37-25-069 Grosse Ile Parkway Bridge Engineering Consultant Final.docx

THE CHARTER COUNTY OF WAYNE, MICHIGAN

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR

Long-Term Planning and Comprehensive Study for Grosse Ile Parkway Bridge Over Trenton Channel Structure Number 12006 In Grosse Ile Township, Wayne County Michigan

CONTROL NO. 37-25-069

RFP TIMETABLE

* If Necessary ** Estimated Dates

Virtual Pre-Proposal Meeting: Join Zoom Meeting (Recommended) Time: Jun 24, 2025 09:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://waynecounty.zoom.us/j/88517465876?pwd=hb1yqDZNmhgratniBO5CfEZ8paNTjf.1

Meeting ID: 885 1746 5876 Passcode: 667832 One tap mobile +16465588656,,88517465876#,,,,*667832# US (New York)

+16469313860,,88517465876#,,,,*667832# US

Description: The County of Wayne is requesting proposals for consulting services to complete a comprehensive review and assessment of long-term solutions for the Grosse Ile Parkway Bridge over Trenton Channel located in Grosse Ile, Township, Wayne County, Michigan.

A copy of this RFP may be obtained from the BidNet Direct website (formerly MITN.info) at https://www.bidnetdirect.com, until the deadline date and time noted above.

Contents

APPENDICES

Appendix A – Price Sheet Appendix B – Agreement/Contract or Terms and Conditions

PART 1 – REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)

SECTION 1.0 – INTRODUCTION & INSTRUCTIONS

1.1 Introduction/Background

INTRODUCTION: Through this Request for Proposals (RFP), the Charter County of Wayne (County) hereby invites businesses who meet the qualifications and specifications set forth herein to submit proposals for the purpose of conducting a comprehensive study for the Grosse Ile Parkway Bridge. The objective is to evaluate current maintenance practices, review previous recommendations, identify potential improvements and alternative bridge solutions, and develop a long-term strategic plan to enhance the bridge’s structural integrity and serviceability.

GENERAL WAYNE COUNTY INFORMATION: Situated in the heart of the Great Lakes region along the beautiful Detroit River, Wayne County is the 19th most populous county in the United States. With 43 distinct communities including the automotive capital of the world - Detroit, Wayne County is rich in history, culture, arts, and world-class amenities. We take pride in being one of the most diverse counties in the United States; a place where different cultures come together to offer a truly cosmopolitan experience.

Wayne County offers a first-class business environment, a top-rated international airport, diverse residential areas, expansive parks, and a multitude of recreational and cultural activities. We are home to several major universities including Wayne State, the University of Michigan-Dearborn, and the University of Detroit-Mercy. We have several award-winning secondary and primary schools, as well as numerous community colleges and vocational schools. We are also home to the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Michigan Opera Theater, Detroit Institute of Arts, the Henry Ford, and dozens of theaters, art galleries and concert halls. With hundreds of musical and cultural events every year, Wayne County is Michigan's cultural epicenter.

SPECIFIC BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

Grosse Ile Parkway Bridge is a moveable bridge located on Grosse Ile Parkway, between W. Jefferson Avenue and Meridian Road spanning the Trenton Channel within the limits of Grosse Ile Township. Originally constructed as a railroad bridge in 1873 and opened to vehicle traffic in 1932, the bridge is now over 150 years old. Due to its age and ongoing maintenance challenges, Wayne County is exploring alternative strategies to ensure its continued operation and safety. A holistic review, incorporating historical recommendations and engineering design, is necessary to guide decision-making for its future.

This study will encompass a broad range of factors, including but not limited to:

· Historical studies, reports, inspections, and consultant recommendations. Copies will be available to the awarded consultant.

· Traffic volumes, traffic generators, and traffic source-destinations.

· Road alignments, land use, land zoning, land acquisition, population, and demographics.

· Waterfront usage, commercial and recreational navigation, and non-motorized use.

· Safety considerations and homeland security concerns.

· Impacts on residential, commercial, industrial, governmental, educational, and environmental factors.

· Comparison of current versus future factors for all topics.

The Community Grosse Ile Township, located in Wayne County, Michigan, is home to over 10,000 residents and comprises multiple islands in the Detroit River. The township is connected to the mainland by two bridges: the Township owned Grosse Ile Toll Bridge to the north and the county-owned Grosse Ile Parkway Bridge to the south. The county-owned bridge facilitates 75% of the traffic between Grosse Ile and the mainland, serving as a vital crossing for residents and businesses. Daily, there is an Average Daily Traffic (two way) of 22,180 vehicles, 2% being commercial vehicles.

