1-2027-1714 - RFQ - On-Call Architectural Engineering Services.pdf

1600 Franklin Street Oakland, CA 94612

Request for Qualifications (RFQ)

NO. 2027-1714

ON-CALL ARCHITECTURAL & ENGINEERING (A&E) SERVICES

Date of Issue: October 14, 2026

Closing Date and Time: November 25, 2026 at 2:00p PT Single Point of Contact (SPC): Eileen Fanelli, Contract Specialist |efanelli@actransit.org

ALAMEDA-CONTRA COSTA TRANSIT DISTRICT

The Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District promotes equal opportunity for all individuals without regard to age, color, disability, marital status, national origin, race, religion or creed, sex or gender, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District Request for Qualifications 2027-1714: On-Call Architectural & Engineering (A&E) Services

AC TRANSIT CONFIDENTIAL Page 2 of 54

1. INVITATION

The Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (“AC Transit” or “District”) is seeking Statements of Qualifications (“SOQs”) from Architectural and Engineering (A&E) firms (“Offerors” or “Consultants”) to provide On-Call Architectural and Engineering (A&E) services as set forth in the Scope of Services (the “Services”) detailed in Attachment C, Scope of Services, of Exhibit 7, Sample Agreement for Services to the following Request For Qualifications (RFQ).

AC Transit, subject to approval by the Board of Directors or designee, anticipates the award of one or more On-Call Master Agreements to create a panel of qualified A&E Consultants to provide Services that are issued as individual Taskings, under the Master Agreement. Taskings for architectural and engineering services will be issued to the on-call Agreement holders pursuant to a qualifications-based selection process as further described in Attachment B, Tasking Procedures, of Exhibit 7-Sample Agreement for Services.

The not-to-exceed aggregate dollar value of Taskings under the Master Agreement is $6,000,000.00 over the five-year-term of the Master Agreement. There is no minimum guaranteed order.

The single point of contact (SPC) for this RFQ is identified on the cover page along with the SPCs contact information. Offeror must direct all communications related to any provision of the RFQ, in writing, to the SPC.

Refer to Sections 2 and 3 for information regarding SOQ requirements. The District will follow a qualifications-based process when evaluating Offeror SOQs as described in Section 4. The solicitation timeline is as follows:

Solicitation Timeline

Activity Date

RFQ Issued Wednesday, October 14, 2026

Pre-Submittal Conference Thursday, October 22, 2026, at 10:00am

Questions and Requests for Clarification (RFCs) Due Thursday, October 29, 2026, prior to 4:00pm

District’s Response to Questions/RFCs Friday, November 6, 2026

Statement of Qualifications Due Wednesday, November 25, 2026, no later than 2:00pm

Interviews (if required) Week of January 5, 2027

Sincerely, Eileen Fanelli Date efanelli@actransit.org Contract Specialist Procurement Department

October 14, 2026 mailto:efanelli@actransit.org

AC TRANSIT CONFIDENTIAL Page 3 of 54

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. INVITATION

2. REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

A. Purpose and Term B. District Background Information C. Compensation D. Communications Solicitation Timeline Pre-Submittal Conference Submission of Questions and Requests for Clarification Addenda to the RFQ Ex-Parte Communications

3. INSTRUCTION TO OFFERORS

A. General Pre-Submittal Requirements Cost of SOQ Development Confidentiality Waiver District’s Rights Protest Procedures

B. Delivery AC Transit Procurement Portal Withdrawal of SOQs

C. SOQ Content General SOQ Organization

D. Technical Submittal SOQ Cover Form Letter of Introduction Table Of Contents Offeror’s Qualifications and Experience Approach to Providing Services: Team Organization and Management Plan Approach to Tasking Proposal Development and Management Plan Qualifications and Experience of Key Personnel Licenses and Certifications Past Performance

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SF-330 Submission (Architect-Engineer Qualifications) E. Financial Qualifications and Statements Submittal Financial Qualifications Insurance Exceptions to Agreement W-9 Form Political Contributions Conflicts of Interest

F. Rate Sheet (Sealed)

4. EVALUATION OF SOQS AND SELECTION PROCESS

A. Responsiveness Determination B. Responsibility Determination C. Minimum Qualifications D. Technical Evaluation SOQ Analysis Group Technical SOQ Evaluation Criteria Competitive Range Interviews Revised SOQs, Interviews and Negotiations Agreement Award

5. CONTRACTUAL REQUIREMENTS

A. Agreement for Services B. Prevailing Wage Requirements C. Audit Requirements D. Insurance and Indemnification Requirements

6. EXHIBITS

A. Exhibit 1 – SOQ Cover Form B. Exhibit 2 - RFQ Checklist C. Exhibit 3 – Exception Form D. Exhibit 4 – Reference Form E. Exhibit 5 – Political Contributions Statement F. Exhibit 6 – Rate Sheet (Sealed) G. Exhibit 7 – Sample Agreement for Services

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2. REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

A. Purpose and Term

The title of the Master Agreement is: On-Call Architectural & Engineering (A&E) Services. The purpose of this Master Agreement is to provide services that fall within the Scope of Services specified in the sample Agreement included as Exhibit 7 to this RFQ.

