Volume 43 - Issue 33 - August 15, 2024

State of Kansas

Department of Transportation

Request for Proposals

Notice to Consulting Firms

The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) is seeking a qualified consulting firm or team of firms to perform professional services for the project(s) described in Table 1 below. Interested consultants must submit a proposal as laid out herein by 12:00 p.m. (Central Time) August 28, 2024, to be considered for selection.

Consultant Prequalification

Interested consulting firms must be prequalified by KDOT or otherwise demonstrate qualification in the following category(s):

• 201 – Location and Design Concept Studies/Corridor Studies
• 211 – Highway Design–Major Facility
• 222 – Standard Span Bridge Design
• 231 – Traffic Control Analysis and Design
• 325 – Hydraulic and Hydrologic Studies
• 401 – Landscape Seeding and Erosion Control

If a firm is not currently prequalified by KDOT in any of the required categories, a proposal may still be submitted. Firms not prequalified must also provide documentation that demonstrates the firm is qualified for each specified category listed in this solicitation for the project. Firms must use the KDOT prequalification form to provide this documentation. KDOT 1050 Prequalification Category Definitions (Blue Book) can be found at http://www.ksdot.org/descons.asp. Consultants may create a team to meet the prequalification requirements. All firms doing business with KDOT must be registered and in good standing under the laws of the State of Kansas at the time of contracting and must comply with applicable state and federal laws, rules, and regulations.

Table 1: Background and Scope of Project
Project Number	Background and Scope of Project
KA-7392-01	This project is the reconstruction of 14 miles of US-75, between Holton, Kansas and K-20 to a 4-lane expressway. It includes the removal and replacement of four (4) bridges. Services associated with this Request for Proposals are for Discovery Phase and Preliminary Engineering only, with an option to continue the contract through Final Design. This project will require a value engineering study to be completed. A separate value engineering Request for Proposals will be issued.

Table 2: Project Summary
Project Number	Route and Scope	Length (mi)	Project Termini
KA-7392-01	075-043 Reconstruction to 4-lane Expressway	14	US-75 in Jackson County
Project Number	Structure BR#, Structure Scope, Structure Size and Type
KA-7392-01	Bridge 0043-B0029 Structure Type/Size: 3-Span (65’-66’-65’) Prestr Conc Girders 199’L x 51.7’W (1993 constr) Scope: TBD Bridge 0043-B0030 Structure Type/Size: 3-Span (50’-51’-50’) Prestr Conc Girders 153.5’L x 51.5’W (1993 constr) Scope: TBD Bridge 0043-B0025 Structure Type/Size: 3-Span (55’-77’-55’) Cont Steel Beams 190’L x 44’W (1986 constr) Scope: TBD Bridge 0043-B0007 Structure Type/Size: 4-Span (60’-84’-84’-60’) RCDG Rigid Frame 290.5’L x 44’W (1952 constr/1986 widen) Scope: TBD

Anticipated Consultant Scope

KDOT anticipates the following to be included in the consultant’s scope:

• Discovery Phase:
  • Analysis of impacts of 2-lane to 4-lane expansion.
  • HSM quantitative safety analysis, including use of KDOT’s LWSW/PBPD tool.
  • Identify priority segments and improvements for a phased approach to construction projects along the study corridor.
  • A summary report detailing the analysis, alternatives, costs, and recommendations.
• NEPA.
• Structural improvement needs, if any, will be identified during the Discovery Phase.
• Public Outreach and Stakeholder Engagement:
  • Develop Stakeholder Engagement Plan:
  • Identify list of stakeholder groups. At a minimum, the stakeholder groups will include:
  • Political subdivisions including cities and counties.
  • Businesses.
  • Property owners.
  • Outline targeted outreach for each stakeholder group which may include brochures, media releases, fact sheets, presentations, and public meeting boards.
  • Outreach may also occur using technology including virtual public meetings, infographics, social media, and websites.
  • Develop and Implement Public Outreach Effort:
    • Identify appropriate opportunities to engage public and gather input.
    • Outreach efforts could include a wide range of materials including:
      • Brochures.
      • Media releases.
      • Fact sheets.
    • Outline targeted outreach for each stakeholder group which may include brochures, media releases, fact sheets, presentations, and public meeting boards.
    • Outreach may also occur using technology including virtual public meetings, infographics, social media, and websites.
    • Develop and Implement Public Outreach Effort:
      • Identify appropriate opportunities to engage public and gather input.
      • Outreach efforts could include a wide range of materials including:
        • Brochures.
        • Media releases.
        • Fact sheets.
        • Presentations.
        • Public meeting boards.
        • Document all stakeholder engagement and public outreach efforts.
• Grant Application Support:
  • Data collection and review.
  • Identify strategies for maximum points.
  • Prepare cost estimates as needed.
  • Coordinate with KDOT for required information.
  • Draft support letters for public, elected and appointed officials, stakeholders and other relevant entities as identified by KDOT and advance the application.
  • Establish application schedule.
  • Coordinate and lead meetings.
  • Consultant shall prepare the grant application based on NOFO requirements.
  • Provide tables and graphics as necessary.
  • Provide final draft grant documents for review that will be coordinated with the Grant Lead, project team and others that are relevant in the process.

