage services for vehicles with up to 100,000 pounds in gross vehicle weight, and be able to tow vehicles from within all City-owned and/or operated parking structures.

2. Duration and Service Dates of Franchise Agreement

The term of any non-exclusive police towing franchise shall be for one year with annual renewal options of up to four additional one-year terms, unless earlier terminated, pursuant to Chapter

10.46 of the Pasadena Municipal Code.

3. Contents of Non-Exclusive Franchise Application

The response to this Request for Application (RFA) must be made according to the requirements set forth herein, both for content and for sequence. Noncompliance with these requirements or the inclusion of conditions, limitations, or misrepresentations, may be cause for rejection of the application.

4. Terms and Conditions

All franchises granted to persons shall be nonexclusive. All nonexclusive franchises shall be subject to the terms and conditions specified in the City Charter and in chapter 10.46 of the Municipal Code, in the resolutions and ordinances granting the franchise and in the terms and conditions of the franchise agreement. In granting any franchise, the city council may prescribe such other and additional terms and conditions, not in conflict with the City Charter or Municipal Code, as in the judgment of the city council are in the public interest.

5. General Franchise Requirements

Refer to the attached Operations Manual and Chapter 10.46 of the Pasadena Municipal Code for franchisee(s) operational standards of practice, rate structure and procedures that must be adhered to while participating in the City of Pasadena towing franchise system. By submitting an application the applicant is indicating they have read and agree to the requirements set forth in the listed documents.

At a minimum the following requirements must be met prior to submitting an application:

Franchisee(s) must provide the necessary trained personnel, tow trucks and storage facilities within 4 miles of the Pasadena city limits to minimize any hardship on residents of Pasadena when a vehicle is recovered, if necessary, and/or removed after a collision. More specifically, the Franchisee(s) must be able to tow and store vehicles impounded by the police, and by the DOT, at a secure location within 4 miles of the Pasadena city limits until there is a final disposition and release of the vehicle. Franchisee must be able to clean up and dispose of debris at the scene of a collision at which any vehicle to be towed hereunder was involved in conjunction with and at the direction of the Pasadena Police and Fire Departments.

Franchise must have a storage lot or lots having an aggregate area of 20,000 square feet within 4 miles of the Pasadena City limits.

Franchise must be able to respond within 20 minutes for Police or Department of Transportation impounds.

Franchise must met the minimum insurance requirements posted for a Police Towing Franchise (attached).

6. Franchise Fee

The franchise fee is presently $22,500 per franchisee for the scope of work described in Paragraph 3.1, above. Franchise fees shall be payable quarterly in accordance with section

10.46.160 of the Pasadena Municipal Code. This fee was established by the City Council via resolution on August 27, 2018.

An applicant may withdraw its bid without penalty prior to the award of the franchise. No refunds of paid franchise fees will be made if the applicant withdraws after the award of the franchise. Notice of such withdrawal shall be provided in writing within 72 hours of notification of award.

7. Pre-application Meeting

A pre-application meeting will not be held.

8. Summary of Required Documents

The following list is provided for the convenience of both you and the City and to help eliminate errors and omissions which may render your application unacceptable. Please check all appropriate boxes and submit with your application (Refer to the application).

o APPLICATION (Signed by Applicant) o LISTS OF VEHICLES AND PERSONNEL o APPLICANT HAS MET THE INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS OF THE CITY (Proof of insurance must be provided upon award) o LIVING WAGE COMPLIANCE FORM o DECLARATION OF NON-COLLUSION (Signed by Applicant) o VENDOR QUESTIONNAIRE (Form AA-1) o WORKFORCE UTILIZATION FORMS (Forms AA-2 and AA-3 signed by Applicant) o W9 – TAX PAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER AND CERTIFICATION (W9 will be collected upon award) o TAX PAYER PROTECTION ACT

9. Application Procedure

Prior to the dealine established in this request applications will be submitted via OpenGov Procurement using this universal resource link:

https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/pasadena/projects/76394

The results will be posted at this URL location following evaluation process and selection of the Franchises.

