CEQA Services for Rebuilding Fire Stations 24 & 26 *Updated 12/18/2025*

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

REQUEST FOR STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS No 25-03: CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) SERVICES FOR REBUILDING FIRE STATIONS 24 & 26

EVENT	DATE/LOCATION
Request Issued	Nov 24, 2025
Virtual Networking/Proposers Conference	Dec 10, 2025 @ 10:00 a.m. (PDT) TO ATTEND ONLINE: Click here to join meeting Dial in: +1 469-208-1516,,425783384# Phone conference ID: 425 783 384#
Written Questions Due via Email: Lynn.Kozma@alamedacountyfire.gov	Dec 12, 2025 by 5:00 p.m. (PST)
List of Attendees	Dec 12, 2025
Q&A Issued	Dec 31, 2025
Response Due	Jan 26, 2026 by 2:00 p.m. (PST)
Evaluation Period	Jan 27, 2026 – Feb 6, 2026
Vendor Interviews (if needed)	~Week of Feb 9, 2026
Notice of Intent to Award Issued	~Week of Feb16, 2026
ACFD/Board Consideration Award Date	April 2026
Contract Start Date	April 2026

NOTE: All dates are tentative and subject to change.

COUNTY OF ALAMEDA

REQUEST FOR STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS No 25-03

SPECIFICATIONS, TERMS & CONDITIONS

for

CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) SERVICES FOR REBUILDING FIRE STATIONS 24 & 26

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

G. BID FORM(S)…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………10

ATTACHMENTS

EXHIBIT A - PROPOSAL RESPONSE PACKET

Appendix A - BOND PROGRAM NEW FIRE STATIONS AND LOCATION MAPS

APPENDIX B – PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT TEMPLATE

APPENDIX C – INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS

STATEMENT OF WORK

INTENT

It is the intent of these specifications, terms, and conditions to describe California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) services for delivery of two (2) new Alameda County Fire Department (ACFD) fire stations.

The ACFD intends to award a three (3)-year contract (with option to renew for one (1) year) to the Proposer selected as the most responsible Proposer whose response conforms to the RFSOQ and meets ACFD and the County’s requirements for CEQA services.

The Proposer awarded a contract for this RFSOQ No. 25-03 cannot bid on any subsequent RFSOQs for projects developed under the CEQA Documents for this RFSOQ No. 25-03.

The CEQA consultant is expected to collaborate with Alameda County Fire Department (ACFD) and ACFD’s consultants including Bridging Architect, and County departments and divisions, executive leadership, and staff members.

BACKGROUND

The ACFD provides all-risk emergency services to the unincorporated areas of Alameda County (excluding Fairview), the cities of San Leandro, Dublin, Newark, Union City and Emeryville, the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. With 27 fire stations and 33 companies serving a population of 394,000, the ACFD serves densely populated urban areas, waterways, industrialized centers, extensive urban interface, agricultural and wildland regions. Over 500 personnel provide a wide variety of services to an ever expanding, dynamic and diverse area of roughly 508 square miles.

In November 2020, voters in Alameda County’s unincorporated communities adopted Measure X, the ACFD Fire Safety Bond. Measure X authorizes the ACFD to issue up to $90 million in general obligation bonds to repair, upgrade, and replace outdated fire stations in order to maintain fire and emergency medical services in the unincorporated communities of Ashland, Castro Valley, Cherryland, Livermore, San Lorenzo, and Sunol.

Rebuilding stations 24 and 26 represents phase 2 of our building project. ACFD intends for the second traunch of bond funds to be released at the start of construction of phase 2. Construction must then be complete within three (3) years.

ACFD New Fire Station Objectives

• Demolition of stations and construction of six (6) new fire stations funded by the $90 million Bond Measure X.

• This procurement includes CEQA services for two (2) of the six (6) new stations (see table below). ACFD intends to hire a firm to provide CEQA services for fire stations 24 and 26. FS 24 CEQA is anticipated to take place in 2026. FS 26 is anticipated in 2027.

