Request for Expressions of Interest for Large Business and Small Business Firms for Repair and Construction Projects

The California High-Speed Rail Authority has issued a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) for a Multiple Award Task Order Contract (MATOC) to solicit repair and minor construction activities across six California counties: Merced, Madera, Fresno, Tulare, Kings, and Kern. The procurement seeks qualified contractors to perform a broad range of construction services, including geotechnical investigations, utility work, site improvements, landscaping, building modifications, demolition, electrical distribution, grading, and facility-related services along the 171-mile Merced to Bakersfield high-speed rail segment. Contractors must be capable of executing work through both design-build and design-bid-build delivery methods, with each task order having a proposed ceiling of $15 million. The anticipated solicitation schedule includes a virtual industry forum on June 24, 2025, with questions due by June 30, 2025, and Expressions of Interest (EOIs) due by July 18, 2025, at 12 p.m. Pacific Time. Evaluation will be conducted on a Lowest Price Technically Acceptable basis, with contractors assessed on compliance with requirements and proposed pricing.

The RFEI specifically targets four distinct contractor pools: a large business pool covering the entire geographic region, two small business pools supporting different county clusters, and a utility relocation contractor pool. The procurement includes significant small business participation goals, including 25% small business participation (with 3% microbusiness) on the state-funded portion, a 10% Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) goal, and a 3% Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) goal. Eligible businesses include large businesses, Small Business (SB), Small Business for Public Works (SB-PW), DBE, and DVBE entities. Large business contractors will be required to develop a Small Business Performance Plan and confirm commitment to these participation goals. The contract will have a five-year ordering period with twelve-month periods, and the California High-Speed Rail Authority reserves the right to modify the contractor pool based on performance and participation rates. Contractors must comply with community benefits agreements, prevailing wage regulations, and various state and federal environmental, safety, and quality control standards.