IFB Geotechnical Exploration Drilling - Southern CA

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is soliciting bids for an on-call commercial services agreement for geotechnical exploration drilling and the installation and destruction of geotechnical instrumentation. The contract covers various locations across Southern California, specifically within Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Ventura counties. The selected contractor must provide all necessary labor, materials, equipment, and traffic control services, adhering to ASTM D5778 standards for soundings and DWR bulletin standards for boring covers. The estimated period of performance runs from December 15, 2026, through December 14, 2029. Award will be granted to the responsible bidder offering the lowest responsive bid. Key requirements include valid California DMV Motor Carrier Permits, specific FAA aviation certifications for rotorcraft operations, and certified Traffic Control Supervisor training. The contract is subject to prevailing wage requirements for bids exceeding 15,000 dollars and mandates compliance with 49 CFR 26 regarding Disadvantaged Business Enterprises. Payment is based on a combination of hourly rates for mobilization, per-unit costs for permits, and a 1.5 million dollar allocation for special equipment, with invoicing requiring both electronic and hardcopy submissions accompanied by certified payroll.