KDOT, at the Secretary’s discretion, reserves the right to retain for subsequent phases of design and consulting services the consultant selected to provide services associated with this Request for Proposals. Scope in subsequent phases will likely include, but is not limited to, plan development through preliminary and final design as well as construction phase services.

Activities performed by KDOT include:

• Engineering Survey.
• Development of Existing Right of Way.
• Geotechnical Services:
  • Soil Investigations.
  • Bridge Foundation Geology.
  • Pavement Field Investigation and Design.
  • Surfacing Recommendations.
• Environmental Services:
  • Lead Paint Testing.
  • Permit Application.
  • Permits will include NPDES – Storm Water Runoff Permit for which KDOT will need from consultant:
    • Total project site area in acres.
    • Total disturbed area in acres (from Seeding Plans).
    • Impervious area in square feet (existing and proposed).
    • Above information needs to be provided by consultant (90) days prior to letting.

Anticipated Schedule and Key Dates

1. Proposals are due by or before 12:00 p.m. (Central Time) August 28, 2024.
2. Ranking of proposals is expected to occur on or around September 4, 2024. Negotiations with the most highly ranked firm are expected to begin on or around September 25, 2024. An executed agreement is anticipated around October 9, 2024.
3. The program fiscal year for this project is FY2026 (July 2025–June 2026).

Discovery Phase anticipated to last 12-18 months

Instructions for Proposal

1. No cost or pricing information shall be submitted with the proposal. Proposals including cost or pricing information will be considered non-responsive and withdrawn from further consideration.
2. The consultant’s proposal must not exceed 5 pages total (including any cover letter, index, etc.). All pages shall be standard letter size (8.5” x 11”). Any page larger than standard letter size will be counted as two or more pages depending on size.
3. A single PDF (10 MB maximum size) of the proposal must be uploaded to the appropriate bid form on Bid Express by the proposal due date and time.
4. The proposal PDF file name must read:
   1. “KA-7392-01_US-75 Expressway Expansion FIRM NAME”
5. The proposal must be accompanied by Special Attachments No. 8 (“Tax Clearance Certificate”), No. 10 (“Policy Regarding Sexual Harassment”), and No. 12 (“Certification of Company Not Currently Engaged in the Procurement or Obtainment of Certain Equipment, Services, or Systems”). If you need a Tax Clearance Certificate, you can request one at https://www.ksrevenue.gov/taxclearance.html. Allow 2-3 business days for processing. Both attachments are required for every firm involved in a multi-consultant team. Upload these files as instructed in Bid Express.
6. The outline in Table 3 below describes the expected proposal organization and content sections.
7. Depending on the number and quality of responses received, KDOT anticipates shortlisting (based on proposals) and holding interviews prior to final selection (which may be based on both proposal and interview content). If KDOT deems interviews to be necessary, interview details and requirements and evaluation criteria for the interview will be distributed to shortlisted consultant teams in advance.
8. Table 4 lists the evaluation criteria and associated weights which will be used to shortlist respondents and may be considered in final selection.

Table 3: Proposal Content
Section	Description of Intent	Page Limit
Cover Letter		1 Page
Project Approach	Demonstrate a unique approach to accomplish the design efficiently and to a high standard. Include cost-effective and optimized solutions to address the anticipated improvements in the design. Include unique qualifications or experience related to the project approach.
Approach to Schedule	Describe the approach to accomplish the scope of services within the schedule requirements. Include anticipated key milestone dates and availability of staff.
Approach to Quality Control	Describe methods or procedures your firm will use to provide all drawings, reports and other services with professional quality and technical accuracy.
Qualifications and Experience	For key personnel to be assigned to the project provide names, office location, qualifications, education, training, and expertise. Identify their area(s) of responsibility and percent of their time dedicated to the project. List work for which you do not have in-house capability and name the firm you propose to subcontract with.
Past Performance	Describe team’s past performance with respect to ability to meet project schedules; quality of work; and ability to control costs on similar transportation projects, especially those performed for KDOT. Include three references and contact information.
Familiarity with KDOT and Project Area	Describe team’s familiarity with KDOT’s design process and standards. Describe familiarity with the project area and any identified special site conditions.

Table 4: Evaluation Factors
Evaluation Factor	Weight
Qualifications and experience of project manager and other key project team members proposed for services	20%
Project approach	20%
Approach and commitment to meet advertised schedule	5%
Past performance history for similar projects/services for KDOT	15%
Understanding of the project area	10%
Approach to quality control	10%
Knowledge of the NEPA process	10%
Demonstrated understanding of nature and scope of project	10%

Contract Terms and Conditions

A standard KDOT agreement for engineering and technical services will be used for professional services projects. The following special attachments will need to be provided by the selected consultant and all subconsultants with the signed work order following negotiations and will become attachments to the contract.

• Special Attachment No. 8 (“Tax Clearance Certificate”)
• Special Attachment No. 10 (“Policy Regarding Sexual Harassment”)
• Special Attachment No. 12 (“Certification of Company Not Currently Engaged in the Procurement or Obtainment of Certain Equipment, Services, or Systems”)

Special Contract Conditions

This project will be managed by the IKE PMC.

Questions

All questions regarding this Request for Proposals shall be submitted via Q&A section of bid form in Bid Express.

Questions can be submitted until August 15, 2024; answers will be provided to all prequalified consultants on August 22, 2024.

Calvin Reed
Secretary
Department of Transportation

Doc. No. 052374