0092-0689 0167-0108 Solicitation Letter.pdf

2800 Berlin Turnpike P.O. Box 317546 Newington, CT 06131-7546 860-594-2680

CT.GOV/DOT

August 26, 2026

To: Interested Construction Firms

Subject: Request for Qualifications (RFQ)

State Project Nos. 0092-0689 and 0167-0108 Route 15 Interchange 46 Improvements and Heroes Tunnel Hamden, Woodbridge and New Haven, CT

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is seeking to engage a contractor to execute a Construction Manager/General Contractor (CM/GC) contract for preconstruction services and construction of the subject projects.

The contract scope will include, but is not limited to, preconstruction services and construction phase services to deliver and construct the projects, including improvements to correct existing deficiencies, enhance safety, improve travel, and facilitate long-term maintenance at the Heroes Tunnel and Interchange 46. During preconstruction, the contractor will support the design effort led by CTDOT and its two (2) Designers of Record through constructability reviews, means and methods input, cost estimating, scheduling, risk identification, and recommendation and evaluation of innovative approaches.

For the Heroes Tunnel improvements, the work is anticipated to include replacement of the concrete tunnel liner, fire protection and life safety system upgrades, and improvements to existing structural, mechanical, and electrical systems. NFPA 502 is being used to guide the recommended scope of work.

For the Route 15 Interchange 46 improvements, the work is anticipated to include installation of acceleration and deceleration lanes to improve safety, mobility, and connectivity on Route 15, and its connections with Route 69 and Route 63. The projects will relocate the existing Route 15 northbound on-ramp to a new loop ramp. To accommodate the interchange improvements, Bridge No. 00771 (carrying Route 15 over Route 63) will be replaced with a new structure and Bridge No. 00772 (carrying Route 15 over Route 69 and the West River) will undergo superstructure replacement and widening.

The Route 15 profile will be raised to improve vertical clearance beneath both structures. Retaining walls are also anticipated to minimize impacts to adjacent properties and regulated areas. The contractor will support these elements through preconstruction phase services, including, but not limited to, constructability review, staging and traffic control strategies, evaluation of alternative construction approaches, and other services as requested by CTDOT.

Goals for the projects will be:

• Address structural deficiencies and improve safety within the tunnel and at Route 15 Interchange

46 while meeting current design and safety standards.

• Minimize impacts to the traveling public, adjacent property owners, and businesses during construction.

Docusign Envelope ID: 314FFAA8-35AD-88A9-811C-2E55CC914C10

Newington, CT 06131-7546 860-594-2680

CT.GOV/DOT

• Optimize the construction schedule to reduce overall duration to the extent practicable.

• Collaborate with CTDOT and the Designers of Record during design development to control construction cost and minimize change orders.

• Deliver the projects within the established budget.

• Engage a Contractor with demonstrated experience delivering complex tunnel, bridge, roadway, and traffic management improvements.

All interested parties must comply with the document entitled “Construction Manager/General Contractor Request for Qualifications” for State project Nos. 0092-0689 and 0167-0108, Route 15 Interchange 46 Improvements and Heroes Tunnel in Hamden, Woodbridge and New Haven, CT.

In accordance with the provisions of the Construction Contract Bidding and Award Manual, bidders must be prequalified for Group No. 7 (Road Construction and Rehabilitation: Limited Access Highways/Freeways) to be eligible to bid on this contract. Bidders that are not prequalified for this work classification will not be approved to bid on this contract.

In view of the complexity of these projects, and in accordance with the provisions of the Construction Contract Bidding and Award Manual, bidders and/or subcontractors must also be prequalified for Group No. 9 (Intermediate Bridges) and Group No. 15 (Intelligent Transportation Systems [ITS]) to be eligible to work on this contract. The firm which performs work under these work classifications shall be CTDOT prequalified for that classification as part of the bidder and/or subcontractor approval.

The CTDOT prequalification link can be found below:

https://contractorprequalification.dot.ct.gov/

It is anticipated that a Project Labor Agreement (PLA) will be required for this Contract.

Construction firms and/or teams interested in participating in the selection process that do not hold the prequalification stated above should initiate the prequalification process as soon as possible.

Contractors need to be prequalified by September 24, 2026.

The RFQ document is located on the Bid Express® website at (www.bidexpress.com). CTDOT will be using the Bid Express website to facilitate the RFQ process and required submissions/responses.

Electronic submission allows for:

• Electronic signatures

• Eliminates costs for hand and hired delivery of bid packages

• Provides error checking and alerts to omissions before submission

• Easily accommodates last-minute changes and reproduction of paper documents

• Automates email notifications to alert vendors of solicitation postings and solicitation changes

Docusign Envelope ID: 314FFAA8-35AD-88A9-811C-2E55CC914C10 https://contractorprequalification.dot.ct.gov/ http://www.bidexpress.com/

Newington, CT 06131-7546 860-594-2680

CT.GOV/DOT

As a vendor, you must register and review each solicitation you intend to reply to electronically. You may also refer to Infotech’s Knowledge Center for the Bid Express® service at the Bid Express help guides here.

Note: Navigation of the Bid Express® service is FREE until you complete your purchase and elect to respond to the noted solicitation (see Fee Schedule here).

If you need additional assistance, please call the Infotech® Customer Support Team at 888-352-2439, available Monday - Friday from 7:00 am – 8:00 pm (EST). You can also email the team at support@bidexpress.com or refer to the Vendor Resource page located here.

Circumstances may require rescheduling or cancellation of projects, should such action be necessary CTDOT would be under no obligation to provide supplementary work for the teams selected for these projects. CTDOT reserves the right to award subsequent phases of an assignment to other qualified teams.

All inquiries regarding the RFQ shall be in accordance with the method identified in said document.

Very truly yours, Domenic A. LaRosa, P.E.

Construction Administrator

Bureau of Engineering and Construction

Docusign Envelope ID: 314FFAA8-35AD-88A9-811C-2E55CC914C10 https://bidexpress-help.zendesk.com/hc/en-us http://www.bidexpress.com/ https://www.infotechinc.com/bid-express-fee-schedule mailto:support@bidexpress.com https://www.bidexpress.com/vendor_resources