Title
a. Approve Professional Services Agreement (PSA) with Moffatt & Nichol, a California Corporation, to provide professional design services for the Scenic Road Protection Structure Project in Carmel, California, County Project No. 450017, Request for Proposals (RFP) No. 10999, for an initial term of three years effective November 3, 2026 to November 2, 2029, with the option to extend the term for two additional one-year periods, for an amount not to exceed $1,605,057;
b. Authorize the Director of Public Works, Facilities and Parks (PWFP) or designee to extend the PSA beyond the anticipated five-year term of RFP No. 10999 with no change in the scope of work or increase to the dollar amount to allow continuity of services initiated during the anticipated five-year term of the PSA, subject to review and approval as to form by the Office of the County Counsel; and
c. Authorize the Director of PWFP or designee to execute the PSA and up to three future amendments to the PSA where the amendments do not significantly alter the scope of work or increase the amount by more than 10% ($160,506) of the original approved PSA amount of $1,605,057 bringing the potential overall aggregate not to exceed amount to $1,765,563 subject to review and approval as to form by the Office of the County Counsel and as to fiscal provisions by the Auditor-Controller’s Office.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve Professional Services Agreement (PSA) with Moffatt & Nichol, a California Corporation, to provide professional design services for the Scenic Road Protection Structure Project in Carmel, California, County Project No. 450017, Request for Proposals (RFP) No. 10999, for an initial term of three years effective November 3, 2026 to November 2, 2029, with the option to extend the term for two additional one-year periods, for an amount not to exceed $1,605,057;
b. Authorize the Director of Public Works, Facilities and Parks (PWFP) or designee to extend the PSA beyond the anticipated five-year term of RFP No. 10999 with no change in the scope of work or increase to the dollar amount to allow continuity of services initiated during the anticipated five-year term of the PSA, subject to review and approval as to form by the Office of the County Counsel; and
c. Authorize the Director of PWFP or designee to execute the PSA and up to three future amendments to the PSA where the amendments do not significantly alter the scope of work or increase the amount by more than 10% ($160,506) of the original approved PSA amount of $1,605,057 bringing the potential overall aggregate not to exceed amount to $1,765,563 subject to review and approval as to form by the Office of the County Counsel and as to fiscal provisions by the Auditor-Controller’s Office.
SUMMARY:
The Scenic Road Protection Structure (SRPS) project (“the Project”) consists of installing a structure along the southern extent of Scenic Road, in the Carmel Point area of unincorporated Carmel to provide structural support to a bluff to prevent erosion that undermines Scenic Road, threatens public utility infrastructure assets, and hampers access to private residences. A Project Location Map is presented in Attachment C.
A Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) has been prepared for the Project. The FEIR was approved by the County of Monterey Board of Supervisors (Board) in September 2024, and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Notice of Determination (NOD) for the SRPS was also filed in September 2024.
The recommended actions will establish a Professional Services Agreement (PSA) with Moffatt & Nichol, a California Corporation (M&N) to provide professional design services for the SRPS Project. In general, M&N’s scope of work includes performing geotechnical explorations and surveying, preparing construction plans and specifications for SRPS, and providing the necessary environmental planning and permitting services. The proposed PSA is presented in Attachment A for the Board’s consideration.
DISCUSSION:
The County of Monterey Department of Public Works, Facilities, and Parks (PWFP) is planning to install a structure to protect a section of Scenic Road against the impacts of flood, erosion, and sea level rise. As shown on the Project Location Map (Attachment C), the structure, referred to as the SRPS, will be constructed generally parallel and adjacent to Scenic Road and extend from the Carmel River State Beach (CRSB) parking lot to a point between Valley View Avenue and Isabella Avenue. It will consist of a low-profile wall along Scenic Road and rock revetment along the edge of the CRSB parking lot. The proposed Project is consistent with the design alternative in the FEIR adopted by the Board in September 2024.