The Bridge The Bridge consists of three major components: structural, mechanical, and electrical. The steel structure includes twelve spans, supported by eleven piers, measuring approximately 1,346 feet in length and 32 feet in width. It features steel rivet-connected Camelback through trusses, with Spans 9 and 10 forming a 340-foot movable swing span at the center pier. The remaining spans are steel girders with an open steel deck grating.

In 2007, the Bridge underwent rehabilitation, including deck, sidewalk, and railing replacements with a suspended catwalk installed and miscellaneous steel repair. A 2019 Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) inspection rated the bridge in serious condition (3 out of 9), leading to a load restriction. Subsequent 2021 repairs addressed substructure repair below waterline to the piers and miscellaneous steel repairs throughout all spans.

The current condition of the Grosse Ile Parkway Bridge is rated poor (4) and is load posted. Additional structural steel repairs are scheduled for 2025 to restore the load rating to its level prior to the most recent inspection.

Funding Opportunities Grants from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) are available to fund planning studies. The Parties acknowledge that Wayne County is seeking funding through a U.S. Department of Transportation grant. Contractor understands and acknowledges that, as County’s Contractor, Contractor, and all of its subcontractors, shall be required to comply with all terms and conditions contained in the Bridge Investment Program Agreement, which is subject to amendment – General Terms and Conditions can be found at https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/bridge/bip.

1.2 Objective

The general objectives of this solicitation are the following:

· competitively award a contract

· ensure there is a fair process at every step of the procurement process

· to fulfill the purchase request in a timely manner

· ensure that taxpayers dollars are spent wisely

1.3 Overview of Solicitation (RFP) Document

The solicitation is composed of the following 2 parts:

PART 1: REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Section 1.0: INTRODUCTION, OVERVIEW, INSTRUCTIONS: Specifies the information regarding the requirements of the solicitation process.

Section 2.0: MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Specifies the requirements a Proposer must meet in order to be considered for evaluation.

Section 3.0: SCOPE OF WORK: Sets forth a description of the required Professional Engineering Services.

Section 4.0: PROPOSAL EVALUATION, SELECTION & AWARD PROCESS: Includes information on how proposals will be evaluated, selected and awarded.

PART 2: SUPPLIER SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS (CHECKLIST)

Section 5.0: REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION AND FORMS: Proposer will submit the required documentation and complete the requisite forms that will be utilized in determining whether the Proposer is a responsive and responsible Proposer that has the capacity and capability to deliver and provide products under this agreement.

1.4 Contact with Wayne County Personnel

In order to create a more competitive and unbiased procurement process, the County has designated a single point of contact for the duration of this solicitation. From the issue date of this proposal, until a Successful Proposer is selected, all requests for clarification or additional information regarding this RFP, or contact with County personnel concerning this RFP or the evaluation process must be solely to the contact person listed on the cover page of this RFP.

If it is discovered that a Proposer contacted and received information regarding this Solicitation from any Wayne County personnel other than the person specified above, the Wayne County Procurement Director, in his/her sole discretion may disqualify its proposal from further consideration. Only those communications made by the Procurement Department contact in writing will be binding with respect to this RFP.

If it is later discovered that a violation regarding this section has occurred, the County may reject any proposal or terminate any contract awarded pursuant to this RFP.

1.5 Wayne County Rights & Responsibilities

Wayne County has the right to amend this RFP by one or more written addenda. Wayne County is responsible only for that which is expressly stated in the solicitation document and any authorized written addenda.

Should any such addenda require additional information not previously requested, Proposer’s failure to address the requirements of such addenda may result in the Proposal not being considered, as determined in the sole discretion of Wayne County. Wayne County is not responsible for and shall not be bound by any representations otherwise made by any individual acting or purporting to act on its behalf, other than the Procurement Director, Procurement Director’s designee, and/or stated contact for the solicitation.

It is the Proposer’s responsibility to periodically check the source of the RFP until the posted Proposal Deadline to obtain any issued addenda. However, Wayne County will make reasonable efforts to inform all Proposers of any clarifications, modifications, or amendments.

When, either before or after receipt of proposals, Wayne County changes its requirements or terms and conditions, the Procurement Director, or their designee, shall amend the solicitation.

The Procurement Director will have the discretion to extend the RFP deadline date if he/she determines that it is in the best interest of the County. Furthermore, the Procurement Director may also cancel the original solicitation and issue a new solicitation if it is in the best interest of the County or if the amendment is so substantial in nature as to exceed what prospective offerors reasonably could have anticipated, so that additional sources likely would have submitted offers had the substance of the amendment been known to them.

1.6 Subcontractors

In an effort to promote supplier diversity, Wayne County encourages Proposers to identify and include qualified disadvantaged businesses as subcontractors when proposing to provide products and services to the County.