It is the intent of the District to enter into one (1) or more Master Agreements for Services with qualified consultants. Services will be provided under individual Taskings. There is no minimum order guarantee under the Master Agreement. The term of the Master Agreement is five years from the date of execution. The ordering period for Taskings is the first three years of the Master Agreement's term. Each Tasking will contain a specific scope of services, list of deliverables, period of performance, any additional terms and conditions, and compensation specific to the Tasking. The period of performance of a Tasking may not extend beyond the term of the underlying Master Agreement, unless the Master Agreement is extended pursuant to a properly executed amendment.

B. District Background Information

The Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District is a California Rapid Transit District created by the voters in 1956 and is subject to regulation under Transit District Law, as amended (see California Public Utilities Code Section 24501 et seq.). The District provides public transit services to riders throughout western Contra Costa and Alameda counties. The District has four (4) operating divisions in addition to the Central Maintenance Facility, Training & Education Center, and the General Office. The District is financed through the receipt of transit fares, sales taxes, property taxes, and state and federal funding.

The District is the largest bus-only system in California and the third largest in the nation, serving portions of two (2) counties that include the cities of Alameda, Albany, Berkeley, El Cerrito, Emeryville, Hayward, Oakland, Piedmont, Richmond, San Leandro and San Pablo in Special District 1. The District also serves the unincorporated areas of Ashland, Cherryland, Castro Valley, El Sobrante, Fairview, Kensington, North Richmond and San Lorenzo in Special District 1. The cities of Fremont, Newark and the unincorporated area of Irvington comprise Special District 2.

The District is planning a substantial and continuing effort to upgrade and expand District facilities and implement new capital projects and programs in support of the District’s strategic goals and objectives. The District’s Capital Projects portfolio frequently requires specialized A&E disciplines to support the efforts of the District’s in-house Capital Projects staff. These efforts include design-level and study-level support to the Capital Projects portfolio, Capital Projects programs, and individual projects. Taskings or projects often need these specialized skills for limited time periods ranging from days to years, depending on the work to be performed.

C. Compensation

On-Call Master Agreement holders will be compensation at the Tasking-level. Compensation will be negotiated based on the services provided under individual Taskings. Taskings will be issued as labor hour contracts, at the rates set forth in the Master Agreement, with a not to exceed ceiling.

There is no guarantee on the number of Taskings a successful Offeror will receive nor the amount

AC TRANSIT CONFIDENTIAL Page 6 of 54 of money a successful Offeror may receive under the Master Agreement.

Successful Offerors are not authorized to bill the District directly for Master Agreement management costs. Offerors must recover Master Agreement management costs as part of its indirect costs.

D. Communications

Solicitation Timeline The District intends to adhere to the timeline stated in the Invitation, unless amended at the District’s sole discretion.

Pre-Submittal Conference The District may schedule an in-person or virtual pre-submittal conference, at its discretion.

Attendance at this meeting is not mandatory but is highly recommended. Instructions for attendance will be posted on the District’s Procurement Supplier Portal and detailed on this RFQ’s project page. The purpose of this conference is to allow potential offerors to ask questions regarding this RFQ, the District’s contracting process, and to clarify any issues.

Submission of Questions and Requests for Clarification All Questions and/or Requests for Clarification must be submitted in writing by email to the SPC by the date and time listed in the Solicitation Timeline. The District’s written response to Questions and/or Requests for Clarification will be included in any addenda to the RFQ.

Addenda to the RFQ The District reserves the right to amend this RFQ at any time. An Offeror that accesses any of the documents of the RFQ will be notified of the issuance of any Addenda or District written response to RFCs; however, it is the Offerors’ responsibility to monitor the Portal on a regular basis. Only signed Addenda, issued by the Procurement Department’s authorized personnel, are binding.

Failure of any prospective Offeror to obtain the notification or addenda does not relieve the Offeror from any obligation under the RFQ as clarified, interpreted or modified. All addenda issued become part of the RFQ. Offeror must acknowledge receipt of each individual addendum in their proposals on the SOQ Cover Form (Exhibit 1). Offeror’s failure to acknowledge receipt of addenda in its Proposal may, at the District’s sole option, result in the SOQ being considered non-responsive.

If the District determines that the addenda requires significant changes in the preparation of SOQs, the deadline for submitting the SOQ may be postponed by the number of days that the District determines will allow Offerors sufficient time to revise their SOQs. Any new SOQ due date will be included in the addenda.

Ex-Parte Communications Offerors and their representatives must communicate in the manner set forth in this RFQ. All such communication must be directed to the SPC named in this RFQ until after a Notice to Proceed has been issued by the District. There must be no communication with any officer, director, employee, or agent of the District, except as may be reasonably necessary to carry out the procedures specified in this RFQ.

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Offerors and Offeror's representatives may not communicate with the District’s Board members except in writing and if the communication is made public. Nothing herein prohibits Offerors and their representatives from making oral statements or presentations in public to one or more representatives of the District during a public meeting.