ACFD New Fire Station List

Fire Safety Bond Measure X Projects
Station No.	Current Address	New Station Location	Station Type	Total # personnel
24	1430 164th Avenue, 94578	Replace on site	Double Resource (Engine Company)	18 (6 per shift)
26	18770 Lake Chabot Road, 94546	Located on nearby parcel	Single Resource (Engine Company)	9 (3 per shift)

It is the responsibility of each potential proposer to thoroughly examine and be familiar with the ACFD Master Plans prior to submitting a proposal. The Proposers are encouraged to refer to the following links to these documents below:

ACFD Programming and Feasibility Report, August 2018 Update

PROPOSERS QUALIFICATIONS

1. Proposer Minimum Qualifications

a. Proposer shall be regularly and continuously engaged in the business of providing CEQA services for at least five (5) years, which must be clearly stated or demonstrated in the bid response packet.

b. Proposer shall meet the County’s Small Local Emerging Business (SLEB) requirements in order to be considered for the contract award.

1. Proposer must accurately complete and sign the SLEB Information Sheet (found in Exhibit A – Proposal Response Packet) which must be included as part of Proposer’s response.

c. Proposer and its consultants shall possess all permits, licenses and professional credentials necessary to perform services as specified under this RFP/Q. Unless noted otherwise in the RFP/Q, including any Addendum or published Questions and Answers, Proposer is not required to submit copies or verification of these documents, however, Proposer must provide such verification if requested by ACFD.

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

ACFD is seeking the services of consulting firms to provide CEQA services for two (2) new fire stations. The scope of work may include, but is not limited to the following:

• Preparation and/or review of all CEQA documentation according to all applicable State and local requirements, including all notices (Notice of Determination, etc.), Initial Study, Categorical Exemption, Negative Declaration (“ND”), Mitigated Negative Declaration (“MND”), Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and/or Finding of No Significant Impact. The consultant will incorporate public comments regarding the potential impacts on the natural and built environments and analyze ways in which any significant effects/impacts of the project might be avoided or mitigated, as required by CEQA. The consultant will be responsible for preparing, printing and distributing the Initial Study, Negative Declaration, Mitigated Negative Declaration, Environmental Impact Report, Statement of Overriding Consideration or Finding of No Significant Impact to the responsible trustee, and cooperating agencies, including the filing of the Notice of Determination with the County of Alameda;

• Advise and assist ACFD staff with questions related to the projects assigned; attend and coordinate meetings with staff and applicants; attend CEQA presentations and Planning Commission and Board of Supervisor meetings; and collaborate and coordinate with ACFD staff, program manager and various consultants, as well as state and local agencies as required;

• Consult with ACFD staff, program manager and consultants and provide input relating to CEQA procedures, requirements and substantive issues, including the public noticing process, filings with state and local agencies, and the feasibility of specific mitigation measures;

• The Consultant will be expected to assist ACFD staff in all aspects of the environmental review process. The Consultant will be required to prepare, initiate and process all applicable documentation as required for the appropriate level of environmental review including the Initial Study, Negative Declaration, Mitigated Negative Declaration and Environmental Impact Report. Such documentation will include initial studies, notices, mailings, technical reports, exhibits, draft and final documents, including findings, and other documentation, and studies as required in completing the CEQA process.

SPECIFIC SCOPE OF WORK TASKS

Project Initiation: Consultant will meet with ACFD staff to discuss the project’s history, project description, specific project issues, and CEQA process and schedule. ACFD staff will provide background information and any other relevant documents and studies relating to the project. Consultant will develop a schedule for the CEQA process.

Draft Initial Study: The consultant shall prepare the Initial Study checklist to determine the appropriate CEQA documentation for the project. The format shall be based on the most current CEQA requirements and checklist per the Office of Planning and Research (OPR) with any local amendments or additions made by the County of Alameda.

Exemption, ND, MND or EIR: Based on the analysis within the Initial Study, the Consultant shall prepare or review either an Exemption, ND with or without Mitigation Measures (MND), or Draft EIR.