Subcontractors (or their assignments), as it pertains to the Scope of Work, may not be changed without prior written approval by the County. The Contract will not be assignable to any other business entity without the County’s approval. Proposers are encouraged to consider a joint venture.

1.7 Disqualification of Respondents

Any one or more of the following causes may be considered sufficient for the disqualification of a Proposer and the rejection of the Proposal:

A. Evidence of collusion among proposers B. Lack of competency as revealed by either financial, experience, or equipment statements C. Lack of responsibility as shown by past work D. Uncompleted work under other contracts which, in the judgment of the County, might hinder or prevent the prompt completion of additional work if awarded E. Being in arrears on existing contracts, in litigation with the County, or having defaulted on previous contracts.

1.8 Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

Proposal responses, resultant contract(s) and all information submitted to Wayne County by Proposers and Contractors is subject to the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 1976 PA 442, MCL 15.231, et seq.

1.9 Disclosure of Contents

All information provided in the proposal shall be held in confidence and shall not be revealed or discussed with competitors, until after award of the contract except as provided by law or court decision. All material submitted with the proposal becomes the property of the County and may be returned only at the County’s option.

Proposers must make no other distribution of their proposals other than authorized by this RFP. A Proposer who shares cost information contained in its proposal with other County personnel or competing Proposer personnel shall be subject to disqualification.

1.10 County-Based Enterprise (and other) Advantage Programs

Wayne County administers a procurement program that gives pricing advantages (equalization credits) to businesses located within Wayne County and to businesses located within the 10 Targeted Growth Communities within Wayne County (Detroit, Ecorse, Hamtramck, Highland Park, Inkster, Melvindale, River Rouge, Romulus, Sumpter Township, and Taylor). The County shall apply equalization credits up to 7% to the price for proposals submitted by certified County Based Enterprises (CBE) and 2% for Targeted Growth Community Enterprise (TGCE).

County Based Enterprise / Targeted Growth Community Enterprise Equalization Allowance Table

Percentage

This program also includes five additional certifications that provide businesses with equalization credits. The five additional certifications are: Small Business Enterprise (SBE), Expanding Business Enterprise (EBE), Joint Venture (JV), Mentor Venture (MV) and Veteran Enterprise (VE). These equalization credits for qualifying certified suppliers have maximum allowable credits that cannot exceed 10% of the price. All suppliers and their first tier subcontractors*, who wish to receive credits for their proposals, must be certified by the Human Relations Division at the time of Proposal and must submit a copy of their current certification in the proposal.

Equalization Allowance table for SBE, EBE, JV, MV, VE If you have questions regarding certification or to apply for certification please visit Human Relations website at https://www.waynecounty.com/departments/corpcounsel/certification-program.aspx or call the office (313) 224-5021.

Most federal and state funded projects will not include the application of geographic advantages such as the CBE and TGCE in accordance with funding requirements as well as other advantage categories; in these cases, equalization credits will not apply.

*Additional equalization credits will be awarded to first tier CBE and TGCE subcontractors of the Proposer. (See section 4.10.5)

1.11 Final Agreement Award Determination

The County reserves the right to withdraw the RFP, to award to one Proposer, to any combination of Proposers, by item, group of items, or total proposal. The County may waive informalities. The Proposer to whom the award is made will be notified at the earliest possible date. Tentative acceptance of the proposal, intent to recommend award of a contract and actual award of the contract will be provided by written notice sent to the Proposer at the address designated in the proposal. If, for any reason, a contract is not executed with the selected Proposer within a reasonable amount of time, as determined by Wayne County, after notice of recommended award, then the County may recommend the next most responsive and responsible Proposer. Award of this proposal is contingent upon the availability of funds for this project, within the sole discretion of the County. Acceptance of the Proposer’s proposal does not constitute a binding contract.

There is no contract until the agreement is approved by the Wayne County Commission (if such approval is required by the Procurement Ordinance) and executed by the County Executive.

The County is not liable for performance costs until the successful Proposer has been given a fully executed contract. Failure to accept the terms and conditions of the County’s Standard Contract may deem the Proposer non-responsive.

1.12 Conflict of Interest

No Wayne County employee or agent whose position in Wayne County enables him/her to influence the selection of a Supplier for this RFP, or any competing RFP, nor any spouse of economic dependent of such employees, shall be employed in any capacity by a proposer or have any other direct or indirect financial interest in the selection of a supplier.

1.13 Gratuities

It is prohibited for any Wayne County officer, employee or agent to accept a gratuity for themselves or for a relative, except as permitted by the County’s Procurement Ordinance.

