City Allocates $1.9 Million to Kimley-Horn for Innovative Bus Barn Design

The Sedona City Council has voted unanimously to award a contract to the consulting firm Kimley-Horn valued at $1,872,014 for the design of a new bus maintenance facility. This facility will be located adjacent to the city’s wastewater plant, and the decision was made on January 14 as part of a “cost-blind” selection process.

During the meeting, procurement officer Ian Coubrough clarified that city staff could not factor cost proposals into the contract award due to compliance with federal and state regulations. “We did receive federal funds for this project,” he said, referencing Arizona Revised Statutes that prevent the selection committee from considering financial aspects during the bidding process.

Coubrough referred to the Brooks Act of 1972, which established a qualifications-based selection methodology that has been adopted by 46 states. “This practice ensures a focus on qualifications rather than cost,” he explained.

The council was also informed about a restriction in negotiations: if the city begins discussing price with a finalist and those talks are terminated, it cannot re-engage that finalist. Vice Mayor Holli Ploog emphasized the implications of this rule, noting that it prevents leveraging bids against one another.

Initially, 34 firms expressed interest in the project, but only four submitted proposals. Kimley-Horn’s proposal received the highest evaluation score, and after negotiations, the design fee was reduced from $2,272,133 to $1,872,014. The project will be partially funded by a Federal Transit Administration grant of $720,000.

However, this contract only pertains to the design aspect, while the total estimated project cost stands at $25,356,576 as outlined in the city’s fiscal year 2025 budget. Ploog raised concerns about the potential for change orders that could inflate costs as the project progresses. “How tight is the contract so we avoid ongoing additions?” she questioned.

Coubrough acknowledged that change orders are commonplace but expressed confidence that there would be no significant issues arising from Kimley-Horn’s proposed fee.

The projected timeline for the design process is approximately 17 months, with construction anticipated to start in June 2026. Councilman Brian Fultz inquired about the possibility of expediting the timeline for the design, to which Public Works Director Kurt Harris affirmed that while it can be done, it would generally incur additional costs.

In public comments, Nena Barlow from Barlow Adventures urged the council to consider enhancing highway crossing access for off-highway vehicles at the State Route 89A intersection, suggesting the incorporation of a roundabout into the redesign. Subsequently, the council unanimously approved the contract.