Draft ND, MND or EIR: Once the draft CEQA document is approved by the County of Alameda, the Consultant will prepare all notices and distribute copies of the document to public agencies per the State CEQA Guidelines. The consultant will prepare and distribute all required notices and mailings including, but not limited to, the Notice of Availability (NOA) and Notice of Intent to Adopt (NOIA). The Consultant will provide the County with a list of all mailings for the record.

Response to Comments and Final MND or EIR: If an MND or EIR is prepared, the Consultant will respond to all comments received during the public review period of the MND or EIR and prepare a Response to Comments document for the Final CEQA document.

Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP): If it is determined through preparation of the Initial Study that an EIR is the appropriate CEQA, the Consultant will prepare a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program for inclusion in the Final CEQA document.

Findings: The Consultant will prepare all necessary CEQA findings for the adoption of CEQA documentation.

Noticing: The Consultant will prepare all appropriate and required noticing, which includes but is not limited to public notices, AB52, Scoping Meetings, Notice of Preparation, Notice of Completion, Notice of Intent, and Notice of Determination.

Meetings: The consultant will be required to attend all necessary meetings required during the CEQA process including presentations to County, Board, Municipal Advisory Committees, Community etc.

DELIVERABLES / REPORTS

As described above, and to include the following but not limited to:

Draft Initial Study

Exemption, ND, MND or EIR

Draft ND, MND or EIR

Response to Comments and Final MND or EIR

Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP)

Findings

Noticing

Meeting Minutes, Schedules

Presentations

Consultant must provide any project deliverables – including the report, RTC, and MMRP – in a format that is fully compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1, level AA guidelines, unless ACFD specifically authorizes a different format.

BID FORM(S)

The pricing/fees and hourly rates will be submitted separately in a sealed envelope along with the proposal for the preceding Specific Requirements and Deliverables/Reports. Pricing/fees will include detail for each by phase for:

• New Fire Station No. 24

• New Fire Station No. 26

PROPOSERS CONFERENCE / VENDOR OUTREACH

The Proposers Conference will be held online on Wednesday, December 10, 2025. Proposers can participate via a computer with a stable internet connection (the recommended Bandwidth is 512Kbps) at Click here to join meeting . Dial in: +1 469-208-1516,,425783384# PIN 425 783 384#

In order to get the best experience, the County recommends that Proposers who participate remotely use equipment with audio output such as speakers, headsets, or a telephone.

Networking/Proposers Conferences will be held to:

Provide an opportunity for Proposers to ask specific questions about the project and request RFSOQ clarification.

Provide the County with an opportunity to receive feedback regarding the project and RFSOQ.

The list of Proposers Conference attendees will be released in a separate document.

Only written questions submitted via email and by the stated deadline will be addressed in an RFSOQ Question and Answer (Q&A) following the Networking/Proposers Conference(s). Should there be a need to amend or revise the RFSOQ, an Addendum will be issued following the Networking/Proposers Conferences. The Q&A and Addendum are the final stance of the ACFD.

All questions regarding these specifications, terms and conditions are to be submitted in writing via e-mail by 5:00 p.m. on December 12, 2025 to:

Lynn Kozma, ACFD Procurements

Lynn.Kozma@alamedacountyfire.gov

Phone: (925) 833-3473 x 1430

Potential Proposers are strongly encouraged to attend Networking/Proposers Conference(s) in order to further facilitate subcontracting relationships. Vendors who attend a Networking/Proposers Conference will be added to the Vendor Proposal List. Failure to participate in a networking/Proposers conference will in no way relieve the Contractor from furnishing goods and/or services required in accordance with these specifications, terms and conditions. Attendance at a Networking/Proposers Conference is highly recommended but is not mandatory.

COUNTY PROCEDURES, TERMS, AND CONDITIONS

EVALUATION CRITERIA / SELECTION COMMITTEE

1. Initial Evaluation (Completeness of Response and Debarment and Suspension). All proposals will first be reviewed to determine if they pass the initial Evaluation Criteria (Section A), which are determined on a pass/fail basis.