4. City Requirements

There are forms included in the section named Submittal/Checklist of these specifications which a franchise agreement each successful applicant must complete to establish compliance with a number of City Requirements, including, but not limited to, equal employment opportunity and affidavit of non-collusion. These forms and their instructions should be considered an integral part of the specifications and failure to complete them may be grounds, in the sole discretion of the city, for rejection of any franchise agreement each successful applicant or proposer.

1. Pasadena Operating Companies

If this solicitation is issued by an Operating Company of the City of Pasadena including the Pasadena Center Operating Company; or Rose Bowl Operating Company; or Pasadena Community Access Corporation: In this solicitation, any reference to the City, shall actually refer to the PCOC, PRHB, or RBOC, or PCAC, e.g. "City" shall refer to the Operating Company, "City Council" to its Board of Directors, and "City Manager" to its Chief Executive Officer.

2. Equal Employment Opportunity in Contracting

Policy - The City of Pasadena is committed to a policy of Equal Employment:

• Contracting. Contractors expressly agree to comply with the City’s ordinances and regulations regarding Equal Opportunity Employment as well as regulations that may be mandated by the source of the funds supporting this contract.

Compliance – To the extent permitted by law, Contractor expressly agrees to establish compliance with the Equal Employment Opportunity Practices Provisions of Chapter 4.08 of the Pasadena Municipal Code, and the Rules and Regulations adopted pursuant to said ordinance.

The successful franchise may be required to submit documentation during the term of the contract to evidence on going compliance with the City’s Equal Opportunity Practices Provisions.

Such documentation may include, but not be limited to certified payroll records and Current Permanent Workforce Utilization reports.

Required Forms – Each franchise must submit a completed Form AA-1. Failure to submit this form will result in automatic disqualification with no exceptions unless franchise has an approved Form on file with the City.

Questions regarding Chapter 4.08 of the Pasadena Municipal Code and regulations adopted pursuant thereto should be directed to the Department of Finance, Purchasing Division 626.744.6755.

3. Declaration of Non-Collusion by Contractor

This form is only applied for formal solicitations at $25,000 or more. The City requires that each franchise executes and submits to the City with the Bid/Proposal, the attached Declaration of Non Collusion in the #Bidder's Submittals/Checklist.

4. SAMPLE CONTRACT

A sample of the contract the successful franchise agreement each successful applicant will be required to enter into with the City is attached hereto and by this reference incorporated herein and made part of these specifications.

5. CHANGE ORDER MANAGEMENT

Any additional work identified during the course of the project that is deemed necessary, but outside the original Scope of Services, must be recorded as a Change Order and approved by the City in writing before work is started.

6. Local Preferences

The City of Pasadena is committed to promoting the economic health and well being of its residents. To this end, contractor agrees to recruit Pasadena residents initially and to give them preference, if all other factors are equal, for any new positions that result from the performance of this contract and which are performed within the City.

7. Pasadena Business License

Awarded franchise may be required to obtain and pay for any required business license under Title 5 of the Pasadena Municipal Code.

• If the business will not come into the City for the purpose of providing services for this contract they are not required to obtain a business license.

• If the business will only be coming into the city no more than 10 times to work on projects, they are charged 33% of the annual tax (5.04.130C)

• If they come into the City more than 10 times they are required to pay the annual fee.

• Any subcontractors used by the awarded franchise will be required to obtain a license if they will be coming into the City to perform services.

For further information contact Municipal Services Department at (626) 744-4166, Monday- Friday between 7:15 am and 5:15 pm. Additional Information regarding business license fees can be found here: https://www.cityofpasadena.net/finance/licenses/business-licenses/

8. Invoice Submission Portal

Invoice Submission Portal https://procurement.opengov.com/governments/portal/pasadena/projects/76394?section=undefined https://www.cityofpasadena.net/finance/licenses/business-licenses/

The invoice submission process is activated when an invoice is submitted through the Vendor Invoice Portal. Invoices submitted are automatically sent to the department being invoiced for review. Once the city department verifies its accuracy, the department will submit the invoice to Accounts Payable for payment processing. One final review and approval by the department who was invoiced is needed in order for a check to be issued. Checks are issued on Tuesday and Thursday.