A proposer shall not offer or give either directly or through an intermediary, consideration, in any form, to a Wayne County officer, employee or agent for the purpose of securing favorable treatment with respect to the award of the Contract.

1.14 Compliance with Laws

The Proposer must comply with all federal, state, and local laws and policies including, but not limited to:

0. The provisions of the Wayne County Procurement Ordinance governing “Ethics in Public Contracting”, as applicable to contractors, being Article 12 of Chapter 120, and Contractor agrees to provide all required disclosures;

0. The Michigan Civil Rights Act;

0. The Persons With Disabilities Act;

0. The Age Discrimination Act;

0. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act;

0. The Slavery Era Disclosure Ordinance;

0. The Fair Employment Practices of the Equal Contracting Opportunities Ordinances.

· Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)

· Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT)

· Michigan Engineer’s Resource Library (MERL): A software suite and resource library developed for transportation engineers, particularly those working on road and bridge projects in Michigan.

· MiBridge: A state of Michigan application that allows users to view and enter information about bridge and culvert assets across the state

· National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA): U.S. law that mandates environmental impact assessments for major federal actions that may significantly affect the environment. The process require agencies to evaluate the environmental and related social and economic effects of their proposed actions. Agencies also provide opportunities for public review and comment on those evaluations.

· Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL): A collaborative and integrated approach to transportation decision-making that 1) considers environmental, community, and economic goals early in the transportation planning process, and 2) uses the information, analysis, and products developed during planning to inform the environmental review process.

· Record of Decision (ROD) : Formal document issued by a government agency, often under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), that outlines the final decision on a proposed project after environmental review.

· Traffic Impact Study (TIS): An analysis that examines how a proposed development or land use change will affect the existing transportation network.

· Wayne County Department of Public Services (WCDPS)

SECTION 2.0 – MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

2.1 Adherence to Minimum Qualifications (Pass/Fail)

Interested and qualified proposers that can demonstrate their ability to successfully provide the services/products outlined in the Scope of Work/Specifications section of this RFP are invited to submit proposal(s), provided they meet the following minimum qualifications:

A. The Proposer or its key personnel must have 10 years’ experience performing Consulting and Construction Engineering Services for comparable projects in the design of road and bridge plans.

B. The Proposer or its key personnel must have worked on at least three comparable projects within the past 5 years.

C. The Proposer must be a current MDOT Pre-qualified Service Vendor OR another state equivalent Pre-qualified Service Vendor OR have a MDOT Pre-qualified subcontractor in the following classifications with experience of key personnel of either prime contractor or subcontractor assigned to the project that meets the requested years of experience:

i) Design – Project Development Studies

ii) Design – Bridges

iii) Design – Bridges: Complex

iv) Design – Bridges: Load Rating

v) Design – Bridges: Moveable Span

vi) Design – Bridges: Safety Inspections

vii) Design – Bridges: Safety Inspections – Underwater

viii) Design – Bridges: Scoping

ix) Design – Geotechnical: Advanced

x) Design – Hydraulics II

xi) Design – Traffic: Capacity & Geometric Analysis

xii) Surveying: Hydraulics

xiii) Surveying: Structure D. The Proposer must designate a Lead Project Engineer, licensed as a professional civil engineer in the State of Michigan with experience as the Construction Engineering Project Engineer for a minimum of three (3) comparable projects. Substitutions in this category will be subject to approval by Wayne County staff.

Failure of the Proposer to meet all of the minimum qualifications will eliminate its proposal from any further consideration.

SECTION 3.0 – SCOPE OF WORK/SPECIFICATIONS

3.1 Contracted Scope of Services/Statement of Work:

The Consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:

A. Mobilization

(1) Attend a scope verification and project kick-off meeting with Wayne County Department of Public Services (WCDPS) to review requirements, deliverables, and project schedules.

(2) Participate in a discovery meeting with WCDPS to collect existing information and available documents.

(3) Conduct a field review to inspect existing conditions and identify issues to be addressed in the comprehensive assessment.

B. Historical Review

(1) Complete engineering review of existing bridge plans including all structural, mechanical, and electrical components.

(2) Review historical and current MiBRIDGE Safety Inspection Reports.

(3) Review supporting documentation, including as-build drawings, traffic data, area development plans, etc.

(4) Conduct a thorough review and analysis of current maintenance practices and previous consultant recommendations regarding maintenance, repair, and rehabilitation strategies for the bridge.

(5) Assess the feasibility, benefits, and limitations of previous recommendations.

(6) Review historical costs for the last 15 years including inspection, routine maintenance, and repair costs.

