TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Steven Lederer - Director of Public Works
REPORT BY: James Reese - Associate Engineer
SUBJECT: Award of the Atlas Peak Generator Replacement Project, PW 24-21 Construction Contract
RECOMMENDATION
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Award a Construction Contract to AJM General for the “Atlas Peak Generator Replacement Project,” PW 24-21. (Fiscal Impact: $104,542 Expense; Capital Improvement Fund; Budgeted; Discretionary)
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BACKGROUND
The Atlas Peak Communications Facility has been in place at its current location since 2011 to provide public safety radio coverage to 80% of the Napa Valley and south Lake Berryessa and provide critical interdepartmental public safety support for various Napa County emergency services. The communications facility provides critical communication services to Pacific Gas & Electric, California Highway Patrol, Napa County Sheriff, City of Napa Police, Cal Fire, ambulance service providers, and the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) volunteers.
Over its life, the back-up generator and the facility have been exposed to high temperatures from major fire events. The building started to develop leaks, and the generator has since proven to be unreliable and does not consistently turn on when power to the facility is lost. Property Management and ITS have made several attempts with contractors to identify the issue and repair the generator but the generator remains unreliable. At this time, the back-up generator has been disconnected from the building, and a portable generator is now connected to the building to provide back-up power until a permanent replacement is established. A separate project is being developed to address the leaks in the building with permanent repairs slated for next summer. The Board previously approved $400,000 for the generator replacement and building repairs.
COAR Design Group, Inc., who were selected through a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process for electrical projects, completed the project plans and specifications for this generator replacement. The Board approved the project for bidding on September 9, 2025, and Public Works staff opened six bids on October 23, 2025. The engineer’s estimate was $150,000 and the three lowest bids received from lowest to highest are:
LOWEST BID CONTRACTOR - AJM General - $104,542
SECOND LOWEST BID CONTRACTOR - Phase One Construction Inc. - $121,377
THIRD LOWEST BID CONTRACTOR - Ample Electric Inc. - $131,160
Requested Action:
Award a Construction Contract to AJM General for the “Atlas Peak Generator Replacement Project,” PW 24-21.
FISCAL IMPACT
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Is there a Fiscal Impact? |
Yes |
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Is it currently budgeted? |
Yes |
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Where is it budgeted? |
Atlas Peak Generator Replacement 24028 |
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Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? |
Discretionary |
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Discretionary Justification: |
The generator at the Atlas Peak Communications tower is not reliable and needs to be replaced given the importance of this tower for emergency services and communication during emergencies. |
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Is the general fund affected? |
No |
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Future fiscal impact: |
On-going maintenance and testing of the generator. |
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Consequences if not approved: |
The generator that provides back-up power to the Atlas Peak Communications Tower will remain unreliable and may not work during emergencies. The temporary generator that is there cannot remain indefinitely due to regulations and limited fuel capacity. |
Additional Information: Strategic Initiative: Build Healthy, Connected Communities
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: Consideration and possible adoption of a Categorical Exemption Class 1: It has been determined that this type of project does not have a significant effect on the environment and is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act. [See Class 1 (“Existing Facilities”) which may be found in the guidelines for the implementation of the California Environmental Quality Act of 14 CCR §15301; see also Napa County’s Local Procedures for Implementing the California Environmental Quality Act, Appendix B.]