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REQUEST FOR PROPOSALNovember 19, 2020TO PERFORMCONSULTING SERVICES FOR North Dakota State Freight & Rail PlanSPR-P040(008), PCN 23096William T. PanosDIRECTORNORTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATIONPROPOSALS MUST BE DELIVERED TOSTEVE CUNNINGHAM ENVIRONMENTAL AND TRANSPORTATION SERVICES DIVISIONByNoon Central Time December 10, 2020REQUEST FOR PROPOSALPROJECT OVERVIEWThe North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) is requesting the services of a qualified transportation engineering/planning firm to conduct an update to the North Dakota State Freight and Rail Plans into one combined plan. NDDOT intends to execute one cost plus fixed fee contract requiring monthly billings with the chosen firm. NDDOT reserves the right to assign work in phases and have the firm selected perform any additional work not currently assigned. Project work items may be added or removed from the contract by work authorization or supplementary agreement. Preference will be given to consultant teams whose proposed project team members have already developed FAST Act compliant Freight or Rail Plans in other states, with additional preference given to teams whose project team members have developed scenario-based plans. The awarded consultant is highly encouraged, but not required, to include an experienced market research sub-consultant for the purpose of stakeholder and public outreach during various aspects of the plan’s development.BACKGROUNDNDDOT developed the first North Dakota State Freight Plan () in 2015, with minor updates published in an amendment adopted in December 2017 to incorporate the 2015 Fast Act requirements. ND State Freight Plan Amendment 2 was submitted to FHWA to update the Freight Investment Plan; that amendment was considered compliant and was adopted on September 17, 2020. This plan offers guidance on statewide freight infrastructure and allows NDDOT to spend National Highway Freight Program (NHFP) funding.North Dakota’s current State Rail Plan () was adopted in November 2017. This PRIIA compliant plan sets forth rail’s role within North Dakota and allows for NDDOT to compete for rail grant opportunities. Both plans were coordinated with TransAction III (NDDOT’s State Long Range Transportation Plan), which is in the process of being updated in 2020. The new LRTP is called Transportation Connection () and is anticipated to produce a final plan by the end of 2020. The North Dakota State Freight & Rail Plan will need to incorporate elements from the newly developed LRTP, Transportation Connection.SCOPE OF WORKThe intent of this effort is to develop an updated North Dakota State Freight & Rail Plan to provide guidance for the freight and rail systems and services utilized by North Dakota freight shippers and passengers. The effort will collaboratively establish a shared vision for North Dakota’s freight and rail systems. The plan will provide an assessment of the system offering recommendations for policies, programs, processes, and projects that will improve safety and service. The intent is that this document’s rail plan component would meet the requirements of the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act (PRIIA) of 2008. The document will be used to provide an understanding of existing and projected issues and trends influencing the state’s freight and rail systems from the present year to the year 2045. It will further serve to provide implementable recommendations to enhance North Dakota’s freight and rail systems and services. The Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute (UGPTI) is a transportation research, education, and outreach center within North Dakota. The UGPTI is an available resource for grain elevator data; however, if the selected consultant has other sources of data for freight flows associated with North Dakota, including goods terminating, originating, or passing through the state, that will be acceptable. UGPTI cannot be a party to any proposal.The remaining scope of work items will be completed by the consultant of choice. Update North Dakota’s Freight & Rail PlanDevelop a comprehensive, practical, implementable plan that incorporates and supports NDDOT’s priorities identified in the LRTP and is consistent with NDDOT’s emphasis on asset management.The Freight & Rail Plan will be multimodal in nature to include rail, highway, intermodal, and air cargo transportation. At a minimum, the plan will meet state freight plan criteria outlined in Title 49 U.S. Code Section 70202 and the state rail plan criteria outlined in Title 49 U.S. Code Chapter 227 – State Rail Plans and any other applicable federal regulations.The current Freight and Rail Plans provide high-level guidance, this plan is intended to provide an update to the prior plans and include information regarding stakeholder-identified issues, such as:Origin – Destination (O/D) and/or supply chain analyses to reconfirm freight system designations. Global commodity flows that inform ND shippers and economic developers of potential market opportunities available to them.Identify freight generators and discuss what makes them important, what is located at the site, O/D of products and raw materials supplying them.Freight generators’ needs to improve efficiency critical low-cost improvements especially in rural North Dakota.Truck parking analysis – data identifying where truck parking capacity is deficit and where those vehicles are currently parking to support future competitive grant applications.Identify stakeholder-defined freight performance measures that can be used for future investment prioritization.Refine Critical Urban Freight Corridors in cooperation with North Dakota’s Metropolitan Planning Organizations as identified in the 2017 FAST Act Freight Plan Amendment to the Freight Plan. The 2020 census may generate a fourth MPO; however, that issue will be addressed once the final census is published.And other similar freight or passenger rail