Comprehensive Firm Profile: Ninyo & Moore

Corporate Evolution and National Reach: Established in 1986, Ninyo & Moore has evolved into a multidisciplinary powerhouse in the geotechnical and environmental sectors. Currently employing over 500 professionals across the Western United States, the firm operates with a decentralized model that ensures high-level technical resources are always localized. Their Irvine office acts as the primary service engine for the City of Anaheim, housing California-registered engineers and geologists who specialize in the unique seismic and soil conditions of the Orange County region.
Management Ethos and Quality Assurance: The firm’s management philosophy is centered on responsiveness and precision. Every technical output undergoes a rigorous internal Peer Review as part of a formal Quality Assurance (QA) program. This ensures that every engineering recommendation—whether for a minor street repair or a major municipal building—is checked for safety, regulatory compliance, and cost-efficiency. By providing a single point of contact for the City’s project managers, Ninyo & Moore streamlines the administrative process and ensures clear communication of complex technical data.
Proven Public Sector Performance: The firm’s portfolio includes extensive as-needed contracts with major regional entities. In the City of Fountain Valley, they have provided essential support for street and utility upgrades, often on an emergency basis. For the County of Orange, they have managed massive earthwork and paving projects, deploying large field teams to ensure material quality across regional infrastructure. In the City of Los Angeles, their work at LAWA and the Port of LA involves some of the most complex security and maritime engineering challenges in the nation. This history proves their ability to scale services to meet the specific needs of any public works department.
Commitment to Diversity and Safety: As a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) and Small Business Enterprise (SBE), Ninyo & Moore is an active partner in helping municipalities reach their inclusive procurement goals. This is matched by a safety-first culture, where every field task is governed by a Site-Specific Health and Safety Plan (HASP). Their industry-leading safety record reduces liability for the City and ensures that project sites remain secure and compliant with all state and federal regulations.

Service Category 1: Ground Studies & Building Materials

Commonly referred to as "Materials Testing" and "Geotechnical Engineering," these services focus on how the ground behaves and how strong building materials are.

Underground Utility and Safety Checks: Before digging, the team coordinates with the City to review old maps and hazard charts. They also get all necessary permits and use high-tech sensors (geophysical surveys) to find buried pipes and wires so they don't get damaged during construction.
Deep Soil Testing (Drilling and Boring): The firm digs deep holes and takes soil samples to see what’s underground. They use special tools like the "Cone Penetrometer" to test how strong the dirt is without having to dig huge trenches. This helps engineers decide what kind of foundation a building needs.
Fault and Landslide Mapping: Expert geologists look for cracks in the earth (fault lines) or areas where the ground might slide. They map these out carefully so that new buildings aren't placed in dangerous spots.
Laboratory "Stress Tests" for Soil: Back at the lab, scientists test the soil samples to see how much water they hold, how much they might shrink or swell, and if they have chemicals that could cause metal pipes to rust (corrosivity). They create "Action Plans" for how to pack down (compact) the dirt so it can safely support roads and buildings.
Construction Site Watch: While the project is being built, inspectors stay on-site to make sure the dirt is packed down tight enough (density testing) and that foundation footings are being dug to the right depth.

Service Category 2: Special Safety Inspections

Commonly known as "Deputy Inspection," these are "extra eyes" required by the building code to certify that the most critical parts of a building are perfect.

Certified Building Watchdogs: The firm provides inspectors who are specially trained and approved by the City to check structures. They make sure everything follows the "International Building Code," which is the master rulebook for safe construction.
Concrete and Masonry Verification: Inspectors check the steel bars inside concrete and the bricks in walls. They take samples of the wet concrete to test in the lab, making sure it gets as hard as it's supposed to.
Steel and Welding X-Rays: For big metal structures, they use "Non-Destructive Testing." This means they use high-tech tools (like magnets or sound waves) to look inside a weld to make sure it's strong without having to break it.
Fireproofing and Waterproofing: They double-check that fire-resistant coatings are thick enough and that roofs are installed perfectly so they won't leak or fail during a fire.
Asphalt Paving Quality: They visit the plants where asphalt is made and the streets where it's laid to make sure the road surface will be durable and won't crack prematurely.

Service Category 3: Pollution & Environmental Safety

These services focus on identifying hidden dangers like chemicals or toxic gases and managing their safe removal.

Environmental History Research (Phase I): Before a project starts, the firm looks at old photos and records from decades ago to see if the land was ever a gas station, a factory, or a dump. This helps predict if there might be chemicals hidden in the dirt.
Direct Pollution Testing (Phase II): If the history check looks suspicious, they take actual samples of the soil and water to look for specific poisons. They even test the air underground (soil vapor) for dangerous gases.
Hidden Building Dangers: Before an old building is torn down or fixed, experts look for "Universal Waste." This includes finding old light bulbs with mercury, toxic lead paint, or insulation made of asbestos.
Toxic Gas Surveys: In some areas, natural gases like Methane can leak out of the ground. The firm installs sensors to find these gases and designs ventilation systems to keep them from building up inside homes or offices.
Cleanup Supervision (Remediation): If pollution is found, Ninyo & Moore creates the "Cleanup Plan" and watches over the contractors who remove the toxic dirt to make sure it's done safely and doesn't blow into the neighborhood.

Definitions & Acronyms

RFP (Request for Proposal)

The City's official invitation for companies to bid on a project.

IBC (International Building Code)

The worldwide standard for building safe, strong structures.

ESA (Environmental Site Assessment)

A "detective" report to find out if land is polluted.

ASTM (Standards Organization)

A group that writes the rules for how scientists must test materials.

CPT (Cone Penetrometer Test)

A tool pushed into the ground to see how hard the soil is.

NDT (Non-Destructive Testing)

Testing a part (like a weld) without breaking it.

ACM (Asbestos Containing Materials)

Old building materials that can be toxic if they crumble.

R-Value

A score that tells engineers how well a road will hold up on that soil.

GAYA CAPITAL

DOCUMENT REF: ANH-NM-LAY-2026

Standard Scope of Technical Services