In a request for qualifications (RFQ) released Sept. 5, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) seeks statements of qualification from qualified vendors that may result in a contract award for on-call roadway and broadband telecommunications design and related project development and construction support services. Among the takeaways:
- Caltrans seeks a consultant to do the consultation, research, professional and technical services needed for roadway and broadband telecommunications design and related project development and construction support services. This will be on an “as-needed” basis to support Caltrans Engineering Division in District 9, which includes portions of Inyo, Mono and eastern Kern counties, as they develop, design and build various facilities. The consultant will be assigned specific work by the Caltrans contract manager to assist staff, and shall only do work assigned in an authorized task order. Services may include engineering studies producing project development and design products and deliverables, in support of project or project approval reports; developing design plans, specifications and estimates; supporting office engineers during project advertisement and award; project history files; and doing design support during construction.
- Consultant personnel classifications anticipated to be needed during the completion of these services are roadway design engineer, electrical engineer, traffic engineer, landscape architect, telecommunications engineer and engineering geologist. Specific projects intended for work under this contract include pavement work in Bishop, Mojave, Keene, Ridgecrest, Inyokern and North Lone Pine; a climbing lane on State Route 58; the Mammoth Lakes Highway 395 wildlife crossing; and a truck lane in North Conway. The consultant may be required to provide services on safety projects, emergency projects, emergency storm damage projects, or other current or future transportation and/or broadband telecommunications projects, per the RFQ.
- Tasks around roadway and broadband telecommunications work include doing project reports (PR); plans, specifications and estimates (PS&E) bidding documents; and other project delivery activities. Work may include independent cost estimating for PS&E or PR for all cost items in construction projects, which may include preparing a critical path construction schedule to ascertain construction contract duration. It may also include Americans with Disabilities Act compliance for transportation facilities and rights-of-way, including work in site assessments, PR and PS&E; technical/specification writing for PR and PS&E phases; drafting services for PS&E or other project drawings; utility assessment and relocation requirements; and work on environmental permit submittal package. Among the requirements for consultant’s personnel, staffers must be capable, competent, and experienced in doing the type of work in the contract under minimal instruction, with skill levels matching specific job classifications.
- The estimated contract value is $8.4 million-$13.7 million, with rounding. Estimated contract term is three years. Responses are due by 10 a.m. Oct. 5. Interviews will be held via WebEx on Oct. 19, with confirmation letters sent to short-listed firms. Negotiations will be held during the week of Oct. 23 with top-ranked firms via teleconference/WebEx.
