In a request for qualifications (RFQ) released Wednesday, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) seeks responses from “qualified firms that may lead to the award of a contract for Broadband Middle Mile Network for District 3.” Per its website, staffers at District 3 maintain and operate “1,491 center-line miles and 4,385 lane miles in the counties of Butte, Colusa, El Dorado, Glenn, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, Sierra, Sutter, Yolo and Yuba.” Among the takeaways:
- Caltrans seeks a consultant to, as its general objective, develop a “project report and environmental document, design of plans specifications and estimates, and prepare architectural and engineering (A&E) documents” that the agency can use to develop construction contract documents that the construction contractor can then use to build and install a specific segment of the Broadband Middle Mile Network (BMMN). The consultant must provide Caltrans with specific A&E services including preliminary engineering and environmental services needed to complete the project approval and environmental document (PA&ED) phase; “final plans, specifications, and estimate (PS&E)” documents; right-of-way engineering services; assistance during bidding; and engineering services support during construction.
- The BMMN, per the RFQ, is a “physical fiber-optic cable system for Internet connectivity that is not yet connected (also referred to as ‘dark fiber’).” The department is charged by state Senate Bill 156 with building the statewide BMMN in the state highway right-of-way to “expand broadband infrastructure for equitable access to high-speed broadband Internet service.” Elements include conduit and accessories, protective encasement, and when necessary, pull boxes, conductors and cables vaults and fiber-optic connectors. Elements must be “prefabricated products available specifically for BMMN projects unless field conditions require otherwise.”
- Personnel requirements include at least 10 years’ experience “delivering highway transportation projects” and at least five years’ experience “performing duties managing contracts” for consultant contract manager; at least five years’ experience in roadway design, project development or construction of “transportation-related” projects for quality management specialist; at least 10 years’ experience delivering highway transportation projects and at least five years’ experience as a project manager, for the assistant project manager; at least three years’ experience supporting “transportation-related” projects for the project analyst; and at least five years’ experience in a “leading capacity in roadway design and related project development and construction of transportation-related projects,” for the project engineer.
- The contract’s estimated value is $4.1 million-$6.6 million, with rounding. The estimated contract term is three years and 10 months. Electronic RFQ submissions are due by 10 a.m. Jan 23; hard copies of statements of qualification are not required; faxed or emailed copies will not be allowed. Interviews will be held virtually Feb. 7; short-listed firms will receive confirmation letters. The most highly qualified must submit an electronic copy of financial documents from the Financial Documents Submittal Checklist; the most highly qualified consulting firm will be informed of their selection and get instructions for the electronic submission of financial documents. Negotiations with the top-ranked firm will be via teleconference during the week of Feb. 13; March 22 is the date to complete cost negotiations and submit final cost proposal.
