Volume 44 - Issue 10 - March 6, 2025

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) March 26, 2025, 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
• 221 – Non-Standard Span Bridge Design
• 222 – Standard Span Bridge Design
• 231 – Traffic Control Analysis and Design
• 301 – Land Surveying
• 302 – Engineering Surveying
• 325 – Hydraulic and Hydrologic Studies
• 401 – Landscape Seeding and Erosion Control

Right of Way Services former category 336, is no longer a prequalified category and not listed in the new blue book, this project however does require those services. Here are the qualifications that must be demonstrated to be considered qualified.

Right of Way Services

Development of the Existing Highway Right of Way Features and Preparation the proposed Highway Right of Way. The Bureau of Right of Way will assist in the activities between the consultant and the Bureau of Design to expedite the consultant’s development of the existing highway right features and preparation of the legal description for the proposed highway right of way. The consultant shall use the electronic data processing techniques in design and plan preparation and said data files shall be organized as described in KDOT’s “Graphic Standards Manuals,” delivered Intergraph’s CADD files in the most current version of Microstation; and conform with the standard practices as described in the “Bureau of Right of Way – Engineering Section Manual.”

The Bureau of Right of Way will provide the consultant (if not turnkey) with the following items as they become available in the course of the project development: Field Survey notes, project plans, strip map with tracts enumerated, certificates of title, available graphic files in the form of an Intergraph CADD design file in the current version of Microstation, and at the proper time, coordination with the Bureau of Design for establishing final right of way.

Qualifications

The consultant must be staffed with a licensed land surveyor from the State of Kansas who is directly responsible for the services.

Firms will need to present their qualifications for this category on the two-page KDOT Consultant qualification form, included with this Request for Proposals.

For the listed blue book categories, 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 https://www.ksdot.gov/doing-business/design-consultants/design-consultant-prequalification. 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-7155-01	This project will identify the need for an interchange, overpass, and/or connector roads on K-254 at the intersection of Rock, Webb, and Greenwich Roads. Services associated with this Request for Proposals are for Discovery Phase only, with an option to continue the contract through Final Design.

Table 2: Project Summary
Project Number	Route and Scope	Project Termini
KA-7155-01	254-87 Interchange, Overpass, and Connector Roads	Beginning half mile west of K-254 and Rock Road east to Greenwich Road
Project Number	Structure BR#, Structure Scope, Structure Size and Type
KA-7155-01	Bridge 0087-B0213 Existing Structure – 3x10’x7’x178’ Reinforced Concrete Box Culvert (RCB) Scope: Unknown Culvert 0087-C0564 Existing Structure – 2x6’x3’x54’ Reinforced Concrete Box Culvert (RCB) Scope: Unknown

Anticipated Consultant Scope

KDOT anticipates the following to be included in the selected consultant’s scope: Discovery Phase Services including preliminary concepts alternatives, travel demand forecasting, traffic analysis and traffic engineering, NEPA, public outreach and stakeholder engagement.

Current expectations for consultant scope are more defined below. The scope included may not be all-inclusive. A scoping meeting will take place after consultant selection is made to further define tasks for inclusion.

