Downtown Parking Garage Construction Management Services

The City of Palo Alto is requesting proposals for comprehensive construction management services for the Downtown Parking Garage project at 375 Hamilton Avenue, with proposals due August 26, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. under RFP No. 198480. The question submission deadline is August 14, 2026. This is a full-cycle CM engagement spanning design development through construction closeout on a constrained downtown site with complex utility coordination.

The scope encompasses cost estimating, constructability review, scheduling, procurement support, construction administration, coordination with multiple City departments (Public Works, Transportation, Planning, Utilities, Facilities), and project closeout. The CM will serve as primary coordination interface between the City, design team, General Contractor, and City-retained consultants. The parking structure is approximately six levels above ground with approximately 265 parking spaces, electric vehicle charging infrastructure (100 stalls with 42 initially equipped), bicycle parking, photovoltaic infrastructure, and site improvements including pedestrian circulation, plaza, landscaping, lighting, and utility relocation. Construction documents target January 2027 completion, building permit in March 2027, General Contractor solicitation March–September 2027, and construction September 2027 through February 2029 (approximately 18 months).

Minimum qualifications require ten years of construction management experience on public agency capital improvements, with at least three comparable public-sector projects completed within the last ten years. The proposed Project Executive must have minimum twenty years of construction management experience and have managed at least three comparable public-sector projects; the Field Project Manager must have minimum fifteen years of construction experience including onsite oversight and two comparable projects. The CM must maintain continuous field representation. Key personnel identified in the proposal must remain committed for project duration; substitutions require 21 calendar days advance written approval. Proposers must submit audited or reviewed financial statements, a letter of good standing from a financial institution, or a current Dun & Bradstreet report.

Compensation is structured as a Not-To-Exceed Budget Per Task with progress payments based on percentage of project completed. The cost proposal includes six task categories: Preconstruction Services, Construction Management Services, Budget and Schedule Management, Testing and Special Inspections, Photographic Recording, and a $10,000 Allowance for Additional Testing. Bidders must provide estimated hours and hourly rates for labor categories including Consultant and Senior Consultant positions.

Evaluation criteria are proposal quality (15%), proposed solution (20%), experience (25%), cost (10%), financial condition and stability (3%), timely performance (3%), prior government agency performance (15%), ability to provide ongoing services (2%), compliance (2%), and consultant innovation (5%). Mandatory oral interviews will be conducted for highest-scoring proposers. Insurance requirements include General Liability ($1,000,000 per occurrence/$1,000,000 aggregate), Professional Liability ($1,000,000), Automobile Liability ($1,000,000 per person/$1,000,000 per occurrence), and Workers' Compensation at statutory limits, all from carriers with AM Best's Key Rating of A-:VII or higher. The City of Palo Alto must be named as additional insured on all policies except Workers' Compensation, Employer's Liability, and Professional Liability. Contractors must comply with prevailing wage requirements and City minimum wage ordinance. Contact: Steven Dimter, Contracts Administrator, steven.dimter@paloalto.gov, (650) 838-2716.