REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR

REPAIR AND CONSTRUTION

SERVICES

Multiple Award Task Order Contracts (MATOC)

RFP No. HSR26-81

(On-Ramp to Request for

Proposals HSR 25-40 MATOC)

California High-Speed Rail Authority RFP No. HSR26-81

Multiple Award Task Order Contract (MATOC) On-Ramp

Notice To Proposers

RFP HSR26-81, MATOC On-Ramp

The California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) issues this Request for Proposals (RFP) as a follow-up solicitation to RFP HSR25-40 for the specific purpose of on-ramping additional qualified firms into the Authority's existing Multiple Award Task Order Contract (MATOC) contracting vehicle. Through this solicitation, the Authority seeks to expand and strengthen both the Small Business Pool and the Utility Pool by adding new contractors with the expertise, capacity, and resources necessary to support the Authority's growing program needs and anticipated project demands. The Authority recognizes the importance of maintaining a robust and diverse contractor base and is therefore providing qualified firms with an additional opportunity to participate in and contribute to the successful delivery of the California High-Speed Rail Program.

You are invited to review and respond to this Request for Proposals (RFP). This solicitation is being advertised in the California State Contracts Register through Cal eProcure and represents an opportunity for additional firms to be considered for inclusion in the Authority's MATOC pools. Through this on-ramping effort, the Authority intends to enhance competition, increase contracting capacity, and ensure continued access to highly qualified contractors capable of responding to future task order requirements.

Proposers are advised to regularly monitor the California State Contracts Register website for addenda, modifications, updates, and responses to questions related to this solicitation. The Authority is not responsible for a prospective Proposer's failure to obtain or review posted information. Any failure to periodically check the California State Contracts Register website for updates shall be at the Proposer's sole risk. In submitting a Proposal, Proposers must comply with all instructions and requirements contained herein and in the Request for Proposals.

The Authority believes this RFP is complete and does not require additional explanation. However, should prospective Proposers have questions or require clarification regarding this solicitation or the MATOC on-ramping process, the contact person is:

Emily Morrison, Chief of Contracting California High-Speed Rail Authority Email: MATOC@hsr.ca.gov

Please note that no verbal information provided by Authority staff shall be binding unless such information is issued in writing as an official addendum to this RFP.

mailto:MATOC@hsr.ca.gov

Table of Contents Notice To Proposers

Request for Proposals

1. General Background

2. Procurement Overview

3. Project Background

4. Terminology

4.1. Definitions

5. Procurement Schedule and Process

5.1. Authority’s Designated Point of Contact

5.2. Proposer Inquiries

5.3. Notification of Discrepancies

5.4. Addenda

5.5. Rules of Contact

5.6. Organizational Conflicts of Interest

5.7. Pre-Proposal Meetings and Activities

5.8. Statements at Pre-Proposal Meetings and Activities

5.9. Non-Commitment of Authority

5.10. Proposer License and Registration Requirements

5.11. Subcontractor Requirements

5.12. Proposer’s Bid Payment and Performance Securities

5.13. Labor Compliance

5.14. Community Benefits Agreement

5.15. Equal Employment Opportunity and Nondiscrimination

5.16. Executive Order N-6-22 – Russia Sanctions

5.17. Executive Order N-12-23 – Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI)

5.18. Environmental Compliance

5.20. Buy America Requirements

6. Proposal Submission Requirements

6.1. Required Proposal Documents

7. Basis of Award

7.1. Contracts to be Awarded

7.2. On/Off Ramp Procedures

7.3. Competitive Award

7.4. Evaluation: Two Phase Evaluation Process

7.5. Proposal Submittals and Basis of Evaluation

7.6. Proposal Review

7.7. Proposer Minimum Qualifications

7.8. Proposals

7.9. Discussions Evaluation

8. Evaluation and Selection

8.1. Notice of Proposed Award

8.2. Notice of Contract Award

9. Contract Award and Execution

9.1. Contract Execution

9.2. No Contract Until Signed and Approved

10. Debriefings

11. Protest Procedures

11.1. Grounds for Protest

11.2. Early Communication for Certain Protests

11.3. Deadlines for Protests

11.4. Content of Protest

11.5. Filing of Protest

11.6. Decision on Protest

11.7. Limitation on the Authority’s Liability

Forms and Certifications Attachments

Request for Proposals

1. General Background

The California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) is responsible for planning, designing, building, and operating the first high-speed rail system in the nation. California high-speed rail will connect the mega-regions of the state, contribute to economic development and a cleaner environment, create jobs, and preserve agricultural and protected lands.

The Authority may enter into contracts with private and public entities for the design, construction, and operation of high-speed rail trains, including all tasks and segments thereof pursuant to California Public Utilities Code section 185036.

The resulting contracts from this procurement may be funded with State of California and federal funds, including, but not limited to, funds provided by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and funds made available through the various federal funding grant programs and, therefore, each contract and grant requires compliance with applicable federal provisions.

