County RFP RFQ Mechanical Electrical Plumbing Engineering CA Oct 2019

If you’re a mechanical, electrical, or plumbing (MEP) engineering firm looking to work with public agencies in California, understanding the County RFP RFQ Mechanical Electrical Plumbing Engineering CA 2019 October process is essential. Many qualified contractors miss out on lucrative public-sector opportunities simply because they don’t grasp how to navigate procurement timelines, documentation requirements, or evaluation criteria. This guide breaks down exactly what you need to know—from bid structure to submission tips—so you can compete confidently and win.

What Was the October 2019 California County RFP/RFQ for MEP Engineering?

In October 2019, multiple California counties—including Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, and Sacramento—issued formal Requests for Proposal (RFPs) or Requests for Quotation (RFQs) seeking qualified engineering firms for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) services on public infrastructure projects. These ranged from school modernizations and courthouse renovations to municipal water treatment upgrades and civic building retrofits.

Unlike private-sector contracts, public RFPs/RFQs follow strict state and local procurement laws under the California Public Contract Code. This means transparency, competitive bidding, and detailed compliance are non-negotiable.

💡 Did You Know?
Over $2.3 billion in public construction contracts were awarded in California in 2019 alone—many of which required MEP engineering input (Source: California State Auditor).

RFP vs. RFQ: What’s the Difference in Public Procurement?

Many contractors confuse RFPs and RFQs. Here’s a quick breakdown:

For the October 2019 MEP solicitations, most counties used RFPs because they sought engineering firms capable of designing integrated systems—not just installing off-the-shelf components.

Key Components of the October 2019 MEP RFPs

While each county customized its solicitation, nearly all included these core elements:

1. Scope of Work (SOW)
   Detailed descriptions of required services: HVAC load calculations, lighting power density analysis, plumbing fixture counts, seismic bracing specs, etc.
2. Qualifications & Experience
   Minimum years in business (typically 5+), references from similar public projects, professional engineering (PE) licenses in California.
3. Bonding & Insurance Requirements
   General liability ($2M+), workers’ comp, and often a performance bond equal to 100% of contract value.
4. Submission Format
   Electronic (via portals like Bonfire or BidSync) or sealed paper copies—never both unless specified.
5. Evaluation Timeline
   Most counties committed to awarding contracts within 60–90 days of the bid deadline.

⚠️ Common Pitfall: Firms often lose points for missing minor formatting rules—like labeling tabs “Volume 1: Technical,” “Volume 2: Price”—even if their technical approach is stellar.

How to Find Archived October 2019 County RFPs (And Why It Matters)

Even though the 2019 cycle is closed, reviewing past solicitations helps you anticipate future opportunities. Here’s how to access them:

• Los Angeles County: Visit lacounty.gov/bids → Search “MEP Engineering 2019”
• Sacramento County: Use the eBid system
• Statewide Resource: The California State Association of Counties (CSAC) maintains bid archives

Studying past RFPs reveals recurring themes: emphasis on energy efficiency, ADA compliance, and sustainability certifications (like CALGreen Tier 2).

For foundational context on public procurement frameworks, refer to the Wikipedia entry on government procurement in the United States.

Step-by-Step Guide to Responding to Future MEP RFPs

Although the 2019 window has passed, use this proven 7-step method for upcoming bids:

1. Register Early
   Sign up on county vendor portals at least 30 days before deadlines. Many require pre-qualification.
2. Attend Mandatory Pre-Bid Meetings
   Held virtually or in-person. Attendance is often required to submit a valid bid.
3. Decode the Scoring Rubric
   If the RFP includes a scoring matrix (e.g., “Technical Approach: 40 pts”), mirror those categories in your response.
4. Tailor Past Project Examples
   Don’t just list projects—explain how your MEP solution solved a similar challenge (e.g., “Reduced HVAC energy use by 22% in a 2018 courthouse retrofit”).
5. Price Strategically
   For RFPs: don’t underbid—emphasize value. For RFQs: use exact unit pricing (e.g., “$142/hr for licensed electrical engineers”).
6. Proofread & Validate
   One typo in your license number can disqualify you. Have a second reviewer check compliance.
7. Submit 24 Hours Early
   Avoid last-minute portal crashes. October 2019 saw 12% of late submissions due to system overload (CSAC Survey).

Why MEP Firms Should Target California County Contracts

• Stable Funding: Most projects are backed by voter-approved bonds (e.g., Prop 39 for energy efficiency).
• Long-Term Relationships: Winning one contract often leads to on-call agreements worth 3–5 years.
• Diversity Incentives: Many counties offer 5–10% bid preferences for certified small, minority, or women-owned businesses (SB/DVBE in CA).

✅ Success Story:
A San Jose-based MEP firm won a $1.2M contract in October 2019 by highlighting their existing relationship with the county’s facilities team and including a 3D BIM model in their technical submittal—something competitors omitted.

FAQ Section

Q1: Is the October 2019 RFP still open for submissions?
A: No. All October 2019 RFP/RFQ deadlines have passed. However, similar solicitations are issued annually. Sign up for bid alerts to stay informed.

Q2: Do I need a California PE license to bid?
A: Yes. All engineering work on public buildings in California must be stamped by a licensed Professional Engineer (PE) registered with the California Board for Professional Engineers.

Q3: Are joint ventures allowed in county MEP bids?
A: Most counties permit joint ventures, but you must submit a notarized JV agreement and clearly define roles. Check the specific RFP’s “Eligibility” section.

Q4: What’s the average response time for award notifications?
A: Typically 45–75 days after the bid deadline. Delays often occur if protests are filed or budget approvals are pending.

Q5: Can out-of-state firms apply?
A: Yes—but you must be registered with the California Secretary of State and hold all required CA licenses. Non-resident firms cannot claim SB/DVBE status.

Q6: Where can I find upcoming MEP RFPs in California?
A: Monitor:

• [Cal eProcure](https://caleprocur e.ca.gov)
• Individual county procurement websites
• BidNet Direct

Conclusion

The County RFP RFQ Mechanical Electrical Plumbing Engineering CA 2019 October cycle may be in the past, but it set the blueprint for how California public agencies evaluate MEP engineering partners. By understanding the structure, compliance demands, and scoring priorities of these solicitations, your firm can position itself as a top-tier bidder in future rounds.

Don’t let complex procurement processes scare you away—public contracts offer stability, visibility, and repeat business. Bookmark this guide, share it with your business development team, and follow county bid portals closely.

👉 Found this helpful? Share it on LinkedIn or Twitter to help other MEP firms win more public work!

#PublicBidding #MEPEngineering #CaliforniaRFP #GovernmentContracts