Co-Development Agreement (CDA) RFQ

The California High-Speed Rail Authority (“Authority”) will enter into a Co-Development Agreement (“CDA”) with up to two qualified Co-Development Partners (a “CDP”) to further advance commercial, technical and financial solutions for the phased delivery of the California High-Speed Rail Program (“Program”) that will best achieve the Program goals.

This procurement strategy seeks to engage up to two private partners to evaluate opportunities to leverage private sector innovation, expertise, capital, and efficiency in design, construction, systems integration, finance, operations, and maintenance for one or more segments or elements of the Program.

In collaboration with the CDP, the strategy aims to develop a flexible, phased delivery solution offering multiple delivery method options and appropriately tailored risk and responsibility allocation. Additionally, it seeks to accelerate schedules and simplify administration through a master developer approach, while maximizing competition by requiring the CDP to conduct competitive procurements (in collaboration with the Authority) for key subcontracts under each Development Agreement package as directed by the Authority or required by state or federal law.

The CDA will establish a framework for a collaboration and negotiations process for the Authority and the CDP to identify potential packages for development from concepts to full public-private partnership agreement(s).

Tentative Schedule

• Release of RFQ: December 2025
• SOQ Due Date: Q1 2026
• Announcement of Preferred Respondent: Q1/Q2 2026
• Commence Limited Negotiations of CDA: Q1/Q2 2026
• Complete Limited Negotiations of CDA: Q1/Q2 2026
• Award and Execution of CDAs: Q2 2026

Procurement Approach

The Authority will issue a single solicitation document (“Request for Qualifications” or “RFQ”). The RFQ will contain a description of the opportunity and instructions to Respondents, including a description of the selection process and evaluation criteria.

Each Respondent team must include a lead developer, equity members, a lead A&E firm, and a train operator.

Interested parties will be invited to submit a statement of qualifications (“Statement of Qualifications” or “SOQ”). The Authority will evaluate responsive SOQs received from interested parties (each a “Respondent”) and rank up to three qualified Respondents, ultimately selecting up to two “Preferred Respondents.” Each Preferred Respondent will be invited to enter limited negotiations with the Authority for a CDA for the Co-Development Work.

Authority’s Small Business Program

Visit the Authority’s Small Business Program webpage for information, including a program overview, certifications we recognize, how to get certified, access to our vendor registry, and more.

Conflict of Interest

To avoid organizational conflicts of interest, prime firm(s) awarded the CDA RFQ cannot also be awarded contracts that create an organizational conflict of interest.

If you have questions about potential organizational conflicts of interest, please review the Authority’s Organizational Conflict of Interest Policy at the following link and submit queries and/or a request for an Organizational Conflict of Interest determination to the Authority’s Chief Counsel at legal@hsr.ca.gov, expressly referencing the CDA RFQ.