Title
Consideration and Possible Award of Bid No. 26-22 in the Amount of $2,023,166.50 plus Applicable Gross Receipts Tax to H.O. Construction, Inc. for the Finch Street Extension Project and Establish a Project Budget in the Amount of $2,720,000
Recommended Action
I move that Council award Bid No. 26-22 in the amount of $2,023,166.50 plus applicable Gross Receipts Tax to H.O. Construction, Inc. for the Finch Street Extension Project and establish a project budget in the amount of $2,720,000.
County Manager's Recommendation
The County Manager recommends that Council approve the motion as presented.
Body
Beginning in 2019, previous County Manager Harry Burgess and Mr. John Whiteside CEO of the Los Alamos Medical Center (LAMC) held conversations to review the area around the medical center and to identify measures to improve safety. Subsequently, Los Alamos County Public Works Engineering staff and LAMC facilities staff had ongoing discussions and sharing of ideas to develop a project plan that was mutually beneficial to improve safety and access at the LAMC driveway and along Trinity Drive. The project plan involved moving the LAMC driveway farther east, away from Diamond Drive, and consolidating it with Finch Street, a proposed connection extending the roadway west to Trinity Drive from its current terminus near 35th Street. The relocated driveway provides safety improvements for motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists while providing connectivity to the new Hills Apartments and future developments along 35th Street including redundancy for emergency services.
With an agreed upon design concept, County Council programmed Capital Improvement Project funds in Fiscal Year 2022 for the design and construction of the Finch Street Extension Project. With the project budgeted, Public Works Engineering staff worked with an engineering professional to complete the design package for construction.
A Development and Conveyance Agreement was developed in partnership with the Los Alamos Medical Center and provides for the transfer of Tract B-2 owned by PHC-Los Alamos, Inc. (d/b/a Los Alamos Medical Center) to Los Alamos County. The land transfer totals approximately 16,998.82 Square Feet, is located along Trinity Drive (NM 502) within the eastern LAMC parking lot area and would be used to construct a consolidated Finch Street/LAMC driveway connection. In lieu of a cash payment for the land, the County has agreed to make certain improvements to the LAMC parking lot as part of the project. The agreement was approved by County Council on August 8, 2023. A public meeting for the project was held on September 7, 2023 in conjunction with the Transportation Board’s regularly scheduled meeting. A subsequent amendment was approved by County Council on August 5, 2025 to adjust costs based upon an updated appraisal given the passage of time of the original appraisal. See Attachment A.
On April 9, 2026, the County advertised a formal competitive solicitation for project construction through Invitation for Bid No 26-22. Five responses were received on April 28, 2026, and the evaluation committee is recommending award to H.O. Construction, Inc., the lowest responsive bidder.
The project will extend Finch Street from the end of 35th Street through the current Los Alamos Medical Center (LAMC) parking lot to Trinity Drive (NM 502). The project will reconfigure the Los Alamos Medical Center existing parking lot and relocate their driveway east to the new Finch Street connection at Trinity Drive. Project improvements include a new roadway connection with turning lanes, curb, gutter, sidewalks with ADA ramps, and some modifications to gas, water and electric infrastructure. Parking lot work includes asphalt patching and surface resealing, striping and lighting modifications. See Attachment B.
Staff has coordinated this work with the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) who is in support of relocating the driveway and providing a right turn lane on Trinity Drive. The reconfiguration of the Trinity Drive entrance will require future transfer of a portion of land to the NMDOT so that the new roadway features along the NM 502 roadway alignment are situated within NM 502 right-of-way boundaries. This item will require approval by County Council at a future Council meeting.
Upon Council approval, the Notice of Award will be sent to the contractor on June 10, 2026. The contract includes a substantial completion date of December 4, 2026, and a final completion date of December 18, 2026, with liquidated damages for late completion.
Schedule and traffic impacts will be shared with the public through weekly construction updates to general media and posted on the project website. Traffic impacts will be minimized to the greatest extent possible during construction with the county providing a thorough review of traffic control plans prior to issuance of construction permits. Staff will also monitor all traffic control installations to ensure proper installations. Staff will work closely with the contractor, and area businesses and residents regarding changes and maintenance of traffic access including any special needs, refuse pick up, mail delivery, and utility shut-off periods.
Alternatives
Council could choose not to approve the agreement and postpone or cancel the project.
Fiscal and Staff Impact/Planned Item
Funding is budgeted and available in the Capital Improvement Project fund in the amount of $2,438,282.84 for the project along with State Shared Revenue Funds in the amount of $281,717.16 for a total project budget of $2,720,000 that includes contingency for any unanticipated changes or field conditions. See Project Budget Spreadsheet (Attachments C).
Attachments
A - Conveyance and Development Agreement and Amendment
B - Project Area Map
C - Project Budget Spreadsheet