How to submit invoices to the City of Pasadena?

Create an account: Visit the City’s Invoice Submission website:

https://invoice.cityofpasadena.net/ and select “Create Account”

Refer to the "Invoice Submission Portal - Vendor User Guide" for detailed instructions.

9. Acceptance of Conditions

By submitting a bid or proposal, each franchise agreement each successful applicant expressly agrees to and accepts the following conditions:

• All parts of the Instructions to franchise agreement each successful applicant and Specifications will become part of the Contract between the selected franchise agreement each successful applicant and the City;

• The City may require whatever evidence is deemed necessary relative to the franchise agreement each successful applicant financial stability and ability to complete this project;

• The City reserves the right to request further information from the franchise agreement each successful applicant, either in writing or orally, to establish any stated qualifications;

• The City reserves the right to solely judge the franchise agreement each successful applicant representations, and to solely determine whether the franchise agreement each successful applicant is qualified to undertake the project pursuant to the criteria set forth herein. The franchise agreement each successful applicant, by submitting a bid, expressly acknowledges and agrees that the judgment of the City as to whether or not the franchise agreement each successful applicant is qualified to perform the project, shall be final, binding and conclusive;

• The City reserves the right to reject all bids, waive any irregularity in any of the bids, or cancel or delay the project at any time;

• This bidding process does not commit the City to award any contract, and the City is not liable for any costs incurred by the franchise agreement each successful applicant in the preparation and submission of a bid.

10. Award of Bid and Determination of Responsiveness

The contract shall be awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. In determining whether a bidder is responsible and responsive, the following shall be considered:

• The quality of the material offered;

https://invoice.cityofpasadena.net/PortalGuide.pdf

• The ability, capacity and skill of the bidder to perform the contract or provide the material or services;

• Whether the bidder can perform the contract or provide the service promptly, or within the time specified, without delay or interference;

• The sufficiency of the bidder's financial resources and the effect thereof on his ability to perform the contract or provide the material or services;

• The character, integrity, reputation, judgment, experience and efficiency of the bidder;

• The quality and timeliness of the bidder's performance on previous orders or contracts for the City;

• Litigation by the bidder on previous orders or contracts with the City;

• The ability of the bidder to provide future maintenance and service where such maintenance and service is essential;

11. Pasadena Living Wage Ordinance

If this purchase includes a service, and the contract total is at $25,000 or more, it is then subject to the City of Pasadena's Living Wage Ordinance, Pasadena Municipal Code Chapter 4.11. The ordinance requires that contractors providing labor or services to the City under contracts in excess of $25,000 pay no less than the City’s Living Wage to all employees who spend any of their time providing labor or delivering services to the City.

The selected contractor will be required to evidence compliance with the Living Wage Ordinance by submitting payroll records as requested by the City. Each record shall include the full name of each employee performing labor or providing services under the contract; job classification; rate of pay and benefit rate.

Failure to comply with the provisions of the Pasadena Living Wage Ordinance is grounds for termination of the contract and a basis for penalties as stated in Pasadena Municipal Code Chapter 4.11. Questions concerning the Pasadena Living Wage Ordinance should be directed to:

Finance Department Purchasing Division 626-744-6755 - phone 626-744-6757 – fax

Please visit https://ww5.cityofpasadena.net/finance/doing-business-with-the-city/ for the current calendar year Pasadena Living Wage rate.

12. Errors and Omissions

Franchise shall not be allowed to take advantage of any errors or omissions in the Instructions to Bidders/General Instructions or Specifications/Scope of Work. Full instructions will be given if such error or omission is discovered and timely called to the attention of the City.

13. Patent Fees; Patent, Copyright, Trade Secret, and Trademark Fees https://ww5.cityofpasadena.net/finance/doing-business-with-the-city/

Each franchise shall include in the price bid any patent fees, royalties and charges on any patented article or process to be furnished or used in the prosecution of the Work.

14. Taxes

Price bid or Price Proposals shall include all federal, state, local and other taxes.