2. Evaluation by County Selection Committee. All proposals that have passed the initial Evaluation Criteria will be evaluated by a County Selection Committee (CSC).  The CSC may be composed of ACFD staff and other parties that may have expertise or experience related to the goods or services that are being procured. The CSC will score the proposals according to the Evaluation Criteria set forth in this RFSOQ.  Other than the initial pass/fail Evaluation Criteria, the evaluation of the proposals will be within the sole judgment and discretion of the CSC.

3. Unrealistic Proposals. Proposers should bear in mind that any proposal that is unrealistic in terms of the technical or schedule commitments or unrealistically high or low in cost may be deemed reflective of an inherent lack of technical knowledge or indicative of a failure to comprehend the complexity and risk of the ACFD’s requirements as set forth in this RFSOQ.

4. Price Discrepancy. In the case of a discrepancy between the unit price and an extension, the unit price will be used for evaluation purposes.

5. Evaluation Criteria Descriptions. The items listed in the Evaluation Criteria should be considered as minimum requirements. All information contained in a proposal and presented in vendor interviews (if there are interviews) will be considered during the evaluation process and included in scoring within the appropriate Evaluation Criteria.

6. Evaluation Scores. Proposals will be evaluated and scored on the zero to five-point scale within each Evaluation Criteria below. Scores for all Evaluation Criteria (see the section below) will then be added, according to their assigned weight (below), to arrive at a weighted score for each proposal. A proposal with a higher-weighted total will be deemed of higher quality than a proposal with a lesser-weighted total.

7. Shortlist Process: The evaluation process may include a two-stage approach including a preliminary evaluation of the written proposal and preliminary scoring to develop a shortlist of Proposers that will continue to the final stage of optional vendor interviews and reference checks. The preliminary scoring will be based on the total points, excluding any points allocated to references and optional vendor interview. The five (5) Proposers receiving the highest preliminary scores and with at least 200 points may advance to the next evaluation phase. All other Proposers will be deemed eliminated from the process. All Proposers will be notified of the shortlist participants; however, the preliminary scores at that time will not be communicated to Proposers.

8. Reference Checks. The ACFD reserves the right to conduct reference check(s) on all Proposers who submitted a proposal. The CSC will then score the reference check(s), as identified in the Evaluation Criteria below, which will then be included in the final score.

9. Optional Vendor Interviews. The ACFD may, in its sole discretion, conduct vendor interviews. Should the ACFD opt to conduct a vendor interview, the interview may include responding to standard and specific questions from the CSC regarding the Proposers’ proposal. Whether or not a shortlist process is used, the score of any evaluation criterion below may be revised or informed based on the vendor interview.

10. Final Score. The final maximum score for any procurement is 550 points, including the possible 50 points for local and small, local and emerging, or local preference points (maximum 10% of the final score; derived from 5% for local preference and 5% for either Small and Local or Emerging and Local preference). Proposals will be ranked by their final scores.

a. Without Vendor Interview. In procurements where there are no vendor interviews, the score received by the evaluation of the written proposal with the reference score added will be the final score.

b. With Vendor Interview. In procurements where there are vendor interviews, the CSC will consider the interview and may adjust the scores received by the evaluation of the written proposal which, with the reference scores added, will be the final score.

11. Contact During Evaluation Process. All contact during the evaluation phase must be through the ACFD only. Proposers must neither contact nor lobby CSC during the evaluation process. Attempts by Proposers to contact and/or influence members of the CSC may result in disqualification of Proposers.

12. Determining Award. As a result of this RFSOQ, the ACFD intend to award a contract to the highest-ranked responsible Proposer(s) as determined by the combined weight of the Evaluation Criteria, whose response conforms to the RFSOQ and whose proposal presents the greatest value to the ACFD considering all Evaluation Criteria. The combined weight of the Evaluation Criteria is greater in importance than the cost in determining the best value to the ACFD. The ACFD may award a contract of higher qualitative competence over the lowest priced response.

