In two requests for qualifications (RFQ) released Dec. 19 and Tuesday, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) seeks construction manager/general contractor (CMGC) services on the state’s middle-mile broadband network in its District 2 and District 1, respectively. These will include design and construction on portions of state highways in Lassen, Plumas, Shasta, Siskiyou and Tehama counties, as well as Del Norte, Humbolt, Lake and Mendocino counties. Among the takeaways:
- The District 2 project’s CMGC process includes this RFQ for “preconstruction services,” the submitting of statements of qualifications (SOQ) by respondents, their evaluation, the choosing of a construction manager, and then award and execution of preconstruction. After design, Caltrans will begin “the price proposal process to determine the price for the construction phase of the project,” working with the construction manager. Caltrans wants SOQs from “qualified proposers” that are interested in doing preconstruction “with the potential for continuing to a second contract for construction of all or part of the work.” The work, more specifically, will be to “install broadband conduit, fiber” and related items in the areas indicated.
- Project goals include minimizing impacts to quality of life and the public while delivering a “completed middle-mile network” and fostering collaboration among Caltrans, the construction manager and the California Department of Technology. More specifically, the project includes installing about 250 miles of middle-mile broadband network and repeater hubs. This includes the installation of four 2-inch conduits at least 42 inches underground placed along rights-of-way; maintaining high-volume traffic and coordinating with other construction projects; and working with public utilities and property owners and local businesses. “Geometric elements” include trenching, horizontal drilling, pavement rehab, vault installation, hub shelter construction, bridge-mounted fiber-optic conduit and landscaping.
- Among the requirements, respondents should document firm experience with three to 10 project descriptions for the proposer team — highlighting work in the last decade on projects with a similar scope — such as work on “broadband fiber-optic network systems, and constraints such as trenching, plowing, conduit installation in bridge structures ... .” Resumes for key personnel should indicate “relevant licensing,” years of experience on comparable work, “actual work examples” with capacity on individual projects and full details on each such project, as well as dates for work performed and “detailed description” of work.
- The project term isn’t indicated; however, construction must be complete by Dec. 1, 2026. The estimated cost of the CMGC project is $87.5 million for construction capital. Questions are due by Wednesday; statements of qualification are due by Jan. 26 and should be ranked Feb. 16. The preconstruction services contract award is anticipated March 3, with a notice to proceed anticipated March 24. The anticipated award of the construction contract is June 1, 2024.
- The District 1 project is similar and involves the installation of about 210 miles of middle-mile broadband network — conduit, fiber and “appurtenances — and repeater hubs, with a similar project scope and CMGC process. Here, too, Caltrans seeks qualified proposers to do “preconstruction services” with the possibility once those are done of “continuing to a second contract for construction” of all or part of the project.
- It, too, requires teams and members to have experience on projects of “similar size, scope and constraints” including experience with “broadband fiber-optic network systems” and in specific areas such as “trenching, plowing, conduit installation in bridge structures, and horizontal directional drilling ... .”
- Among key personnel, the project manager will be charged with ensuring the project is adequately staffed and resourced and has qualified personnel. The project construction manager will ensure the build is done according to design and project requirements. The lead estimator will be responsible for estimating “each milestone opinion of probable construction cost” as well as the open cost model and any department reports around estimation.
- Here, also, the project term isn’t indicated; however, construction must be complete by Dec. 1, 2026. The estimated cost of the CMGC project is $73.5 million for construction capital. Questions are due by Jan. 25; statements of qualification are due by Feb. 8 and should be ranked March 2. The preconstruction services contract award is anticipated March 16, with a notice to proceed April 7. The anticipated award of the construction contract is June 1, 2024.