C. Alternative Bridge Solutions In addition to evaluating the existing bridge, its maintenance practices, and projected long-term repair costs, the study shall consider alternative solutions for a new bridge. These alternatives may include a fixed bridge, swing bridge, or moveable bridge, located either at the current site or at a new location.

(1) Evaluate different design and construction options to provide viable alternatives for a new bridge, including:

(a) Type: Fixed, swing, or movable bridge.

(b) Location: New bridge at the current location and new bridge at different location.

(2) Assess the feasibility, benefits, and limitations of each alternative, including a review and evaluation of the following factors:

(a) Population and demographic data, including impacts on residential, commercial, industrial, governmental, educational, and environmental factors.

(b) Real estate documentation and property records related to Grosse Ile Parkway and adjacent properties, including land use, zoning regulations, land acquisition requirements, and impacts on property ownership and development.

(c) Waterfront usage, including commercial and recreational navigation, as well as non-motorized access.

(d) Roadway alignment, including horizontal and vertical geometry, to ensure safe, efficient, and cost-effective transportation planning.

(e) Road right-of-way and adjacent landowners utilizing Wayne County plats and tax maps and other approved resources.

(f) Existing utilities in the vicinity, including both underground and overhead infrastructure.

(g) Safety considerations, including homeland security, emergency access, evacuation routes, and infrastructure resilience.

(3) Perform full scale Traffic Impact Study (TIS) in accordance with the State of Michigan requirements.

D. Cost-Benefit Analysis:

(1) Conduct a cost-benefit analysis comparing the continued maintenance of the existing bridge to the construction of a new bridge— whether fixed, swing, or movable and whether a new location or existing location.

(2) Include a detailed evaluation of the advantages and disadvantages for each option, supported with cost estimates.

(3) Cost-benefit recommendations should incorporate operational, geometric, and structure studies to identify existing site challenges and demonstrate how each proposed solution will address these issues.

(4) Develop quantities and prepare preliminary construction cost estimates using the Michigan Engineer’s Resource Library (MERL) format.

(5) Consider factors such as bridge usage, design and construction timelines, material selection, long-term maintenance costs, operational efficiency, safety, community impact, and overall sustainability.

(6) The cost-benefit analysis shall be conducted over a minimum 30-year evaluation period, with a preferred horizon of 50-100 years, to fully assess lifecycle performance and value.

(7) Identify and evaluate potential risks and opportunities associated with each alternative. This includes developing a risk register that captures threats (e.g., permitting delays, geotechnical issues, structural uncertainty, material price escalation, environmental disasters) and opportunities (e.g., federal funding eligibility, coordination with other infrastructure projects, economic development potential).

E. Planning and Environmental Linkage Study (PEL):

(1) Conduct a Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) Study in accordance with FHWA and MDOT guidelines to support future National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documentation. This includes identifying the project’s purpose and need, evaluating a full range of reasonable alternatives, and analyzing planning-level environmental, community, and economic impacts.

(2) Assess potential environmental impacts for each bridge alternative related to air quality, water quality, safety, noise, environmental resources (e.g., wetlands, threatened and endangered species, cultural/historic sites), hazardous materials/contamination, and other factors as required under NEPA and applicable state and federal regulations.

(3) Evaluate potential community and social impacts of each bridge alternative, including effects on property access, environmental justice populations, cultural/historical value, neighborhood cohesion, and other quality-of-life factors.

(4) Assess the economic impacts of proposed bridge alternatives, including potential effects on property values, business activity, traffic circulation, commercial districts, tourism, and local tax revenues.

(5) Estimate short-term and long-term employment impacts from construction and ongoing operations.

(6) Coordinate with FHWA, MDOT, regulatory agencies, stakeholders, and the public throughout the PEL process. Facilitate meetings, workshops, and public involvement activities, and document all engagement and coordination efforts.

(7) Prepare all required PEL documentation and reports up to the Record of Decision (ROD), as applicable. This includes technical memoranda, mapping, public and agency coordination logs, and the final PEL Study, which may support advancement to a Categorical Exclusion (CE), Environmental Assessment (EA), or Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

(8) Obtain all necessary permits and clearances to conduct sample investigation field work, including but not limited to environmental sampling, geotechnical borings, and archaeological/cultural resource assessments.

F. Community Engagement:

(1) Develop and implement a community engagement plan to involve local stakeholders, residents, businesses, and key partners in the decision-making process.

(2) Facilitate public meetings, workshops, and information sessions to gather input and address concerns.

(3) Contact stakeholders (Wayne County, private and public property owners, local municipalities, railroads, US Coast Guard, US Corp of Engineers, etc.) and host a “Stakeholder Kickoff” meeting to discuss the proposed project merits and document all recommendations, concerns, and constrains of the stakeholders.

