Request for Proposals (RFP) for Interstate 15 Rainbow Canyon Wildlife Crossing Planning and Design

TEAM RCD requests proposals from qualified engineering and environmental consultants experienced in wildlife connectivity infrastructure planning and design, as well as working with Caltrans and their standards and specifications, to cooperatively assist TEAM RCD and key partners with the planning, coordination, development, and preparation of environmental review and engineering design for a wildlife overpass across Interstate 15 located in Western Riverside County, just south of Temecula and north of the San Diego County line. This includes building on the already-approved Project Initiation Document (PSR-PDS) to advance the project through the Caltrans project development process, including the Project Approval and Environmental Document (PA&ED) phase and Plans, Specifications, and Estimates (PS&E) to 65% design.

Project Contact: Direct all inquiries regarding this RFP by email to rfp@teamrcd.org. The deadline for submittal of proposals is 5:00 p.m. PDT on June 2, 2026. An optional pre-bid tour will be held at 1:00 p.m. PDT on May 14, 2026. Please register here to receive updates regarding this RFP and the optional pre-bid tour.

Response to Questions on the RFP

Question 1: Will you please provide a list of Project Partners including organizations, agencies, and entities referenced in the RFP?

Answer 1: Project partners include but are not limited to:

1. San Diego State University
2. University of California Davis Wildlife Health Center
3. City of Temecula
4. California Department of Fish and Wildlife Region 6
5. Riverside County Transportation Commission

Tribes, including but not limited to the Pechanga, will be consulted and informed throughout the project.

Question 2: For Optional Task 3: Rainbow Canyon Roadkill Survey, how and when does TEAM RCD plan to use the data? Will the data provide the design baseline or the 65% or 90% design?

Answer 2: Data will not be used by TEAM RCD for this project. Data will be used to determine the possible need/location for a second crossing for Rainbow Canyon Road, but that information will be used separately and will not be integrated into design for this project.

Question 3: Will we be allowed to fly drones to gather data for roadkill surveys?

Answer 3: No. Drones cannot be used to conduct roadkill surveys.

Question 4: Is there a specific timeframe (start/end date) or required duration for roadkill surveys?

Answer 4: Duration of the roadkill surveys should be 12 consecutive months

Question 5: The roadkill study mentions 2 surveys per week along Rainbow Canyon Road but does not mention for how long. One year is typical to assess any seasonal variation, which we discussed at the site visit, but we'd like a confirmation of the duration of the study. Also, it would be nice if the methodology was clearer so that all of us are bidding apples to apples. I drove the entire road and think that most is safe to walk but also needs certain portions to be driven as there is not enough shoulder.

Answer 5: The survey period should be 12 consecutive months. One survey per week is sufficient, and a combination of driving and walking surveys can be used as necessitated for safety.

Question 6: What is the expected timeline and how many total number of surveys are to be conducted by the consulting team for the Optional Task 3: Roadkill Survey? The RFP only states The Consultant shall conduct systematic roadkill surveys twice per week along Rainbow Canyon Road.

Answer 6: Conduct one roadkill survey per week for a duration of 12 consecutive months using a combination of walking and driving methods, as appropriate, to ensure surveyor safety.

Question 7: Should the consulting team provide a scope and cost for the Finding of Effect and ESA Action Plan, or will those be written by the Caltrans archaeologist?

Answer 7: Yes, please include a scope and cost for the Finding of Effect and ESA Action Plan in your proposal.

Question 8: Proposal Requirement no. 2. Qualifications and Background requests “Provide concise, 1-2-page descriptions of comparable projects now in progress or completed within the last five (5) years for which members of the team provided similar services.” Is the intent that firms submit a 1-2 page narrative describing each relevant project, or that the 1-2 pages encompasses a narrative summarizing our most relevant projects?

Answer 8: Firms may submit narratives up to 2 pages long for their most relevant projects, as well as an additional 1-2 page narrative summarizing other relevant project work.

Question 9: In Proposal Requirement no. 4 – Proposed Budget and Fees TEAM RCD states that proposals submitted in response to the RFP may become public information following award. Given that the fee proposal is not identified as part of the evaluation criteria, would TEAM RCD consider allowing proposers to submit fee information, including hourly rates, as a separate confidential attachment or under separate cover to help protect commercially sensitive pricing information?

Answer 9: All budget information, including fees, becomes public with the contract execution. 

Question 10: Can you please advise if we should note any DBEs in the proposal? The RFP indicates in the Proposal Guidelines and Requirements to “Note any certifications as a disadvantaged business enterprise”. However, Caltrans and CUCP state on their website that there is still an ongoing statewide reevaluation process and they have temporarily removed the DBE directory and paused goal-setting and participation counting until completion.

Answer 10: Yes, please note any certifications as a disadvantaged business enterprise in your proposal. Relevance of this information will be determined based upon requirements established at the time of proposal review.

Question 11: Is there a possibility that this project could pursue a CEQA Statutory Exemption for Restoration Projects (SERP)?

Answer 11: Yes. There have been preliminary discussions with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife regarding the potential of pursuing a SERP for this project, and there is precedence for this approach based upon other similar projects. As the CEQA lead, Caltrans will make the ultimate determination as to whether a SERP is the appropriate approach for this project.

Question 12: It’s our understanding that the response to this RFP is to be submitted electronically via email to rfp@teamrcd.org as stated on the RFP cover page. Please confirm if there is a pdf file size limit you can accept by email. 

Answer 12: Yes, all responses should be submitted electronically to rfp@teamrcd.org. To ensure delivery of files, please do not send files larger than 25 MB. TEAM RCD will send an email confirming receipt of files. If you do not receive a confirmation email, please follow-up with District Manager Clifton Meek by phone at 951-740-3891.

Question 13: Will you also please confirm receipt of the proposal document once we send it?

Answer 13: Yes. All submittals will receive an email confirmation from TEAM RCD.

 

 

TEAM RCD RFP for I-15 Rainbow Canyon Wildlife Crossing Planning and Design.pdfAttachment A TEMPLATE_ TEAM RCD Professional Services Agreement.pdfAttachment B Adopted PSR PDS.pdfAttachment C I-15_Rainbow_Canyon_Planning_Grant.pdf