24NC0956 SDG&E Safety Culture Comprehensive Assessment

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is issuing RFP 24NC0956 to procure an independent third-party evaluator to conduct a comprehensive safety culture assessment (SCA) of San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E). The primary objective is to evaluate and enhance SDG&E's safety culture using the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) methodology adapted for regulated electric and gas investor-owned utilities. The contractor must employ multiple concurrent data collection methods including questionnaires and surveys, interviews, focus groups, site observations, and document reviews to ensure comprehensive assessment validity. The scope of work encompasses six primary tasks: coordination and monthly progress reporting; planning and preparation including stakeholder engagement, assessment, and data collection plans; data collection across SDG&E's 4,100-square-mile service territory; data analysis of collected information; final assessment report development with at least two presentation deliverables; and allowance for unanticipated post-assessment tasks. Required qualifications include a bachelor's degree in social sciences, natural sciences, engineering, or a related field; a minimum of five years of experience conducting multi-method safety culture assessments utilizing concurrent assessment techniques; and a minimum of three years supporting safety culture initiatives within high-risk, regulated environments. The proposal submission deadline is March 13, 2026, at 11:00 AM Pacific Time, with interviews scheduled to begin April 6, 2026, and an anticipated contract execution date of April 27, 2026. The contract timeline spans up to twelve months for core activities with an overall contract term extending to eighteen months, with an estimated start date of June 1, 2026, and end date of December 31, 2027. All required documentation must be submitted electronically to Solicitations@cpuc.ca.gov with attachments not exceeding 150 megabytes.

The solicitation includes a mandatory 3% Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) participation requirement, with small business and DVBE preferences and incentives available as specified. The contract is subject to California's non-negotiable General Terms and Conditions (GTC 02/2025) and Contractor Certification Clauses (CCC 4/2017). The contractor must maintain comprehensive insurance coverage including statutory worker's compensation, employer's liability insurance with $1,000,000 limits, commercial general liability insurance of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate, valid automobile coverage compliant with California Vehicle Code, and cyber liability insurance with $2,000,000 per occurrence and $4,000,000 aggregate limits. The total bid cost must not exceed $3,000,000, with all expenses including travel incorporated into the contractor's rates. Payment will be made monthly in arrears with 10% retention withheld from each invoice until satisfactory completion of deliverables, with progress payments issued upon completion of specific deliverables following CPUC approval.