On July 16, 2026, PWFP solicited proposals from qualified consultants through Request for Proposals (RFP) No. 10999 for professional design services for the Project. The solicitation was advertised in the Monterey County Weekly in its July 16 and July 23 editions, and the RFP was separately provided to five qualified engineering firms.
On August 26, 2026, PWFP received a proposal from one consultant, M&N. A five-person selection committee reviewed the proposal and rated it based on criteria presented in the RFP. Based on its technical qualifications and experience with similar projects, the Selection Committee recommended the M&N team be selected to engage in contract negotiations pursuant to developing a PSA for the work. Further consideration included the need to initiate Project design work as soon as practicable, so it is nearing completion next fall when construction funding via the Hazardous Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) and/or Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Program funding opportunities are released.
Board approval would allow for the issuance of a PSA between the County and M&N to provide design services for the Project, for an initial term of three years effective November 3, 2026 to November 2, 2029, with the option to extend the term for two additional one-year periods, for an amount not to exceed $1,605,057.
Attachments A through C are provided for reference and include a draft of the proposed PSA, Project Budget, and Location Map. Attachments D and E include RFP No. 10999 and Addendum No. 1 to RFP No. 10999.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT/COMMITTEE ACTIONS:
The Office of the County Counsel-Risk Management and the Auditor-Controller’s Office have reviewed and approved the PSA as to form, insurance and indemnification and fiscal provisions, respectively.
FINANCING:
The total estimated cost of the Project, including design engineering, environmental, right of way, utilities and construction, is $9,117,700. The County has secured $500,000 in Measure AA funds and $1,800,000 from the State of California which the County anticipates will be sufficient to pay for design and contingencies. Please refer to Attachment B, Project Budget, for further details. As discussed above, the County is fast-tracking the design effort to be in a favorable position to pursue HMGP and BRIC grants next fall when the Project will be approaching a “shovel ready” stage.
As shown, the Project budget for Design Engineering and Environmental Services is $1,605,057. Because only the allocated Measure AA funds are available at this time, PWFP staff directed M&N to perform these services in three phases: Phase 1 - Initial Field Investigations and Preliminary Design, for an amount not to exceed $500,000, and Phase 2 - Final Design and Phase 3 - Construction, for an amount not to exceed $1,105,057 for a combined total amount not to exceed $1,605,057 for the PSA. The costs associated with the PSA are anticipated to be incurred over the next three fiscal years (FYs): 2026-27, 2027-28 and 2028-29.
Work on Phase 1 of the Project will begin immediately upon execution of the PSA. There are sufficient appropriations adopted in the FY 2026-27 Road Fund 1201, Unit 320015, Appropriation Unit PFP113 to finance Phase 1 of the Project. Once funding is secured for future phases of the Project (Phase 2 and Phase 3), the County will issue M&N a notice(s) to proceed. If necessary, additional actions will be brought forward to the Board after funding has been identified.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS:
The recommended action aligns with the Board’s Strategic Plan Goals for Sustainable Infrastructure, both now and in the future. The Project enhances the safety, functionality, and longevity of the County’s infrastructure by protecting the bluff on the outboard side of Scenic Road which minimizes undermining of Scenic Road and threats to public utility infrastructure assets, while fostering unimpeded access to private residences.
___ Well-Being and Quality of Life
_x_ Sustainable Infrastructure for the Present and Future
_x_ Safe and Resilient Communities
___ Diverse and Thriving Economy
Prepared by: J. Erich Rauber, PE, GE Senior Civil Engineer, (831) 755-5855
Reviewed by: Enrique Saavedra, PE, Chief of Public Works
Approved by: Randell Ishii, MS, PE, TE, PTOE, Director of Public Works, Facilities and Parks
Attachments:
Attachment A - Proposed PSA
Attachment B - Project Budget
Attachment C - Location Map
Attachment D - RFP No. 10999
Attachment E - Addendum No. 1 to RFP No. 10999