matters.Goals, strategies, and actions should be developed through stakeholder input and support from supply chain businesses, modal operators, planning partners, logistics professionals, public officials, the general public, and NDDOT staff. Freight DataThe acquisition of current data with a license for NDDOT’s independent use for at least 5 years will be included with this project.Stakeholder & Public EngagementThe successful team is responsible for providing an updated, stakeholder-supported North Dakota Freight & Rail Plan to NDDOT. Public participation will be consistent with relevant NDDOT public participation requirements including, but not limited to, the NDDOT Design Manual and Title VI and Nondiscrimination program. This shall include, but is not limited to:Lead development of and facilitate the engagement plan resulting in stakeholder support of this project. Innovative, non-traditional methods of stakeholder engagement are encouraged for this plan. Development of this plan will focus on the planning partners and freight stakeholders to identify what is needed to support existing businesses, attract new business, and grow employment and the economy.Draft the plan to educate stakeholders on the movement of freight and rail in the state. The story of North Dakota freight and rail will be a foundational element for this project and will link freight and rail movement to North Dakotan’s jobs, economy, and quality of life. A brief implementable plan with larger appendices covering required portions is one option to accomplish this.Since this plan covers two modal plans with unique federal requirements, a crosswalk that identifies which elements satisfy specific requirements is preferred.Innovation and creativity is highly encouraged throughout the development of the plan, especially in the public participation process. This is particularly appropriate in methods of attracting public audiences, obtaining meaningful public input and in the planning of jurisdictional and public meetings to minimize costs. The consultant is encouraged to consider the use of a project web page, on-line surveys, focus groups, e-mail lists, polling systems, press releases, and social networking media to enhance the public involvement process. Following are the minimum recommended public involvement activities the consultant should consider for budget purposes:Due to the current pandemic, please consider one (1) meeting each for the DAC and PAT (as defined below) to be in-person, the rest of the meetings are anticipated to be held virtually using Microsoft Teams.Director’s Advisory Council (DAC) - A targeted group of executive stakeholders from various organization with intimate knowledge of freight and rail issues will be established to provide detailed input related to the trends, issues, and needs of freight- and rail-transport in North Dakota. This group will meet two to three (2 to 3) times during the development of the plan, with the expressed intent of advising the Project Steering Committee and reviewing draft work products at the Project Steering Committee’s request. Representation will be comprised of the Director of the North Dakota Department of Transportation, numerous state agencies, and representatives selected by the Director.Project Management and Advisory Teams (PMT & PAT) - While NDDOT Planning/Asset Management staff will manage the day-to-day contract execution (Project Management Team), a Project Advisory Team will be established to ensure the executive-level guidance is being translated into the detailed development of the study from the various agency staff level perspectives. This committee will be comprised of NDDOT staff and possibly some representatives from the same agencies noted above and will meet monthly throughout the duration of the project. The consultant should budget for a minimum of 10 committee meetings, coordinated to the greatest extent possible with the Director’s Advisory Council and other meetings to minimize costs. The consultant will present a draft of the North Dakota State Freight & Rail Plan to this team and the Director’s Advisory Council to obtain comment prior to adoption of the document. Stakeholder Involvement - A variety of stakeholder involvement techniques should be considered including a series of mail out or electronic surveys, targeted interviews, or similar activities. Stakeholders should include, for consideration but may not be limited to major shippers, intermodal facilities, freight and passenger rail organizations, labor organizations, intercity bus operators, airlines, airport authorities, port authorities, chambers of commerce, agricultural organizations, oil-development organizations, tourism organizations, tribal governments with rail service, and other public or private entities interested in improving freight and rail safety and service and multi-modal integration in North Dakota. Coordination with neighboring states and provinces as well as North Dakota MPOs, Non-metropolitan areas and local municipalities is an important component of this plan.Public Meetings – The selected consultant will provide an innovative public engagement campaign that both educates and obtains a high level of feedback. Documented Feedback Loop – The North Dakota State Freight & Rail Plan will document all questions, comments, or concerns obtained, as well as identify how questions, comments, or concerns were addressed and/or incorporated into the document.Educational North Dakota Freight and Rail HandoutsThis deliverable will assist NDDOT in telling the story of freight and rail’s importance in North Dakota, by providing opportunities to foster economic and job growth. The intended audience for these leave-behind documents is public officials and the general public.DOCUMENTS WHICH SHOULD BE CONSIDERED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PLANThe following studies, at a minimum, should be reviewed and considered in the development of the North Dakota State Freight & Rail Plan as there may be influence