CN-550000-C9V45-00010000.pdf.crdownload

DISTRICT 5

Major Work :

2.0 - Proj. Dev. & Environ. (PD&E) Studies Minor Work :

3.2 - Major Highway Design

4.1.1 - Miscellaneous Structures

4.2.1 - Major Bridge Design - Concrete

7.1 - Signing, Pavement Marking & Channelization

7.2 - Lighting

7.3 - Signalization

8.1 - Control Surveying

8.2 - Design, Right of Way, & Const. Surveying

8.3 - Photogrammetric Mapping

8.4 - Right of Way Mapping

9.1 - Soil Exploration

9.2 - Geotechnical Classification Lab Testing

9.4.1 - Standard Foundation Studies Under-Utilized Work Groups:

GROUP4 - Highway Design - Bridge Contract : 17572 Major Project Selection Method : Selection from Expanded Letter of Response Financial Management Number(s):

43547612201

Project Description:

I-75 at CR 514 from 0.5 miles west of I-75 to C-525 Extension Project Manager: McGehee, Mary Estimated Contract Amt: $2,000,000 See Standard Notes Above: 4,8

View proposed scope (Adobe Acrobat® PDF file)

Advertisement Date : 27FEB2017 Response Deadline Date : 13MAR2017 Shortlist Selection Date : 27MAR2017 Time: 09:00AM Final Selection Meeting Date : 11APR2017 Time: 09:00AM

Response Deadline : 13MAR2017 Respond To:

d5.profserv@dot.state.fl.us Attn.: Michelle Sloan - PSU Phone: (386)943-5528

PROCUREMENT OFFICE

Current Professional Services Advertisements

Procurement Office Home Page

Results Page

Pursuant to Section 120.57(3), Florida Statutes, and Rule Chapter 28-110, Florida Administrative Code, any person adversely affected by the agency decision or intended decision shall file with the agency both a notice of protest in writing and bond within 72 hours after the posting of the notice of decision or intended decision, or posting of the solicitation with respect to a protest of the terms, conditions, and specifications contained in a solicitation and will file a formal written protest within ten days after the filing of the notice of protest. The required notice of protest and bond, and formal written protest must each be timely filed with the Florida Department of Transportation, Clerk of Agency Proceedings, 605 Suwannee St, Mail Station 58, Tallahassee FL 32399- 0458. Failure to file a notice of protest or formal written protest within the time prescribed in section 120.57(3), Florida Statutes, or failure to post the bond or other security required by law within the time allowed for filing a bond shall constitute a waiver of proceedings under Chapter 120 Florida Statutes.

IMPORTANT NOTICE !!

All Prime Consultants and all Subvendors/subconsultants/subcontrac tors must register with the state's web-based e-Procurement system - "MyFloridaMarketPlace." You can register on-line at http://dms.myflorida.com/mfmp Professional Services acquired in accordance with Chapter 287.055 Florida Statutes, are exempt from the 1% transaction fee. You can also sign up to attend a vendor registration training session or call 1-866-352-3776 for assistance.

District: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Turnpike Central Office

Updated: Monday February 27 2017

Notice to Professional Consultants State Of Florida Department Of Transportation

Notice: All Letters of Response are required to be submitted via E-mail. The size limit for Letters of Response has been increased to 1MB. Please read the Response Procedure carefully!

The Department reserves the right to reject all Proposals and/or to waive minor irregularities.

The Department of Transportation anticipates seeking professional consultant services on the projects listed in this advertisement. Consideration will be given to only those firms that are qualified pursuant to law and that have been prequalified by the Department to perform the indicated MAJOR Type(s) of Work. Prime Consultants must be prequalified in at least one or more of the MAJOR Types of Work specified in the advertisement. A prequalified subconsultant(s) may be used to meet the other Types of Work specified in the advertisement. Persons and firms used whether prime consultant or subconsultant, can only perform the work for which they are prequalified with the Department, in accordance with Rule Chapter 14-75, Florida Administrative Code. Consultants technically prequalified without unlimited overhead status, will only be considered as primes for projects identified as "Minor Projects" (projects less than $500,000). Any firm not prequalified by the Department and desiring consideration for these projects must submit a complete Request for Qualification Application to co.profserv@dot.state.fl.us by the advertised Letter of Response Deadline Date and Time. Please call 850-414-4597 if you have any questions on the prequalification process. A Department approved overhead audit is required for projects $500,000 or more. The technical work type(s) and audit must be approved by the shortlist date referenced in the advertisement in order for the responding firm to be considered responsive for shortlisting.

CONSULTANT ELIGIBILITY: It is a basic tenet of the Department's contracting program that contracts are procured in a fair, open and competitive manner. The Department requires that Consultants representing the Department must be free of conflicting professional or personal interests. In order to prevent potential conflicts of interest, the Department has established guidelines to be followed by professional services Consultants. Please familiarize yourself with the requirements of Procedure No. 375-030- 006, also known as: "Conflict of Interest Procedure for Department Contracts". By submitting a Letter of Response, the Consultant certifies that they are in compliance with Procedure No. 375-030-006. This procedure is available at the following link: Professional Services Publications Menu. In addition to the restrictions identified in Procedure No. 375- 030-006, please be advised of the following prohibition: A consultant firm or its affiliate who was the Designer or Engineer of Record is precluded from bidding on the same project as the Construction contractor, or as a member of the construction team (subcontractor).