2. Procurement Overview The Authority is issuing this solicitation to receive proposals from qualified firms for this Multiple Award Task Order Contracts (MATOC) as a follow-up On-Ramping opportunity intended to expand the Authority's existing pool of qualified contractors supporting its construction efforts. Through this solicitation, the Authority seeks to add additional small business and utility firms with the experience, capacity, and technical expertise necessary to meet anticipated project demands and enhance the depth and diversity of available contractor resources.

The resultant agreements will be public works contracts as defined by Cal. Pub. Cont.

Code (PCC) § 1101 and § 7103. The purpose of this solicitation is to award agreements to successful proposers for inclusion in the MATOC program and for the provision of a broad range of repair and minor construction activities within Madera, Merced, Fresno, Kern, Kings, and Tulare counties. By on-ramping additional qualified contractors, the Authority aims to increase competition, strengthen resource availability, and ensure continued flexibility in delivering construction-related services throughout the California High-Speed Rail Program. This procurement consists of evaluating proposals in response to the solicitation with the intent to award agreements to a successful, responsive, qualified Proposers whose qualifications conform to the requirements of the RFP and are considered the most qualified by the Authority. The Proposers the Authority considers the most qualified will be ranked accordingly pursuant to the evaluation as stated in the solicitation (see Section 7.4).

The selected Proposers may be working with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Surface Transportation Board, California Public Works Board, California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), California Department of General Services (DGS), other partnering agencies, and Authority contractor(s)/consultant(s).

The term of any agreements resulting from this RFP will end no later than April 16, 2031, to align with the start dates on the current MATOC agreements. Task Orders shall have defined periods of performance, with a separate Notice to Proceed (NTP) to commence construction activities.

For the initial agreements, the current anticipated total contract value is zero dollars and zero cents ($0.00). All agreements will be funded at the Task Order level. Unless otherwise provided by the Authority, the not-to-exceed dollar value for each Task Order is $20 million. The average Task Order amount for most anticipated projects is approximately $2 million. The order maximum is based on the Independent Cost Estimate (ICE), not the resulting task order amount. Executing an Agreement is not a guarantee of Work; the actual amount of Work requested by the Authority will be addressed at the Task Order level.

Any services to be provided by the successful Proposer shall only be performed pursuant to a Task Order that provides a detailed description of the services to be performed, the time for the work to be performed, and the not-to-exceed amount to be charged, and estimated costs.

The procurement described herein is not exclusive, and the Authority reserves the right to enter into other contracts/agreements covering the same or similar services, or to perform the same or similar services itself or through its agents.

The Authority requires its contractors to provide services that meet or exceed the applicable professional standard(s) of care and produce deliverables of the highest quality within a constrained schedule to meet program commitments. It is acknowledged by the Proposers that time is of the essence in the performance of each assigned task.

The services, and any defined deliverables, shall be completed and delivered to the Authority, or its agent, in a prompt and timely manner so as to permit the effective review and deployment of the deliverable by the Authority during and throughout the performance of any Agreement resulting from this procurement.

This RFP incorporates by reference the Authority’s Small Business Program Plan (SB Program Plan), November 2023, which, among other requirements, establishes a twenty-five (25) percent Small Business (SB) utilization goal, inclusive of a three (3) percent carve-out for microbusiness (applied to state-funded Contract value) and three

(3) percent Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises (DVBE) goals (applied to entire Contract value). Further details about the Authority’s small business goals and specific requirements under its SB/DVBE/ program may be found at the website for the HSR SB Policy & Program Plan - California High Speed Rail(Small Business Program - California High Speed Rail).

https://hsr.ca.gov/business-opportunities/small-business-program/policy-program-plan/ https://hsr.ca.gov/work-with-us/small-business-program/

Small Business Program Compliance Requirements

The Contractor shall comply with the Authority’s Small Business Program Plan ( SB Program Plan), revised 2023, which, among other requirements, establishes a 25 percent Small Business (SB) utilization goal, inclusive of a 3 percent carve-out for Microbusiness (applied to state-funded Contract value) and 3 percent Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises (DVBE) goals (applied to the entire Contract value). Further details about the Authority’s small business goals and specific requirements under its SB Program, including the SB Program Plan and SB Policy, are available on the Authority’s SB Program webpages.

To the extent determined applicable by the Authority's Small Business Program staff, the Contractor shall develop, implement, and maintain a Communication Plan designed to ensure meaningful engagement with certified SB, MB, SB-PW, DVBE, and DBE subcontractors at all tiers. The Communication Plan shall address project status, schedule milestones, deadlines, work assignments, budget and change management information, risk and issue tracking, project updates, and points of contact.

The Contractor shall provide periodic documentation of communications with certified firms and shall promptly notify affected subcontractors of schedule changes, delays, modifications, or other matters impacting contract performance.

Throughout the performance of the Agreement and all Task Orders issued thereunder, the Contractor shall utilize the Authority's designated compliance reporting system and shall submit all reports required by the Authority, including monthly small business utilization, prompt payment, and participation reports. Such reports shall identify all participating certified firms, their certification classifications, work performed, invoiced amounts, payments made, participation percentages, and tier relationships, as required by the Authority.

