Professional Services for Pensacola Bay Unpaved Roads Project

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is requesting statements of qualifications for professional engineering and environmental services for the Pensacola Bay Unpaved Roads Project, with responses due August 11, 2026 at 3:00 PM EST. This is Phase 2 of the Pensacola Unpaved Roads Initiative, building on 30% conceptual designs completed in September 2024.

The scope requires development of 100% design plans, construction documents, opinions of probable construction costs, and all required local, state, and federal permits for roadway and drainage improvements at fifteen unpaved road-stream crossings across Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Walton Counties, on Eglin Air Force Base, and within Blackwater State Forest. The Department seeks single or multiple awards as determined in the state's best interest.

Minimum qualifications include valid Florida Professional Engineer licensure and demonstrated expertise in watershed threat assessments, stormwater management design, geotechnical analysis, roadway design standards, GIS applications, and federal and state permitting requirements. CMBE certification status is evaluated but not mandated.

The initial contract term is eighteen months with up to three renewal options contingent upon satisfactory performance and fund availability. Compensation is fixed price and cost reimbursement up to a maximum amount to be determined, with reimbursable costs limited to salaries, overhead/indirect costs, fringe benefits, and miscellaneous expenses as outlined in the scope of work and in accordance with Section 112 of Florida law. No pricing is specified in the RFSOQ; rates will be negotiated following the oral evaluation phase with the three highest-ranking firms.

Evaluation totals 231 points: past performance and client references (75 points), technical capability and qualifications (50 points), project management approach (25 points), personnel qualifications (25 points), subcontractor arrangements (25 points), company background and CMBE status (10 points), professional licenses (10 points), and introduction (10 points). Financial penalties of one percent per calendar day apply for late deliverable submissions unless extension requests with 72-hour notice are submitted. Public opening is scheduled for August 12, 2026.