Active SLED Opportunity · CALIFORNIA · SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
AI Summary
Santa Cruz County seeks proposals from qualified firms for civil engineering design services to replace the Fern Drive Bridge. The project involves designing a new 2-lane concrete bridge to replace the structurally deficient existing bridge. Funding is primarily federal with local match. Proposals due July 29, 2026.
The County is seeking a qualified consulting firm to provide civil engineering design services for the Fern Drive Bridge Replacement Project (Bridge No. 36C-0071). Fern Drive Bridge is located over the San Lorenzo River and is approximately 4.5 miles north of Boulder Creek in Santa Cruz County.
The project will consist of completely replacing the existing structure and roadway approaches with a new 2 lane concrete bridge and bridge approaches meeting current design standards. The existing bridge is a three-span, 71-foot-long reinforced concrete deck on steel girder structure. The Fern Drive bridge is being replaced due to substandard load capacity, deck geometry, approach alignment and structural deficiency. The bridge was deemed “unstable” in April 2025 in the Special Feature Inspection report.
The Fern Drive Bridge Replacement Project was originally advertised in 2012. After the competitive bidding process, TRC Engineers, Inc. (TRC) was contracted to provide civil engineering design services. Many preliminary design tasks were completed before all work was halted on the project while the County shifted focus and resources to storm damage projects after the 2017 winter storms. Work previously completed will be provided to the consultant for design purposes.
The bridge is listed in the Highway Bridge Program (HBP) and will be primarily funded through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The remaining funds will be provided by the County local match in cooperation with California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). Consulting firm services must comply with the latest requirements of the Caltrans Local Assistance Procedures Manual (LAPM), Federal, State, and local regulations
A one-page cover letter shall be provided with the following information:
Address to:
County of Santa Cruz Department of Community Development & Infrastructure
Attention: Kalika Diaz
701 Ocean Street, Room 410 Santa Cruz, CA 95060
The cover letter must be signed by an officer empowered by the Consultant to sign such material and thereby commit the Consultant to the obligations contained in the RFP response. Further, the signing and submission of a response shall indicate the intention of the proposer to adhere to the provisions described in this RFP and a commitment to enter into a binding contract, if offered.
Note: The County will use the email provided to notify the Consultant of critical developments such as notification of selection/non-selection, etc.
This RFP, and any future Addenda, if issued, will be posted on the OpenGov website at https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/santacruzcounty .
Prospective consultants must create a FREE account with OpenGov Procurement. To get started go to https://procurement.opengov.com/signup and sign up for an account. You’ll receive an email to activate your account. Then subscribe to our bids by navigating to https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/santacruzcounty and clicking the green subscribe button. For more information about how to register, please see our the help file at https://help.procurement.opengov.com/en/articles/2482165-vendor-registration.
It shall be the Consultant’s responsibility to check the OpenGov Procurement website to obtain any addenda that may be issued.
The Consultant’s attention is directed to attached, "RFP - Fern Drive Bridge Replacement Project"
Discuss Consulting firm’s understanding of the Scope of Work needed and the services to be performed. Demonstrate familiarity with Caltrans Local Assistance, Caltrans Local Assistance Procedures Manual and the Highway Bridge Program. Describe the method for management of the overall project costs, schedule, quality assurance/quality control, and other critical project needs.
Any questions related to this RFP shall be sent through the online e-Procurement Portal at https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/santacruzcounty. DO NOT Email inquiries.
Questions shall be submitted before 5:00 pm on July 14,2026.
Provide a detailed schedule for all phases of the project and the proposed Consultant’s services including time for reviews and approvals. The schedule shall meet the Project Schedule however, expedited schedules are preferred with justification for timeline feasibility.
Provide a summary of the Consulting firm's experience with similar kinds of projects. The summary should include a minimum of three related projects, including dates and brief descriptions of the projects (completed within the last 10 years). Describe your Consulting firm's past record on controlling fees, delivering projects within the project cost estimate, quality of work, and established schedules. Identify the client, original project and consultant cost estimate, actual project and consultant cost, original project schedule, and completion time of the project.
Describe the Consulting firm and provide a statement of the qualifications for performing the requested consulting services. Identify Project Manager.
