On Call Engineering Geological and Engineering Services

The California Department of Water Resources (DWR), Division of Engineering, Project Geology Section, is seeking qualified firms to submit a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) for on-call engineering geological and engineering services. The procurement focuses on providing geologic support for various projects along the State Water Project, including the California Aqueduct and multiple dams. Prospective contractors will be responsible for engineering geology services and associated engineering sub-disciplines, with a primary objective of delivering technical evaluations and construction support. The DWR will evaluate firms based on key criteria including qualifications of personnel, project experience, staff availability, technical expertise, and ability to provide independent technical advice. The solicitation (RFQ No. 10210099) has a mandatory virtual pre-SOQ conference scheduled for July 18, 2025, at 10:00 AM PT, with final responses due by 2:00 PM on August 14, 2025. The contract term will span three years, from November 14, 2025, through November 13, 2028, with potential options for two additional one-year amendments.

The procurement encourages small business participation and requires compliance with prevailing wage requirements and Department of Industrial Relations registration. While no specific set-aside designations are explicitly detailed, the solicitation emphasizes opportunities for diverse business participation. The contract will be negotiated based on the contractor's actual costs, with a fixed 10% profit rate, and existing subcontractors will not receive additional markup. Hourly billing rates will be annually escalated using the Employment Cost Index for professional, scientific, and technical services. The estimated contract value ranges between $10,000,000 and $20,000,000, providing significant opportunity for qualified engineering and geological firms. Subcontractors currently involved in the original contract will maintain their existing arrangements, and the DWR seeks firms with comprehensive technical capabilities to support complex water infrastructure projects across the State Water Project system.