15. Certificate of Insurance

Proof of insurance is not required to be submitted with your bid/proposal, but will be required prior to the City's award of the contract. Refer to the Insurance requirements in the "Insurance Requirements" section of this document.

16. REQUEST FOR TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER AND CERTIFICATION (IRS Form W-9)

The winning proposal/bid may be required to submit a completed and signed IRS Form W-9.

Failure to submit this form may result in the response being deemed non-responsive.

Link: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw9.pdf

17. LIMITATIONS ON LIABILITY

Bidders acknowledge that they shall provide the goods and/or services without monetary limitations on liability. If Bidders take exception to this requirement, Bidders shall expressly state any exceptions, including the proposed limits of liability, (a) in detail; (b) as a separate line item;

and (c) not part of any form documents submitted. Bidders acknowledge that any exceptions may result in a finding of non-responsivness.

18. Recycled Product Procurement Mandates Pertaining to Local Governments [22150 - 22154]

This section is only applied when buying paper products.

Beginning January 1, 2022, SB 1383 requires jurisdictions (cities, counties, cities and counties, or special districts that provide solid waste collection services) to purchase recycled-content paper products that are recyclable.

SB 1383 builds upon existing laws that require jurisdictions to purchase products that contain minimum recycled content, and adds additional requirements on product recyclability and recordkeeping.

All vendors providing Paper Products and Printing and Writing Paper shall:

• Provide products that contain no less than 30% minimum recycled content and recyclability (described in further detail in State of California, PCC Sections 22150-22154, under the sections “Recycled-Content Requirements” and “Recyclability Requirements”.

• Provide a written certification and other verification from product vendors, as applicable, certifying that the products meet the recycled-content and recyclability requirements.

19. Compliance with the Levine Act (Government Code Section 84308) https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw9.pdf https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw9.pdf https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fleginfo.legislature.ca.gov%2Ffaces%2Fcodes_displayText.xhtml%3FlawCode%3DPCC%26division%3D2.%26title%3D%26part%3D3.%26chapter%3D3.5.%26article%3D&data=05%7C01%7Cawatson%40cityofpasadena.net%7C307f17457fcb49d363c108dbba309d38%7C82d9fc002c664402a28fc6bcdc32e491%7C1%7C0%7C638308490511442074%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=kSzPLWUdh6HYJTjfSaMqzITXO6TDf1tcUTo%2BcAV5SJw%3D&reserved=0

The Levine Act precludes an officer of a local government agency, including an elected official, from participating in the award of a contract if he or she receives any political contributions totaling more than $250 in the 12 months preceding the pendency of the contract award, and for 12 months following the final decision, from the person or company awarded the contract.

Proposers should ensure their employees, agents, and consultants are aware of the requirements of the Levine Act before the proposal is submitted, so as to avoid inadvertent violations.

20. AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS

The provisions of this Contract relating to payment for products or services shall become effective when funds assigned for the purpose of compensating the Contractor as herein provided are actually available to for disbursement. The City shall be the sole judge and authority in determining the availability of funds under this Contract. If any action is taken by the City, any state agency, Federal department or any other agency to suspend, decrease, or terminate its fiscal obligations under, or in connection with, this Contract, the City may amend, suspend, decrease, or terminate its obligations under, or in connection with, this Contract. In the event of termination, The City shall be liable for payment only for products provided or services rendered prior to the effective date of the termination, provided that such products or services were provided or performed in accordance with the provisions of this Contract.

5. Review and Award Recommendation Process

1. Review and Award

A screening committee will determine which proposals are responsive to City requirements and needs. The technical portions of responsive proposals will be evaluated by a selection panel consisting of personnel from the City. The selection may be based solely on the written proposals submitted.

PROPOSERS may be invited to a meeting to provide additional clarification of the content of their proposal. The City reserves the right to invite all of the PROPOSERS for an oral clarification OR only the top three (3) ranked firms based on the initial written proposal review. The meeting will not alter the selection criteria but will be used to clarify content of the proposal. The final selection will be made after the meetings. Proposals shall consist of the sections named in the “Contents of Proposal” outlined below.

