Norwottuck RFP REV June 4 2026.pdf

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation

State Transportation Building | 10 Park Plaza | Suite 6620 | Boston, MA 02116 www.Mass.gov/DCR | Tel: (617) 626-1250

Maura T. Healey Governor

Kimberley Driscoll Lieutenant Governor

Rebecca L. Tepper Secretary

Nicole LaChapelle Commissioner

Statement of Work – Request for Proposal

Norwottuck Rail Trail, Northampton, MA, Hadley, Amherst, Belchertown

Located in the Pioneer Valley, the Norwottuck Branch of the Mass Central Rail Trail (MCRT) is one of DCR’s signature North-South Rail Trails. The 9-mile western section of the MCRT was opened in 1993 and has since undergone major trail surface improvements. In 2015, the DCR, in partnership with MassDOT, completed a reconstruction of the trail. The work included widening the trail from 8-ft to 10-ft. Today the trail requires further maintenance and redesign in response to structural and drainage issues related to beaver activities in the wetland areas on both sides of the trail in Amherst. It also requires drainage improvements along its entire length, as well as correcting root intrusion in multiple sections.

Accessibility Standards

Effective immediately, all deliverables related to goods and services contracts must meet the accessibility standards set forth within Executive Order 614 and the Americans with Disabilities Act Title II (ADA Title II).

This applies to all vendors’ bid proposals and deliverables.

RFP Title: Norwottuck Rail Trail Improvements: Project Number: P26-3648-D3A

Commbuys Bid #: BD-27-1020-DCRCU-DC250-130299

Contract #: PRF # 69

Contract Category: Civil Engineering Services

Description of Need Summary:

This Request for Proposals (RFP) is posted by the Department of Conservation and Recreation for the procurement of a vendor to prepare 100% construction plans, specifications and estimates; prepare and obtain required permits and approvals as necessary; and provide bidding and construction phase services for the repair of segments of the Norwottuck Rail Trail. This work may also include designing an alternative trail sub-structure for the section impacted by beaver activity within the wetlands near Lawrence Station in Amherst (near Station Rd.).

https://www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-conservation-recreation

Commonwealth Eligible Entity Engaging a Vendor:

Eligible Entity Name: Department of Conservation and Recreation Type of Eligible Entity: State Agency Eligible Entity Mailing Address: 10 Park Plaza, Suite 6620, Boston, MA 02116-3978 Contact Name: Stella Lensing E-Mail Address: stella.lensing@mass.gov Telephone: 617 680 2466

This Request for Proposal (RFP) does not commit DCR to approve a Statement of Work (SOW), pay any costs incurred in the preparation of a bidder’s response to this RFP, or to engage for products or services. DCR reserves the right to accept or reject any and all quotes received as a result of this RFP and to contract for some, all, or none of the responding vendors as a result of this RFP. DCR further reserves the right to negotiate with any or all responding vendors or to cancel this RFP, in part or in its entirety, if it is in the best interest of the agency to do so.

Anticipated Completion of Project: June 30, 2028, with early action item for Station Rd completion by January 31,2027

Evaluation Criteria: Responses will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

1. Understanding of the project goals and appropriateness of the approach presented.

2. Composition and qualifications of the consultant team.

3. Demonstrated experience and past performance of the consultant team on similar projects.

4. Feasibility of the proposed schedule and the ability of the consultant team to accomplish the task within the stated timeframes.

5. Quality and responsiveness of the proposal (proposals shall be clear, concise, and complete).

6. References; and

7. Cost.

Proposals Shall Include the Following:

1. Letter of Transmittal

2. Project Understanding

3. Consultant Team: Describe the organization of your project team, including subconsultants. Identify key project personnel, including Principal-In-Charge, the Project Manager, and staff, as well as key subconsultant personnel, and include a resume for each. DCR will consider the proposed personnel to be a commitment by the consultant for project staffing.

4. Project Schedule and Scope of Services: Provide a spreadsheet with Project Phases and Tasks and the amount of time anticipated for each, including meetings and deliverable dates.