Table 1 below outlines the anticipated timeline for key project milestones and deliverables. All deadlines are calculated from the date of the Notice to Proceed (NTP). The Consultant is expected to deliver the following:

Table 1. Proposed Schedule of Deliverables and Activities (subject to change)

· Executive Summary of Findings

· Summary of Historical Review

· Final Alternative Bridge Solutions Evaluation

· Summary of Traffic Impact Study

· Summary of Community Engagement Report

· Final PEL Study

· Final Cost-Benefit Analysis

· Final Recommendation

The term of the resultant contract shall commence upon contract award and end upon the delivery of all required goods/services.

When the Contractor is onsite at County facilities the Contractor will observe the general operating hours of the facility, each facility may have different operating hours. If the Contractor and the County contact at a facility agree to access outside of general operating hours those agreements are between the Contractor and the County contact and not with the County.

Grosse Ile Parkway Bridge: Access to maintenance areas from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

3.4.2 Service Security of Building and Property Requirements:

County facilities are secured and Contractor will provide notification of its need to access County facilities timely so as to allow the County to notify security and to provide timely access to the Contractor.

3.4.3 Service Equipment Requirements:

The Contractor is responsible for providing its own computer equipment and information technology systems, unless specified otherwise under this RFP.

Repeated failure to correct deficiencies will result in cancellation of any contract awarded.

3.4.6 Service Capabilities:

The Contractor will provide professionals who are current with professional development and will provide such documentation as necessary to show compliance.

Contractor provided professionals assigned to the engagement will reply to email or phone calls timely.

3.4.9 Roles and Responsibilities:

The Contractor will not subcontract the responsibilities outlined in this RFP without prior written approval (excluding subcontractor(s) disclosed in the response to this RFP).

3.4.10 Delivery Acceptance Criteria:

The designated Wayne County representative shall provide the final review and approval of the required services/productions outlined in this RFP.

3.4.11 Service Level Agreements:

To ensure high-quality, timely, and professional performance, the Consultant shall adhere to the following Service Level Agreement (SLA) standards. These standards will serve as a baseline for evaluating project performance, accountability, and deliverable quality throughout the contract duration. The SLAs provided within this document are subject to change and upon finalization will be incorporated into the final agreement

· Schedule Adherence and Timeline Adjustments

· A preliminary timeline is provided in Table 1 of this RFP. The final schedule of deliverables shall be established during project mobilization and formalized within 30 calendar days of the Notice to Proceed (NTP).

· The finalized schedule will be documented in the Project Work Plan and approved by WCDPS.

· Consultant must meet all deadlines in the approved schedule unless prior written approval for changes is granted by WCDPS.

· Delays of more than 10 business days without WCDPS approval may result in payment withholding until deliverables are accepted.

· Project Management

· Consultant must submit monthly, written status reports detailing accomplishments, progress on tasks and deliverables, upcoming activities, risks and mitigation strategies, and budget and schedule tracking.

· Quality and Completeness of Deliverables

· All deliverables must be complete, technically sound, and formatted to professional standards suitable for use by WCDPS and external agencies.

· Deliverables shall include all required attachments, supporting data, and documentation.

· Consultant must revise and resubmit deficient deliverables at no additional cost.

· Communication and Responsiveness

· Consultant shall acknowledge and respond to WCDPS communications within two (2) business days.

· Consultant must attend all scheduled meetings unless rescheduled with at least 48 hours’ notice, or unless an alternative frequency is defined during project mobilization.

· Staffing and Personnel Continuity

· Key personnel named in the Consultant’s proposal must remain assigned to the project unless written approval for substitution is granted by WCDPS.

· Substituted staff must have equivalent or greater qualifications and experience.

· Data and GIS Standards

· All GIS data submitted must conform to WCDPS standards, including correct format, projections, and metadata.

· Data must be geospatially accurate and aligned with County base layers.

· Permitting and Field Investigations

· Consultant is responsible for identifying and securing all permits required to conduct field investigations.

· Permit acquisition must be completed in time to avoid delaying the fieldwork schedule.

· Community Engagement Activities

· Meeting summaries and public comment logs must be submitted within 10 business days following each engagement activity.

· Risk Register and Management

· A risk register shall be maintained and updated monthly.

· Risk discussions and mitigation strategies must be reviewed during each monthly progress meeting.

· The SLAs provided within this document are subject to change and upon finalization will be incorporated into the final agreement

3.4.12 Milestones:

The Contractor, as part of the response to this RFP, shall provide a timeline with milestones identified for timely implementation of services/delivery of products. The proposed timeline and milestones should preferably be presented in a Gantt chart format.

3.4.13 Training:

The Contractor shall provide training, as outlined in the Scope of Work/Specifications section of this RFP.