The weighted scoring in the Evaluation Criteria prioritizes the factors most important for this solicitation. The selected Franchises (Proposers) will be chosen based on the Evaluation Criteria in this document.

Once an agreement is reached with a Proposer, staff will recommend award of a contract. The City reserves the right to select the firm which, in its sole judgment, best meets the needs of the City.

For City Departments: Any contract resulting from this RFP, if $25,000 or more, shall not be effective until approved by the City Manager. Any contract resulting from this RFP, if $75,000 or more, shall not be effective until approved by the City Council.

For Operating Companies (such as the Rose Bowl, or the Pasadena Rental Housing Board): Any contract resulting from this RFP, if less than $75,000, shall not be effective until approved by the top executive official of the Operating Company. Any contract resulting from this RFP, if $75,000 or more, shall not be effective until approved by the Board of the Operating Company (including the Pasadena Rental Housing Board, Rose Bowl Operating Company, Pasadena Center Operating Company, or Pasadena Media).

https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/pasadena/projects/76394?section=undefined

6. Public Contract Claims Procedure

PUBLIC CONTRACT CODE SEC. 9204 PUBLIC WORKS CLAIMS PROCEDURE

AB 626, approved by the Governor on September 29, 2016, created a new Public Contract Code Section 9204, which specifies new procedural requirements for claims submitted by a contractor on any public works project. These new requirements contain burdens for both private contractors and public entities and are specifically made applicable to charter cities.

For this legislation, a “public works project” is defined as “the erection, construction, alteration, repair, or improvement of any public structure, building, road, or other public improvement of any kind.” This definition is not as broad as in the Prevailing Wage Law.

A “claim” is defined as “a separate demand by a contractor sent by registered mail or certified mail with return receipt requested…” and is limited to three types of contract disputes:

1. “A time extension…for relief from damages or penalties for delay assessed by a public entity….”

2. “Payment by the public entity of money or damages arising from work done by, or on behalf of, the contractor pursuant to the contract for a public works project and payment for which is not otherwise expressly provided or to which the claimant is not otherwise entitled”, and/or

3. “Payment of an amount that is disputed by the public entity.”

Upon receipt of a claim, a public entity must "conduct a reasonable review" and provide a written statement to the contractor within 45 days of receipt of the claim. Failure of a public entity to respond to a claim within the time periods described in Section 9204 "shall result in the claim being deemed rejected in its entirety."

For any undisputed portion of a claim, a public entity must make payment within 60 days of the public entity's issuance of the written statement.

If the contractor disputes the public entity's written statement, or if the public entity fails to respond, the contractor may demand "an informal conference to meet and confer for settlement of the issues in dispute." The public entity must schedule the meet and confer conference within 30 days of the demand.

Within 10 business days following the meet and confer conference, the public entity must provide a written statement identifying the portion of the claim that remains in dispute.

Any payment due on an undisputed portion of the claim must be made within 60 days of the meet and confer conference. Amounts not paid in a timely manner shall bear interest at 7 percent per year.

After the meet and confer conference, any disputed portion of the claim "shall be submitted to non-binding mediation." If mediation fails to resolve the dispute, the parts of the claim that remain in dispute shall be subject to applicable procedures outside Section 9204 (statutory and contractual).

The full text of this new legislation is set forth below:

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

SECTION 1.

Section 9204 is added to the Public Contract Code, to read:

9204.

(a) The Legislature finds and declares that it is in the best interests of the state and its citizens to ensure that all construction business performed on a public works project in the state that is complete and not in dispute is paid in full and in a timely manner.

(b) Notwithstanding any other law, including, but not limited to, Article 7.1 (commencing with Section 10240) of Chapter 1 of Part 2, Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 19100) of Part 2, and Article 1.5 (commencing with Section 20104) of Chapter 1 of Part 3, this section shall apply to any claim by a contractor in connection with a public works project.

(c) For purposes of this section:

(1) “Claim” means a separate demand by a contractor sent by registered mail or certified mail with return receipt requested, for one or more of the following:

(A) A time extension, including, without limitation, for relief from damages or penalties for delay assessed by a public entity under a contract for a public works project.