13. The zero to five-point scale range is defined as follows:

0	Not Acceptable	Non-responsive, fails to meet RFSOQ specification. The approach has no probability of success. If the unmet specification is a mandatory requirement, this score may result in disqualification of proposal.
1	Poor	Below average, falls short of expectations, is substandard to that which is the average or expected norm, has a low probability of success in achieving objectives per RFSOQ.
2	Fair	Has a reasonable probability of success, however, some objectives may not be met.
3	Average	Acceptable, achieves all objectives in a reasonable fashion per RFSOQ specification. This will be the baseline score for each item with adjustments based on interpretation of proposal by Evaluation Committee members.
4	Above Average / Good	Very good probability of success, better than that which is average or expected as the norm. Achieves all objectives per RFSOQ requirements and expectations.
5	Excellent / Exceptional	Exceeds expectations, very innovative, clearly superior to that which is average or expected as the norm. Excellent probability of success and in achieving all objectives and meeting RFSOQ specification.

The Evaluation Criteria and their respective weights are as follows:

	Evaluation Criteria	Weight
A.	Completeness of Response: Responses to this RFSOQ must be complete. Responses that do not include the RFSOQ content requirements identified within this RFSOQ and subsequent Addenda and do not address each of the items listed below will be considered incomplete, be rated a Fail in the Evaluation Criteria and will receive no further consideration. To be considered complete, Proposers must include the complete and accurate documentation identified herein that they are certified small and local or emerging and local business or are partnering, joint venturing, or subcontracting with small and local or emerging and local business(es) that are certified at the time of response submittal. RFSOQ Responses that do not meet the County Small and Emerging Locally Owned Business (SLEB) Program requirements, as described in this RFSOQ, will be considered incomplete. RFSOQ Responses that are rated a Fail and are not considered, may be picked up at the delivery location within fourteen (14) calendar days after the contract award date.	Pass/Fail
	Debarment and Suspension: Proposers, its principal and named subcontractors are not identified on the list of Federally debarred, suspended or other excluded parties located at www.sam.gov/SAM/ .	Pass/Fail
A.	Understanding of the Scope of Work • Team demonstrates understanding of the CEQA process for the delivery of public projects.	10 Points
A.	Scope of Services and Deliverables to be provided: Services proposed to be provided (30 points): • Proposed scope of services is appropriate for all phases of the work. Scope addresses all known project needs. Schedule (5 points) • Proposed preliminary CEQA schedule for both stations are reasonable. Project Deliverables (10 points): • Deliverables are appropriate to scope set forth in the requirements. (15 points)	30 Points
A.	Organization and Management Approach: Roles and Organization of Proposed Team (15 Points): • Teams is led by and are composed of members with experience in providing CEQA services for public building projects within the past five to seven years. • Team leadership understands the nature of public sector work, procurement process, and its decision making process. • Some or all of team members (Proposers) have previously worked together on similar project(s). • Team structure provides adequate capability to perform both volume and quality of needed work for providing services on the 3 fire stations Approach (25 Points): • Approach sucessfully demonstrates the Proposer’s understanding of the CEQA process • Understands the challenges that the project could face during the CEQA process • Has included a detail work plan	40 Points
A.	References: Proposer shall submit a minimum of three (3) references for public projects. Reference sheets must include the full contact details for each individual, the dates of service, services provided, the project type, and project value.	5 Points
A.	Oral Interview: The oral interview on the proposal shall not exceed 60 minutes. The oral interview may include responding to standard and specific questions from the CSC regarding the Proposer’s proposal. The scoring may be revised based on the oral interview.	15 Points
SMALL LOCAL EMERGING BUSINESS PREFERENCE
	Local Preference: Points equaling five percent of the Proposer’s total score, for the above Evaluation Criteria, will be added. This will be the Proposer’s final score for purposes of award evaluation.	5%
	Small and Local or Emerging and Local Preference: Points equaling five percent of the Proposer’s total score, for the above Evaluation Criteria, will be added. This will be the Proposer’s final score for purposes of award evaluation.	5%

CONTRACT EVALUATION AND ASSESSMENT

During the initial 120 day period of any contract which may be awarded to the Contractor, ACFD may review the proposal, the contract, any goods or services provided, and/or meet with the Contractor to identify any issues or potential problems.

