ENGINEERING DESIGN SERVICES FOR ORANGETHORPE AVENUE & HARBOR BOULEVARD TRAFFIC SIGNAL AND SAFETY LIGHTING ENHANCEMENT PROJECT

The City of Fullerton is requesting Proposals from qualified consultants and firms for federally funded project HSIPL-5133(054) ENGINEERING DESIGN SERVICES FOR ORANGETHORPE AVENUE & HARBOR BOULEVARD TRAFFIC SIGNAL AND SAFETY LIGHTING ENHANCEMENT PROJECT. This project is funded by federal funds, as such, qualified proposers shall be familiar and comply with any federal requirements that may be imposed on this project. Proposals are due no later than 4:00 pm on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. This Request for Qualifications (RFQ) provides information on the City of Fullerton, the required scope of services, the consultant/contractor selection process, and the minimum information that must be included in the RFQ Response.

Background

The City of Fullerton is located 22 miles southeast of metropolitan Los Angeles, in the center of North Orange County with a population of 140,054 residents. Fullerton is a full-service, general law city that was incorporated in 1904. Fullerton is renowned for its unique mix of residential, commercial, industrial, educational, and cultural environments and is known for being the “Education Community”. During the school year, the population grows by 60,000 people with an influx of students and staff from California State University Fullerton (CSUF), Hope University, Fullerton College, and Ketchum School of Optometry.  Fullerton has 52 City parks, a museum, a cultural center, a public library, a golf course, and 29 miles of recreational trails. Fullerton provides an outstanding quality of life for both residents and businesses. At 22.4 square miles, Fullerton is also one of the largest cities in Orange County by area and is the sixth most populous.

The City has been awarded $3,218,400 through the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Cycle 12 Grant, to help fund the completion of Orangethorpe Avenue and Harbor Boulevard Traffic Signal & Safety Lighting Enhancement Project. The total project budget, including the local match share, is estimated at $3,576,000. The federal funds will support the design engineering, construction, and construction management services.

The aim of this project is to improve safety at high-risk collision areas by implementing data driven strategies. This project focuses on safety improvements at six major intersections along the Orangethorpe Avenue and Harbor Boulevard corridors with significant collision patterns as identified in the City's Local Road Safety Plan (LRSP).  The two corridors provide connectivity to neighboring cities, including Buena Park, Anaheim, La Habra and Placentia, while also providing direct connection to Interstate 5, State Route 90 and 91, Fullerton Park & Ride, local schools and colleges, industrial zones and commercial centers. Systematic collision patterns were identified at various locations along both corridors. Based on comprehensive collision analysis, the project locations rank among the top eight intersections citywide with the highest number of total collisions. Between 2019 and 2024, the project intersections and roadway segments experienced over 320 reported collisions, including four fatalities and five severe injuries.  These locations have consistently represented some of the highest concentrations of fatal and severe injury crashes in the City for several years. The following six intersections are included in this project:

• Orangethorpe Ave. at Harbor Blvd.
• Orangethorpe Ave. at Euclid St.
• Orangethorpe Ave. at Brookhurst Rd.
• Orangethorpe Ave. at Magnolia Ave.
• Harbor Blvd. at Commonwealth Ave.
• Harbor Blvd. at Chapman Ave.

Engineering staff performed a field investigation at each location to observe traffic patterns, existing traffic controls, lighting, equipment, sight distance, and other features. The field investigation revealed the need to implement various traffic signal and street lighting improvements at the six intersections. Improvements at the intersections include installation of reflective backplates, additional vehicle indications for through movements, proper location of left-turn vehicle indications, installation of protected left turn phases, additional safety lighting, and upgraded signing and striping.

The California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CAMUTCD) provides guidance on the location and number of signal indications given the approach geometry and signal phasing.  A high-speed six-lane arterial, such as Orangethorpe Avenue, should have ample signal indications to provide enhanced visibility of signal operations for approaching traffic. Heavy pedestrian and bicycle use areas, such as Harbor Boulevard, should have adequate safety lighting to allow improved awareness of vulnerable users at intersection crossings and encourage the use of surrounding land uses during the evening hours.

The proposed improvements will enhance safety and visibility at intersections along Orangethorpe Avenue and Harbor Boulevard through key upgrades such as additional and properly positioned traffic signal indications, protected left-turn phases and improved intersection lighting. These measures are designed to improve visibility, reduce conflicts, and strengthen multi-modal safety for all roadway users. By addressing intersections with the highest collision rates, the project will create safer and more efficient travel corridors that support connectivity across Fullerton.

Project Details

• Reference ID: HSIPL-5133(054)
• Department: Public Works-Engineering
• Department Head: Stephen Bise (Public Works Director)

Important Dates

• Questions Due: 2026-04-21T23:00:00.000Z
• Answers Posted By: 2026-04-29T01:00:00.000Z

Evaluation Criteria

• Readiness (1 pts) —

  Arrived by deadline receives all points

• Adherence to RFQ Instructions (10 pts) —

  Presentation, completeness, clarity, organization, and conformance to the RFP content.

• Qualifications of the Firm (25 pts) —

  Technical experience in performing work of a similar nature; experience working with public agencies is mandatory; strength and stability of the firm; and assessment by client references.

• Project Management Approach (25 pts) —

  Qualifications of proposed key personnel; logic of organization; and adequacy of labor commitment and resources to satisfactorily perform the requested services and meet the City’s needs.

• Work Plan (40 pts) —

  Thorough understanding of the City's requirements and objectives; logic, clarity, specificity, and overall quality of work plan.

Submission Requirements

• Confirmation (required) —

  The Firm confirms that all the information provided is true and accurate.

• Status of Past and Present Contract Form (required) —

  Firm shall list the status of past and present contracts where either the firm has provided services as a prime contractor or a sub-consultant during the past five (5) years and the contract has ended or will end in termination, settlement or litigation.

  1. Public Agency city/county/other:
  2. Contact Name:
  3. Phone:
  4. Project Award Date:
  5. Original Contract Value:
  6. Term of Contract:
     
     1. Status of Contract:
     2. Identify claims/litigation or settlements associated with the contract:
• Exceptions (required) —

  If your company is taking exception to any of the specifications, terms or conditions (including insurance indemnification and/or proposed contract language) stated in this Request for Proposal, please indicate below and describe details:

  1. No exceptions taken 
  2. Exception taken to the scope of work or specifications 
  3. Exception taken to indemnification and insurance requirements 
  4. Exception to proposed contract language 
  5. Other 

  Please explain in detail:

• Technical Proposal (required) —

  Please submit your COMPLETE proposal (Letter of Transmittal, Transmittal Form and Technical Proposal), NOT to include the Fee Proposal, according to the instructions in REQUIRED PROPOSAL CONTENT.

• The City intends to enter into a professional services agreement with the selected consultant for a term of ___________. (required) —

  Example: three (3) years

• Will renewals be allowed? (required)
• The City intends to enter into a professional services agreement with the selected consultant for a term of three (3) years, with ______________________. (required) —

  Example: three (3) one-year renewal options

• Will you be using the Electronic Fee Proposal section? (required)