TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Steve Lederer, Director of Public Works
REPORT BY: Daniel Basore, Engineering Supervisor
SUBJECT: Reject all Bids and authorize the Director of Public Works to re-advertise the “Mt. St. Helena Tower Replacement Project,” PW 25-10
RECOMMENDATION
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Reject all Bids and authorize the Director of Public Works to re-advertise for sealed bids and opening of the bids at a time, date, and location to be published by the Director of Public Works pursuant to Sections 20150.9 and 20150.8, respectively, of the Public Contract Code for Mt. St. Helena Tower Replacement Project, PW 25-10. (No Fiscal Impact)
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BACKGROUND
Napa County Communications Department currently operates a 40-foot telecommunications tower located at the South Peak of Mt. St. Helena. The tower, constructed in 1970, is a critical component of the County’s public safety communication network, serving local government, law enforcement, and fire agencies. The site is managed under a communications use lease with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and replacement of the tower requires BLM approval.
In recent years, the tower has sustained significant damage from ice accumulation and falling ice, which has also created hazardous conditions for personnel accessing the site during winter months. The existing structure was not designed to accommodate ice protection systems and is no longer capable of supporting the equipment needed for reliable operation. Replacing the tower has, therefore, become a high priority.
Through an existing on-call services contract, Nacht & Lewis Architects, Inc. was tasked with preparing the design, plans, and specifications for a new 80-foot self-supporting tower.
On October 21,2025, the Board approved the plans and specifications and authorized advertisement for sealed bids and opening of the bids pursuant to Section 20150.8 of the Public Contract Code. On April 9, 2026, bids were received and opened. The bid results are presented below:
|
Vendor |
Bid |
|
Globenet Telecommunications, LLC |
$695,500.00 |
|
AJM General |
$782,704.00 |
|
Day Management Corp DBA Day Wireless Systems |
$972,078.04 |
|
Jitney Company, Inc. |
$1,046,585.00 |
|
Total Environmental and Power Systems, Inc. |
$1,194,810.00 |
|
L.D. Strobel Co., Inc. |
$1,809,946.00 |
After review and consideration, staff recommend rejecting all bids received for this project. At the time the project was advertised, Napa County anticipated receiving the necessary approvals from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in time to complete construction during the 2026 construction season. However, following a meeting with BLM on May 8, 2026, it was determined that additional time will be required to finalize the BLM approval process. As a result, Napa County will be unable to complete construction within the allowable construction window this year, and no contract award is recommended at this time.
Construction at the South Peak of Mt. St. Helena is subject to severe winter conditions, which pose a safety risk, restrict access, and impact constructability and cost. To protect work safety, maintain project quality and uphold integrity of the competitive bidding process, staff recommend rejecting all bids and re-advertising the project after BLM approvals are obtained and when construction can occur under favorable conditions.
Requested Actions:
1. Reject all bids and authorize the Director of Public Works to re-advertise for sealed bids and opening of the bids at a time, date, and location to be published by the Director of Public Works pursuant to Sections 20150.9 and 20150.8, respectively, of the Public Contract Code for the Mt. St. Helena Tower Replacement Project, PW 25-10.
FISCAL IMPACT
|
Is there a Fiscal Impact? |
No |
|
Is it currently budgeted? |
Yes |
|
Where is it budgeted? |
Fund 3000, Sub-Division 3000550, Project 25018 |
|
Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? |
Discretionary |
|
Discretionary Justification: |
BLM approvals are necessary to start construction. |
|
Is the general fund affected? |
No |
|
Future fiscal impact: |
Maintenance of the new tower. |
|
Consequences if not approved: |
Failure to reject all bids at this time may expose the County to unnecessary contractual risk, as required BLM approvals are not expected to be finalized in time to support construction during the 2026 construction season. |
Strategic Initiative: Build Healthy, Connected Communities
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: 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” and Class 2 (“Replacement or Reconstruction”) which may be found in the guidelines for the implementation of the California Environmental Quality Act of 14 CCR §15301 and §15302; see also Napa County’s Local Procedures for Implementing the California Environmental Quality Act, Appendix B.]