The ACFD reserves the right to determine, at its sole discretion, whether:

The contractor has complied with all terms of this RFSOQ; and

Any problems or potential problems with the proposed goods and services were evidenced which make it unlikely (even with possible modifications) that such goods and services have met or will meet the ACFD requirements.

If, as a result of such determination, the ACFD concludes that it is not satisfied with Contractor, Contractor’s performance under any awarded contract and/or Contractor’s goods and services as contracted for therein, the Contractor will be notified that the contract is being terminated.  The contractor shall be responsible for returning ACFD facilities to their original state at no charge to ACFD.  The ACFD will have the right to invite the next highest ranked Proposer to enter into a contract.  The County also reserves the right to re-Proposal this project if it is determined to be in its best interest to do so.

NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD

1. At the conclusion of the RFSOQ response evaluation process (“Evaluation Process”), all Proposers will be notified in writing by e-mail, fax, or US Postal Service mail, of the contract award recommendation, if any, by ACFD. The document providing this notification is the Notice of Intent to Award.

The Notice of Intent to Award will provide the following information:

a. The name of the Proposer being recommended for contract award; and

b. The names of all other parties that submitted proposals.

2. At the conclusion of the RFSOQ response evaluation process and negotiations, debriefings for unsuccessful Proposers will be scheduled and provided upon written request and will be restricted to discussion of the unsuccessful offeror’s Proposal. Under no circumstances will any discussion be conducted with regard to contract negotiations with the successful Proposer.

3. The submitted proposals shall be made available upon request no later than five calendar days before approval of the award and contract is scheduled to be heard by the Board of Directors.

PROPOSAL PROTEST/APPEAL PROCESS

ACFD prides itself on the establishment of fair and competitive contracting procedures and the commitment made to follow those procedures. The following is provided in the event that Proposers wish to protest the Proposal process or appeal the recommendation to award a contract for this project once the Notices of Intent to Award/Non-Award have been issued. Proposal protests submitted prior to issuance of the Notices of Intent to Award/Non-Award will not be accepted by the County.

1. Any Proposal protest by any Proposer regarding any other Proposal must be submitted in writing to the ACFD Lynn.Kozma@alamedacountyfire.gov before 5:00 p.m. of the FIFTH (5th) business day following the date of issuance of the Notice of Intent to Award, not the date received by the Proposer. A Proposal protest received after 5:00 p.m. is considered received as of the next business day.

a. The Proposal protest must contain a complete statement of the reasons and facts for the protest.

b. The protest must refer to the specific portions of all documents that form the basis for the protest.

c. The protest must include the name, address, email address, fax number and telephone number of the person representing the protesting party.

d. The County Agency/Department will notify all Proposers of the protest as soon as possible.

2. Upon receipt of the written protest, ACFD will review and evaluate the protest and issue a written decision. The ACFD, may, at its discretion, investigate the protest, obtain additional information, provide an opportunity to settle the protest by mutual agreement, and/or schedule a meeting(s) with the protesting Proposer and others (as appropriate) to discuss the protest. The decision on the Proposal protest will be issued at least ten (10) business days prior to the Board hearing.

The decision will be communicated by e-mail, fax, or US Postal Service mail, and will inform the Proposer whether or not the recommendation to the Board of Supervisors in the Notice of Intent to Award is going to change. A copy of the decision will be furnished to all Proposers affected by the decision. As used in this paragraph, a Proposer is affected by the decision on a Proposal protest if a decision on the protest could have resulted in the Proposer not being the apparent successful Proposer on the Proposal.

