Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge Inspection Services

The City of Santa Cruz Public Works Department is procuring professional engineering services for bicycle and pedestrian bridge inspection services through a formal Request for Proposals (RFP) process. This procurement involves the assessment and evaluation of 10 bicycle and pedestrian bridges throughout Santa Cruz that vary in age, design, and construction type. The selected consultant shall perform routine and in-depth inspections of all structural elements including superstructure, substructure, deck, wearing surfaces, railings, safety features, bearings, joints, drainage, electrical, and lighting components, with inspections conducted on a two-year rotation inspecting five bridges annually in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local standards. Key deliverables include comprehensive inspection reports, photo documentation, condition assessments using applicable rating systems, and maintenance or rehabilitation recommendations. The consultant must demonstrate significant experience in bridge inspection services on local, state, and federally funded projects, with all work prepared by California-licensed professional engineers. Evaluation of proposals will be conducted on a 100-point scale based on consultant qualifications (30 points), contract proposed work plan (30 points), project team composition and experience (30 points), and overall proposal quality (10 points). The RFP was issued on April 2, 2026, with a deadline for submitting questions by April 20, 2026 at 5:00 PM and proposals due May 19, 2026 at 2:00 PM via the City's OpenGov Procurement website. Proposal evaluation is scheduled for completion by May 29, 2026, with notice of intent to award on June 5, 2026, and contract award anticipated in July 2026, with work tentatively commencing in July 2026.

The RFP documents do not specify set-aside designations, disadvantaged enterprise restrictions, or incumbent vendor information. The City of Santa Cruz does encourage all proposers to demonstrate environmental conservation goals, green business certifications, alternative fuel vehicles, and superior employee benefit policies as part of their submissions. Consultants must maintain Professional Liability insurance of $2,000,000 per occurrence/$2,000,000 aggregate, Commercial General Liability of $1,000,000 per occurrence/$2,000,000 aggregate, Automobile Liability of $1,000,000, and Workers' Compensation with Statutory Limits as a condition of contract award. The contract term consists of an initial two-year period with one optional two-year renewal period, extending potential contract duration to four years. Pricing should be submitted as a sealed cost proposal with detailed task breakdowns, hourly rates, anticipated hours per task, and other direct costs, including a 10 percent contingency for unexpected work not to be expended without written City authorization. The RFP documentation does not specify a total budget amount or award value range for this procurement.