Professional Engineering Services for Refugio Rd Low Water Crossing Over Refugio Creek Alternatives and Design Through 100% PS&E

The County of Santa Barbara, Public Works Department, Transportation Division, is soliciting proposals for professional engineering and architectural services for the Refugio Road Low Water Crossing Over Refugio Creek project, with proposals due August 6, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. The project is federally funded through the Highway Bridge Program.

The scope encompasses Type Selection Reports, Plans, Specifications, and Estimates (PS&E) through 100% completion, geotechnical investigations, hydraulic and hydrologic analyses, environmental permitting support (NEPA and CEQA documentation), right-of-way engineering, utility coordination, public outreach, and construction bidding assistance for four low water crossings (mileposts 3.0, 3.1, 3.2, and 3.3) over Refugio Creek. The structures will be replaced with single-span pre-cast bridge structures or pre-cast arch culverts. Costs must be segregated and tracked by specific low water crossing location. Prevailing wages per California Department of Industrial Relations apply.

The contract will commence November 3, 2026 and conclude by June 30, 2029. The County anticipates award by October 27, 2026 with Notice to Proceed on October 29, 2026. An optional pre-proposal virtual conference is scheduled for July 9, 2026 at 11:00 a.m.

The County will evaluate technical proposals (maximum 25 pages) on understanding of work (30 points), project team experience with similar projects completed within the past five years (30 points), project management and QA/QC approach (15 points), schedule feasibility (15 points), and familiarity with applicable County, State, and Federal procedures (10 points). Oral interviews may be conducted with up to three top-ranked firms. Cost proposals must be submitted separately and password-protected using the Caltrans LAPM Exhibit 10-H format, with detailed hourly rates, fee subtotals by task, profit, and all overhead costs with no markups allowed. Proposal terms must remain firm for 90 days following submission.