Specifications (34).pdf

Additional Supplemental Professional Geotechnical Engineering Services for Various Projects for the Office of the County Engineer

SPECIFICATIONS

SCOPE

Harris County is seeking multiple qualifying firms with the experience, capabilities, and qualified available staff to provide professional geotechnical engineering services for various projects for the Office of the County Engineer (OCE).

PRE-SUBMITTAL CONFERENCE

A pre-submittal conference is scheduled for September 15, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. CST local time Houston, TX, via Microsoft Teams. Meeting ID: 254 164 587 854 575 Passcode: CZ64C4FL; Or call in (audio only) +1 281-985-1862, Phone Conference ID: 644 215 371#. Attendance is not mandatory, but all vendors should attend to discuss the requirements of this request for submission. If you plan on attending, please RSVP via email to kenneth.jackson@harriscountytx.gov by no later than September 14, 2026, 4:00 p.m. CST.

It is the responsibility of each vendor to examine the entire RFQ package, seek clarification in writing, and review their submittal for accuracy before submitting. Questions relating to this RFQ must be submitted in writing online within Bonfire at https://harriscountytx.bonfirehub.com. The deadline for submission of questions relating to this RFQ is listed on the Events Schedule within Bonfire. All questions submitted in writing prior to the deadline will be compiled and answered in writing. A copy of all questions and answers will be released as a Public Notice to all firms through Bonfire. The County will not be bound by any information conveyed verbally.

M/WBEs Harris County is committed to fostering meaningful engagement with prime contractors and subcontractors that reflect the diverse business community within the County. We are dedicated to ensuring that Minority-and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (M/WBEs) are afforded fair and equitable opportunities to participate in the County’s procurement process per the County’s M/WBE Policy. As this is a RFQ, the County's focus at this stage is exclusively on evaluating the expertise and qualifications of potential vendors.

Upon the development of the project scope, Harris County will carefully review and assess each project to determine the appropriate M/WBE participation goals accordingly.

RENEWAL OPTIONS

Harris County may consider four (4) one-year renewal options, renewable one (1) year at a time, based on the same terms and conditions. Renewal is subject to approval by Harris County Commissioners Court.

Once renewal options are exhausted, the contract must be rebid. Harris County reserves the right to rebid at any time as is in its best interest and is not automatically bound to renew.

CERTIFICATE OF INTERESTED PARTIES (FORM 1295)

Texas law requires all parties who enter into any contract with the County which must be approved by Commissioners Court to disclose all interested parties. Form 1295 must be completed in its entirety at the following website: https://prd.tecprd.ethicsefile.com/TECCertInt/pages/login/certLogin.jsf prior to submitting your response. Failure to do so may result in disqualification of your response.

DESCRIPTION

Harris County is seeking professional geotechnical engineering services for various projects for the OCE throughout Harris County. The projects shall include a range of geotechnical services, including soil testing, foundation analysis, geotechnical investigations, and recommendations for roads, bridges, sidewalks, mobility, parks, drainage infrastructure projects, and civil site design for buildings/facilities. All firm(s) proposing to provide geotechnical engineering services to the County shall have an established staff or team capable of providing the services indicated in the Scope of Work.

The Scope of Work shall include geotechnical engineering services including but not limited to sampling, field and laboratory testing and inspection services. The firm(s) must be registered with the State of Texas, be able to provide fully licensed personnel to provide engineering services, and capable of providing services including but not limited to sealing reports. In accordance with Tex. Gov’t Code Ann. § 2254.003, the evaluation and award for the services will be made on the basis of demonstrated competence and qualifications to perform the services, and for a fair and reasonable price.

Harris County intends to authorize negotiations with multiple firms and contracts will be awarded when a project is initiated and after successful negotiation with the selected firm.

SCOPE OF WORK

Harris County invites the submittal of Statement of Qualification (SOQ), not later than the date due, as listed in the scope of services of this RFQ, from highly qualified engineering firms interested in providing professional geotechnical engineering services.

General services expected from the qualified firm(s) are as follows: The scope of work includes geotechnical services for various projects. The qualified firm(s) shall provide licensed geotechnical engineers registered in the State of Texas and shall offer services including, but not limited to, the following:

Conduct geotechnical site investigations to include soil sampling and testing (Standard Penetration

Tests, Cone Penetration Tests, etc.).

Perform laboratory soil analysis: Classification of soils, moisture content, Atterberg limits, shear strength, compressibility, and other soil characteristics.

Foundation analysis and recommendations: Evaluate and recommend foundation types for different structures based on site-specific conditions.

Slope stability analysis: Assess the stability of existing and proposed slopes and embankments.

Groundwater and subsurface conditions assessment: Conduct groundwater analysis and determine its impact on foundations and pavements.

Preparation of geotechnical reports: Provide comprehensive reports with findings, analysis, and recommendations for foundation design, pavement design, and any required soil improvement techniques.

Core the existing pavement and determine the existing pavement thickness at selected locations.

Evaluation of the existing pavement for a portion of the existing boulevard: Provide pavement recommendations for milling & overlay repair, asphalt and base repair, and full reconstruction of the road infrastructure as necessary.

Coordination with civil and structural engineering teams: Ensure that geotechnical recommendations align with overall project design requirements.

Construction phase geotechnical services: Provide testing and observation during construction, including monitoring of foundation installation and compaction control.

Review of available existing fault maps and a field visit to identify any significant visual fault activity along the project alignment or at the specific project site that may have an impact on the design of the project.

Provide all traffic control, labor, and equipment for the Traffic Control Plan (TCP) while performing field services in compliance with the regulations of the most recent edition of the "Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices" and Harris County Engineering Department (HCED) Standards.

Submit a final geotechnical report in accordance with HCED Guidelines.

The Geotechnical consultant is expected to coordinate with the County Engineer or their designated representative for the completion of the Geotechnical work throughout all phases of the project, ensuring that necessary updates and information are provided during the Study Phase, Design Phase, and any other phases as needed to support the project’s development and construction.