18-Inch Sewer Replacement Project

Valley Sanitary District (VSD), serving Indio and the Coachella Valley in California, is requesting proposals for professional engineering services on an 18-inch sewer replacement project, with proposals due October 8, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. and a mandatory pre-proposal meeting on September 16 at 11:00 a.m. via Microsoft Teams.

The scope encompasses surveying, hydraulic evaluation, engineering design, permitting support, preparation of Plans, Specifications, and Estimates (PS&E), bidding support, and construction-phase engineering services for abandoning an existing 75-year-old 18-inch cast iron pipe sewer crossing beneath the Union Pacific Railroad corridor and constructing a new 18-inch gravity sewer alignment outside the UPRR right-of-way. Optional services include title research and easement documentation, smart manhole cover evaluation, utility investigation and potholing, and geotechnical investigation. Proposers must hold California professional engineering licensure and provide evidence of three relevant projects completed within the last five years and a minimum of four client references, preferably from government agencies.

Proposers must submit lump-sum, not-to-exceed fee proposals broken down by task, staff, subconsultant costs, and expenses, with hourly rates for all personnel. Pricing proposals remain valid for 90 days from the proposal due date. Evaluation is weighted as understanding of project and approach (30%), scope of work and schedule (25%), relevant qualifications and experience (25%), overall proposal quality (10%), and cost evaluation (10%). The project schedule requires completion of the final PS&E submittal within 180 calendar days of Notice to Proceed, with intermediate submittals at 30%, 60%, and 90% design phases. Questions are due September 25 at 5:00 p.m., with responses due by October 2. VSD Board award consideration is scheduled for October 27, 2026. The contract requires Commercial General Liability ($1 million per occurrence / $2 million aggregate), Automobile Liability ($1 million per occurrence), Employer's Liability ($1 million per occurrence), and Professional Liability / Errors and Omissions ($1 million per claim and aggregate). California prevailing wage requirements apply if applicable.