Job Order Contracting

The Job Order Contracting (JOC) process is a flexible, cost-effective unit price contracting method used by the Department to complete maintenance, repair, and refurbishment of County infrastructure and building facilities. JOCs are publicly advertised for competitive bidding and awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidders in accordance with the California Public Contract Code Section 20128.5. The use of JOCs is a straightforward contracting process that provides accelerated project delivery, reduces administrative costs, and lowers direct construction costs while meeting all Federal, State, and County procurement requirements. Each JOC contract is for a duration of one year and as of 2023, has a maximum value of $5.8 million and may increase annually based on the Consumer Price Index. JOC utilizes a published Construction Task Catalog (CTC) also referred to as the "unit price book" that includes various task items with established unit prices for various trades. All established unit prices include current local labor, material, and equipment costs. The contractors' bid factor is applied to the unit prices for each of the selected task items used from the CTC.

After award of the contract, work is authorized by issuing individual work orders on an as-needed basis. The contractor, under the JOC contract, furnishes management, labor, materials, equipment, and engineering support needed to perform the work. Plans and other details of work to be performed are issued to the contractor as part of the work order process.

The Board of Supervisors authorized the Department to begin using the JOC method in 2013. Since 2014, the Department of Public Works and Planning typically awards 3-5 Class A JOC Contracts and 3-5 Class B JOC Contracts annually depending on anticipated needs to the bidders with the lowest bid factors. The types of work done under the Class A contracts may include, but are not limited to: concrete repair, culvert repair, guardrail replacement, bridge removal, bridge wing wall repair, irrigation pipe replacement, repair of failed roadway sections, shoulder grading, road restriping, repair of asphalt dike, and minor parking lot repairs. The types of work done under Class B contracts may include but are not limited to: small to medium sized repair, remodel or maintenance projects to county buildings and grounds.

JOC Contracts and Bidding Opportunities