Pre-Qualification for Modjeska Grade Road, Road and Drainage Improvements

Orange County (California) Department of Public Works is conducting pre-qualification for roadway, drainage, and erosion control improvements along Modjeska Grade Road (IFB-080-2914301-MG), with pre-qualification responses due September 28, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. and pre-qualified contractors eligible to bid when the project is publicly advertised for bids on October 13, 2026.

Contractors must hold a valid California State Contractor's License classification "A" and be registered with the Department of Industrial Relations at the time of pre-qualification submission. Six references from public sector projects completed within the last ten years of similar size and scope are required, with at least three from public sector entities.

The scope encompasses pavement reconstruction, concrete ditches, inlets, junction structures, and storm drain lines; retaining wall installation; removal and installation of guardrails; erosion control measures; utility adjustments; and striping along Santiago Canyon Road (Station 10+18) to Santiago Creek Bridge (Station 79+80). Work is divided into five construction stages with traffic management requirements ranging from full road closures to one-lane operations with flagger control. The contract establishes a 550-calendar-day completion timeline from Notice to Proceed, including 45 anticipated weather days, with liquidated damages of $3,300 per calendar day for delays.

The estimated contract value is $17.8 million. Contractors must demonstrate bonding capacity of at least $17.8 million, general liability insurance of at least $5 million per occurrence and aggregate, and current workers' compensation insurance. All work must comply with California prevailing wage requirements, Labor Code apprenticeship provisions, NPDES permits, and stormwater pollution prevention plans. A qualified biologist must conduct pre-construction surveys and habitat monitoring. Contractors must perform at least 51 percent of base bid work with their own organization and designate a full-time on-site superintendent.

A mandatory pre-submittal meeting and site visit is scheduled for October 20, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at the intersection of Modjeska Canyon Road and Modjeska Grade Road; failure to attend constitutes grounds for bid rejection. Pre-qualification questions were due September 17, 2026. IFB questions will be due October 27, 2026 at 2:00 p.m., and bids are due November 3, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. via the County's OpenGov online bidding system. Bid security of 10 percent of the total bid is required.