California High-Speed Rail Authority issues RFQ for environmental, engineering services

The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) late last week released a request for qualifications for environmental and engineering services along two sections of the state's proposed high-speed rail line.

The agency is looking for a firm to provide professional services necessary for the completion of environmental documentation along the 51-mile section running from San Francisco to San Jose, as well as the 84-mile section between San Jose and Merced.

"This work, along with rail modernization already underway in the Bay Area, will support the advancement of bringing high-speed rail to the region," said Northern California Regional Director Ben Tripousis in a press release. "Awarding this contract will allow us to continue implementation of our 30-percent Small Business participation goals, which provide California businesses the opportunity to help deliver this transformative infrastructure project."

The contract for this work is valued at $36 million and will last three years. Statements of qualifications are due Sept. 14.

CHSRA will host a pre-bid conference Aug. 12 at the Milton Marks Auditorium in San Francisco, agency officials said.

Trains along the entire high-speed rail line are expected to run from San Francisco to Los Angeles in under three hours.