RFQ No. 26-001-300, CEQA Compliance

The California State Water Resources Control Board is soliciting Statement of Qualifications from firms to provide technical and administrative services in support of compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), under solicitation number 26-001-300. The contract will award a single vendor based on a weighted evaluation of written submissions and an oral interview, with selection determined by a panel of State Water Board staff. Submission of a complete SOQ package including attachments such as the written statement of qualifications, resumes, licenses for engineers and geologists, federal form 330, certification documents, business licenses, and references is mandatory. Respondents must meet minimum qualification requirements to proceed to scoring, which evaluates experience in similar services (60 points), qualifications of assigned personnel (40 points), quality of recent work (60 points), knowledge of applicable regulations (80 points), reliability and availability (20 points), and references (126 points), totaling a maximum of 386 points. The evaluation uses a 0 to 10 scoring scale, with a requirement for clear, well-documented responses that meet or exceed professional standards. At least three top-ranked respondents will be invited for interviews scheduled for the week of August 10, 2026, followed by fee negotiations in the week of August 17, 2026, with an anticipated start date upon approval. The resulting agreement will have an anticipated term of sixty months, with performance primarily based in Alameda, California, though flexibility exists for amendments to extend time, scope, or budget. Contractors must deliver environmental documentation including project descriptions, aquatic and biological resources assessments, cultural resources evaluations, initial studies, negative declarations, and full Environmental Impact Reports, as well as tribal consultation materials and litigation support. All deliverables must be submitted electronically, follow a structured draft-revision process, and comply with California Government Code section 11546.7 and WCAG 2.2 Level AA accessibility standards. Contracting firms must certify compliance with California’s non-discrimination laws, maintain current business standing, adhere to the Contractor Certification Clauses (CCC 04/2017), and ensure DVBE participation of at least 3%. Additional requirements include compliance with health and safety regulations, procurement of necessary permits, maintenance of $1 million motor vehicle liability insurance, adherence to Russian sanctions and the Darfur Contracting Act, and adherence to prompt payment rules under Government Code Chapter 4.5. Invoices must be