Calibration and Verification of Caltrans Roadway Weather Information System (RWIS) Services

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has issued an Invitation for Bid (IFB #56A0454) for Calibration and Verification Services of the Roadway Weather Information System (RWIS) across seven districts: 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 9, and 10. The procurement seeks a contractor to provide comprehensive services including testing, calibrating, and maintaining various weather sensing equipment such as wind speed/direction sensors, pavement temperature sensors, relative humidity/ambient temperature sensors, visibility sensors, and precipitation sensors. Key deliverables include written calibration reports submitted within 30 working days of district visits, development of site visit schedules, and sensor testing performed according to manufacturer specifications. The contract requires specialized personnel, specifically Field Technicians II and Meteorologists II/Senior Field Technicians, who must possess specific calibration equipment. The original bid due date was May 3, 2016, at 2:15 PM, but Addendum One extended the deadline to May 10, 2016. The proposed contract term is from May 15, 2016, through May 14, 2018, with services to be performed during regular working hours Monday through Friday, excluding state holidays.

The solicitation includes a 25% Small Business (SB) participation goal, with encouragement for Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) participation, though no mandatory DVBE goal is established. Contractors must maintain comprehensive insurance coverage, including $1,000,000 per occurrence general liability insurance. The pricing structure is structured around hourly rates for different personnel classifications: Field Technician II (200 hours), Meteorologist II/Senior Field Technician (1,500 hours), and Project Manager/Senior Field Technician (280 hours). Additional cost components include material expenses calculated at 10% of labor costs and a fixed travel expense allocation of $40,000. The contractor will be reimbursed for travel expenses beyond a 50-mile radius from the Caltrans District Office, including lodging and meals at the state rate. While a specific contract value is not explicitly stated, the detailed pricing breakdown and hour allocations suggest a multi-year contract with potential significant financial scope. Prevailing wage requirements apply across the specified counties, adding another layer of regulatory compliance for potential bidders.