12A2343 - On-Call Biological Services in Orange County, District 12

Caltrans is soliciting Statements of Qualifications (SOQs) from consulting firms to provide on-call biological services for transportation projects in Orange County's District 12. The procurement seeks professional and technical services including field sampling, analysis, reporting, endangered species studies, wetland delineation, construction monitoring, mitigation implementation, and specialized biological surveys. Key personnel requirements include a Contract Manager with a minimum of five years of experience in biological services contracts, Task Order Managers, Principal Biologists, and Senior GIS Specialists. SOQ submissions must be received electronically by 10:00 a.m. on January 12, 2026, through a Novell Filr account, with interviews scheduled for January 28, 2026, via WebEx. The top-ranked firm will enter negotiations the week of March 9, 2026, with a cost proposal deadline of March 19, 2026. All work must comply with federal and state environmental laws, including NEPA and CEQA, and require obtaining necessary permits from resource and regulatory agencies.

The solicitation has no Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) or Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) participation goals, following a recent U.S. Department of Transportation interim final rule. The contract has an estimated value range of $3,200,000 to $5,200,000, with a fixed three-year performance period and a ten percent fee for profit. Annual escalation rates will range from 1.81 percent to 3.62 percent. Work will be performed within Orange County District 12, with potential minor extensions into Districts 7 or 8 not exceeding thirty miles. Consultants must submit comprehensive financial documentation within four days of selection and comply with prevailing wage registration requirements. An Executive Order (N-12-23) requires firms to disclose the use or non-use of Generative Artificial Intelligence in their transmittal letters, with potential disqualification for failure to do so. The contract will be fixed-price for the entire term, with firms exceeding $3,500,000 required to submit Indirect Cost Rates audited by independent CPAs.