Within sixty (60) days following receipt of final payment under the Agreement, or within such other period as directed by the Authority, the Contractor shall submit final utilization reports documenting actual SB, MB, SB-PW, DVBE, and DBE participation achieved during contract performance. The Contractor shall also submit all required certifications, including the Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise Subcontracting Report (STD 817), and certify that all required payments to participating certified firms have been made. Failure to comply with the Authority's Small Business Program requirements, reporting obligations, or CUF requirements may result in contractual remedies, withholding of payments, or other actions authorized by the Agreement and applicable law.

https://hsr.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/SB-ProgramPlan-2023-Revised-A11Y.pdf

Federal Funding and DBE Requirements. This Agreement is anticipated to be funded with State funds and that no DBE goal or other DBE requirements are applicable to this Agreement at the time of execution. If federal financial assistance is subsequently made available for work performed under this Agreement, the Authority may, to the extent required by applicable federal law, regulation, USDOT requirements, or federal financial assistance terms and conditions, modify or establish applicable DBE Program requirements, including a DBE goal, for the affected work.

Any such requirements shall be incorporated into the applicable Task Order. Such requirements shall apply only to the federally funded portion of the work. The Contractor shall comply with all applicable DBE obligations set forth in 49 CFR Part 26 and shall include the required DBE compliance provisions in all subcontract and lower-tier subcontract agreements for federally assisted work. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to establish a DBE goal or require DBE participation for State-funded work unless such requirements are expressly mandated by applicable State law or separately specified in a Task Order.

DBE Requirements for Federally Assisted Task Orders. If a Task Order placed against this agreement is funded, in whole or in part, with federal financial assistance and DBE requirements are applicable to such federal financial assistance, the Contractor shall comply with all DBE requirements identified in the Task Order, including any applicable DBE goal, counting requirements, reporting requirements, and other requirements imposed by the Authority or USDOT. The Contractor shall include applicable DBE requirements in its subcontracts and lower-tier by incorporating all required DBE flow-down provisions in each subcontract and lower-tier subcontract for the federally assisted portions of the work, as required by the Agreement and applicable federal requirements.

This solicitation will be available in electronic format on the California State Contracts Register website (Cal eProcure).

The Authority intends to evaluate Proposals and award a contracts without discussions with Proposers (except clarifications). Therefore, the initial Proposal should contain the Proposers’ best terms from a cost or price and technical standpoint. The Authority reserves the right to conduct discussions if determined to be necessary, or in the best interest of the Authority.

http://www.caleprocure.ca.gov/

3. Project Background

A MATOC is a bench-type contract that allows the Authority to award multiple contractors an indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract. Under this contract, Task Orders are issued for specific projects or construction services. The ability to utilize a MATOC eliminates the need for the procurement of individual contracts, saving time and cost for the owner and industry. Ultimately, work can begin after the Task Order process is complete, rather than waiting to procure individual contracts.

The Authority intends to award additional multiple award task order contracts to contractors in the following two (2) pools of business: one (1) pool of small business contractors to support work in Merced, Madera, Fresno, Tulare, Kings, and Kern counties, and one (1) pool of utility relocation contractors.

4. Terminology

Capitalized terms and acronyms used in this document without definition shall have the meaning ascribed below:

4.1. Definitions

Addendum: A revised version of these solicitation documents that supersedes all prior versions.

Authority: The California High-Speed Rail Authority.

Authority Board: The California High-Speed Rail Authority Board of Directors.

Authority’s Designated Point of Contact:

The representative of the Authority identified in Section 5.1.

Best Value Tradeoff: The Authority will select the proposals with the highest acceptability standards for the non-price factors of technical merit and past performance.

Business Day: Monday through Friday, except for federal or State of California holidays, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Pacific Time.

Lists of federal and State of California holidays can be found at the U.S. Office of Personnel http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/federal-holidays/#url%3DOverview

Management and California Department of Human Resources websites, respectively.

Commercially Useful Function: The Authority will uniformly apply best practices standards in collective consideration of Commercially Useful Function (CUF) standards set forth by 49 C.F.R.

Part 26.55 (c)-(d), Government Code section 14837, California Code of Regulations title 2 section 1896.4(h), and Military and Veterans Code section 999(b)(5). A Small Business (SB), Small Business for the Purpose of Public Works (SB-PW), Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE), or Microbusiness (MB) is deemed to perform a CUF if the business meets applicable CUF standards as required by law and the State of California (see the California Department of General Services (DGS) Commercially Useful Function for Certified Firms webpage for more information).

Contract(s): The written agreements between the Authority and the successful Proposers (Contractors) executed as a result of this procurement. For purposes of the RFP, Contract and Agreement are used interchangeably.

Contractor(s): The successful Proposers that execute the Contracts with the Authority as a result of this procurement.

Day or day: Calendar Day, unless otherwise noted.

Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise: A for-profit business concern that meets the certification requirements set forth in California Military and Veterans Code section 999(b)(7), including, but not limited to, at least 51 percent ownership by a veteran of the United States Military who has at least a 10 percent service-connected disability. To be counted towards meeting the goals of the SB Program, a Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise must: (1) Be certified by DGS’ Office of Small Business and Disabled Veteran Business http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/federal-holidays/#url%3DOverview http://www.calhr.ca.gov/employees/pages/state-holidays.aspx http://www.calhr.ca.gov/employees/pages/state-holidays.aspx http://www.calhr.ca.gov/employees/pages/state-holidays.aspx https://www.dgs.ca.gov/PD/Resources/Page-Content/Procurement-Division-Resources-List-Folder/Commercially-Useful-Function-for-Certified-Firms https://www.dgs.ca.gov/PD/Resources/Page-Content/Procurement-Division-Resources-List-Folder/Commercially-Useful-Function-for-Certified-Firms https://www.dgs.ca.gov/PD/Resources/Page-Content/Procurement-Division-Resources-List-Folder/Commercially-Useful-Function-for-Certified-Firms

Enterprise Services, and (2) Perform a CUF, as defined herein, in providing services or goods that contribute to the fulfillment of the contract requirements for this procurement.

Disadvantaged Business Enterprise: A for-profit business concern that meets the requirements of Title 49, Part 26.61 through 26.73 inclusive of the Code of Federal Regulations, including, but not limited to, at least 51 percent owned by individuals who are both socially and economically disadvantaged. To be counted towards meeting the goals of the SB Program, a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise must be certified as such by the California Unified Certification Program.

Equity Member: Any Person having an ownership interest in the entity that is the Proposer, including any joint venture member, general partner, or member thereof, if the Proposer is a joint venture, partnership, or limited liability company.

Grant/Cooperative Agreements: Any federal agreements between the Authority, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), the United States Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT), and/or any other federal agency providing terms for expenditure of federal funds, including FRA Grant Cooperative Agreement numbers FR- HSR-0118-12, as amended (FY 10 Grant), and FR-HSR-0009‐10‐01‐07, as amended (ARRA Grant).

Microbusiness: A for-profit small business concern that meets the certification requirements set forth in California Government Code section 14837(d) and California Code of Regulations, title 2 sections 1896.4 (Definitions) and 1896.12 (Eligibility), including but not limited to, its principal office is located in California, its owners reside in California, it is not dominant in its field, and it has an average gross revenue of $6 million or less over the previous three tax years. To be counted towards meeting the goals of the SB Program, a Microbusiness must be certified as such by DGS.

Notice to Proceed – One or more written directives from the Authority to the Contractor authorizing the Contractor to begin prosecution of the Work or a portion of the Work as specified therein, as may be further described in the Special Provisions.

Open Government Laws: Collectively, the California Public Records Act (Government Code sections 7920.000, et seq.), the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act (Gov. Code section 11120 et seq.), and the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. section 552, as amended by Public Law No. 104-231, 110 Stat. 3048), and other applicable State and federal open records laws.

Person: Any individual or entity, including corporation, limited liability company, sole proprietorship, joint venture, partnership, trust, voluntary association, unincorporated organization, or governmental agency including the Authority.

Proposal: The submittal of a Proposer to perform the Work in accordance with the Contract for the price provided for each Proposal Item and as a whole.

Proposal Item: Work unit for which the Proposer provides a price.

Proposal Documents: The documents that comprise all required submittals by a Proposer for the Authority to consider a Proposal for this procurement.

Proposer: A person or entity that submits a Proposal in response to this procurement.

Proposer Team: Collectively, the Proposer and its members and Subcontractors.

Public Records Act: The California Public Records Act, Government Code sections 7920.000, et seq.

Small Business: A for-profit business concern that meets the certification requirements set forth in the California Small Business Procurement and Contract Act in California Government Code section 14837(d) and California Code of Regulations title 2 sections 1896.4 (Definitions) and 1896.12 (Eligibility) including that its principal office is located in California, its owners reside in California, and it is not dominant in its field and it has average gross annual revenue of $19 million or less over the previous three tax years. To be counted towards meeting the goals of the HSR SB Program, a Small Business must be certified as such by the California Department of General Services.

Small Business for the Purpose of Public Works (SB-PW): A for-profit small business that is independently owned and operated, with its principal office located in California, and with owners, officers, members/managers, partners living in California, has an average of $46 million or less in gross annual receipts over the previous three tax years, is not dominant in its field of operations and has 200 or fewer employees. To be counted towards meeting the goals of the HSR SB Program, a Small Business for the Purpose of Public Works must be certified as such by the California Department of General Services.

Subcontractor: Any Person with whom Contractor has entered into any Subcontract and any other Person with whom any Subcontractor has further subcontracted any part of the Work, at any tier.

System: The entire high-speed rail system as described in California Proposition 1A (2008), including Phase 1, which shall run from the San Francisco Bay Area to the Los Angeles basin, and Phase 2, which shall run from Sacramento to San Diego.