or overlap of efforts between this plan and the following documents. Transportation Connection (NDDOT’s LRTP – currently in development)NDDOT State Freight Plan (2015) and related amendments in 2017 and 2020North Dakota State Rail Plan (2017)UGPTI’s Assessment of ND County and Local Road Needs, 2017-2036 (2016)North Dakota Transportation Handbook (2018)Highway Performance Classification System (HPCS)MPO and Local Jurisdiction Freight PlansNDDOT Vision Zero PlanThe federally required Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP)NDDOT Transportation Asset Management Plan (TAMP)PROJECT SCHEDULEThe project must be completed within 18 months of an approved/signed contract. PROJECT DELIVERABLESThe final product will be a North Dakota State Freight & Rail Plan providing guidance to enhance North Dakota’s freight and rail system service for freight shippers and passengers. Specifically, the final products should include at a minimum:A completed draft study no later than 16 months from the date of a signed contract.This draft must also be reviewed by the Surface Transportation Board for conformance to waybill data confidentiality requirements. If the consultant believes greater review time should be given to the STB, that should be built into the proposed schedule.This draft must be reviewed by FRA and FHWA to ensure PRIIA and FAST Act requirements are met.An approved final plan no later than 18 months from the date of a signed contract or November 1, 2022, whichever is earlier. The final product should include 5 full final copies, 50 executive summaries, a digital copy for the web, and one camera ready copy for future duplication. The executive summary will be highly readable (easy for the general public to understand) and aesthetically pleasing with significant use of infographics.ArcGIS 10.7 compatible shapefile or geodatabase transferable version of any mapping products. Attached with the RFP is the Risk Management Appendix, and background detail of North Dakota’s existing rail and freight systems. NDDOT’s background detail documents include: Highway Performance Classification System, State Rail Plan Brochure, State Freight Plan Executive Summary that includes ND’s State Strategic Freight Systems for Highways, Railroads, Airports, and Pipelines.All design and project data will become the property of NDDOT upon completion of the final submittal. All project information will be generated in the following formats and standards:MS Word and MS ExcelMicroStation SS4 (8.11.09.832) or SS10 (8.11.09.919)GEOPAK SS4 (8.11.09.903) or SS10 (8.11.09.918)OpenRoads Designer CE (10.08.01.33) for Early AdoptersNDDOT CADD ManualMicrosoft “Project”NDDOT Survey and Photogrammetry Manual Chapter 19NDDOT Survey and Photogrammetry Manual Chapter 20NDDOT CADD Editing Manual Chapter 21NDDOT Data Collection Codes and ProceduresNDDOT Design Manual and Plan Preparation Guide WebsiteNDDOT Right of Way ManualAdobe Acrobat (standard or compatible)PROPOSED SUB-CONSULTANT REQUESTSub Consultant firms that have been contacted and agree to be listed on the Prime Consultants Project Proposal for work with NDDOT must submit original form and one copy to be attached to the Prime Consultants Proposal.? This form is used for informational purposes only.? See NDDOT web site for form SFN 60232. ()PRIME CONSULTANT REQUEST TO SUBLETThe successful firm will be required to include the attached ‘Prime Consultant Request to Sublet’ form for each Sub consultant listed on the contract prior to execution of the contract.? The form assures that the contract between the Prime consultant and all Sub consultants contains all the pertinent provisions and requirements of the prime contract with the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT). See NDDOT web site for form SFN 60233. the Prime consultant has a DBE as a sub-consultant then they will also be required to submit SFN 61412-DBE Consultant-Commercially Useful Function (CUF) RIGHTS ?The North Dakota Department of Transportation, in accordance? with the provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (78 Stat. 252, 42 US.C.§§ 2000d to 2000d-4) and the Regulations, ?hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively ?ensure that any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, ?disadvantaged ?business enterprises will be afforded full and fair opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated ?against on the grounds of race, color, or national origin in consideration for an award.DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE (DBE)49 Code of Federal Regulations Part 26 (CFR) states that the consultant, sub recipient, or sub consultant shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, or sex in the performance of this contract. Consultants shall carry out applicable requirements of 49 CFR Part 26 in the solicitation, award, and administration of USDOT-assisted contracts.? Failure by the consultant, to carry out these requirements is a material breach of the contract, which may result in the termination of the contract or such other remedy as the recipient deems appropriate. For information regarding the DBE Program, see the 2016 DBE Program Manual at TITLE VI/NON-DISCRIMINATION AND ADA Title VI assures that no person or group of persons may, on the grounds of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any and all programs or activities administered by the Department.? For information regarding Title VI, see the 2016 Title VI/Nondiscrimination and ADA Program at two paragraphs above apply to every consultant on the project, including every tier of sub consultant. It is the consultant’s, or sub consultant’s responsibility to include the two above paragraphs in every subcontract.EVALUATION AND SELECTION PROCESSFirms interested in performing the work must submit one electronic copy in PDF format. The electronic copy must be submitted prior to the date and time listed on the cover of this RFP to be considered. Late proposals will not be considered.Proposals shall be