(B) Payment by the public entity of money or damages arising from work done by, or on behalf of, the contractor pursuant to the contract for a public works project and payment for which is not otherwise expressly provided or to which the claimant is not otherwise entitled.

(C) Payment of an amount that is disputed by the public entity.

(2) “Contractor” means any type of contractor within the meaning of Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 7000) of Division 3 of the Business and Professions Code who has entered into a direct contract with a public entity for a public works project.

(3) (A) “Public entity” means, without limitation, except as provided in subparagraph (B), a state agency, department, office, division, bureau, board, or commission, the California State University, the University of California, a city, including a charter city, county, including a charter county, city and county, including a charter city and county, district, special district, public authority, political subdivision, public corporation, or nonprofit transit corporation wholly owned by a public agency and formed to carry out the purposes of the public agency.

(B) “Public entity” shall not include the following:

The Department of Water Resources as to any project under the jurisdiction of that department.

The Department of Transportation as to any project under the jurisdiction of that department.

The Department of Parks and Recreation as to any project under the jurisdiction of that department.

The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation with respect to any project under its jurisdiction pursuant to Chapter 11 (commencing with Section 7000) of Title 7 of Part 3 of the Penal Code.

The Military Department as to any project under the jurisdiction of that department.

The Department of General Services as to all other projects.

The High-Speed Rail Authority.

(4) “Public works project” means the erection, construction, alteration, repair, or improvement of any public structure, building, road, or other public improvement of any kind.

(5) “Subcontractor” means any type of contractor within the meaning of Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 7000) of Division 3 of the Business and Professions Code who either is in direct contract with a contractor or is a lower tier subcontractor.

(d) (1) (A) Upon receipt of a claim pursuant to this section, the public entity to which the claim applies shall conduct a reasonable review of the claim and, within a period not to exceed 45 days, shall provide the claimant a written statement identifying what portion of the claim is disputed and what portion is undisputed. Upon receipt of a claim, a public entity and a contractor may, by mutual agreement, extend the time period provided in this subdivision.

(B) The claimant shall furnish reasonable documentation to support the claim.

(C) If the public entity needs approval from its governing body to provide the claimant a written statement identifying the disputed portion and the undisputed portion of the claim, and the governing body does not meet within the 45 days or within the mutually agreed to extension of time following receipt of a claim sent by registered mail or certified mail, return receipt requested, the public entity shall have up to three days following the next duly publicly noticed meeting of the governing body after the 45-day period, or extension, expires to provide the claimant a written statement identifying the disputed portion and the undisputed portion.

(D) Any payment due on an undisputed portion of the claim shall be processed and made within 60 days after the public entity issues its written statement. If the public entity fails to issue a written statement, paragraph (3) shall apply.

(2) (A) If the claimant disputes the public entity’s written response, or if the public entity fails to respond to a claim issued pursuant to this section within the time prescribed, the claimant may demand in writing an informal conference to meet and confer for settlement of the issues in dispute. Upon receipt of a demand in writing sent by registered mail or certified mail, return receipt requested, the public entity shall schedule a meet and confer conference within 30 days for settlement of the dispute.

(B) Within 10 business days following the conclusion of the meet and confer conference, if the claim or any portion of the claim remains in dispute, the public entity shall provide the claimant a written statement identifying the portion of the claim that remains in dispute and the portion that is undisputed. Any payment due on an undisputed portion of the claim shall be processed and made within 60 days after the public entity issues its written statement. Any disputed portion of the claim, as identified by the contractor in writing, shall be submitted to nonbinding mediation, with the public entity and the claimant sharing the associated costs equally. The public entity and claimant shall mutually agree to a mediator within 10 business days after the disputed portion of the claim has been identified in writing. If the parties cannot agree upon a mediator, each party shall select a mediator and those mediators shall select a qualified neutral third party to mediate with regard to the disputed portion of the claim. Each party shall bear the fees and costs charged by its respective mediator in connection with the selection of the neutral mediator. If mediation is unsuccessful, the parts of the claim remaining in dispute shall be subject to applicable procedures outside this section.

