Notice Inviting Proposals
The Coachella Valley Association of Governments ("CVAG"), a California joint powers authority, invites proposals from qualified professional consulting firms to provide design and related professional services for the CV Link Shade Structure and Shade Trees Project, CVAG RFP No. 2027-03 ("Project"). Proposals shall be submitted in accordance with this Request for Proposals ("RFP") and all applicable solicitation documents issued by CVAG. Proposals shall be submitted electronically by email to procurement@cvag.org no later than 2:00 PM Pacific Standard Time (PST) on December 9, 2026, in accordance with the submission instructions established in Section III. Submittal Requirements of the RFP. Proposals received after the stated deadline may be rejected.
The Project generally consists of designing approximately five shade structures, 26 native shade trees, and associated improvements at five existing CV Link rest-stop locations. The requested services generally include preliminary engineering, surveying and site investigations, geotechnical analysis, civil and structural engineering, landscape architecture, irrigation and electrical design, permitting and agency coordination, preparation of plans, specifications, and estimates (PS&E), and bidding and construction support. The selected Consultant shall provide the professional services described in Section V. Scope of Work and prepare complete design documents in accordance with applicable laws, professional standards, and Project requirements. Consultant selection will be based on demonstrated competence and professional qualifications in accordance with applicable California law and the evaluation and selection procedures established in this RFP.
The Project is funded in part by the Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024 ("Proposition 4"), administered by the Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy ("CVMC") under Grant Agreement No. 38500000P040003, Project ID CVMC2606. CVMC has awarded CVAG up to $1,248,586 for eligible construction costs. The Design phase services are funded entirely by CVAG, while the project construction phase is funded primarily by the CVMC Proposition 4 Grant. CVAG is also providing funding for permitting, construction management, and other non-eligible Project costs identified in the grant budget. Applicable grant-related design responsibilities and contractual requirements are addressed in the Scope of Services and resulting Professional Services Agreement.
Background and Project Description
The CV Link is an approximately 40-mile dual pathway for pedestrians, bicyclists, and low-speed neighborhood electric vehicles extending through multiple Coachella Valley communities. The corridor was developed pursuant to the CV Link Conceptual Master Plan and opened to the public in November 2025. Existing improvements along the corridor include rest stops and amenities such as shade structures, benches, bike racks, hydration stations, and signage. Following the opening of the corridor, CVAG identified a need for additional shade at selected rest-stop locations to improve user comfort and reduce exposure to extreme heat.
The Project will provide new shade structures and native shade trees at five existing CV Link rest-stop locations: Vista Chino, Jenkins Trail, Palm Desert High School, Promontory Point, and Sierra Vista Park. The proposed improvements generally include five shade structures with integrated benches and bike racks, approximately 26 native shade trees, and associated site improvements. Improvements may include concrete flatwork, grading, irrigation and electrical modifications, kiosk signage relocation, litter receptacle installation, and other improvements necessary to accommodate the Project. The proposed improvements will connect to the existing CV Link pathway at each location and may require minor pathway modifications, including signage, pavement markings, and irrigation adjustments. Irrigation modifications are anticipated at Promontory Point and Sierra Vista Park. Wayfinding and funding-recognition signage will be incorporated at each Project location.
The shade structures will be designed to maintain compatibility with existing CV Link facilities and established design standards. Following the completion of this Design phase, the Construction phase, including construction management services, will be solicited separately and authorized. The preliminary estimated construction project cost is approximately $1.125 million.
Project Locations and Key Requirements
• Vista Chino - Palm Springs: One shade structure and associated amenities.
• Jenkins Trail - Palm Springs: One shade structure and associated amenities.
• Palm Desert High School - Palm Desert: One shade structure and associated amenities.
• Promontory Point - La Quinta: Approximately 20 native shade trees and associated irrigation improvements.
• Sierra Vista Park - Coachella: Two shade structures and associated amenities, approximately six native shade trees, and associated irrigation improvements.
Locations are situated along the CV Link corridor in Riverside County and involve properties owned or controlled by multiple public and private entities. Access is documented through applicable easements, rights-of-way, licenses, permits, and other access instruments. Additional construction encroachment permits and other agency approvals may be required.
Scope of Services Overview
The selected Consultant shall provide professional services to complete preliminary engineering, design, permitting, and Plans, Specifications, and Estimates (PS&E) for the Project, including right-of-way services if necessary. Services include field survey and mapping, geotechnical investigation and structural analysis, civil/site design, landscape and irrigation design, electrical design (primarily solar-powered lighting anticipated), drainage and water quality analysis, utility coordination, permitting and agency coordination, environmental compliance review, cost estimating and scheduling, phasing and traffic control, electronic deliverables (AutoCAD DWG, multi-page vector PDFs, Esri File Geodatabase for GIS), and bidding, construction, and post-design support including record drawings and final GIS deliverables. Deliverables will be submitted at 35%, 95%, and Final design milestones, and shall include all plans, specifications, cost estimates, technical reports, and native electronic files as specified in the RFP.
Procurement, Submittal Requirements, and Schedule Highlights
Proposals shall be submitted by email in Portable Document Format (PDF), identified in the subject line as "CV Link Shade Structure and Shade Trees Project - CVAG RFP No. 2027-03" to procurement@cvag.org. Proposals shall consist of both a technical proposal and a separate fee proposal and are to be submitted in one email as two separate attachments. File names shall designate the contents accordingly (e.g., "Technical Proposal" or "Fee Proposal"). Proposals are limited to 25 pages (Cover Page, Cover Letter, Appendices, and page separators excluded). The RFP includes detailed requirements for technical content, proposed staffing, work plan, appendices, and fee proposal formatting. The RFP states no deviations from the RFP are allowed unless noted in the proposal and reserves CVAG's rights to accept or reject proposals, waive informality, and take other actions consistent with law.
Key dates (tentative and as stated in RFP):
• Issue date / Release of Request for Proposals: November 5, 2026
• Pre-Proposal Conference (non-mandatory): November 20, 2026 (virtual)
• Deadline to email questions: December 2, 2026 (2:00 p.m. PST)
• Responses to questions via addendum: December 4, 2026
• Deadline for receipt of proposals: December 9, 2026 (2:00 p.m. PST)
• Evaluation of proposals: December 9–18, 2026
• Tentative finalist virtual interviews: January 6, 2027
• Expected contract award: February 22, 2027
Selection and Compliance
Selection will be based on demonstrated competence and professional qualifications, per California law and the RFP evaluation criteria (Qualifications and Experience 30%; Work Plan 30%; Staffing and Organization 20%; Proposed Fee 20%). The Project may include services subject to California public works and prevailing wage requirements; the Consultant and subconsultants must comply with California Labor Code Sections 1720 et seq., DIR registration where required, certified payroll reporting, recordkeeping, and other labor compliance requirements. The Consultant must comply with grant-related requirements under the CVMC Proposition 4 Grant Agreement as applicable. The RFP includes detailed quality assurance, project management, deliverable, audit and records, nondiscrimination, and ownership/use of work product provisions. Attachments referenced include a draft Professional Services Agreement, required forms and certifications, a project location map, and the CVMC Grant Agreement.
