05A2934 - A&E On-call Generalist Services, District 5

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), specifically District 5, is soliciting Statements of Qualifications (SOQs) from architectural and engineering firms for an on-call generalist services contract covering Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz counties. The five-year contract will support environmental consulting services including environmental document preparation, biological studies, air quality analysis, noise and vibration studies, paleontological surveys, water quality studies, visual impact assessments, and construction liaison services. Qualified firms must demonstrate expertise across multiple disciplines, with specific personnel requirements including environmental generalists, biologists, engineers, paleontologists, and air quality specialists. The SOQ submission deadline is 10:00 a.m. on January 20, 2026, with interviews scheduled for February 4, 2026, via WebEx, and contract negotiations expected to commence the week of March 16, 2026. Firms must submit comprehensive documentation detailing personnel qualifications, experience, and a personnel retention plan, with project development tasks limited to the first 36 months and design support continuing through the contract's remaining term.

The procurement includes specific requirements for Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) participation, with recent modifications removing previous participation goals based on an October 3, 2025 U.S. Department of Transportation interim final rule. Firms must disclose any intended use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) in their transmittal letters, with potential disqualification for failure to do so. The contract has an estimated value ranging from $12,254,154 to $19,913,000, with a fixed profit fee of 10% and annual escalations of 1.81% for the initial partial year and 3.62% for subsequent full years. The contract is task order-driven with no guaranteed minimum work volume, and selected firms must submit financial documents within four days of notification and complete cost negotiations by March 26, 2026. Federal and/or state prevailing wage rates may apply, and the contract requires maintenance of specialized personnel with specific qualifications and experience levels as detailed in the scope of work.