A&E Shortlist RFQ R-2526-06

The California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) is issuing a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) R-2526-06 to establish a three-year short list of professional engineering firms for environmental remediation services across four geographic regions in California. The procurement seeks firms capable of providing comprehensive professional engineering services including site investigations, risk assessments, feasibility studies, remedial design, construction oversight, and corrective actions for hazardous substance and waste sites. Bidders must demonstrate expertise in California Health and Safety Code regulations, site characterization methodologies, and environmental investigation techniques. The evaluation process will occur in three phases: Phase I involves a minimum qualifications compliance check, Phase II will technically evaluate references and professional experience, and Phase III will include oral presentations with the top three bidders per region. The RFQ requires detailed submissions addressing key personnel qualifications, professional experience, references, and cost sheets, with a submission deadline of November 13, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. Pacific Time. Final short list announcement is scheduled for January 21, 2026, with oral presentations planned for January 12-16, 2026.

The RFQ includes mandatory small business and disabled veteran business enterprise participation requirements, specifically 25% Small Business (SB) and 3% Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) participation for each awarded contract. Bidders must hold current Class A General Engineering licensure, Hazardous Substances License, and California Department of Industrial Relations registration. Contract values are generally capped at $1,000,000 under certain Health and Safety Code sections, though exceptions exist for imminent endangerment scenarios. Contractors must maintain comprehensive insurance coverage, including $1,000,000 general liability, $2,000,000 pollution liability, and $2,000,000 professional liability. Successful firms will be required to provide fixed rates for labor classifications, equipment, and laboratory testing, with a mandatory 3% annual price escalation beginning one year from the short list announcement date. The procurement allows for potential contract awards across multiple firms, with DTSC reserving the right to reject all bids and not obligated to award any contracts.