It is actually standard that on this sort of contract the Price is only part (50% or less) of the award point scoring. Past Experience, Preliminary Design, etc etc all weigh as much as price.
Yes, and you need a good safety record as well. I’m a one man survey crew subcontractor. I have staked about 40 miles in Arizona on 6 or so projects 2008 to 2017. My client and I bid on 7 miles of replacement at Naco, AZ in August, and started in December with 30% plans.
The drainage improvements are expensive. Sheetpiles are a new item.