The Building Services Division is responsible for providing construction plan review services in order to ensure the safety of building occupants within homes, work places, and other buildings constructed in Garden Grove.  The review of construction plans is critical to providing the level of safety expected at the earliest and most cost effective time, when the project is still on paper.

The City’s building plan review activity has steadily increased resulting in the need for qualified consultant(s) to provide plan review services to achieve acceptable turnaround time frames.  Development activity is picking up rapidly, and the demand for review services for complex construction projects on an “as-needed” basis is necessary to enable the City to respond quickly and effectively during peak periods of plan review activity.  In addition, the City desired the ability to select from an Option Item of additional contractual services offered by the selected firm, including but not limited to inspection and permit technician services. 

In July 2017, staff received five (5) proposals in response to the RFP by plan check and building consulting firms.  A selection panel consisting of four (4) staff members from various divisions participated in the rating process. The proposals were ranked based on qualifications, experience, technology, customer service, number of staff, proximity to Garden Grove City Hall, turnaround time, problem solving, and the ability to provide in-house contractual services to the City when needed.  

Below are the proposals that were ranked:

1. Interwest Consulting Group, Inc., Huntington Beach, CA
2. Bureau Veritas North America, Inc., Costa Mesa, CA
3. CSG Consutants, Inc., Orange, CA
4. Scott Fazekas & Associates, Inc., Irvine, CA
5. Willdan Engineering, Inc., Anaheim, CA

Following the review of the proposals, the City invited the top four (4) ranked proposers through an interview process.  In August 2017, the selection panel concluded its evaluation and recommending Interwest Consulting Group, Inc. as one of the highest ranking firms that would best meet the City’s needs.

 In summary, Interwest currently has more than 300 employees in building and safety, city engineering, fire prevention, information technology, transportation planning funding/management, and public works departments throughout California.  They serve more than 200 cities, including Long Beach, Irvine, Anaheim, Pomona, Compton, Lake Forest, San Juan Capistrano, Eastvale, and various cities in Los Angeles and Riverside County.

Most recently, samples of experience in similar projects include the Newport Beach Civic Center and Library, the LA Chargers Training Facility located in Costa Mesa, an 86-acre Sports & Recreation Center in the City of Lake Forest, and a mixed retail Mayfair Hotel landmark for the City of Pomona.

Funding is provided entirely with the plan review fees paid by developers or contractors.  There will be no impact to the general fund.

It is recommended that the City Council:

•  Award a contract to Interwest Consulting Group, Inc. to provide plan check consulting services, in the amount, not to exceed $250,000 with the option to extend said agreement for three (3) years, for a total performance period of four (4) years;

• Authorize the City Manager or authorized designee, to execute the Professional Services Agreement on behalf of the City and to make minor modifications as appropriate; and

• Authorize the City Manager or authorized designee, to sign amendments to the said Agreement, including the authorization to enter into the extensions for three (3) years, provided sufficient funds are available for each extension.

By:    Alana Cheng

         Senior Administrative Analyst