Task Order: An agreement, as the same may be amended from time to time, among the Authority, the Contractor, and a Third Party, authorizing and providing for the performance of specific work and/or services and/or the purchase of materials and equipment. A document is a “Task Order” if it meets the definition set forth herein, without regard to the name by which the document designates itself, and without regard to whether it is issued pursuant to the provisions of an applicable Cooperative Agreement.

Work: All of the services, tasks, and deliverables to be provided by the Consultant and its subconsultants as required under the terms of this Agreement.

Working Day: Monday through Friday, except for federal and/or State of California holidays, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Pacific Time. Lists of federal and State of California holidays can be found at the websites for the U.S. Office of Personnel Management and California Department of Human Resources, respectively.

Acronyms CalSTA California State Transportation Agency Caltrans California Department of Transportation CBA Community Benefits Agreement CCR California Code of Regulations CEO Chief Executive Officer or Executive Director CEQA California Environmental Quality Act of 1970 C.F.R. Code of Federal Regulations CSLB California State License Board CUF Commercially Useful Function DGS California Department of General Services DIR Department of Industrial Relations DBE Disadvantaged Business Enterprise DVBE Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/federal-holidays/#url=Overview http://www.calhr.ca.gov/employees/pages/state-holidays.aspx http://www.calhr.ca.gov/employees/pages/state-holidays.aspx

EIR Environmental Impact Report EIS Environmental Impact Statement ESG Environmental, Social, and Governance FOIA Freedom of Information Act FRA Federal Railroad Administration GenAI Generative Artificial Intelligence ICCTA Interstate Commerce Commission

Termination Act of 1995 MB Microbusiness MVC Military and Veterans Code NEPA National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 NRHP National Register of Historic Places NTHI National Targeted Hiring Initiative OSDS Office of Small Business and DVBE Services PCC Public Contract Code SB Small Business SB-PW Small Business for the Purpose of Public

Works SPRR Southern Pacific Railroad TOPR Task Order Proposal Requests U.S. DOT United States Department of Transportation

5. Procurement Schedule and Process This schedule is subject to modification at the sole discretion of the Authority. Proposers will be notified of any change in the Schedule by an addendum to this solicitation. Dates subsequent to the Proposal Deadline may be modified at the discretion of the Authority without issuing an addendum. Unless otherwise indicated, all Proposer deadlines are 12:00 p.m. Pacific Time.

Table 1: Procurement Schedule

Key Dates Activity Description

October 22, 2026 RFP advertised and available to prospective Proposers on Cal eProcure.

October 29, 2026 Shaw Avenue Renovation site visit.

November 3, 2026 Virtual Pre-Proposal Conference at 10 a.m. Pacific Time (Not Mandatory).

November 10, 2026 M2M PG&E Electrical ED-02/03 Virtual Site Visit.

November 17, 2026 Proposer Inquiries Deadline Due by 5 p.m. Pacific Time.

November 30, 2026 Addendum Posted on Cal eProcure

December 16, 2026 Proposals Due

January 2027 Notice of Proposed Award(s)

5.1. Authority’s Designated Point of Contact

The Authority’s Designated Point of Contact for communications concerning this RFP shall be as follows:

Gilberto Baca California High-Speed Rail Authority

1111 H Street, Fresno, CA 93721 Email: MATOC@hsr.ca.gov

Persons intending to submit Proposal in response to this RFP shall not contact or discuss any items related to this process with any Authority Board member or Authority staff other than the Point of Contact listed above either directly or through intermediaries. Failure to comply with this communication prohibition may result in disqualification. See section 5.5, for more information’

5.2. Proposer Inquiries

Submit all inquiries via email to the Authority’s Designated Point of Contact identified in this solicitation, no later than the date and time specified. All such emails should use the subject line: HSR26-81 MATOC and should clearly indicate in the body of the message the part, section, and page number about which the inquiry is regarding.

If multiple questions are submitted, each question should be clearly numbered and have the relevant part, section, and page number indicated at the start of the inquiry. Responses to Proposer inquiries will be posted on the California State Contracts Register for the benefit of all Proposers. Questions submitted utilizing any other source not stated in this solicitation will not be considered or responded to.

5.3. Notification of Discrepancies

If a Proposer discovers ambiguities, conflicts, discrepancies, omissions, or errors in the Contract, the Proposer shall immediately notify the Authority in writing and request modification or clarification. If needed, such modifications or clarifications will be made by addenda.

If a Proposer who is awarded a Contract has failed to notify the Authority of any discrepancy known prior to the date and time of the Proposal due date, no additional compensation or time shall be allowed by reason of the discrepancy or its later correction.

Where applicable, Proposers should carefully examine work sites, contract drawings, and specifications as provided on the Task Order. Proposers shall investigate conditions, character, and quality of surface or subsurface materials or obstacles that might be encountered. No additions or increases to the Task Order amount shall be made due to a lack of careful examination of work sites and specifications.

