Civil Engineering &
Environmental Services
Professional design and compliance for the realignment and upsizing of approximately 3,500 linear feet of sewer main for the City of Palm Springs.
Project Overview
The City of Palm Springs is soliciting proposals from qualified firms for the Tahquitz Canyon Way Sewer Realignment and Upsizing Project (City Project 25-13).
The project involves the design and construction support for the realignment and upsizing of approximately 3,500 linear feet of existing 8-inch vitrified clay sewer main to a new 12-inch main. The alignment runs along Tahquitz Canyon Way between N. Cerritos Drive and N. Civic Drive, and must be coordinated with the City's planned paving operations scheduled for Summer 2026.
Vitrified Clay Pipe (VCP) is a traditional gravity sewer pipe material fired at high temperatures. Historically used throughout Palm Springs, VCP is durable but can become brittle over decades. The City is evaluating alternative pipe materials to reduce construction time.
Veolia Inc. is the City's wastewater system operator. They identified deficiencies in the existing main — including sections operating at 90% capacity — which necessitated this project.
Key Project Facts from the RFP:
- The sewer line extends ~3,500 feet from Cerritos Dr. to Civic Dr. within existing sewer easements.
- Design includes new sewer manholes, junctions, and connections.
- Initial construction phase focuses on manholes G09025 to G09124.
- Critical goal: Coordination with City's Summer 2026 paving schedule.
- Existing main exhibits both structural issues and capacity bottlenecks.
- Close coordination required with Veolia Inc. as the system operator.
- Alignment runs along major east/west arterial with raised landscaped center medians.
- Award vehicle: Task order under existing on-call professional services agreement.
Procurement Schedule
Pass / Fail Criteria
Respondents must demonstrate prime consultancy for at least two (2) sewer pipeline projects within the last 7 years:
- New gravity sewers in urban areas.
- Contract price ≥ $120,000 each (design only).
Platform
Proposals via PlanetBids only. No paper submissions.
PlanetBids Portal Link
Evaluation Criteria
| Evaluation Criterion | Points |
|---|---|
| Minimum Requirements: Sewer pipeline project experience (2 ea, ≥$120k). | Pass / Fail |
| Firm's Qualifications & Experience: Similar services and reference checks. | 15 pts |
| Staff / Team's Qualifications: Technical specialized experience. | 15 pts |
| Project Understanding & Scope: Technical ability, innovation, and understanding of City needs. | 50 pts |
| Fees / Costs: Budget appropriateness. | 20 pts |
| TOTAL POSSIBLE POINTS | 100 PTS |
Points Distribution
Scope of Services
The scope encompasses three major work tracks performed concurrently: Environmental, Engineering, and Construction Documents.
Environmental Compliance
Task A1 — CEQA Compliance
- Preliminary environmental review and impacts identification.
- Prepare CEQA Technical Memo (Expected: Categorical Exemption).
- Section 15301/15302: Applicable for utility replacement with no expansion.
- Air quality and GHG analysis via CalEEMod model.
- Filing Notice of Exemption (NOE).
Task A2 — Regulatory Permitting
- Identify necessary permits (RWQCB, DWR).
- Prepare Permit Application Matrix and submission packages.
- Agency coordination and application tracking.
State law requiring identification of environmental impacts. Exemption (CE) is for projects with negligible impact.
Regional Water Quality Control Board. Regulates dewatering and stormwater for construction.
Engineering Services
Task B1 — Alternatives & Feasibility
- Review documents from Veolia and Hazen and Sawyer.
- Evaluate storm drain Option 2 (Semi-Permanent) at Farrell Dr.
- Prepare alignment Technical Memorandum.
Task B3 — Field Investigations
- Topographic Survey: Coordinate NAD83 Zone VI compatibility.
- Utility Coordination: Compile record data and sent certified notices.
- Geotechnical: Hollow stem auger boring, lab testing, and seismic analysis.
- Potholing: 30 vacuum-excavated holes to locate critical conflicts.
Task B5 — Detailed Design
- 60% PS&E: Horizontal alignment solidification and bid quantities.
- 90% PS&E: Final details and stamped Traffic Control Plans.
The "Jesus-fix" for utility conflicts. Physically exposes pipes to get 100% accurate depth data.
Tahquitz Canyon Way is a major arterial. TCPs ensure safety while working near raised landscaped medians.
Construction Documents & Support
- 100% PS&E: Final signed/sealed drawings and Technical Specifications.
- Bid Support: Response to RFIs within 48 hours; pre-bid meeting coordination.
- Construction Support: Submittal review, pre-con meetings, and monthly status updates.
- As-Builts: Preparation of final Record Drawings based on field red-lines.
Engineering Resources (ERSC)
ERSC (formed in 1996) is committed exclusively to serving Special Districts, Regional Agencies, and Municipalities in Southern California.
Corporate Info
Founded: 1996 (29 Years)
Total Staff: 43 Employees
HQ: Redlands, CA
Palm Springs History: Serving City since 2001 (2,150+ plan reviews).
Key Reference Projects:
| Project Name | Client | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Water & Sewer CIP | Victorville | $608,356 |
| Trunk Sewer Support | Veolia / Rialto | $135,500 |
| Casino Sewer System | Soboba Band | $803,466 |
Project Leadership
40 years experience. Former City Engineer.
Expert in pipeline design and pavement rehab.
Subconsultants
- IFE: Geotechnical Engineering
- USI: Potholing & Locating
- Terra Nova: CEQA Planning
- IAS: Aerial Photogrammetry
Fee Proposal
Proposed Contract Value: $278,554 (Not-to-Exceed T&M)
| Task | Description | Hours | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Track A — Environmental | |||
| 1.1-1.3 | PM, Site Visit, CE Prep, Permitting Support | 44 | $21,748 |
| Track B — Engineering & Investigations | |||
| 2.1-2.2 | Doc Review, Technical Memo | 86 | $16,380 |
| 4.1-4.3 | Surveying, Utility Coord, Geotechnical | 160 | $65,070 |
| 5.1 | 30% Plans & PDR | 122 | $21,610 |
| Detailed Design | |||
| 6.1-6.2 | 60%/90% PS&E | 230 | $38,130 |
| 6.1.1 | Potholing (30 ea) | 26 | $46,986 |
| Track C — Support & Final Docs | |||
| 7.1-7.4 | 100% PS&E, Bid/Const Support, As-Builts | 190 | $35,760 |
| — | Project Management (Meetings/Reports/Plan) | 140 | $26,870 |
| — | Reimbursables & Mileage | — | $6,000 |
| PROJECT TOTAL | 998 | $278,554 | |
Labor Rate Schedule
Rates effective Jan 1, 2025. Subject to annual CPI adjustments.