Summary

This document is the Statement of Qualifications Submittal Instructions and General Contract Process Information issued by the State of California, Department of Transportation (Caltrans) for architectural and engineering (A&E) services procurement. The solicitation process utilizes a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to solicit Statements of Qualifications (SOQs) from consulting firms for A&E services including architectural, landscape architectural, environmental, engineering, land surveying, construction engineering, construction management, and project management services. Submissions must comply with specific formatting requirements including 8-1/2" x 11" paper size with 8-point minimum font, and SOQs must be organized into seven tabbed sections: transmittal letters, SF330 forms, staff availability, communication plans, work force analysis, nondiscrimination plans, and California Civil Rights Laws certifications. The selection process employs a dual evaluation method consisting of SOQ review followed by interviews of short-listed firms, with the Most Highly Qualified firm selected based on evaluation criteria detailed in forms ADM-2027, ADM-2028a, ADM-2028b, and ADM-2028c. Short-listed firms must complete an Example Task Order presentation and respond to technical scenario questions during the interview phase, with the initial evaluation accounting for 25 percent of the final score.

Pricing terms are negotiated following the Most Highly Qualified firm selection, with contract fees and escalation rates advertised in the RFQ notice. For A&E contracts exceeding $3,500,000 in total value, prime consultants must submit Indirect Cost Rate (ICR) audits by an independent CPA firm. All federally funded agreements are subject to Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) participation goals under 49 CFR 26, requiring prime consultants to demonstrate either DBE participation or adequate Good Faith Efforts (GFE) using forms ADM-0227F and ADM-0312F. State-funded agreements must meet Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) participation goals using forms DGS PD 843 and GSPD-05-105, as well as Small Business participation goals where applicable. Consultants must comply with prevailing wage requirements, post-employment restrictions for former Caltrans employees, conflict of interest disclosures, and various nondiscrimination and ethics requirements. All products developed through contract execution remain in the public domain upon project completion. Protests regarding RFQ requirements must be filed within 15 calendar days after the advertisement period ends, while protests against the Most Highly Qualified firm selection must be submitted within seven business days of selection.