3. INSTRUCTION TO OFFERORS

A. General

Pre-Submittal Requirements If the Offeror has not previously completed a one-time registration into the AC Transit Online Supplier system, the Offeror must register at AC Transit Vendor Registration, prior to submitting its SOQ. The Registration System is used by District staff to locate contract(s) and identify companies for proposal lists on future purchases. Women, minority-owned, and veteran-owned firms are asked to self-identify. To complete the process, each Offeror is required to submit a completed W-9 form, Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification (containing original signature) in the SOQ. A copy of this form can be downloaded from http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw9.pdf. For questions or assistance with registration, please contact vendorsupport@actransit.org.

The Offeror must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM), including the unique entity identifier (UEI), at the time the Offer is submitted. The Offeror must maintain its registration for the duration of the period of performance. Offerors can obtain additional information on registration at https://www.sam.gov.

Cost of SOQ Development This RFQ does not commit the District to enter into an Agreement, to reimburse any costs incurred in the preparation or presentation of a SOQ, nor to procure or contract for any services. The Offeror waives any claim against the District for costs incurred in preparing a SOQ and responding to this RFQ.

Confidentiality

1) Confidentiality and Waiver of Claims

a. The California Public Records Act (Cal. Govt. Code Sections 7920.000 et seq.) (CPRA) mandates public access to government records. Therefore, unless the information is exempt from disclosure by law, the content of the SOQ, as well as any other written communication between District and the Offeror, is a public record that must be made available to the public.

b. If the Offeror believes any communication contains information exempt from disclosure under the CPRA, including trade secrets or other proprietary information that the Offeror believes would cause substantial injury to the Offeror’s competitive position if disclosed, the Offeror must request that the District withhold from disclosure the exempt information by submitting:

(i) an unredacted copy of the SOQ marking each page containing such exempt information as confidential; and

(ii) a redacted copy of the SOQ that redacts the purportedly exempt information; and

(iii) a separate “confidentiality index” including all of the following information:

(a) The section and page number of the SOQ where the information is located; and

(b) An explanation of why the information is exempt from disclosure under the http://www.actransit.org/bids http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw9.pdf http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw9.pdf mailto:vendorsupport@actransit.org https://www.sam.gov/

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CPRA.

c. By submitting an SOQ, Offeror:

(i) consents to the release of the redacted version of the SOQ; and

(ii) consents to the release of any portion of its SOQ not included in the confidentiality index; and

(iii) waives all claims against the District, its directors, officers, employees and agents, for the disclosure of such information.

d. If the Offeror does not include a confidentiality index in its SOQ, the District will have no obligation to withhold any information from disclosure and may release the information sought without liability to the District.

e. In the event of conflicts between the redacted version, the confidentiality index, and confidentiality designations in the body of the SOQ, the redacted version prevails.

f. An Offeror may not designate its entire SOQ as confidential. The District will not honor such designations and will disclose submittals so designated to the public without liability to the District.

2) Confidentiality Indemnity

a. Upon receipt of a request pursuant to the CPRA seeking proposal material relating to this

RFQ, the District may provide the redacted version of the Proposal or may withhold material designated in the confidentiality index that is exempt from disclosure. If the District determines that information in the confidentiality index is not exempt from disclosure, the District will give reasonable notice to the Offeror prior to releasing any material listed in the confidentiality index.

b. By submitting a SOQ, Offeror agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the District, its directors, officers, employees and agents, from any and against all damages (including but not limited to attorneys’ fees that may be awarded to the party requesting the Offeror information), and pay any and all costs and expenses, including attorneys’ fees, related to the withholding of the information included in the confidentiality index or in the redacted version of the SOQ, If Offeror fails to accept a tender of a defense, the District reserves the right to resolve all claims at its sole discretion, without limiting any rights stated herein.

Waiver By submitting a SOQ, the Offeror represents and warrants that it has sufficiently informed itself in all matters affecting the performance of the services or the furnishing of the labor, supplies, material, or equipment called for in the Agreement; that Offeror has checked its SOQ for errors and omissions; that the labor rates stated in its SOQ are correct and as intended and are a complete and correct statement of its prices for performing the services or furnishing the labor, supplies, materials, or equipment required by the Agreement.

District’s Rights The District reserves the right to cancel the procurement in whole or in part, at its sole discretion, at any time before the Agreement is fully executed and approved on behalf of the District. This RFQ does not commit the District to award an Agreement, to reimburse any costs incurred in the preparation of the SOQ for this request, or to procure or contract for services. The District reserves the right to modify or cancel in whole or in part this RFQ, to reject any and all SOQs, to accept the SOQs it considers most highly technically rated and in the District’s interest in its sole discretion, and to waive irregularities or informalities in any SOQ or in the evaluation procedures. The District also reserves the right to reject all SOQs and seek new SOQs when the District considers such procedure to be in its best interest.

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If there is any evidence indicating that two or more Offerors are in collusion to restrict competition or are otherwise engaged in anti-competitive practices, the SOQs of all such Offerors must be rejected, and such evidence may be a cause for disqualification of the participants in any future solicitations undertaken by the District.

