Active SLED Opportunity · CALIFORNIA · VTA PURCHASING
AI Summary
VTA seeks engineering firms to assess and design upgrades for the Vasona Corridor light rail signal system, including preparation of plans and support during construction. Proposals due June 23, 2026, with evaluation based on qualifications, staffing, work plan, and local firm preference.
VTA is soliciting proposals from qualified and experienced firms to perform a comprehensive assessment of the existing Vasona Corridor signal system and to provide full engineering design services for signal system upgrades. The existing signal system for light rail within the Vasona Corridor currently utilizes the AFTAC II train detection system and Electrocode DC systems with fixed blocks, managed by the Vital Harmon Logic Controller (VHLC) microprocessor system. The VHLC system also coordinates the US&S gate mechanisms for protecting the highway-rail grade crossings on the corridor, shared with Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) freight trains.
This design scope should account for the independent, upcoming signals changes on the rest of the VTA system. In completed designs by others, VTA is upgrading UPRR train predictor systems from obsolete HXP-3R to Alstom XP4 systems on Vasona corridor, and overhauling the VHLC microprocessor system with ElectroLogixs on Guadalupe Southline corridor. VTA is also exploring a new design for its future fleet of cars, which anticipates new onboard technologies for positive train control, and a different car length and braking distance. Assumptions on future car specifications should be documented throughout this assessment and design process.
The selected firm will be responsible for preparing complete Plans, Specifications, and Estimates (“PS&E”), and for providing support services during the bidding and construction phases of the Project.
The Proposer demonstrating through its Proposal its qualifications to perform the Scope of Work and its experience in successful delivery and performance of comparable work on comparable projects, including demonstrated capability and experience in:
(i) Light rail signal related assessment and design. (Up to 25 out of total points for "Qualifications")
(ii) Coordinating effectively with the project owner and multiple external stakeholders and third parties to support successful delivery of comparable projects. For the purposes of this evaluation criteria, "external stakeholders and third parties" refers to the applicable operating entity or department, Class 1 railroads, local jurisdictions, public and private utility owners, the California Public Utilities Commission ("CPUC") and other regulatory agencies, and other third parties and external stakeholders with jurisdiction over or an interface with, the applicable project. (Up to 5 out of total points for "Qualifications")
(i) Proposer team. The Proposer demonstrating through its Proposal a cohesive team with a clear and effective division of responsibility between the Proposer Members (if applicable) and between the Proposer and the proposed Subcontractors to support successful delivery of the Scope of Work. Demonstrated experience of Proposer and/or of Proposer Members (if applicable) and the proposed Subcontractors working together performing comparable work on comparable projects is preferred. (Up to 5 out of total points for "Staffing and Project Organization")
(ii) Key Personnel experience, capability, and qualifications. The Proposer demonstrating through its Proposal the capability, experience, and qualifications of its nominated key personnel necessary to satisfy the minimum requirements for Key Personnel under the Scope of Work and to successfully deliver the Scope of Work ("Key Personnel"). Demonstrated experience of Key Personnel successfully working together performing comparable work on comparable projects is preferred. (Up to 10 out of total points for "Staffing and Project Organization")
(iii) Organizational and management structure. The Proposer demonstrating through its Proposal a well-defined and appropriately-resourced organizational management structure that: (A) supports effective communication and issue resolution, (B) incorporates those Key Personnel and other personnel that bring relevant experience from comparable projects (including from the Reference Projects), best practices, and lessons learned, and allocates those Key Personnel and other personnel to those roles that enable them to utilize that experience and those best practices and lessons learned to support successful delivery of the Scope of Work, (C) demonstrates the Proposer's understanding of the Scope of Work, including the schedule for the Scope of Work, and (D) demonstrates the adequacy of the labor commitment for the Scope of Work, including taking account of the requirements to scale-up and/or scale-down the labor commitment according to the phasing of the Scope of Work. (Up to 15 out of total points for "Staffing and Project Organization")
(i) Project Understanding. The Proposer demonstrating through its Proposal a clear understanding of Contract requirements and the risks, challenges, and opportunities for the Project and how, by reference to specific examples, the Proposer's experience delivering comparable work on comparable projects (including the Reference Projects) will be utilized to address those risks, challenges, and opportunities when performing the Scope of Work. (Up to 10 out of total points for "Work Plan and Approach")
(ii) Work Plan. The Proposer demonstrating through its Proposal a well-defined and credible work plan for delivering the Scope of Work that: (A) aligns with the Contract requirements and Project objectives, (B) supports timely delivery of the Scope of Work in accordance with the defined milestones, (C) manages and mitigates risks to the Project, (D) establishes clear communication, coordination, and issue resolution protocols supporting productive working relationships between the Proposer and VTA, interfacing contractors and consultants, and external stakeholders, and (E) incorporates, by reference to specific examples, best practices and lessons learned from the Proposer's experience delivering comparable work on comparable projects (including the Reference Projects). (Up to 15 out of total points for "Work Plan and Approach")
(iii) Quality Management. The Proposer demonstrating through its Proposal, a well-defined and credible approach to quality assurance and quality control during the performance of the Scope of Work. (Up to 5 out of total points for "Work Plan and Approach")
In accordance with VTA Administrative Code, Section 9-11, Preference for Local Firms, 5 points will be awarded to a Proposal if at least fifty percent (50%) of the dollar value of services to be rendered under that Proposal will be performed by a local firm. An additional point will be awarded for each additional ten percent (10%) of the dollar value of services to be performed by a local firm, to a maximum point award of ten percent of total evaluation points.
