Main Line Guardrail IFB

The California Department of General Services, Procurement Division is soliciting bids under Invitation for Bid Event ID 0000039836 to establish a statewide contract for main line guardrail parts, with bids due November 16, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. PT and a bidders' conference on October 28, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. PT. The contract is mandatory for use by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and available to other State of California departments, so Caltrans guardrail parts volume flows through this vehicle.

Award is made by group to the responsive and responsible bidder with the lowest cost, including all applicable preference and incentive calculations. The solicitation offers optional socioeconomic preferences: a 5 percent small business preference, a 5 percent non-small business subcontractor preference for 25 percent certified small business participation, a Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) incentive with no minimum participation requirement, and an optional Target Area Contract Preference Act (TACPA) preference. Bidders may bid one or both groups but must bid all line items within each group.

Group 1 covers wood components, including posts and blocks. Group 2 covers non-wood components: guardrail elements, inline transitions, end sections, steel posts, plastic blocks, bolts, washers, plates, nuts, and miscellaneous parts. Products must be new and in current production; used, shopworn, refurbished, or discontinued models are not acceptable. Parts must be compatible with MASH TL3 or NCHRP 350 crash-test standards and comply with Caltrans 2025 Standard Specifications and drawings. Guardrail elements and steel posts require 10 percent post-consumer recycled content, certified on the PCRC workbook. Bidders also submit a Technical Questionnaire, an Iran Contracting Act certification, and a Federal Debarment Certification.

The anticipated spend is $10 million over the two-year initial term, with three one-year extension options. Prices are fixed for the initial term with no adjustments, though contractors must immediately notify the State of manufacturer price declines. Pricing is submitted as contract discounts on the Attachment 1 Excel workbook, and all prices are quoted F.O.B. destination with freight prepaid. The minimum order is $500. Delivery is statewide. Winning contractors must report contract usage, SB/DVBE participation, and aging debt monthly, and must meet or exceed their committed small business and DVBE levels. The State reserves the right to conduct random sample compliance reviews and approve product substitutions under Caltrans crash-test standards.

Questions go to the DGS-PD Procurement Official, and bids are submitted by email to CMU@dgs.ca.gov. Protest rights fall under the Alternative Protest Process of Public Contract Code Section 12125 et seq., with a written Notice of Intent to Protest required before the close of the protest period.