Something similar to this is done here in Texas where TxDOT issues out $1 million, two-year on-call
contracts. Calls for proposals usually go out once every year or two and are awarded to one or two
applicants based on rates,  variation of staff ability and geographical coverage of appropriate knowledge, and
a promised quick turnaround time. It seems to work well for TxDOT but we find that the bids are repeatedly
given to the same firms, such as university-based CRM groups who have a lower overhead and a larger
student group to expoit, uh, I mean employ.
Hope this helps,
Kerri Barile
SWCA, Inc. Environmental Consultants
Austin, Texas



--------
>From: [log in to unmask]
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: RE: Re: VDOT Statewide Cultural Resource Consulting announcement
>Date: October 23, 2000
>
>think this is the first time i've seen such a tender going out for an entire
>state - usually it's just for individual projects, or has anyone else seen
>anything similar?
>
>
>Wittkofski, J. Mark schrieb:
>> Any interested professional cultural resources firm is encouraged to submit
>> a proposal for the following statewide consulting services contract.  The
>> entire RFP can be downloaded from the VDOT site included in the
>> announcement.  Thank you.
>>
>> J. Mark Wittkofski
>>
>>
>>
>> STATEWIDE CULTURAL RESOURCE SERVICES
>>
>> The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is seeking expressions of
>> interest from consulting firms to provide statewide cultural resource
>> services that are related to transportation projects.  These services
>> include, but are not limited to: 1) conducting surveys to identify
>> buildings, structures, districts, objects, and sites potentially eligible
>> for listing in the National Register of Historic Places; 2) preparing
>> treatment plans for significant resources affected by transportation
>> projects; and 3) implementing treatment actions as determined by VDOT.  In
>> addition to the foregoing, firms will need to have the capacity to prepare
>> landscape plans as partial mitigation for impacts to significant historic
>> properties, to conduct surveys for locating identified cultural resources
>> onto transportation CADD plans and plots, and to be able to take
>> geotechnical borings and prepare soils analyses as may be needed for the
>> identification of archaeological sites.  All services must be performed in
>> accordance with VDOT guidelines; all appropriate federal and state laws and
>> regulations, and be of sufficient quality to obtain approvals from all
>> applicable federal and state regulatory agencies.
>>
>> This contract will have a maximum compensation of $3,000,000.00 or a term of
>> three (3) years, whichever occurs first.  The method of payment will be
>> actual costs for each assignment based on fixed billable rates.  During the
>> course of this contract, work will be solicited only as the need arises.
>> For any given project, VDOT will provide a scope and request a detailed work
>> plan and schedule of compensation to be submitted by the consultant for
>> review, negotiation of the level of effort, and approval before work can
>> begin.  It is anticipated that this contract will involve numerous projects,
>> but VDOT cannot predict nor guarantee the timing, complexity, or number of
>> projects assigned. The Department reserves the right to modify or eliminate,
>> in whole or in part, any of the requested services.
>>
>> Responding firms must obtain a copy of the complete Request for Proposal
>> (RFP) for requirements.  The RFP may be downloaded from the VDOT Internet
>> site: www.vdot.state.va.us/OpNet <http://www.vdot.state.va.us/OpNet> .  For
>> persons with a hearing impairment, this number can be reached via the
>> Virginia relay center (1-800-828-1120).  To receive the RFP by mail or fax,
>> firms may contact Mr. J. Mark Wittkofski, VDOT Environmental Division at
>> (804) 371-6867.  Submissions must be received no later than 4:00 p.m. (EST),
>> Tuesday, November 14, 2000.
>
>
>geoff carver
>http://home.t-online.de/home/gcarver/
>[log in to unmask]