COMPLIANCE WITH NONDISCRIMINATION STATUTES AND AUTHORITIES: Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. § 2000d et seq., 78 stat. 252), (prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin); and 49 CFR Part 21; The Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970, (42 U.S.C. § 4601), (prohibits unfair treatment of persons displaced or whose property has been acquired because of Federal or Federal-aid programs and projects); Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1973, (23 U.S.C. § 324 et seq.), (prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex); Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, (29 U.S.C. § 794 et seq.), as amended, (prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability); and 49 CFR Part 27; The Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended, (42 U.S.C. § 6101 et seq.), (prohibits discrimination on the basis of age); Airport and Airway Improvement Act of 1982, (49 USC § 471, Section 47123), as amended, (prohibits discrimination based on race, creed, color, national origin, or sex); The Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987, (PL 100-209), (Broadened the scope, coverage and applicability of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, The Age Discrimination Act of 1975 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, by expanding the definition of the terms “programs or activities” to include all of the programs or activities of the Federal-aid recipients, sub-recipients and contractors, whether such programs or activities are Federally funded or not); Titles II and III of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability in the operation of public entities, public and private transportation systems, places of public accommodation, and certain testing entities (42 U.S.C. §§ 12131 -- 12189) as implemented by Department of Transportation regulations at 49 C.F.R. parts 37 and 38;

The Federal Aviation Administration’s Non-discrimination statute (49 U.S.C. § 47123) (prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, and sex); Executive Order 12898, Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations, which ensures non-discrimination against minority populations by discouraging programs, policies, and activities with disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects on minority and low-income populations; Executive Order 13166, Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency, and resulting agency guidance, national origin discrimination includes discrimination because of limited English proficiency (LEP). To ensure compliance with Title VI, you must take reasonable steps to ensure that LEP persons have meaningful access to your programs (70 Fed. Reg. at 74087 to 74100); Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, as amended, which prohibits you from discriminating because of sex in education programs or activities (20 U.S.C. 1681 et seq).

FEDERAL DEBARMENT: By submitting a Letter of Response, the consultant certifies that no principal (which includes officers, directors, or executives) is presently suspended, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible or voluntarily excluded from participation on this transaction by any Federal Department or Agency.

PUBLIC ENTITY CRIMES: A person or affiliate who has been placed on the convicted vendor list following a conviction for a public entity crime may not submit a bid, proposal, or reply on a contract to provide any goods or services to a public entity; may not submit a bid, proposal, or reply on a contract with a public entity for the construction or repair of a public building or public work; may not submit bids, proposals, or replies on leases of real property to a public entity; may not be awarded or perform work as a contractor, supplier, subcontractor, or consultant under a contract with any public entity; and may not transact business any public entity in excess of the threshold amount provided in s. 287.017 for CATEGORY TWO($35,000) for a period of 36 months following the date of being placed on the convicted vendor list.

INSPECTOR GENERAL: The Vendor/Contractor agrees to comply with section 20.055(5), Florida Statutes, and to incorporate in all subcontracts the obligation to comply with section 20.055(5), Florida Statutes.

E-VERIFY: The Vendor/Contractor shall utilize the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's E-Verify system to verify the employment eligibility of all new employees hired by the Vendor/Contractor during the term of the contract and shall expressly require any subcontractors performing work or providing services pursuant to the state contract to likewise utilize the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's E-Verify system to verify the employment eligibility of all new employees hired by the subcontractor during the contract term.

SCRUTINIZED COMPANIES: Section 287.135, Florida Statutes, prohibits agencies from contracting with companies for goods or services of $1 million or more, that are on either the Scrutinized Companies with Activities in Sudan List, the Scrutinized Companies with Activities in the Iran Petroleum Energy Sector List created pursuant to section 215.473, Florida Statutes, or the Scrutinized Companies that Boycott Israel List created pursuant to

s. 215.4725, or is engaged in a boycott of Israel. A company that is on the Scrutinized Companies with Activities in Sudan List or the Scrutinized Companies with Activities in the Iran Petroleum Energy Sector List, Scrutinized Companies that Boycott Israel List, or is engaged in a boycott of Israel may not bid on, submit a proposal for, or enter into a contract with an agency or local governmental entity for goods or services of $1 million or more.