5. Project Cost: Using the same list of Phases and Tasks, provide a spreadsheet of level of effort associated with each, total fees, and estimated expenses.

6. Relevant Experience: Provide a brief statement and project descriptions describing 3 projects total completed by your firm and subconsultant firms. Include construction completion dates.

7. References: Submit 3 client references for relevant project work.

Responses: Responses (bids/quotes) are to be submitted to DCR electronically via the “Create Quote” function contained in Commbuys system. If you are a vendor on (Statewide or DCR Contract#) and have not registered on Commbuys, you are required to do so. Vendors should consult the vendor user guide at http://www.mass.gov/anf/docs/osd/commbuys/commbuys-vendor-registration.

Help is available from the Commbuys Help Desk at 617.720.3197.

Please ensure that your vendor fee schedule included with this proposal matches that which is posted by OSD for this contract. If the fee schedule exceeds that which is posted, your bid will be disqualified.

Questions are Due by: Friday, June 26, 2026, at 4pm

Answers to Questions will be provided by: Monday July 6, 2026, at 12 pm

RFP Responses are due July 24, 2026, by 5pm

Project Number: P26-3648-D3A

Estimated Award Date: August 20, 2026

Pre-proposal site Meeting: June 25, 2026, 10 am – 1 pm. Meet at the Norwottuck Rail Trail Parking Lot Station Rd., Amherst, MA https://maps.app.goo.gl/7WEkJRQJv7LkLtmn7

**RSVP to Stella Lensing by 6/22/2026 if you will attend this meeting. Email stella.lensing@mass.gov

Part 2 Scope of Work

A. Project Description and Limit of Work The DCR is requesting professional design services to assess the condition of the trail and identify areas for repair and improvements. The following list of concerns has been developed by DCR Operations Staff.

This is not a complete list but provides a sample of issues that may occur at other locations along the greenway.

1. Station Rd. section of trail from the parking lot to just beyond the mile 9.5 marker.

2. Drainage trenches from Hazel Ave. (Mile marker 7) to Amherst Farmers supply (Route 116 tunnel) need assessment. There tends to be a lot of standing water in this area, and sewer surcharge from Town of Amherst is also dumping into the drainage swales. Frost heaves have pushed culverts up through pavement subgrade, and pavement edges are deteriorating.

3. Area behind Walmart and Whole Foods at the Hampshire Mall is receiving stormwter drainage from the mall, causing flooding on the trail.

4. Bridge decking on all trail bridges

5. Root issues along the length of the trail.

6. Line painting along length of trail.

7. Areas around concrete slabs for benches are eroding/concrete slabs are warping in the winter.

8. Fence sections at Elwell and Route 116 Tunnel need replacement.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/7WEkJRQJv7LkLtmn7

B. Design Goals The goals of this project are to:

a. Identify long-term solutions for the section of the trail near the Station Rd. Parking Lot. Beaver activity in Lawrence Swamp has compromised the subgrade of the trail.

b. Prepare engineering plans and acquire permits for construction of the above-referenced solutions by January 31, 2027.

c. Prepare a conditions assessment of the entire length of the Norwottuck Rail Trail.

d. Identify and address the gaps in signage and wayfinding,

e. Prepare a prioritized maintenance plan to address findings of the conditions assessment, including a permitting strategy.

f. Prepare Plans, Specification, and Estimates for repairs to the trail, including acquisition of permits required.

Commonwealth-wide, DCR’s design goals also include:

a. Public Access and Circulation: Create a welcoming environment with enhanced public access that meets or exceeds the requirements of the Architectural Access Board (or, where directed by DCR, the USDA Forest Service Trail Accessibility Guidelines). Design circulation infrastructure that is low-maintenance, safe and convenient for all users, using Complete Streets design criteria where appropriate. Layout roads and paths to integrate visitor programming, maintenance regimens, emergency access, special event staging (where required) and ecosystem function efficiently.

b. Low-impact Design: Specify durable, low-maintenance details and materials to improve water quality and eco-system function, including native plant communities and green infrastructure BMPs.

Preserve existing native vegetation and soil structure from the impacts of construction whenever possible. Including the restoration of low-functioning eco-systems, including stormwater erosion and invasive plants whenever possible. Design for climate resilience, anticipating the effects of extreme storm events, heat, drought, sea level rise and other impacts. Designers should reference ResilentMA.org and the EEA Resilient Design Guidelines for the latest climate data for the area.

c. Site-Specific Design: Protect cultural resources. Specify materials that reflect the natural and cultural history of the site. Design interpretive signage to educate visitors about site history.

C. Scope of Services

DCR Project Team: The team will consist of representatives from DCR’s Operations, GIS, Resource Stewardship, Design and Engineering, and External Affairs divisions; all team communication will be through the DCR project manager. The consultant shall coordinate with the DCR project manager as required to facilitate all phases of the work.

Project Meetings: The consultant shall prepare all presentation materials and facilitate the project meetings, including DCR team meetings, site walks, meetings with partner organizations, and municipal and state officials. Assume all project meetings, excluding the Kick-off Meeting, will be held remotely via Microsoft Teams. The consultant shall provide meeting summaries with action items for all meetings and shall distribute those to all members of the DCR and consultant teams within 72 hours after the meeting.

Consultants shall assume bi-weekly (twice monthly), one-hour project check-in meetings throughout the project length.

Public Outreach Process: Early and continuing public outreach for this project is needed. We expect three public meetings will be sufficient for this project.

Subject Matter Expertise: The consultant team must include qualified team members such as environmental scientists who are experts in the ecology of wetlands and their fauna and flora. This is a requirement for the section of the trail within the Lawrence Swamp conservation area where beavers and other animals are undermining the subgrade of the trail.

Professional services that may be required include but are not limited to the following list. The consultant team must identify all additional services in their proposal.

a. Civil engineer

b. Structural engineer

c. Landscape architect

d. Surveyor

e. Archeological consultant

f. Permitting specialist and environmental scientist

g. Hydrological engineer

The principal-in-charge of the prime and sub-consultant firms shall be a professional registered in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as applicable per discipline.

Permitting: Please include a detailed discussion of the permitting approach in the proposal. DCR understands due to the complexity of this project, solutions that require additional permits may arise which may require additional permitting.

DCR Green Docket: Assume a two-week review period for DCR’s in-house environmental permitting review and approval.

Estimates of Probable Cost: The consultant shall submit a cost estimate with each plan submission. The cost estimate shall be based on the latest weighted unit prices found on the MassDOT web site, and consultant’s own experience.

Additional Services: List the hourly rates for all consultant team members for any additional services. Every effort must be made by the consultant team to avoid additional services. While DCR recognizes that the scope of work may change after the Notice to Proceed is awarded, we expect the consultant team to alert DCR to anything that may result in a request for Additional Services as soon as possible. Under no circumstance may the consultant team perform additional services or charge additional time beyond what was estimated in the Proposal without prior written approval from DCR.

Proposed Task List:

Task 1: Station Rd.: Develop plans, specifications and estimate and permits for addressing sub-surface undermining of the trail (approximately 1,000-LF Section North of Station Rd) in Amherst.

Task 2: Conditions assessment of the Norwottuck Rail Trail, including gaps in wayfinding.

Task 3: Planning & prioritization of maintenance needs, including permitting strategy for repairs, including a strategy for wayfinding.

Task 4: Develop PS&E and acquire permits for repairs.

Below follows an outline of each task above as anticipated by DCR. Task 1 has a completion date of January 31, 2027. Task 2 should commence concurrently with Task 1, with Tasks 2-3 completion by December 31, 2027, and completion of Task 4 is anticipated by June 30, 2028. Bi-weekly check-in meetings throughout the project length should also be included. It is DCR’s assumption that draft materials and required revisions will be presented and reviewed at the regular check-in meetings rather than at project milestones. Prospective consultant teams should review, revise, and/ or augment this list as they feel is required based on their project understanding or experience on projects of similar scope. Consultant teams should then use their proposed phase and task list as the basis of their schedule and fee.