3.4.14 Success Criteria:

The Contractor is responsible for the successful performance of all requirements outlined in this RFP.

SECTION 4.0 – BIDDING, EVALUATION, SELECTION & AWARD PROCESS

This section contains key information as well as instructions to proposers on how to prepare and submit their proposal:

4.1 Wayne County Responsibility

Wayne County is not responsible for representations made by any of its officers or employees prior to the execution of the Contract unless such understanding or representation is included in the Contract.

4.2 Truth and Accuracy of Representations

The Wayne County Procurement Director or designee may reject any proposal that is evaluated and determined to include false, misleading, incomplete, or deceptively unresponsive statements.

4.3 Proposer Q&A

Proposers may submit written questions regarding this RFP, by the questions deadline date, to the individual identified on the cover page. All questions, without identifying the submitting company, will be compiled with the appropriate answers and issued as an addendum to the RFP.

When submitting questions please specify the RFP section and paragraph number, and quote the language that prompted the question. This will ensure that the issue can be quickly found in the RFP. Wayne County reserves the right to group similar questions when providing answers.

Wayne County may modify the RFP at any time during the proposal process. All changes to the RFP will be posted as an addendum under the proposal number and each posting officially revises the RFP.

4.4 Preparation of the Proposal

Each Proposer must submit a complete proposal in response to this RFP. The proposal must remain valid for at least 180 days from the due date for responses to this RFP.

The Proposer will be responsible for completing all documents and forms listed under Part 2, Section 5, of this RFP, which is titled Supplier Submittal Requirements. If not provided, proposer will be required to download the forms. Complete the forms, including signature, and then upload the forms. These documents and forms are as follows:

· Documents demonstrating minimum qualifications – It is expected that a Proposer will include completed forms to demonstrate minimum qualification requirements are met, which include:

· References

· Business Information Questionnaire (included in the Ethics in Contracting Form)

· Resumes for key personnel

· Licenses/Certificates

· Signed Proposal Form – The Proposer must sign the Proposal Form. Each signature represents binding commitment upon the Proposer to provide the goods and/or services offered to the County if the Proposer is determined to be the most responsive and responsible Proposer.

· Pricing Sheet – The Proposer must use the Pricing Sheet that accompanies this RFP. Any other pricing format submittal may result in disqualification.

· Proposal Guarantee –NOT APPLICABLE

· Response to Scope of Work Requirements Form - The Proposer shall include a detailed response to the outlined requirements.

· Terms & Conditions Form – Proposer will review terms and conditions. Any exceptions to the terms and conditions need to be identified in the proposal otherwise it will be determined that the terms and conditions are acceptable to the Proposer.

· First Tier Subcontractor Designation Form – This form is required to be completed by all prime contractors for contracts greater than $50,000.

· Ethics in Contracting Vendor Form – This form is required to disclose any relationships between the principal/managing members of the proposing company and Wayne County employees for all contracts greater than$10,000.

· W-9 Form – This form is required to verify the proposer’s federal tax identification (EIN) number and legal business name.

· Fair Employment Practices (FEP) Certificate – A current FEP certificate is required of all companies that do business with Wayne County. If the proposer does not have this certification, an on-line application shall be submitted to the Human Relations Department at the time of proposal submission for all contracts greater than $50,000. Print a hard copy of your company’s on-line application and submit with the proposal.

· Certificate of Insurance (COI) – A current COI is required, which lists, at minimum, commercial general liability limits and as applicable other insurance that may be required. The requirements for the resultant contract are listed in the Contract/Terms and Conditions attachment.

· Evaluation Criteria – Proposer is to include any additional materials or documentation, which supports its ability to meet or exceed the Evaluation Criteria outlined in Section 4.10 of this RFP.

There are no unique formatting requirements. Information provided shall be organized and in a readable format.

4.5 Proposal Submission Requirements

To be considered, the proposal must be prepared in the manner and detail specified in this RFP.

1) Proposals, all attachments, and any modifications or withdrawals, must be submitted electronically through the BidNet Direct (MITN) Bid System (https://www.bidnetdirect.com/). Proposers should provide the documents in a modifiable form (e.g., Microsoft Word or Excel), but have the option to also provide copies of any documents in a non-modifiable form (e.g. PDF) with the sole exception of any pricing which must be provided in Excel format, when an Excel Pricing Sheet is provided. Proposer’s failure to submit a proposal as required may result in disqualification of such proposal. The proposal and attachments must be fully uploaded and submitted prior to the due date and time identified above.

Proposals received after the deadline will not be accepted.