submitted to: Steve CunninghamEnvironmental and Transportation Services DivisionNDDOT608 East Boulevard AvenueBismarck, ND 58505scunning@ with copies to rjpeck@ and jglasoe@ NDDOT will only consider proposals received prior to the date and time listed on the cover of this Request for Proposal. Late proposals will not be considered. Each proposal shall contain a cover letter signed by an authorized officer who can sign contracts for the firm. The pages of the cover letter will not be counted as a part of the pages. Also include the individuals email address below each signature on the cover letter.The proposal pages shall be numbered and must be limited to ten (10) pages in length. Proposals that exceed the page length requirement will not be considered. This section should contain your approach and project specific plan.The consultant’s proposal shall include an appendix. The appendix may include updated Federal form 330 if you do not have one on file with CAS. The pages in the appendix will not be counted as a part of the pages. The appendix shall include the following in this order:Appendix AA schedule for the project. If accepted, the schedule will be included as part of the contract.Appendix BA staffing plan identifying the key project personnel (including titles, education, and work experience) and the respective roles and responsibilities for the project.Appendix CProject Specific QC/QA Plan including checklists, persons, responsibilities, proposed submittals and reviews, and DOT response timelines. The QC/QA Plan will be reviewed by the NDDOT and, if accepted, become part of the project after the contract has been signed. Appendix DSub-consultants and associated activities to be completed by the sub-consultants. Attach proposed sublet form SFN 60232 for each sub at the end of this section. Each proposal will be evaluated by a selection committee consisting of NDDOT staff members and/or representatives. NDDOT reserves the right to limit the interviews to a minimum of three firms whose proposals most clearly meet the RFP requirements. Firms not selected to be interviewed will be notified in writing. Selection will be based on the following criteria:Weight 10% i. Past performance 20% ii. Qualifications of professional personnel 10% iii. Willingness to meet time and budget requirements 5% iv. Project Schedule 10% v. Recent, current, and projected workloads of the persons and/or firms 20% vi. Related experience on similar projectsAdditional consideration will be given to firms that have experience developing Freight and/or Rail Plans for states comparable to North Dakota, from a socio-economic perspective 5% vii. Recent and current work for the agency 20% viii. Project understanding, issues, approach, and innovation 5 ix. DBE: Up to 5 points may be awarded for good faith efforts to utilize DBEs in case of tied scoresWeights for each criteria are assigned independently for each specific project by CAS and the Project Technical Representative. Maximum total weight is 100 points. 5 additional points may be awarded for good faith efforts to utilize DBE’s in the event of a tie.Consultants are strongly encouraged to use DBE sub consultant services where applicable. The proposal must contain a list of any tasks that may be let to sub consultants should the consultant be awarded the contract. It must also contain the specific good faith efforts made by the consultant, to achieve DBE participation, in the areas intended for sub-consulting. Consultant interviews will include questions regarding good faith efforts (see 49 CFR Part 26, Appendix A: Guidance Concerning Good Faith Efforts, Paragraph IV. A-H) to achieve DBE participation. DBE participation will be a consideration during the negotiation stage of each contract. The proposal should address the following:-Names of anticipated project manager and other key members who will be performing the work and their responsibilities;-Current assignments and location of key members and whether these key current assignments will be in conflict with the ability to address the work;-Qualifications and relevant individual project experience, including sub-consultants;-Experience as a team on similar projects; and-Project Manager’s experience with similar projects.RIGHT OF REJECTIONThe North Dakota Department of Transportation reserves the right to reject any or all proposals.DISCLOSURE OF PROPOSALAt the conclusion of the selection process, the contents of the short-listed proposals will be subject to North Dakota's Open Records Law and may be open to inspection by interested parties. Any information included in the proposal that the proposing party believes to be a trade secret or proprietary information must be clearly identified in the proposal. Any identified information recognized as such and protected by law may be exempt from disclosure. RISK MANAGEMENT FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICESThe Risk Management Appendix/Addendum will be incorporated into the agreement between NDDOT and the consultant. Firms must be able to provide a proper Certificate of Insurance within 15 days of notification of Selection. AUDITConsulting firms proposing to do work for the NDDOT must have a current audit rate no older than 12 months from the close of the firm’s Fiscal Year. Firms that do not meet this requirement will not qualify to propose or contract for NDDOT projects until the requirement is met. Firms that have submitted all the necessary information to the NDDOT and are waiting for the completion of the audit will be qualified to submit proposals for work. Information submitted by a firm that is incomplete will not qualify. Out of state firms can submit a current accepted FARS audit rate from a cognizant agency. Under certain conditions NDDOT may offer a Safe Harbor Rate of 110% to firms that do not have a compliant rate.CONSULTANT EMAIL CONTACTSIf necessary, please update contact information for receiving RFPs via email ................
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