Task 1: Station Rd Phase 1A: Accelerated Combined 25%/75% Design

1.1 Project Kick-off meeting with DCR

1.2 Site Walk w/ Project Team and/or Stakeholder Group. Include up to (1) meeting.

1.3 Topographical Survey and existing conditions inventory.

1.4 25%/75% Design Submittal with preliminary cost estimate.

** DCR Review and comments resolution meeting

Phase 1B: Environmental Permitting Phase (concurrent with Phase 2A 75% Design)

1.5 Meet with Permitting Authorities to understand planning goals and BMPs for the project site.

*** Include anticipated number of meetings in the proposal

1.6 Draft filings: Prepare draft permit filings to local, State and Federal authorities as required for the proposed work for review at DCR Green Docket.

* DCR Green Docket Review Period is 2 weeks prior to filing.

1.7 Submit permit applications/filings.

1.8 Hearings: Prepare for and attend public hearings in support of permit filings. Assume up to (2) hearings for each permit.

Phase 2: 100% Design (PS&E)

2.1 100% Submittal:

• Plans & Details: Finalize the design of the proposed work, incorporating any changes required by permitting efforts or comments by DCR.

• Specifications/ Special Provisions

• Estimate of Probable Cost

2.2 PS&E submittal

Phase 3: Construction Bid and Award Phase Services (Bid to be conducted by DCR)

3.1 Bid Package

• Conformed Set (Plans and Specifications) as required

3.2 Advertisements

3.3 Pre-bid site walk

3.4 Responses to Bidder Questions & Addenda

3.5 Bid Review & Comparison (Canvass of Bids spreadsheet provided by DCR)

** DCR Contract Award

Phase 4: Construction Support Services (DCR Resident Engineer to provide Construction

Administration)

4.1 Bi-Weekly Site Visits and Job Meetings, including review and approvals on:

• Pre-Construction Site Walk

• Site Preparation (including erosion control, tree preservation and removals site walk)

• Review for Approval by the Resident Engineer (including layout, subgrade, drainage infrastructure, pavement, site improvements, fine grade, plant materials delivered to the site prior to installation, plant layout)

• Plant Procurement (including nursery visits & and plant material tagging)

• Plant Layout

• Final Punch List

• Inspections, Warranties & Guarantees per Contract Documents

• Final Acceptance and Project Close-Out

• One-Year Guarantees

4.2 Submittal Review & Action

4.3 Payment, Claims, Change Order Review & Action

4.4 Record Set

4.5 Permit closeouts

4.6 Meeting: DCR Operations Management Plan

Task 2: Conditions Assessment and Wayfinding Phase 1: Gather Data

1.1 GIS based data collection (based on schema provided by DCR)

1.2 Assessment of trail condition

1.3 Identify gaps in wayfinding

Phase 2: Deliverables:

2.1 GIS Data, shapefiles and attribute tables

2.2 Report and conditions assessment of data collected

2.3 Plan Set showing existing conditions and wayfinding gaps

Task 3: Planning & Prioritization of Maintenance needs for Repairs, and Wayfinding.

Develop and prepare a report with priority needs for maintenance and repairs with order of magnitude level of design, permitting and construction complexity, cost estimates, and timelines for PS&E, and construction.

** Assume 3 Public Meetings for Tasks 2&3

Task 4: PS&E for Maintenance and Repair Develop Design plans, 25% through PS&E for areas identified in Task 2 and 3 above. Due to the phased nature of Tasks 2-4, DCR understands that Task 4 may require additional services as the project progresses.

Additional Documents Upon Request by emailing Stella Lensing at stella.lensing@mass.gov

• 605065 Design Plans

• 20121022 605065 RW Plan

End of RFP

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation