Request_for_Qualifications:_Hamilton_County_Bridge_No._250_Design_Services.pdf

Request for Proposals (RFP) for

Request for Qualifications: Hamilton County Bridge No. 250 Design Services

Highway Department

Hamilton County, Indiana

RFP # E-26-0924

RFP Issue Date September 14, 2026

First Advertisement September 14, 2026

Second Advertisement September 21, 2026

Deadline for Questions September 23, 2026, 4:00pm

Proposal Due Date September 28, 2026, 1:15pm

Proposals Opened at BOC Public

Meeting

Hamilton County Government and Judicial

Center in Noblesville, IN, Commissioners'

Courtroom

Anticipated Contract Award Date October 8, 2026

Anticipated Contract Execution Date October 8, 2026

Table Of Contents

1. Qualifications

2. The Opportunity

3. Submission Instructions

4. Evaluation Criteria

5. Statement of Qualification

6. Terms and Conditions

7. Appendix

Attachments:

A - Hamilton 250 Notice

B - Hamilton 250 RFQ

1. Qualifications

1.1 Required Prequalifications

Only SOQs from those CONSULTANTS who are registered on the Indiana Department of Transportation's current listing of

Prequalified Contractors for:

• 5.2 Environmental Document Preparation;

• 6.1 Topographical Survey Data Collection;

• 8.1 Non-Complex Roadway Design;

• 5.6 Waterway Permits;

• 7.1 Geotechnical Engineering Services;

• 16.1 Utility Coordination;

• 17.4 Bridge Hydraulic Design; and,

• 9.2 Level 2 Bridge Design will be considered.

Any SOQ submitted by CONSULTANTS not approved for the above listed work types will be rejected.

1.2 Selection Schedule

RFP Issue Date: September 14, 2026

First Advertisement: September 14, 2026

Second Advertisement: September 21, 2026

Deadline for Questions: September 23, 2026, 4:00pm

Proposal Due Date: September 28, 2026, 1:15pm

Proposals Opened at BOC Public Meeting: Hamilton County Government and Judicial

Center in Noblesville, IN, Commissioners'

Courtroom

Anticipated Contract Award Date: October 8, 2026

Anticipated Contract Execution Date: October 8, 2026

2. The Opportunity

2.1 Project Description

The County seeks SOQs from firms experienced in civil, geotechnical, and environmental engineering to provide design services for the replacement of the Hamilton County Bridge No. 250: Hazel Dell Parkway over

Blue Woods Creek. The project may qualify for FHWA ER federal-aid reimbursement and will be developed in accordance with the 2026 INDOT Standard Specifications and all amendments, the latest edition of the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices, general conditions, FHWA requirements, and all applicable state and federal statutes and guidelines, including INDOT LPA Manual requirements.

2.2 Scope of Consultant Services

The selected consultant will provide all professional engineering, environmental, and technical services necessary to design the Hamilton County Bridge 250 Replacement Project. All work must be performed using

U.S. Customary (English) units and shall conform to FHWA’s Highway Bridge Program, including all related design, documentation, and submittal requirements.

The Consultant will be responsible for preparing complete bridge and approach roadway engineering designs, including structural analyses, hydraulic and hydrologic modeling, scour analysis, floodplain evaluations, geotechnical investigations and foundation recommendations, environmental field surveys, and preparation of

NEPA documentation. The Consultant shall prepare all necessary federal, state, and local permit applications;

right-of-way plans, legal descriptions, and supporting acquisition documents; and utility coordination mapping and conflict identification.

Survey responsibilities include supplemental topographic and boundary surveying required for design, hydraulic modeling, mapping, and construction staking.

Finally, the Consultant shall produce a complete Plans, Specifications, and Estimates (“PS&E”) package ready for advertisement, bidding, and construction, compliant with all Federal, State, and County requirements. The

Consultant shall not provide price or cost related information in response to this RFQ.

2.3 Expected Deliverables

A. Hydraulics Report

B. Geotechnical Report

C. Floodplain Analysis Report

D. Foundation Report

E. Bridge Type Selection Report and General Plan

F. Topographic and Boundary Survey deliverables

G. Utility Relocation Maps

H. Final ROW Plans

I. Complete PS&E Package

2.4 Selection

Following completion of evaluations, the County will score and rank the three most highly qualified firms, consistent with 23 CFR § 172.7(a)(1)(iv)(D)–(E). Scores will be compiled and submitted to INDOT for concurrence. Notification of the final ranking will be provided to the three most highly qualified firms.

