Brackney Landslide Area Pipeline Risk Reduction Project

The City of Santa Cruz Water Department is conducting a two-step procurement process for the Brackney Landslide Area Pipeline Risk Reduction Project, which spans Santa Cruz County and San Francisco City in California. The procurement specifically seeks prequalification of Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) Contractors and Conductor Casing Installation Contractors to install approximately 1,700 feet of HDD and 900 feet of open trench pipeline between Glen Arbor Road and Brackney Road in Ben Lomond. Contractors must demonstrate technical experience with HDD projects involving HDPE or PVC pipes 18 inches or larger, pullback lengths of 1,100 feet or more, drilling depths of 50 feet or greater in rock, and drill-and-intersect methods. The Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) submission deadline is October 13, 2023, with construction tentatively scheduled to start in 2024 and a projected contract duration of 380 working days. Evaluation criteria will focus on project experience, licensing, bonding capabilities, and ability to meet contract requirements, with the ultimate contract award going to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.

The project is partially funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, with an estimated construction cost range between $7,200,000 and $8,800,000. Contractors must comply with federal funding requirements and prevailing wage regulations, and provide comprehensive insurance coverage. While no specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises are mentioned in the documentation, contractors will need to adhere to federal procurement guidelines. The procurement process involves a first step of evaluating and shortlisting qualified HDD and Conductor Casing Installation Contractors, followed by a second step where shortlisted contractors will be eligible to submit bids. Successful contractors must demonstrate technical expertise, financial stability, and the capability to complete complex underground pipeline installation in challenging geological conditions. The project represents a critical infrastructure risk reduction initiative aimed at improving pipeline safety and resilience in the Ben Lomond area.