SELECTION METHOD: The listed projects are covered by the selection process detailed in the Rule Chapter 14-75, Florida Administrative Code. Some or all of the responding firms may be requested to provide Written Technical Proposals, Oral Presentations, Interviews, or Expanded Letters of Response, for the ranking process. After ranking of the consultants the contract fee will be negotiated in accordance with Section 287.055 Florida Statutes. Funding on all projects is subject to legislative approval. Registration in MyFloridaMarketPlace is required prior to contracting. Note: The shortlist and final selection meeting dates and times are provided within the advertisement. All public meetings will be held in District headquarters unless otherwise noted. Changes to meeting dates and times will be updated under the All Advertisements link. The agenda for each public meeting is as follows: a) Opening Remarks (approx. 3 minutes); b) Public Input (15 minutes); c) Department business; d) Closing. For more information, contact the designated responsible office. In order to ensure a fair, competitive and open process, once a project is advertised under Current Advertisements, all communications between interested firms and the Department must be directed to the appropriate Professional Services Office. Respondents to this solicitation or persons acting on their behalf may not contact, between the release of the solicitation and the end of the 72-hour period following the agency posting the notice of intended award, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and state holidays, any employee or officer of the executive or legislative branch concerning any aspect of this solicitation, except in writing to the procurement officer or as provided in the solicitation documents. Violation of this provision may be grounds for rejecting a response.

RESPONSE PROCEDURE: Qualified consultants are encouraged to submit a Letter of Response, for each project in which they are interested, to the indicated requesting unit by 5:00 PM Eastern time on the date indicated as the Response Deadline. Letters of Response will be submitted as an attachment to an E-mail, submitted electronically to the indicated response address. The Standard FDOT Professional Services Letter of Response form must be completed and submitted to the indicated response e-mail address. Consultants, be advised that you are responsible for downloading the latest version of the Letter of Response Form when responding to the advertisement. The 8/16 version must be used when responding to the advertisement. The form will be a single file not to exceed 1MB in size in Adobe PDF format (unzipped), and the form completed in its entirety will not exceed the six 8 ½ x 11 pages provided in the form unless otherwise indicated in the advertisement. The content of the Letter cannot go beyond Page 3 of the form. Pages 4, 5, and 6 of the form are reserved for the tables listing prime and subconsultants by work type. Consultants must not add additional pages to the form. Formatting requirements consist of a font size of 11, with ½ inch margins.

Please be aware that all font (including graphics, tables, and captions on photos) must be standard arial narrow, 11 point font, single line spacing with no modification of font or spacing allowed. Please retain the source document as it may be requested at a later date within the procurement process, for audit purposes. The Department reserves the right to periodically sample letters of response to ensure compliance with format submittal requirements. All other advertisement submittal requirements will be verified with each Letter submittal.

Failure to comply with the submittal requirements may cause the Letter of Response to be considered non-responsive. Consultants should receive an e-mailed Return Receipt acknowledgement within 2 hours of submittal to the indicated response address. If a Return Receipt acknowledgement is not received by the Consultant within 2 hours, or by the time and date due, please call the advertisement contact (within normal business hours) to verify the Department's receipt of your e-mailed Letter of Response. Letters of Response should not contain links to other web pages and will, at a minimum, include the following information:

a. Project Name/DOT Financial Management Number

b. Consultant's name and address

c. Proposed responsible office for consultant

d. Contact person, phone number and Internet Email Address

e. Statement regarding prequalification of consultant or proposed subconsultants in advertised type(s) of work

f. Proposed key personnel and their proposed roles (do not include resumes)

g. Subconsultant(s) that may be used for the project

h. Indication as to whether the prime firm and/or subconsultants are disadvantaged business enterprises (DBE) or Small Businesses

i. Project Approach and Understanding of Critical Issues

j. Relevant project experience - Similar type of work experience

k. A Bid Opportunity List should be submitted through the Equal Opportunity

Compliance system which is available at the Equal Opportunity Office Website.

Prime Consultants can obtain access to the new EOC system by filling out the Contractors and Consultants New Users Access Form. Please complete the form and submit it to EOOHelp@dot.state.fl.us.

IMPORTANT UPDATE: Pursuant to the Federal Brooks Act, and Section 287.055, Florida Statutes, price may not be an evaluation criterion during the advertisement and selection phase for professional services procurements. Consultants are prohibited from including references to their proposed professional services fees or indirect rates in Letters of Response, Written Technical Proposals, Oral Presentations, or Interviews. It is permissible to address cost savings specifically related to the construction project.

Inclusion of prohibited professional services cost data in a Letter of Response or Technical Proposal may cause the Letter of Response or Technical Proposal to be considered non-responsive.

Private attorney services may not be utilized on Department contracts without advance approval from the Attorney General’s Office. The advance approval may only be requested by Agency General Counsel (FDOT), and not the consultant firm. Since approval cannot be assumed, consultant firms shall refrain from proposing legal firms as part of the professional services consultant team in their procurement response and proposal documents. As referenced in Section 287.059(3), F.S.:

”An agency requesting approval for the use of private attorney services shall first offer to contract with the Department of Legal Affairs for such attorney services at a cost pursuant to mutual agreement. The Attorney General shall decide on a case-by-case basis to accept or decline to provide such attorney services as staffing, expertise, or other legal or economic considerations warrant. If the Attorney General declines to provide the requested attorney services, the Attorney General’s written approval shall include a statement that the private attorney services requested cannot be provided by the office of the Attorney General or that such private attorney services are cost-effective in the opinion of the Attorney General. The Attorney General shall not consider political affiliation in making such decision. The office of the Attorney General shall respond to the request of an agency for prior written approval within 10 working days after receiving such request.

The Attorney General may request additional information necessary for evaluation of a request. The Attorney General shall respond to the request within 10 working days after receipt of the requested information.”

