Board approves $302,800 contract with CBRE for countywide facilities plan

The board unanimously approved a professional services contract with CBRE Inc. on June 9 to complete a countywide space planning and facilities optimization study. Craig Griesbach, director of Information and General Services, told the board the county currently manages more than 50 facilities and about 560,000 square feet of building space; staff said the study will assess capacity and utilization, propose space‑optimization opportunities, produce space‑guidelines and provide a 25‑year facilities road map.

Griesbach said the procurement attracted eight proposals and four finalists; a cross‑department evaluation committee recommended CBRE based on experience, qualifications and cost. The recommended contract amount is $302,800, with a 10 percent contingency. Staff requested releasing $233,080 from the capital facilities assignment and amending the current fiscal‑year facilities budget to pay for the work.

Supervisor questions focused on how the study will address telework and changed work patterns since the pandemic, and whether the consultant will align recommendations with parallel county efforts such as the East County Visioning Project. Griesbach said the study will explicitly evaluate telework/hoteling strategies, utilization, and opportunities to combine like services and leverage shared spaces.

The board approved the contract by roll call; staff said findings will be returned to the board at a future workshop and that the project timeline includes a January workshop presentation.