2026 Full Service Geotechnical Engineering On-Call

Location:	Iowa
Posted:	Jan 7, 2026
Due:	Jan 28, 2026
Agency:	State Government of Iowa DOT
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	C - Architect and Engineering Services - Construction
Solicitation No:	351
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

Attachment Preview

2026 Full Service Geotechnical Engineering On-Call RFP

Request For Proposal

Iowa Department of Transportation

Introduction

The Iowa Department of Transportation’s (Iowa DOT) Design Bureau is interested in entering

into a professional services contract with a minimum of four (4) consultants to provide a full

range of geotechnical services for work on various projects. If your firm is interested in

providing the described services, please submit a proposal stating your ability and availability to

complete this work.

Project Background

A minimum of four (4) “full service” consultants will be selected to provide a full range of

geotechnical services including drilling, laboratory testing, geotechnical analysis, geotechnical

design, geotechnical plan sheet preparation and general consultation regarding geotechnical

issues. The “full service” consultant may also be required to provide geotechnical support during

construction including, but not limited to contractor submittal review, review of value

engineering submittals related to geotechnical design, installation and monitoring of geotechnical

instrumentation and construction supervision of geotechnical related construction. Note that plan

sheet deliverables that are needed shall be prepared and delivered in Open Roads Designer

CONNECT format. In general, the “full service” work can be characterized as providing

complete geotechnical services on various projects, including those associated with bridges,

drainage structures, grade separation structures, highways and emergency response/repair efforts.

The magnitude of service that might be expected of the “full service” consultant could include a

large-scale project involving multiple miles of grading for a two-lane or multi-lane roadway.

Note, however, that this characterization may not be typical; the “full-service” consultant will be

called on to provide varying magnitudes of service on a variety of projects.

Project Scope

The anticipated projects under these selections may include roadway (on existing and new

alignments), bridges, emergency type responses and a variety of other types of work. The chosen

consultants must be able to react quickly to assigned projects, including those that have been

advanced in the DOT production schedule or have short-term deadlines.

The “full service” scope includes involvement in all phases of geotechnical and geological

investigation, testing, analysis and design services from conceptual through final design and

construction of transportation facilities. Anticipated activities include, but are not limited to:

• Site investigation and characterization

• Drilling

• Sampling of soil and rock

• Geotechnical laboratory testing

• Evaluation of site materials

• Determination of construction and cost effectiveness

• Subgrade and drainage design

• Stability, settlement and foundation design

• Construction-related geotechnical services

• Preparation of plan documents in Open Roads Designer CONNECT format

• Coordination with other design disciplines or parties

• Installation and reading of geotechnical instrumentation

• General consultation

In general, the Department will work with the selected firms on a project-by-project basis to

determine the types of services required on a project. The work will be performed in general

accordance with the provisions of Chapter 200 – Geotechnical Design of the Design Manual.

Contract Information

The Department anticipates that the selection process will be completed by February 2026

Negotiations with the top selected consultants will commence upon notice that the selection

process is completed. The selection is intended to cover on-call geotechnical services for a three

(3) year period.

There is a no specific allocated dollar amount dedicated or assigned to this work and

expenditures will vary dependent on the number and magnitude of work orders over the contract

period. The Department will not guarantee a set amount of work or contract value for these

services.

General Requirements

The consultant and their subconsultants are required to meet the requirements of specified work

categories as defined in the Iowa DOT’s Policy and Procedure Manual, Policy No. 300.04, at the

time of contract execution, and for the duration of the contract. Work under this contract will

require the consultant team to meet the requirements of work category 321 – Geological &

Geophysical Studies. Failure to meet the requirements during the contract will result in

cancellation of any remaining portion of the contract.

It is the policy of the Iowa DOT that Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs) and Targeted

Small Businesses (TSBs) shall have the maximum practicable opportunity to participate in the

performance of Iowa DOT contracts. Funding of the work under this contract is not expected to

involve federal-aid highway funds. In the event DBE participation is required on a particular

contract, the goal will be established as part of the negotiation. A list of certified DBE firms may

be found at https://iowadot.gov/civilrights/disadvantaged-business-enterprise-program-dbe/dbe-

program. A list of TSB firms may be found at https://www.iowa.gov/tsb.

Selection Information

Emphasis should be placed upon providing information concerning your proposed project

approach, similar projects your firm has recently performed and the availability and

qualifications of your key staff. The proposal may include additional information, as deemed

appropriate, subject to the overall length restriction established in Proposal Requirements.

The selection committee will review and evaluate the proposals submitted based on the

following criteria and the weighted value assigned to each. Include a detailed statement for each

evaluation criteria.