Additionally, pursuant to Section 287.056(22), F.S., the University Master Agreement is the appropriate vehicle for contracting with Florida universities. When needed for a professional services contract, the Department’s Project Manager may procure university services by means of a task work order against a University Master Agreement. Questions regarding consultant teams should be directed to the Procurement Office coordinating the contract acquisition.

STANDARD NOTES: (Applicable to following projects where indicated)

1. This project does not fall within the FDOT Professional Services Types of Work, therefore technical prequalification of responding consultants is not mandatory. However, prime must be currently licensed as a Professional Engineering firm in the State of Florida. The Standard FDOT Letter of Qualification form must be completed and submitted to the indicated response e-mail. Consultants, be advised that you are responsible for downloading the latest version of the Letter of Qualification Form when responding to the advertisement. The 8/16 version must be used when responding to this

ad. Consultants must include the following as an attachment to the Standard FDOT Letter of Qualification form:

a. Proof of professional liability insurance (include a copy of professional liability insurance certificate with the Letter of Qualification)

b. For projects $500,000 or above, a recent overhead audit (within 6 months of the fiscal year end), prepared by an independent Certified Public Accountant or governmental agency and in conformance with the Department's current Reimbursement Rate Guidelines should be on file with the Department or a completed Request for Qualification Package, including the recent overhead audit must be submitted to the Prequalification Administrator via email to co.profserv@dot.state.fl.us, prior to the response deadline of the Letter as indicated in the advertisement. Consultants must address all items within the Standard FDOT Letter of Qualification.

The Standard FDOT Letter of Qualification form completed in its entirety will not exceed the six 8 ½ x 11 pages provided in the form unless otherwise indicated in the advertisement. The content of the Letter cannot go beyond Page 3 of the form. Pages 4, 5, and 6 of the form are reserved for the tables listing prime and subconsultants by work type. Consultants must not add additional pages to the form. The Letter of Qualification will be a single file not to exceed 1MB in size in Adobe PDF format (unzipped). Page size requirement is a font size of 11, with ½ inch margins. Failure to comply with the submittal requirements may cause the Letter of Qualification to be considered non-responsive.

2. Reserved. (Standard note not used).

3. Reserved. (Standard note not used).

4. Selection will be made directly from the Standard FDOT Expanded Letters of Response form. Consultants, be advised that you are responsible for downloading the latest version of the Expanded Letter of Response Form when responding to the advertisement. The 8/16 version must be used when responding to this ad. The Standard FDOT Expanded Letters of Response form completed in its entirety will not exceed the nine 8 ½ x 11 pages provided in the form. The content of the Letter cannot go beyond Page 6 of the form.

Pages 7, 8, and 9 of the form are reserved for the tables listing prime and subconsultants by work type. Consultants must not add additional pages to the form. Consultant shall also submit resumes which are restricted to 2 pages each and an organization chart or staffing chart (can be either 8-1/2x11 or 11x17, at the discretion of the Consultant). Construction Training and Qualification Program (CTQP) printouts may also be submitted. Staff hours on summary sheet (one sheet showing the hours of prime and all subs) will be submitted where applicable. All submittals except organization chart, staffing chart, other required forms, and certifications shall adhere to a font size of 11, with ½ inch margins. The Expanded Letter of Response file size is not restricted to 1MB, however Consultants are advised that the Expanded Letter of Response Form electronic submittal should not exceed FDOT’s internal server file size restriction of 15 MB. Failure to comply with the submittal requirements may cause the Letter of Response to be considered non-responsive.

5. Reserved. (Standard note not used).

6. Reserved. (Standard note not used).

7. This project has been reserved for competition among only small businesses in accordance with the Department's Business Development Initiative (BDI) Program. Letters of Response for this project will only be accepted from firms that meet the definition of a small business set forth by section 337.027, Florida Statutes. The prime consultant submitting a Letter of Response must meet the small business definition of section 337.027, Florida Statutes at the time of submittal of the Letter of Response and must maintain this status as a small business through final selection. All subconsultants utilized for the project, including lower-tier and non-professional services vendors, must also be small businesses pursuant to section 337.027, Florida Statutes at the time of submittal of the Letter of Response and must also maintain this status as a small business through final selection. Note: Any professional services consultant firm prequalified under Rule 14- 75, F.A.C., that is shown as a Small Business on the Professional Services Prequalified Small Business Report is not required to supply the Small Business Affidavit Certification for Prequalified Professional Services Firms form with the Letter of Response.

SMALL BUSINESS ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:

a. The prime firm and subconsultants proposed for this project must meet the small business definition set forth by section 337.027, Florida Statutes. They are also required to submit a notarized copy of the Small Business Affidavit Certification Form with the Letter of Response. Firms who have previously submitted the Small Business Affidavit Certification Form, and appear in the Department’s Small Business listings are not required to resubmit the form. Please refer to the advertisement for other submittal requirements

b. Submitting firms that are small businesses must completely comply with the professional services prequalification process as described in the Florida Administrative Code Chapter 14-75. Additional instructions can be found in the BDI Program Guidelines.