3. The decision of the ACFD on the Proposal protest may be appealed to the Auditor-Controller's Office of Contract Compliance & Reporting (OCCR) located at 1221 Oak St., Room 249, Oakland, CA 94612, Fax: (510) 272-6502 unless the OCCR determines that it has a conflict of interest in which case an alternate will be identified to hear the appeal and all steps to be taken by OCCR will be performed by the alternate. The Proposer whose Proposal is the subject of the protest, all Proposers affected by the ACFD’s decision on the protest, and the protestor have the right to appeal if not satisfied with the ACFD’s decision. All appeals to the Auditor-Controller's OCCR shall be in writing and submitted within five (5) business days following the issuance of the decision by the GSA-Office of Acquisition Policy, not the date received by the Proposer. An appeal received after 5:00 p.m. is considered received as of the next business day. An appeal received after the FIFTH (5th) business day following the date of issuance of the decision by the ACFD shall not be considered under any circumstances by the ACFD or the Auditor-Controller OCCR.

a. The appeal shall specify the decision being appealed and all the facts and circumstances relied upon in support of the appeal.

b. In reviewing protest appeals, the OCCR will not re-judge the proposal(s). The appeal to the OCCR shall be limited to review of the procurement process to determine if the contracting department materially erred in following the Proposal or, where appropriate, County contracting policies or other laws and regulations.

c. The appeal to the OCCR also shall be limited to the grounds raised in the original protest and the decision by the ACFD. As such, a Proposer is prohibited from stating new grounds for a Proposal protest in its appeal. The Auditor-Controller (OCCR) shall only review the materials and conclusions reached by the ACFD, and will determine whether to uphold or overturn the protest decision.

d. The Auditor’s Office may overturn the results of a Proposal process for ethical violations by ACFD staff, County Selection Committee members, subject matter experts, or any other County staff managing or participating in the competitive Proposal process, regardless of timing or the contents of a Proposal protest.

e. The decision of the Auditor-Controller’s OCCR is the final step of the appeal process. A copy of the decision of the Auditor-Controller’s OCCR will be furnished to the protestor, the Proposer whose Proposal is the subject of the Proposal protest, and all Proposers affected by the decision.

4. ACFD will complete the Proposal protest/appeal procedures set forth in this paragraph before a recommendation to award the Contract is considered by the Board of Directors/Supervisors.

5. The procedures and time limits set forth in this paragraph are mandatory and are each Proposer's sole and exclusive remedy in the event of Proposal Protest. A Proposer’s failure to timely complete both the Proposal protest and appeal procedures shall be deemed a failure to exhaust administrative remedies. Failure to exhaust administrative remedies, or failure to comply otherwise with these procedures, shall constitute a waiver of any right to further pursue the Proposal protest, including filing a Government Code Claim or legal proceedings.

TERM / TERMINATION / RENEWAL

1. The term of the contract, which may be awarded pursuant to this RFSOQ, will be three (3) years with an option to extend by one (1) year.

PRICING

1. Proposer must submit the fees separately in a sealed envelope for CEQA services for the two (2) fire stations and a rate sheet listing the hourly rate for all key personnel to ACFD with the proposal. The envelope will not be opened by the ACFD unless and until the ACFD enters into contract negotiations.

2. Proposer shall provide a fee (based on hourly rates) broken down by scope of work listed above under Specific Scope of Work Tasks.

3. Federal and State minimum wage laws apply. The County has no requirements for living wages. The County is not imposing any additional requirements regarding wages.

4. Prevailing Wages: Pursuant to Labor Code Sections 1770 et seq., Contractor shall pay to persons performing labor in and about Work provided for in Contract not less than the general prevailing rate of per diem wages for work of a similar character in the locality in which the Work is performed, and not less than the general prevailing rate of per diem wages for legal holiday and overtime work in said locality, which per diem wages shall not be less than the stipulated rates contained in a schedule thereof which has been ascertained and determined by the Director of the State Department of Industrial Relations to be the general prevailing rate of per diem wages for each craft or type of workman or mechanic needed to execute this contract

AWARD

1. Most Responsive and Responsible Proposer(s)

a. The award will be made to the highest-ranked Proposer(s) who meet the requirements of these specifications, terms, and conditions.

b. Awards may also be made to the subsequent highest ranked Proposer(s) who will be called in order should the County and/or ACFD need to contract with another Proposer(s).

2. Small and Emerging Locally Owned Business: The County/ACFD is vitally interested in promoting the growth of small and emerging local businesses by means of increasing the participation of these businesses in the ACFD’s purchase of goods and services.

