Following years of discussion, the project to update the area across from the Highway 24 off-ramp went out for bid earlier in March. However, owing to several of the bids being deemed unresponsive, the City of Orinda rejected all five bids received.  

    Staff rebid the project, with more precise bid instructions for contractor license requirements and project experience requirements. On April 7, new bids were opened. Only Modernscapes Innovations from Oakley bid on the project, and their bid of $277,000 was deemed to be responsive. Staff also considered the bid to be in line with market conditions.

    In accordance with staff recommendations, the City Council voted on April 7 to award the contract to Modernscapes Innovations for $277,000 with an additional 15% contingency amount of $41,550 to allow for unforeseen changes. The total potential value of the contract would be $318,550. 

    As the project was already part of the city’s capital improvements plan, only an additional $48,000 was required and was authorized by the council.