Protest Procedures District’s protest policies, are detailed in Board Policy 468, may be accessed via Board Policy 468.

B. Delivery

AC Transit Procurement Portal SOQs must be submitted by way of upload to the AC Transit Supplier Portal, until the date and time listed in the Solicitation Timeline above. If you need technical assistance, please email vendorsupport@actransit.org. Offeror’s electronic submission must contain all required completed and signed forms. All uploaded SOQs must be formatted using Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) for the SOQ.

Files must conform to the naming convention of: “RFQ Number_Company Name_” {Ex: “RFQ 2027-1714_AC Transit_”}. The District will not be responsible for corruption of any file submitted. If the submitted file cannot be viewed and printed as submitted, it will not be considered. Late submittals will not be considered. The time the electronic version was uploaded to the AC Transit Supplier Portal determines whether the SOQ was submitted by the date and time listed in the Solicitation Timeline.

Offerors may also submit a hard copy of the SOQ by U.S. mail, private carrier (UPS/FedEx), or hand delivery in sealed envelopes. Hard copy SOQs must be securely sealed in a suitable envelope marked with the name and address of the Offeror, and marked on the front and back of the envelope, as follows, whether mailed or personally delivered:

AC Transit Procurement Department 1600 Franklin Street Oakland, CA 94612

RFQUAL #2027-1714

Withdrawal of SOQs An Offeror may withdraw its SOQ, without prejudice, by submitting a written request for its withdrawal to the SPC before the date and time when SOQs are due. The withdrawal of a SOQ does not prejudice the right of an Offeror to submit another SOQ within the time set for receipt of SOQs.

After the SOQ due date, a SOQ may be withdrawn only if District fails to award the Agreement within the SOQ validity period prescribed in the Cover Form, Validity of SOQs, or any agreed-upon extension thereof.

C. SOQ Content

General A SOQ checklist is provided as Exhibit 2. This checklist does not need to be submitted with the Offerors’ SOQ and serves as a tool only.

https://www.actransit.org/sites/default/files/2025-04/BP%20468%20-%20Procurement%20Protest.pdf https://actransit.bonfirehub.com/portal/?tab=openOpportunities mailto:vendorsupport@actransit.org

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To facilitate Offeror’s preparation of its SOQ and the District’s review of same, all SOQs must be written in English and have a consistent font type and size of text; letter-size pages (8.5 inch by 11 inch), single spacing, and a single column. Although the District is not specifying a page limit for the overall SOQ submission, clarity and conciseness are essential. Type style and size for graphics is at Offeror’s option, but the font must be clear and legible.

SOQ Organization To be accepted for evaluation, your SOQ must follow the prescribed format as outlined below.

Offerors must provide an unredacted version of its SOQ. If Offeror is claiming any portion(s) of its SOQ is confidential and/or proprietary, it most also provided a redacted version of its SOQ along with a confidentiality index as outlined in Section 3.A, Confidentiality.

Offerors must submit their SOQs as three distinct Adobe PDF format (unless otherwise noted) files, titled:

• Technical Submittal (unredacted)

• Financial Qualifications and Statements

• Rate Sheet (Sealed)

The content of each file is further described below. A fourth file, Redacted Copy of SOQ, may be submitted only if Offeror is requesting sections be treated as confidential. (See RFQ, Section 3, Confidentiality for requirements).

D. Technical Submittal

SOQ Cover Form Offerors must complete, sign and attach the Cover Form included as Exhibit 1. Submission of a SOQ indicates acceptance by an Offeror of the conditions contained in this RFQ unless clearly and specifically noted in the SOQ submitted and confirmed in the Agreement between the District and the successful Offeror.

Letter of Introduction The Letter of Introduction, must: be on company letterhead and signed by an authorized individual; introduce the Consultant; list subconsultant team members; summarize the main qualifications of the proposed team, and identify the proposed key personnel that will serve as the primary contact with the District and oversee Taskings issued under the Master Agreement.

Offerors must also indicate that they are prepared to sign the Sample Agreement provided in Exhibit 7 to this RFQ (or should specifically identify any changes requested to the Agreement, using the form provided Exhibit 3, Exceptions); and must clearly state that they are able to meet the insurance requirements as set forth in Attachment A-Insurance Requirements, to Exhibit 7, Sample Agreement. Offerors must confirm that they have no impermissible conflicts of interest.

See below for instruction on where to include the exceptions form and insurance in your SOQ.

If the Offeror is a joint venture, an executed copy of the Joint Venture Agreement must be included with the SOQ. The specific areas of responsibility (including administrative, technical, and financial) for each member of the Joint Venture must be outlined.

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Table Of Contents Offerors must include a table of contents summarizing the organization of the Technical SOQ.

Offeror’s Qualifications and Experience To be considered for award of an Agreement, the Offeror must have expertise in the Design Disciplines and Subject Areas specified in the Scope of Services. The Offeror must provide information regarding its firm’s stability and ability to support Taskings over the term of the Master Agreement.

If the Offeror is a joint-venture partner, describe the organizational arrangement and roles and responsibilities between the firms.