Small Business listing for Professional Services:

http://www2.dot.state.fl.us/procurement/ProfessionalServices/lppc/listmenu.htm

8. Under-Utilization Goal for DBEs and Small Businesses - The goal of the Department’s Under-utilization strategy is to encourage and promote use of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE) and Small Businesses in areas of work where they have been under-used. Under-utilization is defined by FDOT as 25% or less utilization level in a Work Group, which may vary by district. The specific Under-utilized Work Groups are identified in the advertisement. Consultants are strongly encouraged to propose a DBE or Small Business to perform services for each under-utilized work group identified in the advertisement. DBEs or Small Businesses can be proposed at either the Prime or Sub-level for the Under-utilized Work Group(s). Use of under-utilized DBEs or Small Businesses for Consultant teaming is a shortlist consideration factor for projects referencing this Standard Note. Consultants are requested to indicate your firm's proposed use of DBEs and/or Small Business primes or subconsultants to meet under-utilization goals on the table within the Professional Services Letter of Response form (as designated in the advertisement) by checking the box under the under-utilization (UU) column. Failure to list DBEs and/or Small Business prime or subconsultants on the response form shall indicate no proposed utilization. Please refer to the advertisement for other submittal directions. Reports are available at the following locations to validate status of firms as Small Businesses and DBEs:

DBE listing for Professional Services:

http://www2.dot.state.fl.us/procurement/ProfessionalServices/lppc/listmenu.htm

Small Business listing for Professional Services:http://www2.dot.state.fl.us/procurement/ProfessionalServices/lppc/listmenu.htm

Additionally, firms will submit the Professional Services DBE or Small Business Commitment form as required by the advertisement when selecting from Expanded Letters of Response, otherwise it will be required with the Request for Proposal.

9. It is the policy of FDOT to encourage the participation of small businesses and disadvantaged business enterprises ("DBE") in all facets of the business activities of FDOT, consistent with applicable laws and regulations. FDOT has established an aspiration goal of 10% DBE usage and an additional 3% non-DBE Small Business usage for the subject Project. Firms proposing for this Project shall aspire to have ten percent (10%) or more of the total contract costs performed by DBEs, and an additional three percent (3%) or more of the total contract costs performed by non-DBE small businesses.

Although not a contract requirement, FDOT believes that the aforementioned aspiration goal can realistically be achieved based on current availability of DBEs and small businesses. FDOT further believes that the 13% overall goal can be achieved through race neutral means, using standard competitive procurement processes. Pursuant to the provisions of Section 339.0805, Florida Statutes, and rule 14.78.005, Florida Administrative Code, FDOT has adopted rules to provide certified DBEs opportunities to participate in the business activities of FDOT as vendors, contractors, subcontractors, and consultants. FDOT has adopted the DBE definition set forth in Code 49 of Federal Regulations Section 26.5. The Department's DBE directory may be found at the following website:

http://www3b.dot.state.fl.us/EqualOpportunityOfficeBusinessDirectory/CustomSearch.aspx Firms agree to apply their best efforts to utilize qualified non-DBE small businesses as vendors, contractors, subcontractors, and consultants for the Project. Qualifications for small businesses may be found at the following website:

http://www.fdot.gov/EqualOpportunityOffice/sizeStandards.shtm Firms will submit the Professional Services DBE or Small Business Commitment form as required by the advertisement when selecting from Expanded Letters of Response, otherwise it will be required with the Request for Proposal.

DBE listing for Professional Services:

http://www2.dot.state.fl.us/procurement/ProfessionalServices/lppc/listmenu.htm Non-DBE Small Business listing for Professional Services:

http://www2.dot.state.fl.us/procurement/ProfessionalServices/lppc/listmenu.htm

10. This contract will require field office personnel; therefore the CEI Team must utilize CEI field office rates.

Consultants: Please be aware that all font (including in graphics, tables, and captions on photos) must be standard Arial Narrow, 11 point, single line spacing with no modification of font or spacing allowed. ½” clear margin on all sides must be maintained on all pages. It is the Consultant’s responsibility, due to font and format restrictions within this form, to work within the constraints of the form and its format. Character styling such as use of color, bold, and italics is allowed. Use of a table is recommended for text boxes. The page layout may be modified to add columns, tables, graphics, and photos. All graphics and photos must be created in a clean, blank word document and the “text wrapping square” option applied before cutting and pasting into this form. Consultants may add their logo at the top of the first page (directly underneath the header), however, the Consultant shall not extend the form beyond the pages allocated for the Letter to accommodate insertion of the logo. Consultants are not permitted to insert any other information in the header other than the logo. After pasting your letter into this form, highlight all text and ensure the font size of Arial Narrow, 11 point was retained. Once your content is inserted, delete any additional blank pages that are generated by pressing your delete key after the last word in the Letter of Response. Recreation of the form in another software application to modify the form format is not permitted. This form works best when saved with a .docx extension. *Please retain the source document as it may be requested at a later date in the procurement, to verify adherence with aforementioned restrictions. Note: You may begin typing on this page

Arcadis U.S., Inc. (Arcadis) is pleased to present our professional qualifications for the I-75 at CR 514 (from 0.5 miles west of I-75 to the C-525 extension) PD&E Study. Our team includes professionals with local and statewide experience whom have worked together throughout the state. We bring the right partnership of planning, environmental, traffic analysis, design, and multimodal specialists to successfully obtain the appropriate NEPA approval from the Office of Environmental Management (OEM) based on the Class of Action (COA) to further this project into design and construction within your anticipated timeline.