5.4. Addenda

The Authority reserves the right to revise this solicitation at any time before the Proposal Deadline. Such revisions, if any, will be announced by addenda to this RFP. The Authority will post all addenda on the State Contracts Register. Proposers shall be solely responsible for monitoring the State Contracts Register and for examining, with appropriate care and diligence, the RFP, any addenda issued, any material posted on the State Contracts Register. Any failure of Proposer to examine and inform itself shall be at Proposers sole risk, and no relief for error or omission will be provided by the Authority.

5.5. Rules of Contact

For purposes of this section, the definitions of Proposer and Proposer Team shall include potential Proposers and potential Proposer Teams as this section specifically applies to all interested parties from the date of issuance of the solicitation. The following rules of contact shall apply during this procurement that began upon the date of issuance of this RFP and will be completed with either the execution of the Contract resulting from this procurement, or the cancellation of the procurement.

These rules are designed to promote a fair and unbiased procurement process. Contact includes, but is not limited to, face-to-face, telephone, web-based meeting platforms (including viewing/sharing information on screen), text message/SMS, facsimile, email, electronic messaging of any kind or formal written communication. Contact and communications include direct contact or direct communication and those made through an intermediary.

The specific rules of contact are as follows:

1. Proposers shall correspond with the Authority regarding the RFP only through the Authority’s Designated Point of Contact.

2. Except for communications expressly permitted by the RFP or approved in advance by the Authority in their sole discretion, no Proposer or representative thereof shall have any ex parte communications regarding the RFP or the procurement described herein with any member of the Authority Board or with any Authority staff.

This includes any of the Authority’s advisors, contractors, or consultants (and their respective affiliates) that are involved with the procurement.

3. Proposers shall not contact the entities listed below, including any employees, representatives, and members regarding this RFP:

a) Federal Railroad Administration (FRA);

b) California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA);

c) California Department of Transportation (Caltrans);

d) California Department of General Services (DGS);

e) California High-Speed Rail Authority, including the Authority Board, except as provided in this RFP; and,

f) Firms subject to Proposer Ex Parte

Communications prohibitions during this procurement (Table 2).

4. The foregoing restrictions shall not, however, preclude or restrict communications with regard to matters unrelated to the RFP, or the procurement, or from participating in public meetings with the Authority or any Authority workshop related to this solicitation.

5. Any communication determined to be improper, at the sole discretion of the Authority, may result in disqualification.

6. The Authority will not be responsible for any oral exchange or any other information or exchange that occurs outside the official RFP process.

Table 2: Firms Subject to Proposer Ex Parte Communications Prohibitions During this Solicitation

Firms

AECOM Technical Services Fluor Enterprises, Inc.

AECOM-Fluor Joint Venture

5.6. Organizational Conflicts of Interest

The use of the term “Proposer” in this section specifically applies to all interested parties from the date of issuance of the RFP including but not limited to Proposers, potential Proposers, and subcontractors. The Authority has adopted an Organizational Conflicts of Interest Policy (Policy) that will apply to this procurement and the resulting Contract, in addition to the Authority’s Conflict of Interest Code and other applicable requirements. The Policy can be found on the Authority’s website.

Proposers are advised to carefully review the Policy, and to have their team members review the Policy, since it includes provisions that may:

1. Preclude certain firms from participation in this procurement;

and, https://hsr.ca.gov/business-opportunities/general-info/organizational-conflict-of-interest-policy/

2. Affect the ability of a Proposer, its subcontractors, and their Affiliates (as defined in the Policy) to contract with the Authority.

Failure to comply with the Policy in any respect, including the failure to disclose any actual, perceived, or potential organizational conflict of interest, may result in serious consequences as described in section V(2) of the Policy.

An organizational conflict of interest is a circumstance arising out of a Proposer or Contractor’s existing or past activities (including projects outside of the Authority’s program), business or financial interest, familial relationships, contractual relationships, and/or organizational structure (i.e., parent entities, subsidiaries, Affiliates, etc.) that results in or would result in the following:

i. Impairment or potential impairments of a Proposer to the Authority or of its objectivity in performing work for the Authority;

ii. An unfair competitive advantage for any Proposer submitting a Proposal on an Authority procurement; or

iii. A perception or appearance of impropriety with respect to any of the Authority’s procurements or contracts, or a perception or appearance of unfair competitive advantage with respect to a procurement by the Authority (regardless of whether any such perception is accurate).

If an organizational conflict of interest is found to exist, the Authority may:

A. Disqualify the Proposer; or B. Determine that the Authority may contract with such Proposer if it is appropriate and possible to mitigate, neutralize, or avoid such conflict, which may include the addition of mitigation provisions to in the Contract awarded.

Each Proposer shall fully disclose any actual, perceived, or potential organizational conflicts of interest in its Proposal using attached Form [C], (Organizational Conflicts of Interest Disclosure Statement). The form shall be filled out and signed, under penalty of perjury, by the Proposer, including a separate Form for all members if Proposing as a joint venture. A separate form shall also be filled out and signed, under penalty of perjury, by each Proposer Team member, including all subcontractors.

