REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
September 24, 2024
FROM
DON DAY, Director, Project and Facilities Management Department
SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator
SUBJECT
Title
Advertise for Competitive Bids for the Scientific Investigations Division Orange and Blue Labs Remodel Project in San Bernardino
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Find that the Scientific Investigations Division Orange and Blue Labs Remodel Project is exempt under California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines, Section 15301 Class 1 Subsections (a), (d), and (e) minor alteration of existing structure.
2. Approve plans and specifications for the Scientific Investigations Division Orange and Blue Labs Remodel Project located at 711 E. Rialto Avenue, in San Bernardino.
3. Authorize the Director of Project and Facilities Management Department to advertise for competitive bids for the Scientific Investigations Division Orange and Blue Labs Remodel Project in San Bernardino.
4. Direct the Project and Facilities Management Department to file the Notice of Exemption in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act.
(Presenter: Don Day, Director, 387-5000)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Promote the Countywide Vision.
Improve County Government Operations.
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of additional Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The Scientific Investigations Division (SID) Orange and Blue Labs Remodel Project (Project) (WBSE 10.10.1493) budget of $8,561,120 is funded with Proposition 172 funds as approved by the Board of Supervisors (Board) in the 2024-25 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator’s (Sheriff) SID Orange and Blue laboratories serve all law enforcement agencies in San Bernardino County. Accredited since 1995 by the American Society of Crime Laboratory/Laboratory Accreditation Board (ASCLD/LAB) and ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB), the lab employs over 100 staff. The original facility, built in the early 1970s as a wet chemistry laboratory, was expanded in 1988 to include fingerprint investigations, office space, and a large evidence warehouse. Due to space constraints, fingerprint operations moved to a leased space in the late 1990s, and two double-wide trailers were added for the Firearms/Tool Mark Analysis and Forensic Biology Units. In 2016, an 18,000 square foot annex was constructed for the Crime Scene Investigations, Firearms, and Chemistry Units.
Despite the annex, the old laboratory space is still used for DNA and Trace analysis due to rising demand for forensic services, necessitating additional staff, particularly in the Forensic Biology Unit. Currently, the lab has 60 staff members working in less than 22,000 square feet, well below the recommended 1,000 square feet per analyst by ASCLD/LAB.
The remodel will update the Chemistry and Trace Analysis Laboratories, alter the floor plan for increased staffing, and include modifications to flooring, electrical, plumbing, and Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning systems. It will also ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and current building codes, involving wall demolition, and remodeling of restrooms and showers, and redesign of office and lab spaces.
Approval of this item will allow the Project and Facilities Management Department (PFMD) to solicit competitive bids for the Project located in San Bernardino. The Project, approved on June 13, 2023 (Item No. 99), as part of the 2023-24 Recommended Budget, on behalf of the Sheriff, is a design-bid-build construction project.
It is recommended that the Board determine the Project be categorically exempt under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines (Title 14, California Code of Regulations) Section 15301 Class 1 Subsection (a), (d), (e) minor alteration of existing structure, restoration of deteriorated facilities or equipment to meet current standards of public health and safety, and additions to existing structures provided that the addition will not result in an increase of more than 2,500 square feet. As evidenced by the Notice of Exemption, Section 15301 (a) (d) (e) provides categorical exemption for projects involving minor alterations of Class 1 existing facilities with no, or negligible expansion of former use. The remodel, mechanical systems upgrades, and the addition of a closed-in walkway between existing buildings is consistent with Class 1 exemptions and therefore will not have a significant environmental impact. No additional CEQA review is required at this time.
PROCUREMENT
PFMD will advertise for competitive bids for the Project on Friday, September 27, 2024. A Mandatory Pre-Bid Meeting for prospective bidders will be conducted on October 16, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at 711 E. Rialto Avenue, in San Bernardino. The bid opening for the Project is scheduled for November 20, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at PFMD, 620 South E Street, San Bernardino, CA 92415
Once PFMD has identified the lowest responsible and responsive bidder, an item will be presented to the Board for approval to award a construction contract.
Pursuant to California Public Contract Code section 22032 and 22039, the Board shall adopt plans, specifications, and working details for public projects exceeding $200,000. Plans and specifications are on file with the Clerk of the Board.
This Project is consistent with County Administrative Office approved CIP Project No. 24-020.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Daniel Pasek, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on July 23, 2024; Sheriff (Jose Torres, Sheriff’s Administrative Manager, 387-3465) on August 16, 2024; Purchasing (Dylan Newton, Purchasing Buyer II, 387-3377) on August 21, 2024; Project and Facilities Management (Robert Gilliam, Chief of Project Management, 387-5000) on August 26, 2024; Finance (Yael Verduzco, Principal Administrative Analyst, 387-5285, and Erika Rodarte, Administrative Analyst, 387-4919) on September 9, 2024; and County Finance and Administration (Valerie Clay Deputy Executive Office, 387-5423) on September 9, 2024.
(EB:677-7950)