Professional Engineering Services for the American Martyrs Stormwater Sump Hydrology and Capacity Study

The City of Manhattan Beach has issued a solicitation (RFP No. E1302-25S) seeking professional engineering services to conduct a hydrology and capacity study of the American Martyrs Stormwater Sump located at 721 15th Street, adjacent to the American Martyrs School. The sump, designed according to a 1999 hydrology report, has periodically overflowed during heavy storm events, causing flooding issues on school grounds. Given changes in rainfall patterns, environmental conditions, and agency requirements, the City requires an updated hydrologic analysis to reassess the sump's capacity, infiltration rates, and to propose viable drainage improvements along with maintenance protocols and associated costs to mitigate flooding risks and ensure compliance with regulatory standards. The project scope involves assessing the current system's performance, generating a comprehensive report with drainage recommendations, conceptual designs, probable cost estimates, and an implementation schedule, with potential for subsequent design services. Proposals must be submitted electronically by December 18, 2025, via the City’s OpenGov procurement portal. The evaluation criteria heavily emphasize the qualifications and experience of proposed key personnel and sub-consultants, project management methodology, understanding of the scope, and local conditions, using a best-value trade-off approach rather than simply low price. The contract includes rigorous compliance provisions covering prevailing wage laws under California Labor Code applicable to public works, insurance requirements, record retention and audit rights, and termination clauses allowing City-initiated cancellation with short notice. The agreement is set to begin around March 2026 with anticipated completion by July 2026, with options for extension of up to two additional one-year terms. Key contractual elements also include strict proposal format and submittal instructions, certifications against collusion, and insurance acknowledgments, as well as a no-modification clause to the City’s standard professional services agreement. Deliverables are to be provided in searchable PDF format, and all work must meet applicable regulatory codes including those from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works and California Coastal Commission. The contract intends to deliver a technically robust, regulatory-compliant, and cost-effective solution to the stormwater management challenges faced at the American Martyrs site.