2.5 Cost Proposal and Negotiation

Prior to requesting any cost proposal from the highest-ranked firm, the County will prepare an independent cost estimate consistent with 23 CFR § 172.7(a)(1)(v)(B). This estimate will include anticipated labor hours, classifications, other direct costs, and fixed fees, and will form the basis of cost negotiations.

Following completion of cost negotiations with the most highly qualified firm, the County will enter into a contract using one of the payment methods permitted under 23 CFR § 172.9, consistent with FHWA requirements for engineering and design-related services. The County will utilize either a Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee

(“CPFF”) contract or a Cost-Reimbursement contract

2.6 Statement of Qualification Content and Organization

SOQs should be prepared as simply as possible and provide a straightforward, concise description of the firm’s capabilities to satisfy the requirements of the scope of services requested in this RFQ.

A. Cover Letter (max. 2 pages) summarizing key qualifications.

B. Firm Description: Provide the firm name, address of the responsible office from which the work will be performed, and the name and email address of the contact person authorized to negotiate for the associated work.

1. List all proposed sub consultants and the percentage of work to be performed by the prime consultant and each sub consultant.

C. Qualifications & Relevant Experience: List the Project Manager and other key staff members, including key subconsultant staff, and the percent of time the project manager will be committed for the contract, if selected. Include project engineers for important disciplines and staff members responsible for the work. Address the experience of the key staff members on similar projects and the staff qualifications relative to the required item qualifications.

D. Capacity and Availability of Team: Describe the capacity of consultant staff and their ability to perform the work in a timely manner relative to present workload.

E. Past Performance: List similar or related engineering design projects completed by your firm within the past five (5) years.

F. Project Understanding & Approach: Provide a description of your project approach relative to the advertised services. Address your firm’s technical understanding of the project or services, cost containment practices, innovative ideas and any other relevant information concerning your firm’s qualifications for the project.

2.7 RFQ Timeline and Submission Schedule

All dates below are binding unless modified by addendum. Late submissions will not be accepted. Hamilton

County will move through the evaluation process as promptly as practicable.

Phase Description Date / Time

RFQ Release &

Public Notices

RFQ Issued via

OpenGov

September 14, 2026

First Public Notice

Published

Monday, September

14, 2026

Second Public Notice

Published

Monday, September

21, 2026

Questions Period Deadline for submitting questions via OpenGov

September 23, 2026

SOQ Submission

Deadline

SOQs due via

OpenGov no later than the start of the

Hamilton County

Board of

Commissioners meeting

Monday, September

28, 2026

Evaluation County Evaluation

Committee reviews and scores all SOQs received by the deadline

Immediately following

September 28, 2026

INDOT & FHWA

Concurrence

County submits scoring documentation to INDOT and FHWA for concurrence of scoring.

Immediately following evaluation.

Final

Ranking Notification

Final ranking notification is provided to the top three firms

After conclusion of concurrence

Independent Cost

Estimate

County prepares detailed independent cost estimate before requesting cost proposal from highest-ranked firm

Immediately after final ranking

Cost Proposal &

Negotiations

County requests sealed cost proposal from highest-ranked firm

After independent estimate completion

2.8 Federal Requirements and Contract Provisions

All firms responding to this RFQ are expected to comply with the federal contract provisions located in Exhibit

A, attached hereto and made a part of this RFQ. Additionally, Firms are advised that this RFQ is drafted based on the assumption that the Project will remain eligible for federal funds. Accordingly, the RFQ will conform to requirements of applicable federal law and FHWA regulations. The County reserves the right to modify the procurement procedures described herein to address any concerns, conditions, or requirements of FHWA. The

County will notify Firms of any such modifications via addenda.

2.9 Reservation of Rights

The County reserves the unrestricted right to:

• The County’s decision to enter into an eventual agreement with a firm will be made on the basis of the best qualified Firm’s qualifications, project understanding and approach, relevant experience, and ability to deliver the County with the best value. The County reserves the right to reject all Responses and shall make a decision they believe is in the best interests of the County’s residence. The County reserves the right to assemble a team to review the Responses received.

• Pursuant to IC 5-22-18-2, the County reserves the right to cancel or reject this RFQ in whole or in part.

• The County does not require the Firm to submit a certified check/bid bond or other evidence of financial responsibility with its Response.

