California high-speed authority issues construction RFQ, names Harper CAO

The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) has issued a request for qualifications (RFQ) for design-build services for the next 30-mile phase of construction of the state's future high-speed rail service.

Due Jan. 30, the RFQs involve Construction Package 4 (CP4), which will cover the project's segment through the counties of Tulare and Kern and the cities of Wasco and Shafter, CHSRA officials announced in a press release late last week. The contract's value is estimated at $700 million to $900 million.

After Jan. 30, the authority's board will develop a short list of the most highly qualified firms based on experience, technical competency, ability to perform and other factors. The qualified firms will then be eligible to submit formal design-build proposals in 2015.

"The authority continues to deliver on its voter-mandated mission to build high-speed rail in California that will connect the major regions of the state through the ever-growing population centers in the Central Valley," said CHSRA Chief Executive Officer Jeff Morales. "As we have already seen with the ongoing construction work in the Central Valley, high-speed rail is creating jobs, small business opportunities and benefitting the local economies."

Work on CP4 will extend through the Central Valley beginning one mile north of the Tulare/Kern County to Galpin Street north of Bakersfield.

The selected design-build firm will be responsible for all work required to design and construct the CP 4 segment in the Central Valley. The work will include construction of at-grade and aerial sections of the alignment and the relocation of 4.6 miles of existing BNSF Railway Co. track. This phase of construction received state and federal environmental clearances earlier this year.

Meanwhile, CHSRA has appointed Deborah Harper chief administrative officer, effective Dec. 1. In her new role, she will oversee the authority's administrative operations, including the offices of human resources, business services/facilities and information technology.

Most recently, Harper was deputy secretary of administration at the California Department of Veterans Affairs, where she managed the Administrative Services Division. She also worked at the Board of Equalization for seven years and the Department of Justice for five years.