(C) For purposes of this section, mediation includes any nonbinding process, including, but not limited to, neutral evaluation or a dispute review board, in which an independent third party or board assists the parties in dispute resolution through negotiation or by issuance of an evaluation. Any mediation utilized shall conform to the timeframes in this section.

(D) Unless otherwise agreed to by the public entity and the contractor in writing, the mediation conducted pursuant to this section shall excuse any further obligation under Section 20104.4 to mediate after litigation has been commenced.

(E) This section does not preclude a public entity from requiring arbitration of disputes under private arbitration or the Public Works Contract Arbitration Program, if mediation under this section does not resolve the parties’ dispute.

(3) Failure by the public entity to respond to a claim from a contractor within the time periods described in this subdivision or to otherwise meet the time requirements of this section shall result in the claim being deemed rejected in its entirety. A claim that is denied by reason of the public entity’s failure to have responded to a claim, or its failure to otherwise meet the time requirements of this section, shall not constitute an adverse finding with regard to the merits of the claim or the responsibility or qualifications of the claimant.

(4) Amounts not paid in a timely manner as required by this section shall bear interest at 7 percent per annum.

(5) If a subcontractor or a lower tier subcontractor lacks legal standing to assert a claim against a public entity because privity of contract does not exist, the contractor may present to the public entity a claim on behalf of a subcontractor or lower tier subcontractor. A subcontractor may request in writing, either on his or her own behalf or on behalf of a lower tier subcontractor, that the contractor present a claim for work which was performed by the subcontractor or by a lower tier subcontractor on behalf of the subcontractor. The subcontractor requesting that the claim be presented to the public entity shall furnish reasonable documentation to support the claim.

Within 45 days of receipt of this written request, the contractor shall notify the subcontractor in writing as to whether the contractor presented the claim to the public entity and, if the original contractor did not present the claim, provide the subcontractor with a statement of the reasons for not having done so.

(e) The text of this section or a summary of it shall be set forth in the plans or specifications for any public works project that may give rise to a claim under this section.

(f) A waiver of the rights granted by this section is void and contrary to public policy, provided, however, that (1) upon receipt of a claim, the parties may mutually agree to waive, in writing, mediation and proceed directly to the commencement of a civil action or binding arbitration, as applicable; and (2) a public entity may prescribe reasonable change order, claim, and dispute resolution procedures and requirements in addition to the provisions of this section, so long as the contractual provisions do not conflict with or otherwise impair the timeframes and procedures set forth in this section.

(g) This section applies to contracts entered into on or after January 1, 2017.

(h) Nothing in this section shall impose liability upon a public entity that makes loans or grants available through a competitive application process, for the failure of an awardee to meet its contractual obligations.

(i) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2027, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute that is enacted before January 1, 2027, deletes or extends that date.

(Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 489, Sec. 1. (AB 456) Effective January 1, 2020. Repealed as of January 1, 2027, by its own provisions.)

SEC. 2.

The Legislature finds and declares that it is of statewide concern to require a charter city, charter county, or charter city and county to follow a prescribed claims resolution process to ensure there are uniform and equitable procurement practices.

SEC. 3.

If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.

7. General Requirements

1. Standard terms and conditions

Prior to the award of any work hereunder, City and contractor shall enter into a written contract in substantially the form attached hereto with such revisions thereto as the City may determine necessary and appropriate. PROPOSERS responding to this RFP are strongly advised to review all the terms and conditions of the contract, and shall be deemed to have accepted them.

2. Firm commitment of availability of service

Once a proposal is opened, a PROPOSER is expected to maintain an availability of service as set forth in its proposal for at least four months after date for opening proposals.

3. Reservations

The City reserves the right to reject any or all bids or proposals and any item or items therein, and to waive any non conformity of proposals with this RFP, whether of a technical or substantive nature, as the interest of the City may require.

4. Documents to be construed together

The Request for Proposals, the Proposal, the Non Collusion Affidavit, and all documents referred to in the complete specifications and the Contract to be entered into between the Contractor and the City, and all modifications of said documents, shall be construed together as one document.

