PREPARED BY: ALLEN TAI DATE OF MEETING: 06/15/2026
SUBJECT:
TITLE
CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A TWO-YEAR CONSULTING SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH BUREAU VERITAS NORTH AMERICA, INC. FOR FISCAL YEARS 2026-27 THROUGH 2027-28 IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $150,000 OVER THE TWO-YEAR TERM OF THE AGREEMENT, FOR ON-CALL PLAN CHECK, PLAT REVIEW, INSPECTION, PERMIT PROCESSING AND RELATED SERVICES
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA. CEQA Guidelines Section 15378 states that “project” does not include the creation of government funding mechanisms or other governmental fiscal activities, which do not involve any commitment to any specific project which may result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment.
Label
CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Adopt Resolution
Body
Compliance statements
FY 2026-27 Council Priority Workplan Compliance Statement
The recommendation is consistent with Enhance & Sustain Residential Health And Safety Program and Promote Housing Production To Meet RHNA Requirements (2023-2031), City Council priorities contained in the adopted FY 2026-27 City Council Priority Workplan, effective April 7, 2025.
BACKGROUND
The City of San Pablo has long relied upon contract services to assist in the Building Division’s plan check and inspection programs related to Building Permits and Residential, Health & Safety (RH&S) program activities. The City currently has an agreement with Bureau Veritas North America Inc. (BV) for these services which is set to expire on June 30, 2026.
Staff is proposing a new two-year agreement with BV (Agreement) for on-call consulting services for the City’s Community Development Department (Community Development). BV provides as-needed contract services for plan check, plat reviews, inspections, permit technicians, code enforcement officers, and residential health and safety inspectors focused on the enforcement of the California Building Codes and local Ordinances. Community Development has utilized BV for many years and has consistently received exceptional service for our residents and businesses. Staff is therefore requesting approval to continue using BV services on an on-call basis. Such services include the following:
• Provide professional services which may include reviewing plans, calculations, and equipment specifications for approval prior to permit issuance, plan check revisions, plat reviews, conducting inspections, preparing inspection reports, and providing other as-needed services to the City of San Pablo Community Development Department.
• Develop plan check correction and inspection lists and other necessary forms and information sheets to help in the conduct of duties.
• Utilize and update the permit and inspection tracking system provided by the City.
• Perform any coordination related to inspection and plan check tasks.
• Attend meetings and field visits with the property owner or plan check applicant on a case-by-case basis as determined by the City.
• Assist with development of code requirements and guidelines to help with the inspection and plan checking process.
Competitive Proposal Process Waiver for Consulting Services
San Pablo Municipal Code Section 3.16.080 requires that contracts over $25,000 for professional or specialized services be awarded through a competitive proposal process. However, San Pablo Municipal Code Section 3.16.110(A) provides that such contracts, including those involving services rendered by architects, attorneys, engineers, accountants, and other classes of professional work where the City must depend upon the skill, integrity, judgment, and ability of the service provider, may be exempted from formal and informal contracting requirements.
Staff recommend the City Council waive the competitive proposal requirement and allow this agreement to proceed under the Exceptions to Bid Policy authorized by Section 3.16.110(A). The City is currently working with BV to perform plan checks, plat reviews, and provide related administrative assistance under an existing agreement that is nearing completion. The City has a high level of confidence in the firm’s ability to continue delivering these services efficiently and cost-effectively. Their proposed costs are competitive with informal quotes and research from comparable firms, while still ensuring transparency, avoiding favoritism, and protecting against the waste of public funds.
FISCAL IMPACT
The proposed agreement would result in a cost to the City of up to $75,000 in each fiscal year with a total cost over the two-year term not to exceed $150,000. Funding for the Agreement will be paid from the Community Development Department Professional Services biennial budget as adopted by the City Council.
It should be noted that the City has a policy of recovering all inspection and permit review costs through the assessment and collection of permit and inspection fees. In addition, under this Agreement, the pass-through plan check funding is paid by the customer at the time of submittal and the plan check consultant is paid 50% of the plan check fees established by Council resolution. Therefore, the proposed agreement will have no fiscal impact to the General Fund.
Attachments:
Att A. RES 2026-### Bureau Veritas Agreement
Att B. Bureau Veritas Draft Agreement