• All Firms will be accorded fair and equal treatment with respect to any opportunity for discussion and revision of SOQs. The County may enter into discussion with Firms to clarify and assure a full understanding of SOQs.

• Hamilton County, Indiana, in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 78 Stat. 252, 42

USC 2000d to 2000d-4 and Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Department of Transportation, Subtitle A, Office the Secretary, Part 21, Non-Discrimination in Federally Assisted Programs of the

Department of Transportation issued pursuant to such Act, hereby notifies all Firms that it will affirmatively insure that in any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, minority business enterprises will be afforded full opportunity to submit SOQs in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, or national origin in consideration for an award.

• The County may refuse to disclose the contents of SOQs during discussions with eligible firms.

• Firms shall not contact Hamilton County Board of Commissioners or any other voting body. All correspondence and questions for this RFQ should be handled through the RFQ Contact.

Submission of an SOQ does not guarantee award of a contract.

2.10 Exhibit A

See Attachment pdf for the terms, conditions, and requirements contained in Exhibit A.

3. Submission Instructions

All proposals must be submitted through the County's OpenGov Procurement portal before 1:15 pm on

Monday, September 28, 2026.

Other forms of submission (fax or email) will be rejected.

Proposals submitted after the deadline will be rejected.

4. Evaluation Criteria

Pursuant to state and federal requirements a qualifications-based selection method will be used to evaluate and select the consultant for this Project. The evaluation team will consist of Hamilton County employees who have direct knowledge of the work to be performed. SOQs will be evaluated using the following criteria and scoring:

• Firm’s Qualifications and Relevant Experience 25

• Project Understanding and Approach 25

• Capacity and Availability of Team 40

• Past Performance 10

Total 100 Points

In accordance with 23 CFR § 172.7(a)(1)(iii)(B) price shall not be used as a factor in the evaluation of this RFQ.

All price or cost related items, which include, but are not limited to, cost proposals, direct salaries/wage rates, indirect cost rates, and other direct costs are prohibited from being used as evaluation criteria for this RFQ.

Pursuant to 23 CFR§ 172.7(a)(1)(iii)(C), no In-State or local preference will be used as a factor in the evaluation of this RFQ, except where a local presence will add value to the quality and efficiency of the project and such evaluation criteria does not exceed a nominal value.

Evaluation factors will therefore focus exclusively on qualifications-based criteria, including technical approach, project understanding, relevant experience, specialized expertise, professional licensure, staff capabilities, capacity to accomplish the work, and past performance.

No. Evaluation Criteria Scoring Method Weight (Points)

1. Firm's Qualifications and Relevant

Experience Points Based 25

(25% of Total)

2. Project Understanding and Approach Points Based 25 (25% of Total)

3. Capacity and Availability of Team Points Based 40 (40% of Total)

4. Past Performance Points Based 10 (10% of Total)

5. Statement of Qualification

5.1 Statement of Qualification*

Please upload your Statement of Qualification Document

*Response required

6. Terms and Conditions

• The County’s decision to enter into an eventual agreement with a provider will be made on the basis of the best qualified Proposer’s qualifications, project understanding and approach, relevant experience, and ability to deliver the County with the best value. The County reserves the right to reject all proposals and shall make a decision they believe is in the best interests of the County’s residence. The County reserves the right to assemble a team to review the proposals received.

• Pursuant to IC 5-22-18-2, the County reserves the right to cancel or reject this Solicitation in whole or in part.

• The County does not require the Proposer to submit evidence of financial responsibility with its proposal.

• All Proposers will be accorded fair and equal treatment with respect to any opportunity for discussion and revision of proposals. The County may enter into discussion with Proposers to clarify and assure a full understanding of proposals.

• Hamilton County, Indiana, in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 78 Stat. 252, 42

USC 2000d to 2000d-4 and Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Department of Transportation, Subtitle A, Office the Secretary, Part 21, Non-Discrimination in Federally Assisted Programs of the

Department of Transportation issued pursuant to such Act, hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively insure that in any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, minority business enterprises will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, or national origin in consideration for an award.

• The County may refuse to disclose the contents of Proposals during discussions with eligible Proposers.

• Proposing providers shall not contact Hamilton County Board of Commissioners or any other voting body. All correspondence and questions for this RFP should be handled through the RFP Contact.

7. Appendix

The following attachments are attached and incorporated fully herein to this RFP:

• Attachment A: Hamilton 250 Notice

• Attachment B: Hamilton 250 RFQ