The Organizational Conflicts of Interest Disclosure Statement requires a statement, signed under penalty of perjury by the company’s executive that the company considered the Policy and performed conflicts checks prior to submitting its Proposal. The refusal to provide the required disclosure, or any additional information required, may result in disqualification of the Proposer. If nondisclosure or misrepresentation is discovered after award of the Contract resulting from this procurement process, the Contract may be terminated.

Note that business relationships on projects other than the California High-Speed Rail project may require disclosure if they involve consultants or contractors working on the California High-Speed Rail project.

By submitting its Proposal, each Proposer agrees that, if an organizational conflict of interest is discovered following submittal of the Proposal, including after any contract award arising out of this RFP process, the Proposer will make an immediate and full written disclosure to the Authority that includes a description of the action taken, or proposed to be taken, to avoid or mitigate such conflicts. To the extent applicable, the Contractor is required to self-certify annually that all required organizational conflict mitigations are in place, and Authority Contract Managers will enforce and provide oversight for required conflict mitigations.

If a Proposer requires an organizational conflict of interest determination related to this procurement, please immediately consult the Policy and provide the required information to the Authority’s Chief Counsel Christine Ciccotti at Legal@hsr.ca.gov. The determination may take between two to four weeks from receipt of all required information and/or documents in the checklist below. To expedite the determination mailto:Legal@hsr.ca.gov process, the requestor is asked to provide the following information with the request:

Organizational Conflict of Interest Checklist:

(1) A summary of each of your company’s current and former contracts with the Authority, either as a contractor or subcontractor (include project section(s), if applicable, and the current status).

(2) A brief description of the scopes of work for the above-identified contracts, including tasks, deliverables, and key roles of personnel, if applicable.

(3) A brief description of the work, tasks, deliverables, and any key roles that your company expects to perform relative to the contract resulting from this procurement. (If not yet final, please be as detailed as possible.)

(4) A statement about whether your company or principals/employees of your company had any role in the development of this procurement or scope of work.

(5) A statement about whether your company or principals/employees of your company have learned, received, or were privy to any non-public information regarding the scope of work, content, or development of this procurement.

(6) Information regarding the type of entity and/or corporate make-up of your company (for example, an LLC, sole proprietorship, corporation, etc.). If applicable, include whether it is a subsidiary of another company and/or if it is owned, in whole or in part, by another contractor working on the project.

(7) If your company is planning to seek work related to other Authority procurements, provide information regarding the procurement and the scope of work your company would likely perform.

(8) Any other information and/or documents that you believe are relevant to this analysis, including information regarding other public projects your company is a part of that may impact the Authority.

Please note that the Policy does not address all applicable requirements that may affect persons and entities wishing to enter into contracts with the Authority.

Examples of such requirements include but are not limited to: (a) the California Political Reform Act and regulations promulgated by the California Fair Political Practices Commission; (b) restrictions in Public Contract Code section 10365.5 with respect to certain contractors engaged to perform consulting services; and

(c) applicable rules of conduct established by the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists.

This work may also result in an Organizational Conflict of Interest related to future contracts.

5.7. Pre-Proposal Meetings and Activities

5.7.1. Virtual Pre-Proposal Conference

A virtual Pre-Proposal conference is scheduled at the location, date, and time as indicated below:

Tuesday 11/3/2026, 10:00 AM PT

Microsoft Teams

Attendance is not mandatory but is strongly encouraged.

Interested parties shall register with the Authority no later than 24 hours prior to the meeting by emailing MATOC@hsr.ca.gov and providing:

Company Name, Attendee Name, Email Address, and Telephone Number

Attendance records may be maintained by the Authority for purposes of documenting industry participation and disseminating future procurement communications.

Questions asked during the conference will not be binding unless addressed in a written addendum.

5.7.2. Site Inspection/Job Walk

Site Visits are not mandatory for a team to submit a proposal. Each team must sign up for the visit in order to attend. Deadline for signing up for the Shaw Avenue site visit is 10/27/2026.

Information regarding each site visit is as follows:

1. Shaw Avenue Renovation project will be held on 10/29/2026. Attendees will meet at 4741 West Shaw Ave at 10:00 AM PDT and the site visit will begin at 10:00 AM PDT and last 2 hours. Day of site visits contact person will be Martin Hauch and he can be reached by email at Martin.Hauch@hsr.ca.gov or

(501) 355-5970.

Interested parties attending the Shaw Avenue Site Visit should contact the Authority at MATOC@hsr.ca.gov with the information requested below filled out for each attendant. Each team is allowed a maximum of two individuals to attend the site visit. Visitors are required to wear a vest to the site.

Name Firm Email Site Visit Attending

2. M2M PG&E Electrical ED-002 project will be held virtually using a Microsoft Teams call on 11/10/2026 starting at 10:00 AM PDT. Drone footage of the site will be provided during the meeting. Day of site visits contact person will be Martin Hauch and he can be reached by email at Martin.Hauch@hsr.ca.gov or

(501) 355-5970. Interested parties shall register with the Authority no later than 24 hours prior to the meeting by emailing MATOC@hsr.ca.gov and providing:

Company Name, Attendee Name, Email Address, and Telephone Number.

