To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Sonoma County Public Infrastructure
Staff Name and Phone Number: Johannes J. Hoevertsz, 707-565-2550
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Proposed New County Government Center Project - Award of Contract for Preconstruction Services for the Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR)
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Recommended Action:
Recommended action
A) Award a contract for Construction Manager at Risk (“CMAR”) to McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. (“McCarthy”) for preconstruction phase services for the proposed new County Government Center (“CGC”) project (“Project”), and delegate authority to the Director of the Department of Public Infrastructure to execute the contract in a form approved by County Counsel.
B) Authorize the Director of the Department of Public Infrastructure to issue a Notice to Proceed for CMAR pre-construction services for an amount not to exceed $675,000.
C) Authorize a contingency of up to ten percent (10%) of costs for the preconstruction phase under the CMAR contract for a not to exceed amount of $742,500.
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Executive Summary:
Sonoma County Public Infrastructure (SPI) requests Board approval to award a contract for Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) to McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. for preconstruction services for the new County Government Center (CGC) project. This phase will support cost validation, design coordination, and development of a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) for future Board consideration. Approval of this item advances a major capital initiative to modernize County facilities, improve service delivery, and address long-term operational inefficiencies.
Discussion:
The County Government Center (CGC) project is a major capital initiative to replace aging County facilities with a modern, multi-department campus that improves service delivery, operational efficiency, and long-term sustainability. The project is currently planned to include approximately 241,320 square feet and accommodate about 890 full-time employees from multiple departments, including the Board of Supervisors, County Executive’s Office, County Counsel, Human Resources, Information Services, Public Defender, District Attorney, Human Services, and Probation.
Since January 2023, the Board of Supervisors has taken a series of actions to advance the project, including confirming the project site, endorsing a phased development approach, establishing space standards, and authorizing procurement of key pre-development services. This includes engaging ZGF Architects LLP for architectural and engineering design, along with consultant support for environmental review, land use entitlements, and technical studies.
The project is currently in the design phase, with ZGF leading architectural and engineering services through conceptual, schematic, and design development. Ongoing coordination with user departments has refined programming and floor plans to align facility design with operational needs and space requirements.
Staff recommends use of the Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) delivery method to bring a contractor on board during design. This approach enables early collaboration to support cost estimating, constructability review, phasing and logistics planning, and value engineering, helping to align the project scope with available funding and reduce delivery risk.
On December 10, 2025, the County released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for CMAR services using a best value procurement process in accordance with Public Contract Code requirements. Six proposals were received, and four firms were shortlisted for interviews.
An evaluation panel comprised of representatives from Permit Sonoma, the Community Development Commission, and Sonoma County Public Infrastructure conducted a comprehensive review, including scoring of written proposals, interviews, evaluation of qualifications and project approach, review of cost and fee structures, and reference checks.
Interviews were conducted on April 15 and 16, during which the panel assessed each firm’s technical expertise, project management approach, and risk mitigation strategies. Based on this evaluation, McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. was identified as the most qualified firm.
McCarthy’s proposal includes a preconstruction services cost of $675,000 and a proposed construction phase fee of 2.95 percent of the direct cost of work. The selection reflects the panel’s confidence in McCarthy’s experience delivering complex civic projects, including mass-timber construction, and their established collaboration with ZGF Architects on design-driven facilities.
Approval of this item authorizes preconstruction services only. Staff will return to the Board with an updated project status, refined cost estimates, and a proposed GMP prior to requesting approval to proceed with construction.
Next Steps
Staff will return to the Board in January/February of 2027 with a comprehensive project update, including refined cost estimates and a fiscal analysis, following completion of design development and establishment of an Opinion of Probable Cost.
Upon certification of the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and development of a complete project budget and Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP), staff will return to request authorization to proceed with construction.
Strategic Plan:
This item directly supports the County’s Five-year Strategic Plan and is aligned with the following pillar, goal, and objective.
Pillar: Resilient Infrastructure
Goal: Goal 1: Invest in County buildings and technology to enhance service delivery and improve employee mobility
Objective: Objective 1: Design the new County Center to be carbon neutral and zero waste; and pursue carbon reduction and zero waste plans for remaining County facilities.
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
• July 8, 2025 (2025-0660) New County Government Center (CGC) Plan Update.
• December 10, 2024 (2024-1108) Approval of agreement with ZGF Architects LLP for architectural and engineering services for the CGC project.
• July 23, 2024 (2024-0759) Approval of project scope refinements and direction to proceed with environmental review and design.
Fiscal Summary
|
Expenditures |
FY26-27 Adopted |
FY27-28 Projected |
FY 28-29 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
$742,500 |
|
|
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
|
|
|
|
Total Expenditures |
$742,500 |
|
|
|
Funding Sources |
|
|
|
|
General Fund/WA GF |
$742,500 |
|
|
|
State/Federal |
|
|
|
|
Fees/Other |
|
|
|
|
Use of Fund Balance |
|
|
|
|
Contingencies |
|
|
|
|
Total Sources |
$742,500 |
|
|
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
Costs associated with the proposed CMAR preconstruction contract for the County Government Center Development Phase 1A project (21122-40103100) are estimated at $742,500, inclusive of 10% contingency, and will be funded by the County Modernization Fund (23027-40803600). Approval of this Board Item will enable funding for this contract to be transferred from the County Modernization Fund to the County Government Center Development Phase 1A project as part of the Fiscal Year 26-27 first quarter consolidated budget adjustments.
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
None
Attachments:
1 - Video Presentation
2 - CMAR Agreement
3 - CMAR Exhibits
4 - PowerPoint Presentation
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None