Project Understanding and Awareness of Critical Issues: We performed due diligence, and a detailed review and analysis of the scope of services. We will be innovative and flexible in the interchange design for future expansion; collaborate with stakeholders and partnering agencies including the Department, Project Manager, Mary McGehee, Sumter County, and the Lake- Sumter Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO); evaluate all alternatives through a multimodal approach; be responsive; and adhere to the presented schedule.

The Purpose of the project is to provide additional interstate access to support regional growth in travel demand, freight mobility, and regional employment. The Need for the project is additional interstate access to relieve constraints within the surrounding transportation network and meet the anticipated significant growth in travel demand by 2045. It is essential for the economic vitality and growth of Sumter County and the region.

The Lake-Sumter MPO Long Range Transportation Plan 2040 Goal #1: “providing an efficient, interconnected transportation system to advance and support the economic well-being and quality of life of the region”. The Unified Sumter County Comprehensive Plan (2012) designates the proposed interchange and immediate surrounding area as a Primary Economic Activity Center. This designation is for areas near roadways within Florida’s Strategic Intermodal System (SIS), close to large population bases, and focuses on large scale employment concentrations. The proposed interchange is within the Florida Crossroads Industrial Activity Center (FCIAC), comprised of 14 developments encompassing approximately 5,100 acres. The Monarch Ranch mega-site at the proposed interchange is nearly 3,017 acres of future industrial and mixed-use development contingent on the proposed interchange connection. The property owner has committed to donating the required right-of-way (ROW) for the interchange and a written commitment is in the draft Interchange Justification Report (IJR).

In addition to the proposed industrial developments, 20,000 residential units, retail and commercial land uses are planned within the project region. Sumter County identified this interchange as a key component in completing their planned transportation network comprised of the following current and future projects. Coordination with these projects is crucial to avoid re-work/redundancy:

CR 470 PD&E: two- to four-lane widening I-75 and Turnpike Sumter County CR 501 study: two- to four-lane widening between CR 470 and CR 468 Sumter County CR 468 widening: two- to four-lane widening between the US 301 curve and SR 44 CR 525E Connector: new alignment roadway with new signalized intersection at US 301 US 301 PD&E: capacity needs from CR 470W to SR 44 SR 35: lane additions from CR 470N to SR 44 SR 48: lane additions from east of I-75 to CR 475 I-75: lane additions from Hernando County line to Turnpike Turnpike: lane additions from SR 50 in Clermont to I-75 Turnpike: new interchange at US 301 Turnpike/I-75/SR 44: I-75 lane additions, SR 44 to SB Turnpike new flyover, and NB I-75 to SR 44 new flyover

Alternatives developed need to be closely coordinated with the I-75 Relief Study to obtain consensus. Project need is based on three primary factors: regional economic development, travel demand, and constraints to the transportation network.

Project Process: The process includes defining the study area, collecting data, and identifying issues followed by alternatives development and technical studies. Viable alternatives are refined, presented to the public, and the environmental documents are submitted to the District and Office for Environmental Management (OEM) for approval. A critical step in the project schedule is the OEM review and approval prior to the public hearing. The public hearing is followed by a final environmental document and final OEM approval. PD&E Changes and NEPA Assignment: Environmental review, consultation, and other actions required by applicable federal environmental laws will be carried out pursuant to the Methodology of Understanding executed between FDOT and FHWA December 2016.

Key Issues: We identified ENVIRONMENTAL issues and developed potential solutions based upon our preliminary investigation. A detailed analysis will be completed, identifying impacts and propose mitigation if necessary for: Wetlands/ Surface Waters: Wetlands include pockets of emergent wetlands and some freshwater forested/shrub wetlands, and impacts are anticipated. The Withlacoochee and Old Florida mitigation banks serve the area. Species of Concern: The project is within US Fish and Wildlife Ecological Services Area for Everglades Snail Kite, Florida Scrub Jay, Red Cockaded Woodpecker, Eastern Indigo Snake, and Striped Newt. The Integrated Wildlife Model Map shows low habitat quality and proposed improvements are not expected to impact wildlife. Farmland: The area is designated as Generalized Farmland use by the National Resources Conservation Services (NRCS). Coordination with the NRCS will be completed. Cultural Resources: Five previous surveys near the project area exist. A sixth survey is being conducted by SEARCH for the proposed widening of US 301. The CR 514 bridge (No. 180941) over I-75 is an unrecorded structure. Seven parcels located adjacent to I-75 and CR 514 contain unrecorded, historic (pre-1972) structures. Contamination: No identified contamination sites were noted however, the project area will be field investigated for potential cattle dipping trough remnants and other sites. Bicycle/ Pedestrian Facilities: CR 514 connects to the Jones Creek Trail, just west of the project area, within the Lake Panasoffkee Recreation Area, and continues north to SR 44. CR 514 from the City of Coleman east is designated as a multi-modal corridor. Public Involvement (PI): PI is proactive, inclusive, and engaging to provide opportunities for all stakeholders to offer input. Our tools include early coordination, public meetings, and outreach media such as newsletters and a website to streamline the process. Our approach helps identify not only concerns about potential impacts, but also views about transportation needs and potential project benefits.