Indicate any specialized expertise relevant to the proposed project scope. Identify the services which would be completed by your staff and those services to be provided by subconsultants. Identify subconsultants proposed to supplement your firm’s staff.
Provide a brief summary of the qualifications/experience of each team member proposed for this particular project, including length of service with the firm. Include the qualifications/experience of subconsultant staff on your project team.
Provide an organization chart, including sub-consultants if any, of the staff available and proposed for the project.
As an appendix, provide brief resumes for each team member and their roles on the project. No more than one page shall be used per resume, except for the principals, which may not exceed two pages each and no more than two principals may be listed per firm (i.e. Project Manager, Principal in charge, etc.)
Include references for three of the projects stated in your summary, including date of project, contact person and phone number.
The Consultant will submit one (1) copy of the cost proposal for the required services in a separate sealed envelope clearly marked with the consultant’s name and labeled “Cost Proposal for Civil Engineering Design Services for Fern Drive Bridge Replacement Project”. Cost proposals will be submitted by the closing day to:
County of Santa Cruz Department of Community Development & Infrastructure
Attention: Kalika Diaz
701 Ocean Street, Room 410
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Do not state your fee/cost for services anywhere in the body of your proposal. The cost proposal envelope is confidential and will be unsealed after all proposals have been reviewed and the most qualified consultant has been selected. All other cost proposals will be returned, unopened, to the proposers after the contract is awarded.
The Consultant will need to submit the following for the Cost Proposal:
The cost proposal shall detail the billing rates for each firm’s key individuals, other position’s overhead rates and other costs. Include any and all other costs for office, vehicle, per diem, etc. The proposer must follow the States Travel Policy attached as https://www.gsa.gov/travel/plan-book/per-diem-rates?gsaredirect=perdiem.
Please note, no markups are allowed.
The selected consultant shall comply with LAPM regarding the A&E Consultant Contract Audit and Review process. All proposed A&E contracts and supporting documents are subject to audit or review by Caltrans’ Independent Office of Audits and Investigations (IOAI), other state audit organizations, or the federal government. Not all proposed contracts will be audited or reviewed; rather, they will be selected on a risk-based approach. Consultants, and subconsultants are responsible for complying with state, federal, and specific contract requirements. For more information on the A&E Consultant Audit and Review Process, see LAPM 10.1.3 A&E Consultant Audit and Review Process at https://dot.ca.gov/-/media/dot-media/programs/local-assistance/documents/lapm/lapm-2025.pdf
The Consultant will be contracted to perform the services detailed in the selected proposal for an agreed not to exceed amount that is based on a Cost-Plus-Fixed Fee method of payment. Consultants will be required to submit certified payroll records, as required.
Implementing and maintaining quality control procedures to manage conflicts, ensure product accuracy, and identify critical reviews and milestones. Also, provide knowledge, experience, and familiarity Quality Control and Quality Assurance (QC/QA) for California Test Methods and laboratory.
Please upload your complete proposal here. Submissions must be in PDF format. Proposals must include any signed addendums, if applicable.
DO NOT upload your Cost Proposal here.
The cost proposal is confidential and will remain sealed until all project proposals have been reviewed, and the most qualified consultant has been selected.
The Consultant will submit three (3) hard copies of the proposal for the required services in a sealed envelope clearly marked with the consultant’s name and labeled “Proposal for Civil Engineering Services for Fern Drive Bridge Replacement Project”.
Proposal will be submitted by the closing day to:
County of Santa Cruz Department of Community Development & Infrastructure
Attention: Kalika Diaz
701 Ocean Street, Room 410
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
The Consultant will submit one (1) hard copy of the cost proposal for the required services in a separate sealed envelope clearly marked with the consultant’s name and labeled “Cost Proposal for Civil Engineering Design Services for Fern Drive Bridge Replacement Project”.
Proposals will be submitted by the closing day to:
County of Santa Cruz Department of Community Development & Infrastructure
Attention: Kalika Diaz
701 Ocean Street, Room 410
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
SLED stands for State, Local, and Education. These are solicitations issued by state governments, counties, cities, school districts, utilities, and higher education institutions — as opposed to federal agencies.
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