July 2025 update: Metro’s Fixed Assets State of Good Repair Program

King County Metro’s State of Good Repair (SGR) program architecture/engineering contract (KC001295) is in the final stages of selection with an award expected shortly.

Metro also expects to advertise for a General Contractor/Construction Management (GC/CM) contract (KC001248) in late Q2 2025. Metro will be seeking a GC/CM to collaboratively work with Metro teams and stakeholders to develop cost effective solutions to deliver needed construction improvements while minimizing impact to ongoing operations at Metro facilities.

One of the first GC/CM tasks will be to conduct industry outreach and develop a work packaging strategy that provides subcontracting opportunities consistent with King County goals. Another early activity will be to identify and implement strategies to procure needed long lead equipment such as heavy duty bus lifts and other early work needed for the program.

Please check the upcoming capital projects site for updated forecasts for this and other contract opportunities.

Initial SGR efforts will focus on 10 priority projects which primarily consist of infrastructure improvements at Metro’s seven maintenance bases. The schedule for these is shown in the figure below.

Figure 1 timeline – SGR Current Priority Projects (updated 6/13/25)

Fixed Assets State of Good Repair (SGR) Program overview

Metro is embarking on the next phases of a multi-year program to renew and replace vital infrastructure to maintain a high level of reliability, service and safety to its ridership and community. The program includes multiple transit maintenance bases and route facility improvements located across various Metro sites in King County. Funding is likely to include a mix of programmed King County local and grant funds.

Most of the program is currently envisioned to be delivered as bundles and packages of similar projects. Metro has recently updated project schedules based on changing services requirements and facility conditions. Preliminary project lists and schedules are described below.

Bundle 1 – General Infrastructure Improvements

Work will consist of packages of infrastructure improvements including site infrastructure, systems, facilities upgrades and equipment work primarily at operational maintenance bases. Initial project estimates for the projects are up to $160 million, subject to validation as planning and design advances.

Projects include underground storage tanks, underground utilities, routine and major equipment replacement, bus lifts, paving, building systems, fire systems, and in-route facilities such as comfort stations. Work will be coordinated with and support upcoming electrification work at several of the bases.

Bundle 1 Current Schedules

Bundle 1 Contracting opportunities

Metro anticipates hiring a design team for projects not yet in design and plans to begin selection this fall.

Metro plans to utilize Alternative Project Delivery methods to improve the speed and cost effectiveness of project delivery. Earlier this year, Metro obtained approval from the State of Washington Capital Projects Advisory Review Board’s Project Review Committee for Bundle 1 projects using General Contractor/Construction Manager (GC/CM) delivery. Under GC/CM delivery, the contractor team is hired during design to help with estimating, scheduling, constructability review and subcontracting. Construction is contracted in a second phase near the end of design through a combination of negotiated and competitive contract packages and subcontracts designed to optimize construction, supporting participation by a variety of small and disadvantaged contractors and suppliers.

Metro also plans to procure bus lifts for installation by the GC/CM team at multiple locations.

All three contracts are expected to begin selection in the near future.

Bundle 1 Anticipated Procurements

Much of the equipment and construction are expected to be provided by the GC/CM prime and a variety of suppliers and subcontractors. Metro expects to work collaboratively with the selected GC/CM team to identify subcontracting opportunities which would provide for greater opportunity for small and disadvantaged subcontractors and suppliers. Under the State PRC approval, the selected GC/CM (with Metro’s concurrence) will be allowed to select and negotiate subcontracts for Electrical, Mechanical, Civil Utilities, Underground Tank and Specialty Equipment work or other subcontracts as agreed with the County.

Bundle 1 – potential future projects

Potential procurements (A&E and GC/CM) allow for additional projects to be added in the future if funding allows. Currently Metro has identified two future packages that would add additional lift and equipment replacements.

Bundle 2 – SGR Electrical & Trolley Infrastructure 

Bundle 2 consists of eight projects focused on electrical infrastructure refurbishment, primarily focused on sustaining and improving Metro’s trolley bus system. It is expected to include switchgear, medium voltage switches, and substation replacements. Initial project estimates for the eight projects are $58.6 million, subject to validation as planning and design advances.

This work is currently planned to be delivered through a Progressive Design-Build contract subject to approval by the State of Washington’s Capital Projects Advisory Review Board Project Review Committee. Under this method, a single design and construction team is hired early in the projects based primarily on qualifications to develop plans and costs meeting the owner’s requirements. This approach will allow Metro to work collaboratively with the selected team to identify significant consulting, supply and construction subcontracting opportunities which would be selected later.

Preliminary Bundle 2 schedules (subject to refinement) are presented below:

Bundle 2 – Potential Progressive Design-Build Projects 

Bundle 2 Upcoming Contracts

Metro envisions holding one or more additional open house event(s) prior to submitting its PRC application. The program has been delayed a year from earlier plans and currently Metro plans to begin selecting a team during 2026. Metro anticipates selecting a team consisting of the prime contractor(s) and designer(s) in the initial selection and collaboratively selecting a large portion of remaining team members later to maximize opportunities for participation by a diverse array of firms.

Equity and Social Justice Goals

ESJ goals will be set as part of the Procurement Process. King County’s Master Community Workforce Agreement will apply to the construction of both bundles.

Past outreach

Metro open houses in November 2023 and 2024 to update interested consultants, contractors and suppliers on upcoming SGR projects and planned procurements. Copies of materials from those open houses may be found at the links listed below.

November 2024 open house

Presentation: 20241121 KCM_SGR_OpenHouse_Presentation Slides final)
Attendees: Many participants signed the online and in-person registers providing their contact information including organization, capabilities, registrations and certifications. That information may be found here: KC001248-20241121-open-house-attendees

November 2023 Open House

King County’s E-Procurement Supplier Portal 

Please be advised that the official advertisement for these projects will be published through King County’s E-Procurement system. To receive future notifications, please be sure your firm is registered in King County’s E-Procurement Supplier Portal.

Questions? 

Should you wish to obtain additional information about the Bundle 1 A/E, please contact Alice Phoenix (Contracting Specialist) at Alice.Phoenix@kingcounty.gov or 206-263-9311. For GC/CM questions contact Kelly McKeever  Kelly.McKeever@kingcounty.gov  206-263-9389.

For the Bundle 2 work please contact Brian Berard, the Fixed Assets State of Good Repair Project Manager at bberard@kingcounty.gov or 206-263-4160.