As a result of the County’s commitment to advance the economic opportunities of these businesses, Proposers must meet the County’s Small and Emerging Locally Owned Business requirements in order to be considered for the contract award. These requirements can be found online at:

• Alameda County SLEB Program Overview [ http://acgov.org/auditor/sleb/overview.htm ]; and

• Alameda County SLEB Program Additional Information [ https://gsa.acgov.org/do-business-with-us/vendor-support/small-local-and-emerging-businesses/ ]

A small business is defined by the United States Small Business Administration (SBA) as having no more than the number of employees or average annual gross receipts over the last three years required per SBA standards based on the small business's appropriate NAICS code.

An emerging business is defined by the County as having either annual gross receipts of less than one-half that of a small business OR having less than one-half the number of employees AND that has been in business less than five years.

3. The ACFD reserves the right to reject any or all responses that materially differ from any terms contained in this RFSOQ or from any Exhibits attached hereto, to waive informalities and minor irregularities in responses received, and to provide an opportunity for Proposers to correct minor and immaterial errors contained in their submissions. The decision as to what constitutes a minor irregularity shall be made solely at the discretion of the ACFD.

4. Any proposal that contains false or misleading information may be disqualified by the ACFD.

5. The ACFD has the right to decline to award this contract or any part thereof for any reason.

6. Board of Directors/Supervisors approval to award a contract is required.

7. A contract must be negotiated, finalized, and signed by the recommended awardee prior to Board of Directors/Supervisors approval.

8. Final Professional Services Agreement terms and conditions will be negotiated with the selected Proposer. Professional Services Agreement template is attached in “Appendix B”.

9. The RFSOQ specifications, terms, conditions and Exhibits, RFSOQ Addenda and Proposer’s proposal, may be incorporated into and made a part of any contract that may be awarded as a result of this RFSOQ.

METHOD OF CONTRACTING

A written Purchase Order (PO) will be issued after an executed Professional Services Agreement (Contract) and Board approval. If there is any conflict in terms of any PO and the executed Contract, the Contract will control, even if a PO is issued later. Payment cannot be made to any Consultant until a PO is issued.

POs and payments for goods and/or services will be issued only in the name of the Consultant, as identified on the contract.

The Consultant must adapt to changes to the method of ordering procedures as required by the ACFD during the term of the contract.

Amendments to the Professional Services Agreement shall be agreed upon by Consultant and County/ACFD and issued as needed in writing by County/ACFD.

INVOICING

Consultant shall invoice the requesting department unless otherwise advised, upon satisfactory receipt of goods and/or performance of services.

ACFD will use reasonable efforts to make payment within 30 days following receipt and review of invoice and complete satisfactory receipt of goods and/or performance of services.

ACFD will notify the Consultant of any adjustments or corrections that must be made to receive payment on an invoice.

Invoices submitted by the Consultant must contain the ACFD PO number, invoice number, remit to address, itemized goods and/or services description, and price as quoted and must be accompanied by an acceptable proof of delivery and any other information requested by ACFD.

Consultant must utilize a standardized invoice format upon request.

Invoices must be issued by, and payments made to, the Consultant who is awarded a contract.

ACFD will pay the Consultant, after receipt and approval of an invoice, monthly or as agreed upon, not to exceed the total contract amount. ACFD will not pay for goods and/or services in advance.

In the event the Consultant’s performance and/or deliverable goods have been deemed unsatisfactory by a review committee, ACFD reserves the right to withhold future payments until the performance and/or deliverable goods are deemed satisfactory.

ACCOUNT MANAGER / SUPPORT STAFF

The Consultant must provide dedicated support staff to be the primary contact for all issues regarding the response to this RFSOQ and any contract which may arise pursuant to this RFSOQ.

Consultant must also provide adequate, competent support staff that shall be able to service the County and/or ACFD during normal working hours, Monday through Friday, or as otherwise identified in this RFSOQ. Such representative(s) must be knowledgeable about the contract, products, and/or services offered and able to identify and resolve quickly any issues, including but not limited to order and invoicing problems.

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