5.8. Statements at Pre-Proposal Meetings and Activities

Nothing stated at any pre-Proposal meeting, site inspection/job walk or included in a written record or mailto:Martin.Hauch@hsr.ca.gov mailto:Martin.Hauch@hsr.ca.gov summary of a meeting will modify the RFP unless it is incorporated in an addendum issued to this solicitation.

5.9. Non-Commitment of Authority

This RFP does not commit the Authority to award a contract, to pay any costs incurred in the preparation of a Proposal in response to this request, or to procure or contract for services or supplies. In connection with this procurement, the Authority reserves to itself all rights, which may be exercised by the Authority in its sole discretion, available to it under applicable law, including without limitation, with or without cause and with or without notice, the right to the following:

1. Cancel this RFP in whole or in part at any time prior to the execution of a contract without incurring any cost obligations or liabilities.

2. Accept or reject any or all Proposal and all required submittals received as a result of this RFP.

3. Negotiate with any qualified Proposer selected for award.

4. Modify the RFP, in whole or in part.

5. Waive informalities, immaterialities, irregularities, mistakes, and deficiencies in a Proposal; and/or permit clarifications related to such.

6. Issue a new RFP after cancellation of this RFP.

5.10. Proposer License and Registration Requirements

The Proposer shall submit with their Proposal a valid Contractor license issued by the California Department of Consumer Affairs, Contractors State License Board

(CSLB).

The Proposer, and any Subcontractor(s) that the Proposer intends to use to perform work at the Task Order level shall be in good standing, or equivalent, and qualified to do business in the State of California.

5.11. Subcontractor Requirements

The Subletting and Subcontracting Fair Practices Act, section 4100, et seq. of the California Public Contract Code (Subcontracting Act) requires persons proposing on public works contracts to identify certain Subcontractors as part of their Proposal. Proposers are encouraged to review the provisions of the Subcontracting Act related to the imposition of penalties for a failure to observe its provisions by using unauthorized Subcontractors or by making unauthorized substitutions as such provisions will apply to this solicitation, the Work, and the Contract.

All Subcontractors identified must be registered with the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) pursuant to Labor Code section 1725.5 as applicable.

5.12. Proposer’s Bid Payment and Performance Securities

Proposer shall submit Proposal bond equal to 10 percent of the total Proposal amount of the Seed project.

Proposers shall submit proposal bond, performance bond, and payment securities at the time of each TOPR Proposal.

Proposal bond executed by an admitted surety insurer and made payable to the Authority. Utilize the Proposal ’s Bond Form H to submit the proposal bond electronically by the proposal due date and time. The raised seal must be clearly visible.

5.13. Labor Compliance

The Proposers are advised that the Contractor must comply with all applicable California Labor Code sections, together with all applicable regulations, the applicable Department of Fair Employment and Housing regulations, and applicable Nondiscrimination and Compliance regulations.

Task Orders may also subject to U.S. Department of Labor, Contract Compliance Provisions as set forth in 41 C.F.R. Part 60 and Davis Bacon Act, unless otherwise noted. The Contractor shall comply with the Contract

Compliance provisions set forth in the task order.

The Contractor must also comply with Davis Bacon Act and all other applicable federal labor requirements, including those set forth in the General Provisions.

Copies of the prevailing rate of per diem wages are on file at the Authority's offices, and they will be made available to any interested party on request.

5.14. Community Benefits Agreement

For all applicable construction contract work, the contractor shall comply with the Authority’s Community Benefits Policy (Amended Resolution #HSRA 12-30) and the Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) entered into with the State Building and Construction Trades Council of California and the Signatory Craft Councils and Local Unions. The Contractor shall comply with the terms and conditions of the executed CBA and shall require each subcontractor (at all tiers) to comply with the executed CBA, addendum and related agreements. The CBA, addendum and related agreements are incorporated into the Contract by reference and are found on the Authority’s Website at: https://hsr.ca.gov/business-opportunities/general-info/community-benefits-agreement/..

5.15. Equal Employment Opportunity and Nondiscrimination

The Contractor will be required to follow State of California and federal Equal Employment Opportunity and Nondiscrimination laws and regulations.

Proposers are advised that the Contractor shall not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment or harass or allow harassment of any employee because of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, or military and veteran status.

The Contractor shall ensure that the evaluation and treatment of their employees and applicants for employment are free of such discrimination. Actions covered by these laws and regulations shall include, but are not limited to employment, upgrading, demotion or transfer, recruitment or recruitment advertising, layoff or termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation, and selection for training, including apprenticeship.

The Proposer is also advised that the Contractor must comply with section 1735 of the California Labor Code, which reads as follows: A contractor shall not discriminate in the employment of persons upon public works on any basis listed in subdivision (a) of section 12940 of the Government Code, as those bases are defined in sections 12926 and 12926.1 of the Government Code, except as otherwise provided in section 12940 of the Government Code.