Offeror must provide a narrative describing the firm's Quality Control Program. The description must address, at a minimum:

• Internal review procedures for work products and deliverables, including multi-discipline coordination and independent technical review processes;

• Quality assurance procedures for subconsultant work, including mechanisms for reviewing and approving subconsultant deliverables before submission to the District;

• The Offeror’s approach to identifying, tracking, and correcting errors and omissions during design and study phases; and

• Any relevant quality management certifications or accreditations held by the firm.

Approach to Providing Services: Team Organization and Management Plan Offeror must provide a narrative describing the Offeror’s team:

• Organization chart detailing the proposed team composition, including the on-call team organization

• Understanding of, and rationale for, proposed approach to providing the range of services required under Attachment C, Scope of Services, of Exhibit 7, Sample Agreement.

• Depth and breadth of available experience and expertise to successfully perform the desired services

• Identification of any and all of the services listed in Attachment C, Scope of Services, of

Exhibit 7, Sample Agreement for Services, for which Offeror intends to subcontract. Any and all subcontractors (to include subconsultants) must be listed on Standard Form SF 330 submitted with the SOQ and approved by the District prior to contract award.

Approach to Tasking Proposal Development and Management Plan Offerors must provide a narrative describing the process by which Offeror will prepare a Tasking Proposal in response to a Tasking Proposal Request. Describe how Offeror will ensure that the quality of task management and work product, either from the Consultant or Subconsultant, is within criteria set forth by the District. Describe at a minimum the approach to Tasking quality, strategy development, data analysis, subconsultant management, quality control of deliverables, schedule, budget compliance, staff management, and invoice preparation.

Qualifications and Experience of Key Personnel “Key Personnel” is defined as those individuals who are essential to the successful completion and execution of the Services called for in this RFQ. At minimum, Offeror must identify the Agreement Manager, who will be responsible for primary communication with the District and oversight of services rendered to the District in Taskings issued under the Master Agreement. The Offeror must list propose additional key staff, available to be assigned to specific Taskings in

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Standard Form 330.

Licenses and Certifications Offeror and proposed Key Personnel must hold and maintain during the term of the Agreement appropriate professional licenses to perform the work specified in this RFQ. Offeror may list any relevant licenses and/or certifications and the name of the issuing entity with their SOQ. Copies or proof of such licensure and/or certification must be provided to the District on request.

Past Performance The Offeror must provide a minimum of three (3) and a maximum of five (5) references from clients for whom the Offeror has provided similar services to those called for in this RFQ within the past five (5) years using the Reference Form, included as Exhibit No. 4. Include transit agencies, if any. For each Reference Form submitted, Offerors must supply a brief description of the services provided, the timeframe the services were provided, and current client contact information. Each Offeror must also provide the size and structure of its firm as evidenced by an organizational chart, relevant to its client base.

SF-330 Submission (Architect-Engineer Qualifications) In accordance with FAR Subpart 36.6, FTA Circular 4220.1G, and the Brooks Act (40 U.S.C.

Chapter 11), Each Offeror (and each subconsultant proposed as providing Key Personnel) must complete and submit Standard Form 330, Architect-Engineer Qualifications, in accordance with the tailored instructions below. The current SF-330 is available at https://www.gsa.gov/forms-library/architect-engineer-qualifications. The SF-330 must be included as part of the SOQ.

Tailored Instructions — SF-330 Part I (Departures from GSA-Provided Instructions) Complete Part I of SF-330 in accordance with the table below. Sections not referenced in the table must be completed in accordance with the standard instructions contained in the SF-330.

Section Tailored Instructions — Departures from the GSA-Provided SF-330

Instructions

Part I: Section F (Example Projects)

• Include a minimum of three (3) example projects.

• Ensure that all Key Personnel have a significant role in at least one (1) example project.

• Example projects should preferably be completed within the last seven

(7) years and should demonstrate experience in the A&E discipline areas identified in the Scope of Services).

Part I: Section H (Additional Information)

• Line #30 will be used to provide any additional information.

• This part may not exceed fifteen (15) single-sided pages for the Prime

Consultant, and fifteen (15) single-sided pages combined for all subconsultants.

• Use Section H to describe the discipline areas (from the Scope of Services) for which the Offeror is submitting qualifications, the firm’s Quality Control Program, and any safety or relevant certifications.

Part I: Section E (Resumes of Key Personnel)

• For each Key Personnel member, identify the professional license(s), certification(s), and registration(s) held (e.g., California P.E., A.I.A., S.E., R.L.A., L.E.E.D., P.T.O.E.), with license number and state of registration.

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Prime Offeror and Subconsultant Submissions

1. Primes must provide a complete SOQ, SF-330 Part I, and SF-330 Part II. Subconsultant information must be included in the Prime’s Part I, and the Prime and each subconsultant must each provide a separate Part II.

2. Subconsultants must provide their qualifications information to the Prime; subconsultants are not required to submit any documentation directly to the District and any such submission will not be accepted. All submissions are the responsibility of the Prime. It is the Prime’s responsibility to ensure that all subconsultants hold the required licenses and certifications for the work they will perform.