For the purposes of this Section 3.1.1(e), local firms are those that currently have their main office or a branch office with meaningful production capability located within Santa Clara County, or those firms who, upon award of the contract by VTA, will establish such a local office. This preference shall not apply when prohibited by law or regulation, or whenever its application will disqualify VTA from receiving federal funds.
At the time of its Proposal submission and at VTA's request following Proposal submission, including upon or prior to Notice of Recommended Award, the Proposer must provide to VTA evidence reasonably acceptable to VTA that the local firm meets the requirements of the paragraph above.
Refer to Section 4. Proposal Submittals and Forms of the RFP for details on response requirements that are to be submitted in this response section, and upload your COMPLETE Proposal here. Upload cost proposal separately in the next step.
Submit the following forms as part of your Proposal:
PROPOSAL FORM 1A. PROPOSAL SUBMISSION AND PROPOSER GENERAL INFORMATION
PROPOSAL FORM 3: DESIGNATION OF SUBCONTRACTORS
PROPOSAL FORM 5: LITIGATION DISCLOSURE
PROPOSAL FORM 6: GENERAL CERTIFICATIONS
PROPOSAL FORM 7: NON-COLLUSION DECLARATION
PROPOSAL FORM 8: REFERENCES
PROPOSAL FORM 9: KEY PERSONNEL STATEMENT OF AVAILABILITY
PROPOSAL FORM 10: DESIGNATION OF PROPOSER'S REPRESENTATIVE
PROPOSAL FORM 11: LOCAL FIRM CERTIFICATION
PROPOSAL FORM 12: DEBARMENT AND SUSPENSION CERTIFICATION
PROPOSAL FORM 13: CERTIFICATION OF RESTRICTIONS ON LOBBYING
PROPOSAL FORM 15: BIDDERS LIST
Proposers shall submit a Cost Proposal for the services requested in this RFP.
Submit the following forms:
PROPOSAL FORM 1B. COST PROPOSAL
Confirm that your fee proposal is not attached in your Proposal (on the previous step) and is submitted separately here.
Each bid shall be accompanied by a certified cashier’s check, or bid bond, in the amount of 10% of the total bid price, payable toSanta Clara Valley Transportation Authority, as a guarantee that the bidder, if its bid is accepted, will promptly execute the Agreement. The bidder shall guarantee the total bid price for a period of 60 days from the date of the bid opening.
Please scan and upload a copy of your bid bond/cashier's check. Bidder must also MAIL bid guarantee with a postmarked date no later thanTuesday, June 23, 2026 addressed to:
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority
Chris Valle
3331 N First St
San Jose,CA95134
Please have the Bidder Name, Contract Title ("VASONA SIGNAL CIRCUIT REPLACEMENT"), and Contract Number ("S26033") listed clearly on the outside of the envelope.
The contract shall be executed by the successful bidder and shall be returned, together with the Payment Bond, Performance Bond and Certificate(s) of Insurance to Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority so that it is received within 14 working daysafter the bidder has received the contract for execution. Failure to do so shall be just cause for forfeiture of the proposal guaranty.
Please enter your Public Works Contractor Registration Number. This will be verified against the state database.
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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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