REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
November 17, 2026
FROM
RAUL GARCIA, Director, Project and Facilities Management Department
SUBJECT
Title
Amendment to Contract with Utter Associates, Inc. dba ZTransform for the Multimedia Services Studio Remodel Project
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Approve Amendment No. 1 to Contract No. 26-616 with Utter Associates, Inc. dba ZTransform, for the provision and integration of the studio production systems for the Multimedia Services Studio Remodel Project in San Bernardino, increasing the scope of work and contract amount by $32,483, from $986,325 to $1,018,808, and extending the contract from the original termination date of November 23, 2026 to December 31, 2027.
2. Authorize the Director of the Project and Facilities Management Department to execute a subsequent amendment to Contract No. 26-616, limited solely to updating the name of Utter Associates, Inc dba ZTransform to Conference Technologies, Inc., if a planned merger/acquisition between the two entities is complete, subject to County Counsel review.
3. Direct the Director of the Project and Facilities Management Department to transmit the amendment executed as authorized by Recommendation No. 2 to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors within 30 days of execution.
(Presenter: Raul Garcia, Director, 387-5000)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVESPromote and Fulfill the Countywide Vision.
Improve County Government Operations.
Operate in a Fiscally-Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of additional Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The $32,483 contract increase will be fully funded within the existing budget for the Multimedia Services Studio Remodel Project (WBSE 10.10.1587). The Project has a total budget of $4,200,000, which was approved by the Board of Supervisors (Board) on June 9, 2026 (Item No. 126), as part of the 2026-27 Capital Improvement Program Budget.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Multimedia Services Studio Remodel Project (Project) overall scope of work is the remodel of the existing Multimedia Studio room to provide enhancements to the studio layout, and existing studio audio visual equipment which includes demolition and remodeling 3,161 square feet of existing space. This Project will also address some required accessibility modifications to the first-floor restrooms.
On June 23, 2026 (Item No. 95), the Board awarded non-competitive Contract No. 26-616 to Utter Associates, Inc. dba ZTransform (ZTransform), in the amount of $986,325, for the period of June 23, 2026 through November 23, 2026. The non-competitive contract concerned the purchase and installation of a multimedia productions environment that includes an integrated studio set, audiovisual and lighting systems for the Multimedia Services Studio.
Approval of Amendment No. 1 to Contract No. 26-616, corrects the Bill of Materials included in the Scope of Work (Exhibit B); revises the performance schedule to require completion of all physical work, including installation, programming, and commissioning, no later than January 31, 2027, while allowing operational training and team rehearsals to occur thereafter based on San Bernardino County staff availability; extends the contract term through December 31, 2027; and increases the maximum contract amount from $986,325 to $1,018,808.
The increase in costs is a result of after contract award owner requested changes to the scope of work. The increase in performance time is partially the result of the additional owner requested changes as well as schedule impacts associated with unforeseen field conditions encountered by Dalke & Sons Construction, Inc. during the underlying construction work, which required additional time to resolve and delayed site readiness for ZTransform’s installation. While the contract requires work to be completed by March 31, 2027, the contract will not terminate until December 31, 2027 to avoid the need to return to the Board for a contract time extension should completion be delayed. The contract will, however, automatically end when performance is completed regardless of the December 31, 2027 date.
In addition to the scope of work, time, and cost increases that are covered by this Amendment, the Amendment also includes additional terms that are intended to ensure ZTransform’s performance including bonding and liquidated damages requirements.
Approval of Recommendation No. 2 would delegate authority to the Director of Project and Facilities Management to execute a subsequent amendment to Contract No. 26-616, limited solely to updating the name of ZTransform to Conference Technologies, Inc., if a planned merger/acquisition between the two entities is complete, subject to County Counsel review. Project and Facilities Management Department has been advised by ZTransform that it is in the process of being acquired by Conference Technologies, Inc. in the near future. Once the acquisition is complete, Conference Technologies, Inc. would be responsible for performance and entitled to payments in accordance with Corporations Code section 1107 and Paragraph C.16 of the contract. Delegated authority would be limited solely to executing an amendment to update the name of the contractor to ensure the contract reflects the correct entity after the merger/acquisition is complete.
This Project is consistent with the County Administrative Office approved CIP request No. 24-111.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Daniel Pasek, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on November 5, 2026; County Communications (Martha Guzman-Hurtado, Chief Communications Officer, 818-8988) on November 5, 2026; Project and Facilities Management (Sarah Riley, Chief of Project Management, 387-5115) on November 4, 2026; and County Finance and Administration (Yael Verduzco, Principal Administrative Analyst, 387-5285) on November 6, 2026.