Santa Cruz Gateway Landscape Improvements

The City of Santa Cruz is requesting bids on landscape improvements at Ocean Street and Plymouth Street, including demolition, site and soil preparation, irrigation, planting, concrete work, lighting, low-voltage electrical work, and landscape establishment, with bids due October 23, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.

The City offers a 2% local business preference and an additional 4% locally owned business preference. Contractors must hold a valid California Contractor's [B] license at time of award; all subcontractors must hold valid licenses suitable for their trades. Prevailing wage compliance under California Labor Code and DIR registration are mandatory. Good faith local hiring efforts per Santa Cruz Municipal Code Chapter 3.10 and apprenticeship program participation are required for projects exceeding $30,000. Subcontractors performing work amounting to more than 0.5% of the total base bid or $10,000 must be listed on Exhibit 12-B with DBE status identified.

Work must be completed within 45 working days. Construction is anticipated to commence in November 2026 with estimated completion in January 2027. The contractor must begin work within 10 days after receiving the Notice to Proceed. Weekly progress meetings will be held. Coordination with CalTrans is required due to proximity to Highway 17 and Highway 1 on/off ramps; the contractor is responsible for obtaining temporary encroachment permits. Lane closures are limited to 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Bidders must submit a bid bond, certified check, or cashier's check equal to 10% of the total bid amount. Upon award, the contractor must provide Labor and Material Bond and Faithful Performance Bond each equal to 100% of the contract price within 10 calendar days. Insurance requirements include Commercial General Liability of $5 million per occurrence and aggregate, Automobile Liability of $1 million, Workers' Compensation with statutory limits, and Builder's Risk insurance. Progress payments are subject to 5% retention withholding until 35 calendar days after recording the Notice of Completion.

Contract award and execution is anticipated October 30, 2026. The prebid question deadline is October 16, 2026 at 5:00 p.m., with responses posted by October 20, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. No pre-bid conference will be held; questions must be submitted through the OpenGov portal. Bid opening is scheduled October 26, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. The contract will be awarded to the lowest responsible and responsive bidder. Liquidated damages are $13,200 per day for failure to deliver or perform within specified time limits. Bidders must provide a minimum of three client references demonstrating relevant experience within the past five years.