3. If required technical qualification information is already provided on the SF-330, the Offeror must add a cross-reference in the SOQ to the corresponding section of the SF-330 rather than duplicating the content.

E. Financial Qualifications and Statements Submittal

Financial Qualifications Offeror must possess sufficient financial strength, resources and capabilities to support and enable the Services to be performed and to complete the work in a satisfactory manner, as measured by Offeror’s financial statements (Income Statements and Balance Sheets, only) for the previous three

(3) years. Financial statements must be prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles of the jurisdiction in which the Offeror is located and audited by an independent certified public accountant.

Insurance Offeror must demonstrate their ability to obtain insurance coverage that meets the minimum requirements of this RFQ, as evidenced by a letter, or a certificate, from an underwriter confirming that the Offeror can be insured for the required amounts. At the District’s discretion, Offerors who are involved in current or pending bankruptcy proceedings may be rejected.

Exceptions to Agreement To the extent Offeror takes exception to any terms or conditions in the Agreement, it must specifically identify those exceptions and any changes requested to the Agreement, using the form provided in Exceptions Form, Exhibit 3.

W-9 Form Offeror must provide a copy of its W-9 Form as outlined in the section detailing Pre-submittal Requirements.

Political Contributions Offeror must complete and submit with their proposal the Political Contributions Statement (Exhibit 5). Offeror must list any political contributions of money, in-kind services, or loans made to any current member of the District’s Board of Directors within the last three (3) years by management positions of the Offeror and any subconsultant.

The Levine Act (Government Code Section 84308) is part of the California Political Reform Act of 1974. The Levine Act prohibits any District Board Member from participating in or influencing the decision on awarding a contract with the District to anyone who has contributed $500.00 or more to the Board Member within the previous twelve (12) months. The Levine Act also requires a member of the District Board who has received such a contribution to disclose the contribution on

AC TRANSIT CONFIDENTIAL Page 14 of 54 the record of the proceeding. In addition, District Board Members are prohibited from soliciting or accepting a contribution from a party applying for a contract while the matter of awarding the contract is pending before the District or for twelve (12) months following the date a final decision concerning the contract has been made.

Conflicts of Interest Offeror must provide a list in its SOQ of its current contracts that involve work with the District, including its relationship to the District and a brief description of its job under the contract. Offeror must identify any potential conflicts that may compromise its delivery of unbiased work product.

By submitting a SOQ, the Offeror represents and warrants that no director, officer or employee of the District is in any manner interested directly or indirectly in the SOQ or in the Agreement that may be made under it or in any expected profits to arise therefrom, as set forth in Article 4, Division 4, Title I (commencing with Sec. 1090) of the Government Code of the State of California. The Offeror warrants and represents that it presently has no financial interest and agrees that it will not acquire any financial interest which would present a conflict of interest under California Government Code, Sections 1090 et seq. or Sections 87100 et seq. during the performance of services under this Agreement. The Offeror further covenants that it will not knowingly employ any person having such an interest in the performance of the Agreement.

Violation of this provision may result in the Agreement being deemed void and unenforceable.

F. Rate Sheet (Sealed)

Offerors must submit proposed labor hour rates using the Rate Sheet (Sealed) included as Exhibit 6. Costs must include, but not be limited to, labor, materials, supplies, taxes, overhead, insurance and profit. Offeror must complete and submit the Rate Sheet (Sealed) for their firm and each proposed subconsultant.

Offeror must list all reasonably foreseeable labor categories required in the performance of this work, except those considered as overhead, as defined in the Sample Agreement. Offerors must identify the titles, hourly rates, direct cost rates, exclusive of any burden or mark-ups for all proposed categories of staff and subconsultant staff on the Rate Sheet (Sealed).

Offerors must use the Rate Sheet (Sealed) to submit Indirect Cost Rates for home office and District-furnished field office. In each case, Offeror must identify cost elements contained within its overhead rate pools or provide audit reports that provide this information. If it is Offeror’s normal practice to show employee fringe benefits as a separate overhead rate on direct labor, then such practice must be incorporated in the rates submitted.

Offeror must submit a copy of its, and any proposed subconsultants, most recent audit reports (not older than 18 months) of Offeror’s direct and indirect rates and must state whether rates are consistent with Federal Cost Principles (Title 48, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 31). Audit must have been conducted by the federal government, a certified public accountant, or independent auditor. Identify the audit entity, contact name, phone number, and furnish copies of findings.

Where audit reports are not available due to the size of a firm, other substantiation acceptable to the District, must be provided. The District has the final decision in deciding what is acceptable.

Offeror's must use the Rate Sheet (Sealed) to submit proposed maximum fees (profit) as a percentage of the overhead burdened Direct Cost for Labor. The fees listed on the form are

AC TRANSIT CONFIDENTIAL Page 15 of 54 maximum fees and Proposers may offer lower fee rates. A fee proposed by subconsultant must not exceed that of the Offeror.

Rate Sheet (Sealed) will remain sealed and confidential until opened in accordance with Section 4.

4. EVALUATION OF SOQS AND SELECTION PROCESS

The District will follow the process below to review timely submitted SOQs.