Do not wait until the last minute to submit the proposal, as the BidNet system requires the creation of an account and entry of certain information, in addition to uploading and submitting the materials. The BidNet system will not allow a proposal to be submitted after the due date and time identified on the cover page.

2) The opening/downloading of a proposal does not constitute the County’s acceptance of the Proposer as a responsive and responsible Proposer.

3) Submission of a proposal establishes a conclusive presumption that the Proposer is thoroughly familiar with the RFP, specifications and terms of the Form of Contract, and the County’s Procurement Ordinance, and that the Proposer understands and agrees to abide by each and all of the stipulations and requirements contained therein.

4) Proposals sent by facsimile, telegraph, or email will not be considered.

5) All costs incurred in the preparation and presentations of the proposal, as well as any resulting contract, are the Proposer’s sole responsibility; no such costs will be reimbursed to any Proposer. All documentation submitted with the proposal will become the property of the County.

4.6 Duplicate Proposals

No more than one (1) proposal from any Proposer, including its subsidiaries, affiliated companies and franchisees will be considered by the County. In the event multiple proposals are submitted in violation of this provision, the County will have the right to determine which proposal will be considered, or at its sole option, reject all such multiple proposals.

4.7 Withdrawal

Proposals may be withdrawn through the BidNet Direct System prior to the proposal deadline indicated on the cover page of this RFP. No proposal may be withdrawn after the deadline for submission.

4.8 Evaluation Process

All Proposals will be reviewed for compliance with the mandatory minimum requirements stated within this RFP. Proposals not in compliance with the mandatory minimum requirements will be eliminated from further consideration.

A. Wayne County may contact the Proposer for clarification of the Proposer's proposal.

B. Wayne County may require the Proposer to submit additional and/or supporting materials.

C. Responsive proposals will be evaluated on the factors identified in this RFP. The Proposer(s) whose proposal is advantageous to the County, taking into consideration the evaluation factors, will be recommended for award approval.

4.9 Evaluations and the Proposal Evaluation Committee

Wayne County reserves the right to judge the contents of the proposals submitted pursuant to this RFP and to review, evaluate and select the successful proposal(s).

All requests for proposals shall be reviewed and evaluated by an Evaluation Committee approved by the Procurement Director. Evaluation Committees are usually comprised of at least three voting members, but they can be any size. Voting membership on the Evaluation Committee shall be limited to County employees; however, the Procurement Director, Procurement Officer, public officials and/or consultants under contract with Wayne County may sit as non-voting consulting members. (Bid Evaluator’s Guide)

All proposals will be evaluated based on Section 4.10 below. All proposals will be scored and ranked in numerical sequence as outlined in the Bid Evaluator’s Guide. Wayne County may also, at its option, invite proposers being evaluated to make an oral presentation or conduct site visits, if appropriate.

After a prospective supplier/contractor has been selected, Wayne County and the prospective supplier(s)/contractor(s) will negotiate a contract.

Each proposal that is timely received will be evaluated on its merit and completeness of all requested information. In preparing proposals, proposers are advised to rely only upon the contents of this RFP and accompanying documents and any written clarifications or addenda issued by the County. If a Proposer finds a discrepancy, error, or omission in the proposal package, or requires any written addendum thereto, the Proposer is requested to notify the Purchasing Contact noted on the cover page of this RFP, so that written clarification may be sent to all prospective proposers. The County is not responsible for oral representations. All questions must be submitted in writing to the Procurement Contact only before the Question Deadline indicated on the cover page of this document. All answers will be issued in the form of a written addendum.

Proposers shall not be provided any information about other proposals or prices or where the Proposer stands in relation to others at any time during the evaluation process. Any request for such information by a Proposer, its subcontractor or an affiliated party may be viewed as a compromise to the evaluation process and the requesting Proposer may be eliminated from further consideration.

Samples of Evaluation Criteria and related submittal requirements are provided below:

(a) Describe how you meet or exceed the minimum qualifications in the Scope of Work in this document.

(b) Describe the experience (including years of experience) in providing similar services.

(c) Provide at least three (3) references for similar projects, including name of establishment, address, dates of service, contact name and telephone number.

(d) Describe the experience and qualifications of key personnel. Include detailed resumes.

4.10.2 Work Plan and Timeline (15 points)

(a) Proposals will be assessed on the thoroughness, feasibility, and alignment of the proposed work plan with the project goals and timelines.

(b) Submit a detailed work plan that addresses the deliverables and activities in Section 3.1: Contracted Scope of Services/Statement of Work.

(c) Submit a proposed timeline, preferably in Gantt format, showing major milestones and deliverables.

4.10.3 Project Approach and Technical Solutions (25 points)

(a) Describe approach and methodology for completing all deliverables and…