• Project Discovery:
  • Travel demand forecasting, traffic analysis, and traffic engineering.
  • Development of several concept alternatives.
  • Assessment of cultural and environmental constraints.
  • Evaluation and screening of concept alternatives.
• Grant Application Support:
  • Data collection and review.
  • Identify strategies to maximize points awarded to the grant application.
  • 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 in advance of the application.
  • Establish application schedule.
  • Coordinate and lead grant preparation meetings.
  • Prepare grant application based upon Notice of Funding requirements.
  • Provide tables and graphics as necessary.
  • Provide preliminary and final grant documents for review.
• Road Design:
  • Discovery Phase including NEPA – Break in Access.
  • Visit the project site location.
  • Subsequent phases may include:
    • Utility Coordination.
    • Develop plans to Materials and Research.
    • Develop Preliminary Plans to Field Check.
    • Develop Office Check Plans.
    • Design, and roadside safety analysis.
    • Develop Final Plans for Construction.
    • Perform roadway geometric design, drainage design, and roadside safety.
• Bridge Design:
  • Discovery Phase.
  • Subsequent phases may include:
    • The consultant will propose and evaluate different framing layouts for review and acceptance by the KDOT Bridge Office; focus shall be to minimize disruption to the site and facilitate efficient construction to minimize impacts to K-254.
    • Develop Preliminary Plans to Field Check.
    • Perform hydraulic analysis and determine type, size and location of proposed replacement structures.
    • Final Design.
• Traffic Engineering:
  • Discovery Phase.
  • Subsequent phases may include:
    • Develop permanent signing and pavement marking plans.
    • Develop Traffic Control Plans.
    • Develop Traffic Management Plan (TMP).
• Transportation Planning:
  • Determine present and future traffic projections for adjacent interchanges using the current Flint Hills travel demand model.
  • Estimate truck traffic using the Flint Hills travel demand model and KDOT’s traffic flow maps.
  • Work with the city/county on land-use developments that may not be reflected in the model.
  • Develop both daily and AM/PM peak hour traffic for base/future year traffic for the study area.
  • Level-of-Service analysis using either Synchro/SimTraffic, HCS, or VISSIM.
  • Data collection of present traffic (counts) as needed or deemed necessary. Data collection of present traffic (counts) as needed or deemed necessary.
  • Coordinate information with the Transportation Planning Forecasting Group.
• Public Outreach and Stakeholder Engagement:
  • This project has been assigned a Level 2 Classification for public involvement efforts based upon an anticipated number of interested project partners. The standards for a Level 2 Project include:
    • PI Specialist creates the Community Engagement Plan (in collaboration with District communication).
    • Community Engagement Event Plans are developed based on outreach strategy in CE Plan.
    • A project identity is created using the IKE-at-Work logo and templates.
    • A project webpage is hosted the KDOT/IKE website.
    • KDOT District existing social media accounts are used to distribute project information.

Additionally, the public outreach effort should include multiple opportunities to engage the public and gather input.

Activities Performed by KDOT include:

• Geotechnical Services:
  • Soil investigations.
  • Bridge foundation geology.
  • Pavement field investigation and design.
  • Surfacing recommendations.
• Environmental Services:
  • Lead paint testing.
  • Permit application.

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 traffic engineering.

Anticipated Schedule and Key Dates

1. Proposals are due by or before 12:00 p.m. (Central Time) March 26, 2025.
2. Ranking of proposals is expected to occur on or around March 5, 2025. Negotiations with the most highly ranked firm are expected to begin on or around March 17, 2025. An executed agreement is anticipated around April 8, 2025.
3. The program fiscal year for this project is FY2032 (July 2031–June 2032).

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 the page limit laid out in Table 3 below (including any cover letter, index, etc.). Page limit includes the requested Consultant Qualification Form for removed category(s). 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-7155-01_K-254 Rock & Webb Rd 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.org/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
Qualification Form for Removed Category(s)	Fill out the “Consultant Qualification Form” for the indicated removed category(s) and submit with your proposal. Description of category indicated on page 1 of RFP.	2 Pages per each Removed Category
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.	2 Pages
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.	2 Pages
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	15%
Project approach	25%
Approach and commitment to meet advertised schedule	10%
Past performance history for similar projects/services for KDOT	10%
Understanding of the project area	10%
Innovation/Creativity in solutions	15%
Knowledge of the NEPA process	5%
Approach to quality control	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 KDOT PM.

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 March 13, 2025; answers will be provided to all prequalified consultants on March 20, 2025.

See KDOT Consultant qualification form within the following pages to complete for the removed category, also will be uploaded to Bid Express.

Calvin Reed
Secretary
Department of Health and Environment

Doc. No. 052911