A. Responsiveness Determination

All SOQs timely received will be evaluated for responsiveness. A SOQ will be considered responsive if it complies in all material respects to the requirements of the RFQ. If a SOQ does not substantially conform to the terms and conditions in the RFQ it will be considered non-responsive.

If the SOQ is unclear, the SPC may request clarification from the Offeror, however, clarifications cannot be used to rehabilitate a non-responsive SOQ. The District may, at its sole discretion, waive immaterial mistakes or omissions. Non-responsive Offerors will not be further considered for award.

B. Responsibility Determination

The District engages in business with responsible offerors with sound management, quality control, capacity, experience, financial resources, and ethics to perform the work. The District will review Offeror’s Financial qualifications and Statements submittal. Offeror Financial Statements, Insurance coverage, and actual or apparent conflicts of interest will be used in determining an Offerors responsibility. Only responsible Offerors will be considered for award. The District reserves the right to consult subject matter experts to serve in an advisory capacity regarding an Offeror’s SOQ to include analysis of Offeror’s financial statements. Offerors considered not responsible will not be further considered for award.

C. Minimum Qualifications

The District will review Offeror’s SOQ to ensure that the Offeror meets the minimum qualifications. To be considered qualified, Offerors must:

(1) Have (through themselves, their team members or their sub-contractors/consultants) at least five (5) years of experience providing architectural and/or engineering services to public agencies (preferably transit);

(2) Be capable of providing the desired services (as delineated in the Scope of Services) substantially with its own and subconsultant staff;

(3) Have knowledge and understanding of applicable regulations and codes and be familiar with State of California conditions relating to the Scope of Services; and

(4) Have appropriate professional licenses to perform the Services.

Offerors that do not meet the minimum qualifications will not be further considered for award.

D. Technical Evaluation

SOQ Analysis Group A SOQ Analysis Group (SAG), which will include members of staff and possibly one or more

AC TRANSIT CONFIDENTIAL Page 16 of 54 outside experts, will review the SOQs submitted, evaluate, and rate them according to the weighted criteria of each category as set forth in the process below.

The SAG’s consensus scores for all steps of the evaluation process will comprise the official record for the proposal evaluation process; individual evaluation records may not be retained and will not be available for public inspection at any point during or after the evaluation process. By submitting a proposal, Offerors agree to be bound by these terms and will not later challenge said terms.

Technical SOQ Evaluation Criteria The technical SOQ will be evaluated based on the criteria identified below. In rating SOQs, the District will consider the SOQ material submitted, oral interviews (if any are held) and any other relevant information about a given Offeror (i.e. references).

The District will not assume that an Offeror possesses any capability unless such a capability is established by the submitted SOQ. SOQs will be evaluated using the Evaluation Criteria described below and assigned points per criteria as indicated:

Evaluation Criteria Max Points Offeror Qualifications and Experience

a. Institutional Experience providing architectural and/or engineering services to public agencies (preferably transit);

b. Offeror overall capacity to provide required services;

c. Quality Assurance plan. 20

Approach to Providing Services: Team Organization and Management Plan

a. Strength of team’s experience providing similar relevant services;

b. Team’s organization and management plan;

c. Tasking Management Plan approach;

d. Capability (depth and breadth) of technical expertise. 20

Professional Qualifications and Experience of Key Personnel

a. The professional, technical and managerial qualifications and experience of personnel, including the proposed Agreement Manager;

b. Previous relevant experience which demonstrates capability to successfully perform technical work:

1) Years of experience

2) Extent of experience applicable to the Services

3) Experience in key staff positions

4) Proven experience in developing innovative or advanced techniques 30

Past Performance

a. Quality, complexity, and relevance of recent A&E projects performed by th

Offeror;

b. Strength and substance of client references, including from public agencies and transit operators where available;

c. Industry awards, recognition, or other indicators of professional standing. 30

Total 100

Competitive Range The District reserves the right to establish a “competitive range,” as detailed in FAR 15.306, of the most highly rated Offerors and to limit the list to the greatest number that will permit an efficient

AC TRANSIT CONFIDENTIAL Page 17 of 54 provision of services among the most highly rated Offerors.

Interviews Following the initial review and technical evaluation of SOQs, and establishment of a competitive range, one or more Offerors may be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process.

This step may include the submission of additional information, as described below, and/or participation in an oral interview. If the District conducts interviews, it will do so with those Offerors found to be within the competitive range. Attendees at an interview will be restricted to those individuals who will have direct involvement with provision of the Services. The District expects that, at a minimum, the proposed Agreement Manager will attend the oral interview; other Key Personnel may also attend. Please refer to the solicitation timeline in the Invitation for tentative interview dates.

Revised SOQs, Interviews and Negotiations The District reserves the right to negotiate with any Offeror, to request revised SOQs, to visit the Offeror(s)’ site(s), to interview or not, or to request revised or supplemental technical information, if it is in the best interest of the District to do so. Upon completion of this step in the selection process, the SAG will re-rate the firms remaining in the competitive range, in accordance with the evaluation criteria set forth above.

