TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Steve Lederer, Director of Public Works
REPORT BY: Liang Chin Su, Assistant Engineer
SUBJECT: Award of Construction Contract for the “Napa Library Building Maintenance Project,” PW 25-13A
RECOMMENDATION
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Award of Construction Contract to CRE Construction Group, Inc. of Granite Bay, California in the amount of $238,663 for the “Napa Library Building Maintenance Project,” PW 25-13A. (Fiscal Impact: $238,663, Library Fund; Budgeted; Discretionary)
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BACKGROUND
The Napa County Library Main Branch was the result of the efforts of a group of 19th-century young men who called themselves “The Excelsior Club.” They developed a small collection over the years to serve the Napa community, and that collection was taken over by the City of Napa in 1885. In 1901, George E Goodman donated a building for housing the library-the Goodman Library-which served the citizens of Napa for 60 years. In 1916, the State of California passed legislation that allowed counties to establish free public libraries, and the Napa County Board of Supervisors then established the Napa County Free Library, located just three blocks from the Goodman Library in downtown Napa. In 1963, the Napa City Library merged with the Napa County Free Library. To better serve the growing service area, and with a combination of funds from the library, the Friends of the Library, and federal and local grants, the current library on Coombs Street was built in 1974 and expanded in the 1990s. Overall, the facility functions well but shows signs of paint failure, efflorescence at the concrete head of windows (indicating moisture), and minor concrete cracking.
On February 4, 2025 the Board authorized a professional services agreement with Nacht & Lewis Architects, Inc., who was selected in 2022 through 2027 for on-call architectural services, for a not to exceed maximum of $309,800 (this amount included design for the Fifth Street Parking Garage but that project will be bid separately) to perform site investigation and provide design and construction documents. The project will rehabilitate the exterior envelope of the library which includes but is not limited to repainting and the repair of sealants, concrete, and plaster as well as replacing exterior library signage.
On June 23, 2026 the Board of Supervisors approved the plans and specifications and authorized to advertise for sealed bids and opening of the bids pursuant to Section 20150.8 of the Public Contract Code. On July 23, 2026, bids were received and opened. The bid results are presented below:
|
Vendor |
Bid |
Status |
|
Sierra Build Group |
$212,201 |
Unresponsive |
|
N G Builder Company |
$236,733 |
Unresponsive |
|
CRE Construction Group, Inc. |
$238,663 |
Responsive |
|
American River Construction, Inc. |
$243,571 |
Responsive |
|
Pinguelo Construction, Inc. |
$422,600 |
Responsive |
After staff evaluation, both Sierra Build Group and N G Builder Company were disqualified for failing to meet the bid surety requirement. Sierra Build Group did not include the project name and number in the bid bond and the Principal did not sign the bidder’s bond form; N G Builder Company failed to submit the required bid bond prior to bid opening. Therefore, CRE Construction Group, Inc. was determined to be the lowest responsive bidder.
Staff recommends awarding the contract to the lowest responsive bidder, CRE Construction Group, Inc. of Granite Bay, CA for their base bid of $238,663. CRE Construction Group’s bid was lower than the engineer’s estimate of $250,000, The total project cost, including design and engineering, construction, construction management, and contingency is $544,000. The cost breakdown includes $123,920 for the design, $50,000 for project management, $238,663 for construction, $59,666 for 25% contingency, and $71,751 for construction management. In addition to the $144,000 previously allocated for the design of the project, $400,000 was appropriated with the Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget hearing for the construction of the project; therefore, no budget amendment is needed with the award of construction contract.
CRE Construction Group, Inc. is not a local vendor; however, the Public Contract Code requires that the construction contract be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder regardless of whether the low bidder is local or not. Staff reached out to the local construction contractor community by advertising the request for bids in the Napa Valley Register and the Solano-Napa Builder's Exchange, and by posting on the County website. Staff also sent "Notices to Contractors" to the local construction community.
Requested Actions:
1. Award of the Construction Contract for the “Napa Library Building Maintenance Project”, PW 25-13A to CRE Construction Group, Inc. of Granite Bay, California for their low base bid of $238,663 and authorization for the Chair to sign the construction contract.
FISCAL IMPACT
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Is there a Fiscal Impact? |
Yes |
|
Is it currently budgeted? |
Yes |
|
Where is it budgeted? |
$544,000 from the Library Fund (Fund 2020, Sub-Division 2020501) was allocated to Project 25028 |
|
Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? |
Discretionary |
|
Discretionary Justification: |
Approval is needed to sign the construction contract and proceed with the construction phase |
|
Is the general fund affected? |
No |
|
Future fiscal impact: |
Construction will finish in FY 26-27 with no future impacts beyond building maintenance as necessary |
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Consequences if not approved: |
The exterior of the building will continue to deteriorate, causing possible water damages to the building interior |
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Strategic Pillar |
Build healthy, connected communities |
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: Pursuant to Sections 15022(a)(1)(C) and 15300.4 of the State CEQA Guidelines, the Napa County Board of Supervisors have adopted implementation procedures, identifying specific projects that would be categorically exempt from established CEQA Guidelines. The proposed project would therefore be Categorically Exempt from the provisions of CEQA pursuant to Title 14 CCR Section 15301 Class 1 - Existing Facilities. Class 1 consists of the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public; or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond that existing at the time of the lead agency’s determination.