TRAFFIC issues identified include future traffic demand, high truck volumes, proximity to and future needs for CR 525 E, and potential re-evaluation of the IJR. Consideration of Complete Streets is given to allow for multi-modal connectivity. Anticipated Growth: Sumter County is one of the top 10 fastest growing counties in the nation with a 78.7% population growth between 2000 and 2010. The Villages 55+ residential community is rapidly approaching 100,000 residents. Permit data for Sumter County shows +/- 500 residential permits being issued. Traffic Conditions: Currently CR 514 has an 810 Average Annual Daily Traffic (AADT). Traffic is expected to increase to 32,000 AADT in the next 20 years. With the anticipated industrial development, there will be a significant increase in truck traffic within the project study area. When fully developed, the Monarch Ranch would add 59,000 daily truck trips. With a 20% peak hour truck percentage expected with surrounding interchange development, we will investigate the following:

Design to meet geometric requirements for WB 62-FL Longer acceleration and deceleration lane lengths along I-75 Concrete pavement along intersection approaches Wider medians along CR 514 to facilitate U-turn movements

Large roundabouts to facilitate truck movements when evaluating roundabouts Provide adequate truck staging areas Invest in freight ITS features

Safety: No crashes are reported on CR 514 in the recent three-year period. Most crashes have occurred east of US 301 and 258 crashes occurred along I-75 between CR 470 and SR 44. The crash rate (0.427 crashes per million vehicle miles traveled) is higher than statewide average (0.338) for rural interstate facilities.

We evaluate safety utilizing the Crash Analysis Reporting System (CARS) which is supplemented with Signal4Analytics and Highway Safety Manual (HSM) procedures for calculating crash reduction factors (CRFs) of the proposed improvements. Noise:

High truck volumes and increased traffic demand will create a perceived quality of life impact related to traffic noise. Following approval of the Traffic Data form, noise modeling will be performed utilizing FHWA’s Traffic Noise Model (TNM) to evaluate impacts from noise and adequate mitigation measures will be evaluated. IJR Alternatives: The IJR considered the build alternatives of Tight Urban Diamond (TUDI) and Partial Cloverleaf (ParClo) Interchanges. Per the IJR the ParClo is the preferred concept with CR 514 designed as an overpass over I-75. IJR Re- Evaluation: The IJR is being completed under the Programmatic Agreement and will be approved by Central Office (CO). If the IJR approved interchange is modified, early coordination with Andrew Young in CO will be conducted to expedite the re-evaluation of the Interstate Access Request to advance the project.

DESIGN. Early identification of critical issues, constraints, and resource impacts guides the alternatives refinement process. Key issues include roadway geometry, the existing CR 514 bridge over I-75, future expansion, drainage, structures, utilities, and sinkholes. Geometric and ROW Constraints:

Proper signal spacing to the planned CR 525E Access to adjacent parcels along CR 514 which is restricted by the Limited Access ROW criteria and the close proximity to public lands 4(f) along the west side of the interchange Existing billboards and a cell tower in SE quadrant Maintaining the existing box culvert along north side of CR 514 that drains a significant area east of the project

Our goal is to develop alternatives that avoid or mitigate impacts to these factors including possible realignment of the CR 514 interchange to the north. Future Expansion: I-75 is currently being widened to a six-lane divided section with expansion to eight-lanes by 2030. Our interchange design will be flexible to accommodate this future widening and include a bridge design that provides surplus capacity to support growth in truck traffic.

Interchange Alternatives: After data collection, we define the alternatives evaluation criteria and develop a constraints map.

Next, we use Arcadis’ Rapid Alternative Processing (RAP) to accelerate alternative development based on constraints and established evaluation criteria. At a day-long RAP workshop, our planning, environmental, traffic and roadway staff work together to brainstorm ideas and develop viable and innovative alternatives that avoid or minimize impacts with a list of pros and cons. After discussions with FDOT and stakeholders, a shortlist of potential alternatives is evaluated in greater detail. Once impacts indicate the overall effects are not significant, the study continues as a Type 2 Categorical Exclusion (CE) COA.