The District reserves the right to further reduce the competitive range at any time during this step of the evaluation and selection process, and the District may hold simultaneous discussions with those Offerors that remain in the competitive range. Offerors who are no longer in the competitive range and will therefore not continue to the final step of the selection and evaluation process will be notified as soon as it is practicable.

The District will open the proposed rate sheet from the top-rated Offerors and it may accept the SOQ or negotiate the cost and exceptions taken to the Sample Agreement, if any. If negotiations are unsuccessful, the District will terminate the negotiations with that Offeror. Because the District anticipates award to more than one Offeror forming an unranked, pre-qualified panel, the opening of Rate Sheets from more than one Offeror does not constitute a price competition among Offerors. The District will review each Offeror’s proposed rates independently to determine whether those rates are fair and reasonable, and will not compare the rates of one Offeror against those of another for purposes of rating, selection, or award. At its sole discretion, the District may reject all Offerors. The District, may award an Agreement(s) without conducting interviews or negotiations.

Given that Agreements may be awarded to multiple Offerors, the District may elect to hold concurrent negotiations with two (2) or more Offerors following the processes set forth above.

Agreement Award The SAG will make a recommendation of awards of Agreement, if any, to the District’s Board of Directors, or designee. All Offerors will be notified of the recommended awards in writing. No Agreement will be in force until an executed Agreement is issued by the Procurement and Materials Director, or designee.

The successful Offerors, to whom award is made, must execute a written Master Agreement for Services on the District’s provided form, as set forth in Exhibit 7 (Sample Agreement for Services), within fourteen (14) calendar days after Offeror receives the Agreement for execution.

AC TRANSIT CONFIDENTIAL Page 18 of 54

In the event that an award of an Agreement is recommended to more than one (1) Offeror, the Offerors will constitute an unranked, pre-qualified panel, to which Taskings will be issued during the Agreement ordering term. See Attachment B-Task Order Procedures of Exhibit 7 (Sample Agreement for Services) for additional information regarding the Tasking process.

5. CONTRACTUAL REQUIREMENTS

A. Agreement for Services

The selected Offerors for the provision of the Services will be required to execute an Agreement with the District describing the Scope of Services to be performed, compensation, insurance requirements and other pertinent provisions. This agreement must follow the Sample Agreement.

All Offerors are directed to review all of the terms and conditions set forth in the Sample Agreement, particularly the indemnification and insurance requirements.

Submittal of a SOQ must be deemed acceptance of all of the terms set forth in this RFQ and the Sample Agreement unless the Offeror includes with its SOQ, in writing, any modifications requested to the provisions of the RFQ and/or Sample Agreement as set forth on the Exceptions Form, Exhibit 3. All requests for exceptions must be in writing, separately identified, and delineated for each task, or other item, and must be submitted on Exhibit 3. The District reserves the right to request further clarification of any requested exception during negotiations and to exclude unacceptable exception(s). No exceptions may be requested after the deadline for the submittal of SOQs.

B. Prevailing Wage Requirements

To the extent applicable, Consultant and subconsultants must comply with California Labor Code and Prevailing Wage Laws. Attention is directed to the requirements set forth in Sample Agreement for Services (Exhibit 7).

C. Audit Requirements

The Consultant's proposed labor rates and Tasking costs will be subject to audit in accordance with Federal Cost Principles (Title 48, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 31) and/or Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). Consultant(s) must cooperate with the District and its audit firm.

After any audit recommendations are received by the District, the proposed rates and costs must be adjusted by Consultant and approved by the District to conform to the audit recommendations.

Consultant agrees that individual items of cost may be incorporated into the Agreement at the District's sole discretion to conform to the audit recommendations. Refusal by Consultant to incorporate audit recommendations will be considered a breach of the Agreement and may, at the District's sole discretion, be considered cause for termination of the Agreement.

Offerors may be required to submit recent audit reports (not older than 18 months) of any subconsultant's direct and indirect rates prior to contract award and must state whether rates are consistent with Federal Cost Principles (48 C.F.R. Part 31). Each audit must have been conducted by the Federal Government, a Certified Public Accountant, or Independent Auditor. Offerors must identify the audit source, contact name, and phone number, and furnish copies of findings.

AC TRANSIT CONFIDENTIAL Page 19 of 54

D. Insurance and Indemnification Requirements

Offerors are instructed to carefully review the insurance and indemnification provisions set forth in Exhibit 7-Sample Agreement for Services and provide evidence of Offeror’s acceptance and ability to comply.

Offerors must include with their SOQ a copy of their current Certificate of Insurance that illustrates the current level of coverage the Offeror carries. The certificate submitted in response to this solicitation can be a current file copy and does not need to include any “additional insured” language in favor of the District. Upon contract award, and prior to issuance of a Tasking, the selected Offerors, at their sole cost and expense and for the full term of the contract or any extension thereof, must obtain and maintain, at a minimum, all of the insurance requirements outlined in Attachment A of the Sample Agreement (Exhibit 7). All policies, endorsements, certificates and/or binders will be subject to the approval of the District’s Claims and Liability Manager as to form and content. These requirements are subject to amendment or waiver if so, approved in writing by the Claims and Liability Manager.