5. RFP not contractual

Nothing contained in this Request for Proposals shall create any contractual relationship between the PROPOSER and the City. The City accepts no financial responsibility for costs incurred by any PROPOSER regarding this RFP.

6. Patent fees; patent, copyright, trade secret and trademark fees

Each PROPOSER shall include in the price bid any patent fees, royalties and charges on any patented article or process to be furnished or used in the prosecution of the Work.

7. PUBLIC CONTRACT CODE SEC. 9204 NEW PUBLIC WORKS CLAIMS PROCEDURE

Observe attached details regarding Public Contract Code Section 9204. AB 626, approved by the Governor on September 29, 2016, created a new Public Contract Code Section 9204, which specifies new procedural requirements for claims submitted by a contractor on any public works project. These new requirements contain burdens for both private contractors and public entities and are specifically made applicable to charter cities.

8. Request for Proposal (RFP) quantities:

The quantities contained in the RFP documents are approximate only and are for the sole purpose of comparing proposals. The City may, in accordance with the specifications, request additional services as necessary at the City's sole discretion, as increased by the unit price noted and payment will be made for the amount of services actually provided as determined by the City and accepted at the unit prices noted in the proposal.

9. CHANGE ORDER MANAGEMENT

CHANGE ORDER MANAGEMENT

Any additional work identified during the course of the project that is deemed necessary, but outside the original Scope of Services, must be recorded as a Change Order and approved by the City Project Manager in writing before work is started.

10. Taxpayer Protection Act

Under the provisions of the City of Pasadena Taxpayer Protection Act ("TPA"), the Contractor/Organization will be considered a "recipient of a public benefit." The full provisions of the TPA are set forth in Pasadena City Charter, Article XVII. Under the TPA, City public officials who approve this Contract are prohibited from receiving specified gifts, campaign contributions or employment from Contractor for a specified time. As well, if this Contract is to be approved by the City Council, Councilmembers or candidates for Council are prohibited from receiving campaign contributions during the time this Contract is being negotiated (from the due date for an RFP response until award of a contract; this restriction does not apply to competitive and noticed low bid contracts). This prohibition extends to individuals and entities that are specified in the TPA and includes Contractor/Organization and its trustees, directors, partners, corporate officers and those with more than a 10% equity, participation, or revenue interest in Contractor/Organization. Contractor/Organization understands and agrees that: (A) Contractor/Organization is aware of the TPA; (B) Contractor/Organization will complete the forms provided by the City to identify all of the recipients of a public benefit specified in the TPA;

and (C) Contractor/Organization will not make any prohibited gift, campaign contribution or offer of employment to any public official who negotiated and/or approved this Contract, and will not make any prohibited campaign contribution during the time this contract is being negotiated.

The Contractor shall submit a copy of the completed TPA formto the City Clerk’s Office if the contract is to be awarded by the City Council via e-mail: OfficialRecords- CityClerk@Cityofpasadena.net or by fax: (626) 744-3921, and submit a copy with the response package.

For more information please go to: https://www.cityofpasadena.net/city-clerk/disclosure-reportsax-payer-protection-act-tpa/

11. REBATES, KICKBACKS, OR OTHER UNLAWFUL CONSIDERATION

https://www.cityofpasadena.net/city-clerk/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/TPA-Disclosure-Form-Non-Land-Use-contracts-and-all-others.pdf?v=1657730649410 mailto:OfficialRecords-CityClerk@Cityofpasadena.net mailto:OfficialRecords-CityClerk@Cityofpasadena.net https://www.cityofpasadena.net/city-clerk/disclosure-reportsax-payer-protection-act-tpa/ https://www.cityofpasadena.net/city-clerk/disclosure-reportsax-payer-protection-act-tpa/

Consultant agrees to comply with and abide by: (i) the terms of the Davis-Bacon Act, codified at 40 U.S.C. § 3141 et seq., as supplemented by regulations at 29 CFR Part 5, and that such terms and regulations are a part of this RFP and incorporated herein by this reference; and (ii) the terms of the Copeland…