Table 1. Preliminary Alternatives Design

Alternative Concept 1 - Diamond Interchange

CR 514 grade separated over I-75 Signal controlled intersections at CR 514 ramp terminals Free flow right turns to/from ramps Single-lane on- and off-ramps from the north and south 4-lane overpass on CR 514 accommodates future expansion

Advantages

IJR listed concept, avoids IJR re-evaluation Does not directly impact cell tower or billboards Bridge accommodates future I-75 Widening Provides access to adjacent parcels west side of interchange

Weaknesses

Not compatible with CR 525E (substandard signal spacing) All movements near ramp terminals are signal controlled Requires two WB to SB left-turn lanes at ramp in the future Requires ROW acquisition in all 4 quadrants Access to adjacent parcels on east impacted by ROW Accommodating left turn truck volumes near ramp terminals

Alternative Concept 2 – Modified IJR Diamond Interchange Advantages

Reduces interchange footprint Compatible with planned CR 525E (meets signal spacing) Provides access to parcels in all interchange quadrants Bridge accommodates future I-75 Widening

Weaknesses

Impacts billboards in SE quadrant All movements near ramps terminals are signal controlled Requires two WB to SB left-turn lanes at ramp in the future Requires ROW acquisition in all 4 quadrants of interchange Accommodating left turn truck volumes near ramp terminal

Alternative Concept 3 – Partial Cloverleaf

CR 514 grade separated over I-75 4-lane overpass on CR 514 accommodates future expansion Loop ramp provides free-flow WB to SB movement Replaces the left-turn movement with a right-turn movement and eliminates several conflict points.

Advantages

IJR listed concept, avoids IJR re-evaluation Does not directly impact cell tower or billboards Improves operations along CR 514 Accommodates heavy left turn from WB CR 514 to SB I-75 Requires ROW acquisition in 3 quadrants of the interchange Bridge accommodates future I-75 expansion

Weaknesses

Conflict with planned CR 525E (substandard signal spacing) Parcels access on west side impacted – Limited Access ROW Large ROW footprint Accommodating left turn truck volumes near NB ramp terminal

Alternative Concept 4 – Modified Loop (Trumpet)

Maintains existing CR 514 overpass bridge Two single-lane overpasses for future expansion Offset loop ramp – free-flow operation for all movements No signalized ramp intersections

Advantages

Does not directly impact cell tower or billboards Improves CR 514 operations – free flow to major movements Addresses heavy left turn volume Requires ROW acquisition in 3 quadrants of the interchange Provides additional service life (salvage CR 514 bridge) Reduced bridge width for I-75 ramps Bridges accommodate future I-75 expansion Compatible with planned CR 525E (meets spacing standard) Provides access to adjacent parcels in all quadrants

Weaknesses

Large ROW footprint Requires additional pavement and roadway realignment CR 514 bridge – modify to accommodate I-75 widening Non-IJR concept, requires IJR re-evaluation NB I-75 to WB CR 514 requires a U-turn movement Alternative Concept 5 – Diverging Diamond Interchange:

CR 514 grade separated over I-75 4-lane overpass on CR 514 accommodates future expansion Streamlines traffic operations for all ramp movements Free flow right turns to/from ramps

Advantages

Open as a tight rural diamond and retrofit to DDI in future Compatible with planned CR 525E (meets signal spacing) Improves operations with 2-phase signals at ramp terminals Improves safety by reducing left turning conflict points Bridges accommodate future I-75 expansion Provides access to adjacent parcels in all four quadrants

Weaknesses

Requires ROW acquisition in 4 quadrants of the interchange Pedestrian crossing in the median is not typical for the area Impacts billboards in SE quadrant Non-IJR concept, requires IJR reevaluation

Alternative Concept 6 – Realigned Interchange

Maintains existing CR 514 overpass bridge NW Quadrant loop ramp – free-flow operation WB to SB I-75 NB ramp terminal intersection begins/ends at CR 525E

Advantages

Requires ROW donated from a single property owner only Compatible with planned CR 525E

More flexible and modifiable for future traffic demands Better access to adjacent parcels Bridges accommodate future I-75 expansion Provides access to adjacent parcels in all quadrants

Weaknesses

CR 514 bridge - modify to accommodate I-75 widening Large ROW footprint Non-IJR concept, requires IJR re-evaluation

Realigned Interchange: The donation of ROW allows flexibility in interchange design and location. Survey: Early control survey combined with resource mapping facilitates early identification of key features, critical impacts, and aids in establishing roadway alignment, ROW or easements for construction. We utilize existing LiDAR data in combination with the control survey data to identity impacts and merge the alignment file with Google Earth.

Using Microstation 3D OpenRoads allows alternatives development that can be seamlessly transformed into roadway design in less time than the traditional design approach, therefore advancing to construction sooner.

Geotechnical: The karst geology in this region is a highly variable layer of sand, clay, and limestone. Shallow limestone makes excavation difficult and sinkholes more likely. Ground penetrating radar (GPR) allows us to identify shallow clay, limestone, and relic sinkholes. GPR assists boring locations in roadway cut and pond areas. GPR borings evaluate groundwater and sinkholes during construction and limit post-construction sinkhole formation.

Our team’s local experience includes I-75 from CR 470 to the Turnpike, I-75 at SR 44 Interchange, and the FedEx Distribution Hub site in Ocala. Drainage: The project area is within the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) Withlacoochee River Basin and is hydrologically connected to the Floridan aquifer. The project and surrounding area drains to Lake Panasoffkee through a 5’ x 5’ box culvert under I-75. The surrounding area issues include a high water table, sinkhole development, isolated clay lens/perched groundwater table, mosaic of high and low permeability soils. FDEP has classified

Figure 1: Realigned Interchange Concept

Lake Panasoffkee as an Outstanding Florida Water (OFW) impaired for nutrients. A 125% nutrient load reduction is accomplished by converting pastureland to transportation…