FROM:
Engineering
SUBJECT:
Title
Award a Construction Contract for the Fire Station No. 80 - Training Center Project (Bid No. DE-26-129-SB)
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
1. Award and authorize the City Manager to enter into a construction contract with AMG & Associates, Inc. for the construction of the Fire Station No. 80 - Training Center in the amount of $14,395,000 and authorize a 10% contingency in the amount of $1,439,500 (Bid No. DE-26-129-SB).
2. Approve and authorize the City Manager to enter into any and all utility agreements, utility easements, and subsequent agreements on behalf of the City of Fontana for the Fire Station No. 80 - Training Center (Bid No. DE-26-129-SB).
3. Appropriate $3,900,000 from Fire Capital Project Fund (Fund 610) to the Fire Station No. 80 - Training Center Project No. 37603385.
4. Approve a transfer in the amount of $3,900,000 from Fontana Fire District Fund #210 to the Fire Capital Project Fund #610 to cover construction contract costs.
End
COUNCIL GOALS:
• To improve public safety by increasing operational efficiency, visibility and availability.
• To improve public safety by maximizing fire and emergency medical service resources.
• To improve public safety by minimizing impacts from disasters through emergency and disaster preparedness.
• To invest in the City’s infrastructure (streets, sewers, parks, etc.) by maintaining and improving the city's existing infrastructure.
• To invest in the City’s infrastructure (streets, sewers, parks, etc.) by providing for the development of new infrastructure.
DISCUSSION:
Fire Station No. 80 is a priority one project that involves the construction of a new fire station training center and tower simulator in the western area of the City limits. The proposed site is located at 6585 Cherry Avenue, on the northeast corner of Cherry Avenue and S. Highland Avenue. The new training center and tower simulator is Phase 1 of the new Fire Station No. 80 project, while laying the foundation for the fire station at a later stage in Phase 2.
The new training center will be a single story, 4,193 square foot building, on a parcel of approximately 2.269 gross acres. The training center is designed to accommodate up to 108 occupants in a classroom style setting with the following features:
• Administrative Offices - Public Lobby and Public Restrooms
• Private Restrooms, Locker Rooms, and Showers
• Staff Office Space
• Secure Parking and 0.56-acre overflow parking area within MWD right-of-way
Additionally, the new training tower simulator will be a custom high-rise six-story building along with an underground water tank recovery system. The proposed training tower building will consist of two sections. The first section features a five-story tower along with a six-story enclosed stair tower. The second section features a two-story structure with a residential-industrial character, including an attached garage. The simulator is intended to provide firefighter training within a controlled, simulated environment that closely replicates real-world fire conditions. Moreover, this project will incorporate an underground water tank recovery system designed to support sustainable and efficient training operations. This system will collect, store, and recycle water used during the fire exercises. This will significantly reduce the need for fresh water and lower long-term operational costs.
The project was initially released for bids in September 2025 with a bid opening held on October 6, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. A total of thirteen (13) bids were received ranging from $14,514,000.00 to $16,918,000.00. The City received a Bid Protest from the second and fourth bidders. After an extensive bid review and consultation with the City Attorney’s office, a number of bidding irregularities were noted from the top four bidder’s proposals. To avoid potentially time-consuming legal actions that might occur from various bidders over the bid proposal irregularities, staff rejected all bids and re-bid the project.
The project was released for bids a second time in February 2026 with the bid opening held on March 31, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. A total of seventeen (17) bids were received ranging from $14,395,000.00 to $17,470,178.00. After Purchasing reviewed all submissions, AMG & Associates, Inc. was determined to be the lowest responsive and responsible bidder in the amount of $14,395,000.00. The Engineer's estimate was $12,000,000.00. The significant increase in cost is largely attributed to the increase in material costs and labor wage rates of the current economy.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The fiscal impact associated with the approval of this item is $15,834,500.00, for the full term of the construction contract. The current available budget in 37603385-610-D-8330 is $12,668,855.91. An additional appropriation of $3,900,000 is being requested in 37603385-610-D and will be transferred from Fund 210 - Fontana Fire District. Appropriate budget adjustments will be submitted in the next quarterly budget report to cover the remaining balance and other unencumbered costs. All future costs will be included in subsequent fiscal year budgets.
MOTION:
Approve staff recommendation.