1. Staffing expertise and demonstrated experience with all types of highway projects including

those large-scale projects encompassing a comprehensive or complete scope of geotechnical

services. (Determination of constructability and cost effectiveness, subgrade and drainage

design, stability and settlement analyses, foundation design and plan preparation to be addressed

under these criteria.) – 40 points.

2. Consultant resources available and proposal describing how to use on projects of all sizes,

including drilling and laboratory equipment – 30 points.

3. Ability to meet schedules, including those associated with emergency type responses and the

level of availability by key staff personnel – 30 points.

The selection committee does not anticipate the need for oral interviews.

Contacting any selection team member other than the RFP contact person is inappropriate.

Marketing meetings with the Iowa DOT while this RFP is active are also considered

inappropriate.

Proposal Requirements

Please provide the following information in the order listed:

1. All responders must provide adequate information on the response’s cover page to

clearly identify the submittal is for the 2026 Full Service Geotechnical Engineering

On-Call RFP along with the replying firm and an email for the point of contact for the

firm.

2. Include your firm’s approach to addressing the identified tasks, your eligibility to meet

the requirements of the “Required Work Catgories” for the work you intend to perform,

your understanding of the project’s scope, key issues and relevancy to Iowa’s

transportation system. Briefly discuss similar projects the members on your team have

completed in the past five years. This listing should be limited to the three most

applicable projects.

3. Include the name, qualifications, experience, office address and availability of the

contract manager as well as the manager in charge of each major work task. This

information should include the identification of similar projects managed or participated

in by these individuals. The selection of a contract manager and work task managers by a

firm will constitute a commitment by that firm and NO substitute managers will be

allowed without prior written approval by the Iowa DOT.

4. Include experience and qualifications as related to the “Required Work Categories” for

any sub-consultants to be used and work they will perform.

5. Include a detailed resume, summary of current workload and a time commitment for

each professional or technical person to be assigned to the project. Identify the principal

or manager who will serve as the project manager.

6. The location of the office(s) where the majority of work will be performed or from which

the majority of resources will be mobilized.

7. A disclosure of all work for other clients that may be affected by work on the proposed

contract to avoid a potential conflict of interest.

8. Inclusion of promotional literature of a general nature will not be considered in the

selection process.

9. If applicable, include a statement that the consultant will meet the DBE goal. If the

consultant cannot meet the minimum goal, include a commitment statement for the

percentage of participation that they can meet.

The proposal may include additional information, as deemed appropriate, subject to the overall

length restriction established in Proposal Requirements.

Cost information should not be submitted as part of the proposal, and if submitted, will not be

considered. Inclusion of promotional literature of a general nature will also not be considered in

the selection process.

The proposal must be submitted as a single electronic PDF and be formatted to print on 8.5” x

11” pages. The proposal must be limited to twenty-five (25) single-sided pages. All pages will be

counted including: proposal covers, cover letter, dividers, appendices, etc. The maximum size

limit of a proposal is 15 megabytes.

The electronic proposal must be submitted via email to DOT.ConsultantProposals@iowadot.us.

An email will be sent confirming receipt of the proposal within 30 minutes or by 3:00 p.m. on

the submittal deadline date, whichever is later.

Proposals are due by 3:00 pm on Wednesday, January 28, 2026.

Any technical questions or questions regarding this RFP shall be submitted via email to

DOT.ConsultantProposals@iowadot.us. Any questions about this RFP must be received by

noon on Wednesday, January 21, 2026. Questions and answers regarding this RFP will be

posted with the RFP on the Consultant Utilization website, https://apps.iowadot.gov/rfp.

Any proposal not complying with all requirements stated in the RFP may not be accepted.

Public Records Law

The Iowa DOT will treat all information submitted by a consultant as open records following the

conclusion of the selection process. Open records are public records that are open for public

examination and copying. The Iowa DOT's release of records is governed by Iowa Code

Chapter 22 and 761 IAC Chapter 4. Consultants are encouraged to familiarize themselves with

these laws before submitting a proposal.

Statement of Non-Discrimination

Federal and state laws prohibit employment and/or public accommodation. If you believe you

have been discriminated against, please contact the Iowa Civil Rights Commission at 800-457-

4416 or Iowa DOT's affirmative action officer at 800-262-0003. If you need accommodations

because of a disability to access the Iowa DOT’s services, contact the agency's civil rights/ADA

coordinator at 515-239-1427. TTY/TDD: 515-239-1514

References

PPM 300.04 – Prequalification of Architectural, Engineering and Related Professional and

Technical Firms (https://iowadot.gov/projectdev/300.04.PDF)

PPM 300.12 – Negotiated Contracts for Architectural, Engineering, and Related Professional and

Technical Services (https://iowadot.gov/projectdev/300.12.pdf)

This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.