03A4096 - A&E Last Chance Grade Multiphase Contract, District 1 Services

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is soliciting Statements of Qualifications (SOQs) from qualified firms for the A&E Last Chance Grade Multiphase Contract in District 1, with an estimated contract value ranging from approximately $99.9 million to $162.3 million over a 15-year period. The contract encompasses architectural and engineering services for project development including PS&E (Plans, Specifications, and Estimates) and construction support phases. The contract is structured as a multiphase agreement using Phase Orders to define specific scopes of work and deliverables throughout the term. Key services include geotechnical investigations, preparation of draft and final PS&E packages, design calculations, environmental documentation, progress reporting, and construction assistance, all performed in compliance with Caltrans, federal, and state standards. Deliverables must be accessible, technically accurate, complete, and approved by Caltrans, with a strong focus on adherence to updated regulatory requirements including generative AI usage, DBE program compliance, and labor standards. The solicitation includes recent addenda that clarify and update requirements related to Consultant Contract Manager experience, DBE program changes following a U.S. DOT interim final rule, and introduce mandatory reporting on the use of generative AI technologies consistent with California Executive Order N-12-23. The contract does not set a DBE participation goal, and no formal set-aside designation applies. Key personnel are to be identified in the SOQ and must meet specified qualifications, with certain roles required to co-locate with Caltrans staff during critical phases. Performance oversight, invoice submission, and acceptance of deliverables are managed by a designated Caltrans Contract Manager. Compliance with cybersecurity awareness training is mandated, and no formal federal FAR clauses are imposed, though Caltrans-specific provisions govern data ownership, confidentiality, conflict of interest, and claims. Contract administration anticipates phased invoicing with detailed work breakdown structure elements, and Phase Orders guide scope adjustments rather than formal options or amendments. The project is based entirely in California, and all submissions must conform to electronic format standards specified by Caltrans. Interviews and negotiations are scheduled for early 2026, underlining a comprehensive procurement process aligned with current industry, legal, and technological standards.