RFQu for Arroyo Seco Canyon Trail Stabilization

The City of Santa Cruz Public Works Department is requesting Statements of Qualifications from consulting firms for engineering design services on the Arroyo Seco Canyon Trail Stabilization project, with SOQs due June 30, 2026 at 2:00 p.m., and a non-mandatory pre-SOQ site walk scheduled for June 11, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. at the intersection of Meder Street and Nobel Drive.

The scope requires a lead firm with demonstrated expertise in retaining wall and wingwall design, culvert design, geotechnical engineering, and topographic/professional land surveying. Work includes developing construction plans and specifications (30% plans by September 16, 2026; 60% plans and specifications by October 21, 2026; 100% plans and specifications by December 10, 2026), performing geotechnical investigation and surveying, and providing procurement and construction phase support through summer 2027. The project encompasses design of a new retaining wall approximately 25 feet long and 15 feet deep using soldier pile or pin-pile construction, rehabilitation of five existing culverts ranging from 12 to 42 inches in diameter with new wingwalls at inlets and outlets, and approximately 1,978 linear feet of multi-use pathway repaving across five work locations within the Arroyo Seco Canyon Trail corridor in Santa Cruz.

The respondent must be a licensed professional Civil Engineer with successful performance on at least three similar projects within the past ten years. Evaluation criteria are weighted as follows: consultant qualifications, experience, and references (50 points); ability to provide required services in a timely manner (15 points); project team composition, training, experience, certifications, and accreditations (25 points); and overall quality of the SOQ (10 points). Fees are not evaluated; the top-ranked firm will be requested to submit a detailed fee schedule for negotiation.

The City will select and rank the top three responsive consultants, then negotiate a firm contract with the highest-ranked respondent. The contract is tentatively scheduled to commence in August 2026 with City Council approval targeted for August 11, 2026. The standard Professional Services Agreement requires Commercial General Liability ($1,000,000 per occurrence / $2,000,000 aggregate), Professional Liability ($2,000,000 per occurrence), Automobile Liability ($1,000,000), and statutory Workers' Compensation insurance. Prevailing wage, equal employment opportunity, and California Civil Code Section 2782.8 indemnification compliance are mandatory. The contract may be renewed at the City's option under the same terms and pricing. All SOQs become City property subject to California Public Records Act disclosure upon award announcement.