California High-Speed Rail Authority Announces Bid Results on Central Valley Construction Project

Groundbreaking expected in 2013.

The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) has announced that Tutor Perini/Zachry/Parsons, a Joint Venture, is the best scoring team for the design-build contract for the first section of the high-speed rail system, Madera to Fresno. CHSRA had estimated the cost for the design-build contract to be $1.2 to $1.8 billion. It was determined that Tutor Perini/Zachry/Parsons, a California-based Joint Venture, who bid $985,142,530, was the "apparent best value." In the competitive bidding process, five teams submitted proposals to the CHSRA for the first design-build contract, which combines project design and construction in one contract. The proposals were evaluated and ranked based on 30 percent for technical merit and 70 percent for cost. Factors such as an understanding of the project, schedule capability, project approach and safety were part of the technical scoring. The CHSRA had previously issued a Request for Qualification for potential design-build teams interested in the contract in late 2011. Five teams qualified and competed for the contract. The five teams submitted their proposals in January 2013, which were reviewed by an evaluation panel comprised of California state personnel. The design-build contract will include the CHSRA's adopted 30 percent goal for small business participation in the work. The CHSRA is committed to small businesses playing a major role in delivering the high-speed rail program. The ongoing procurement process will continue and it is expected that a contract will be presented to the CHSRA's Board of Directors in the coming weeks. To learn more about the high-speed rail project and what opportunities are available for small business, visit www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov.