Soil Testing Services - Southern California

The California Department of Water Resources is conducting an Invitation for Bid (IFB #10205481) for Soil Testing Services in Southern California, specifically targeting San Bernardino County. The procurement seeks a laboratory contractor to perform 33 distinct soil testing services, including consolidated undrained triaxial compression and expansion index testing. Bidders must be located within 75 miles of Ontario, CA, and maintain appropriate facilities and equipment throughout the contract term. The contractor must have a registered Civil Engineer with a minimum of five years of supervisory experience and laboratory personnel with at least three years of experience performing specified tests. The laboratory must hold accreditations from the Division of State Architect (DSA), US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), and American Association of Highway and Transportation Organizations (AASHTO). Critical procurement dates include a technical question submission deadline of January 7, 2025, bid due date of January 22, 2025 at 11:00 AM, and a bid opening at 2:00 PM the same day. The anticipated contract term is three years, with work expected to commence in February 2025.

The solicitation includes voluntary Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) participation, with a potential incentive of up to 5%, and small business preferences for certified small businesses. No minimum work volume is guaranteed, and the contract structure includes per-test pricing for the 33 specified laboratory tests and an hourly rate for additional services. The current contractor is RMA Group, Inc., with $3,705.00 spent on the existing contract. Subcontracting of laboratory services is permitted, provided all IFB requirements are met. The procurement does not mandate union labor or require mandatory DVBE participation. While no specific budget range is explicitly stated, interested parties can obtain additional contract details through a Public Records Request via the California Department of Water Resources web portal. The geographical focus remains Southern California, with a specific emphasis on service delivery within San Bernardino County.