DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Fresno Area Express Q Handy Ride
SELECTION COMMITTEE REPORT
Request for Qualifications 12502218
For
Planning & Design Services For
Hydrogen Infrastructure & Facility Master Plan
August 2025
Prepared by:
Orie Rubalcava, Projects Administrator
Department of Transportation/Fresno Area Express
2223 G Street
Fresno CA, 93706
City of Fresno RFQ 12502218
Department of Transportation Hydrogen Infrastructure & Facility Master Plan I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Department of Transportation/Fresno Area Express (FAX) aims to transition and expand its operations through the addition of zero emission vehicles and modernization of its facilities. These efforts are in line with FAX’s obligations under California’s Innovative Clean Transit (ICT) regulation and Alliance for Renewable Clean Hydrogen Energy Systems (ARCHES) program. The planning activities will support FAX’s effort to identify needs, modernize infrastructure to meet current and future operational demands, address community needs, and competitively position FAX for funding opportunities.
FAX released a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) on April 30, 2025, seeking qualified firms to provide a comprehensive planning study for a hydrogen fueling facility and an updated facility master plan for existing infrastructure. FAX utilized the following criteria to assess proposals:
• Presentation on Approach to Work [35%]
• Qualifications of Key Personnel [30%]
• Past Performance and Experience [30%]
• References [5%]
On June 30, 2025, FAX received five (5) proposals which were reviewed and deliberated by the Selection Committee. Presentations by the proposers were held with the Selection Committee. The results of the Selection Committee’s evaluation are as follows:
Overall Scoring
Black & Veatch Stantec STV GFT WSP
80.81 82.14 60.01 77.33 84.37
As WSP received the highest average score, the Selection Committee recommends WSP for award of RFQ 125002218, Planning & Design Services for Hydrogen Infrastructure & Facility Master Plan.
City of Fresno RFQ 12502218
Department of Transportation Hydrogen Infrastructure & Facility Master Plan II. COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND FACILITATORS
SHARLEE FLORES Committee Chair (Non-Voting)
FRANK PETER Committee Member (Voting)
DREW WILSON Committee Member (Voting)
DANIEL COLBERT Committee Member (Voting)
RAY RAMOS Committee Member (Voting)
AUBREE STAPP Committee Member (Voting)
ORIE RUBALCAVA Advisor (Non-Voting)
III. SIGNIFICANT EVENTS
April 30, 2025 – Solicitation Posted
June 26, 2025 – Committee Meeting
June 30, 2025 – Proposals Due
July 30, 202 – Black & Veatch Presentation
July 30, 2025 – Stantec Presentation
August 1, 2025 – STV Presentation
August 1, 2025 – GFT Presentation
August 1, 2025 – WSP Presentation
August 4, 2025 – Committee Meeting
August 7, 2025 – Committee Meeting
August 11, 2025 – Finalized Ranking and Requested WSP Cost Proposal August 21, 2025 – Finalized Negotiations
September 25, 2025 – Award Recommendation Sent to City Council
IV. EVALUATION CRITERIA
The Selection Committee evaluated the proposal based on four (4) categories:
Presentation on Approach to Work: [35%]
After proposals are opened, each proposer will be scheduled for an in-person or virtual presentation to describe their approach to the Statement of Work and the benefits to the proposed approach. Any proposer who does not provide a presentation will be found non-responsive.
City of Fresno RFQ 12502218
Department of Transportation Hydrogen Infrastructure & Facility Master Plan Qualification of Key Personnel: [30%]
Technical experience in performing work of a closely similar nature; experience working with public agencies; experience in proving specifically this type of service, strength and stability of the firm; strength, stability, experience, and technical competence of sub-consultants; assessment by client references; references with demonstrated success in providing similar services.
Past Performance and Experience: [30%]
What is the Contractor’s experience and history in planning services for hydrogen infrastructure and Facility Master Plans relevant to FAX’s needs, including a description of direct experience on projects of similar size, scope, complexity, and references?
References [5%]
The Proposer shall provide a minimum of three (3) references. For each reference, provide the agency name, address, contact person, telephone number and email address. FAX reserves the right to contact references provided by the Proposer and solicit additional references to determine best value.
PRESENTATION ON APPROACH TO WORK
Committee Notes
Proposer Comments Overall Score
WSP The firm provided a well-organized and detailed
presentation addressing every aspect of work to
be accomplished and how it relates to the
special considerations listed in the RFQ.
29.40 Stantec The firm provided a well-organized and detailed presentation addressing every aspect of work to
be accomplished and how it relates to the
special considerations listed in the RFQ.
28.65 Black & Veatch The firm provided a well-organized and detailed presentation addressing every aspect of work to
be accomplished and how it relates to the
special considerations listed in the RFQ.
28.22 GFT The firm provided a high-level overview on its approach to the work that addressed every
aspect of the project.
27.13 STV The firm provided a high-level overview on its approach to the work that addressed nearly
every aspect of the project.
20.34 City of Fresno RFQ 12502218
Department of Transportation Hydrogen Infrastructure & Facility Master Plan
QUALIFICATIONS OF KEY PERSONNEL
Committee Notes
Proposer Comments Overall Score
WSP The proposed key staff were composed of
individuals with excellent qualifications that
directly relate to the work FAX seeks to
undertake.
25.98 Stantec The proposed key staff were composed of
individuals with excellent qualifications that
directly relate to the work FAX seeks to
undertake.
25.59 Black & Veatch The proposed key staff were composed of individuals with excellent qualifications that
directly relate to the work FAX seeks to
undertake.
24.87 GFT The proposed key staff were composed of
individuals with strong qualifications that directly
relate to the work FAX seeks to undertake.
23.81 STV The proposed key staff were composed of
individuals with strong qualifications that directly
relate to the work FAX seeks to undertake.
19.92 PAST PERFORMANCE AND EXPERIENCE
Committee Notes
Proposer Comments Overall Score
WSP The firm’s past performance greatly relates to
the work FAX is seeking to undertake.
25.83 Stantec The firm’s past performance greatly relates to the work FAX is seeking to undertake.
25.14 Black & Veatch The firm’s past performance greatly relates to the work FAX is seeking to undertake.
24.76 GFT The firm’s past performance greatly relates to the work FAX is seeking to undertake.
23.19 STV The firm’s past performance relates directly to the work FAX is seeking to undertake.
17.09 City of Fresno RFQ 12502218
Department of Transportation Hydrogen Infrastructure & Facility Master Plan
REFERENCES
Committee Notes
Proposer Comments Overall Score
WSP The firm’s references provided positive feedback
that was relevant to the project that FAX will be
undertaking.
3.16 Stantec The firm’s references provided positive feedback that was relevant to the project that FAX will be
undertaking.
3.16 Black & Veatch The firm’s references provided positive feedback that was relevant to the project that FAX will be
undertaking.
2.96 GFT The firm’s references provided positive feedback that was relevant to the project that FAX will be
undertaking.
3.18 STV The firm’s references provided positive feedback that was relevant to the project that FAX will be
undertaking.
2.66 V. NEGOTIATIONS
As a result of federal funding, FAX is required to employ qualifications-based selection in accordance with the Brook’s Act and negotiate profit with the highest ranked proposal. After review of WSP’s cost proposal, the committee requested an adjustment to a subcontractor’s profit, which the WSP’s subcontractor agreed to. FAX agreed to changing payments from milestone to monthly.
VI. RECOMMENDATION
After independent evaluation of the proposals and group deliberation, the Selection Committee determined that WSP USA Inc. meets the interest of the City and the objectives of the project. The committee recommends awarding the professional services contract to WSP USA Inc.