RFP_Root_River.docx

State of Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

Root River State Trail Houston Area Bank Stabilization SWIFT Event # 2000016401 Date Posted: November 04, 2024

· Responses must be received not later than 2:00 PM, Central Time, November 25, 2024

· Late responses will not be considered

Minnesota’s Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion The State of Minnesota is committed to diversity and inclusion in its public procurement process. The goal is to ensure that those providing goods and services to the State are representative of our Minnesota communities and include businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, and those with substantial physical disabilities. Creating broader opportunities for historically under-represented groups provides for additional options and greater competition in the marketplace, creates stronger relationships and engagement within our communities, and fosters economic development and equality.

To further this commitment, the Department of Administration operates a program for Minnesota-based small businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, and those with substantial physical disabilities. For additional information on this program, or to determine eligibility, please call 651-296-2600 or go to the Office of Equity in Procurement home page, at www.mn.gov/admin/oep.

SPECIAL NOTICE: This is a request for proposal. It does not obligate the State of Minnesota to award a contract or complete the proposed program, and the State reserves the right to cancel this solicitation if it is considered in its best interest.

This Solicitation requires proposals to be submitted through the SWIFT Supplier Portal. Please note the security changes below that may impact responders from submitting a timely response.

SWIFT SUPPLIER PORTAL SECURITY CHANGES

There are new security measures that the Minnesota Management and Budget implemented on October 16, 2022. It is a new multi-factor authentication (MFA) to enhance the security of the State of Minnesota Supplier Portal. MFA is an authentication method that requires bidders and suppliers provide two verification factors to log into the SWIFT Supplier Portal. The goal of MFA is to create a layered defense that makes it more difficult for unauthorized system access to occur.

For information about these changes, please refer to the SWIFT Supplier Portal Multi-Factor Authentication FAQ document.

If you have not done so already, please make sure to log into the SWIFT Supplier Portal as soon as possible to get this authentication set up early so there are no issues when submitting a response to an RFP.

You are strongly encouraged to set your MFA during business hours of 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M., Central Time, Monday through Friday. You may experience delay setting your MFA after hours.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Solicitation Content

Solicitation Attachments

· Attachment A: Responder Declarations

· Attachment B: Exceptions to State's Terms and Conditions

· Attachment C: Cost Detail

· Attachment D: Responder Forms

· Veteran-Owned Preference Form [If Applicable]

· Workforce and Equal Pay Declaration Page Sample Contract

· Exhibit A: Contract Terms

· Exhibit B: Insurance Requirements

SECTION 1 – INSTRUCTIONS TO RESPONDERS

Step 1: Read the solicitation documents and ask questions, if any Step 2: Write your response Step 3: Submit your response

STEP 1 – READ THE SOLICITATION DOCUMENT & ASK QUESTIONS, IF ANY

How to Ask Questions

The contact person for questions is:

Charles Schuman, Contract Officer Department of Natural Resources charles.schuman@state.mn.us Questions should be emailed to the contact 7 days before event close.

Other personnel are not authorized to answer questions regarding this Solicitation.

STEP 2 – WRITE YOUR RESPONSE

The Response Content section is in this link to Section 4. Prepare a written response and supply all requested content. Responses should address the requested information and documents detailed in Section 4. DO NOT INCLUDE Non-Public/Trade Secret data (as defined in this link to Minn. Stat. § 13.37).

Review, sign, and include the Responder Declarations with your response.

STEP 3 –SUBMIT YOUR RESPONSE

Where to Send Your Response

All responses to this solicitation (termed an “Event” within SWIFT) must be submitted through SWIFT using the Supplier portal (https://mn.gov/supplier). Training and documentation on how to submit your response is available through the Supplier portal link above. Fax, e-mail, and printed responses will not be accepted or considered. All costs incurred in responding to this solicitation will be borne by the responder.

Late responses will not be considered. Responses received after End Date above will not be considered, even if errors or delays were caused by issues outside of responders’ control. If you need assistance, please contact the SWIFT Vendor Assistance Helpline at 651-201-8100, Option 1, and then Option 1.

By submitting a response, your company is making a binding legal offer for the period of time set forth below in Section 6, Conditions of Offer.

SECTION 2 – SUMMARY OF SCOPE

Procurement Overview and Goals.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Operations Services Division, and Parks and Trails Division requests proposals from consulting firms to provide final plans, specifications, along with technical services during construction for stabilizing and reconstructing the riverbank along the Root River State Trail north of Houston in Houston County. See map below showing the approximate center location of riverbank that requires stabilization.

The DNR will complete all federal, state and tribal historical review processes, state environmental review (EAW) if determined to be necessary, and acquisition of access agreements. The consultant will be responsible to prepare any required permits including wetland delineation and permitting for DNR signature including assistance in sourcing wetland mitigation credits (if required). The consultant will be expected to provide timely responses for requests for information, draft documents and responses to technically oriented reviewer comments.

The design firm must have demonstrated experience in civil engineering along with experience with streambank restoration and permitting. The project shall be designed and constructed using established standards of practice including natural channel design, fluvial geomorphology, and engineering principles.

Sample Tasks and Deliverables.

A. Project kick-off meeting I. Schedule a virtual project kick-off meeting with the DNR project team.

II. Prepare agenda and take minutes of the meeting.

III. Site visit to review project limits and scope.

B. Survey I. Vertical datum: NAVD88 II. Horizontal datum: NAD93 County Coordinates III. Control: MnDOT or on-site IV. Topographic survey will be performed by the Consultant.

V. Drawing

a. Plans to be drawn in AutoCAD Civil 3D

b. DNR will provide AutoCAD Civil 3D template

C. Site Assessment – Preliminary Engineering I. Complete a geomorphic assessment of the Root River in the area of project site.

a. The consultant will collect additional data as necessary for design.

b. Complete hydrologic and hydraulic analysis of South Branch Root River at project site. Use U.S. Army Corps of Engineers HEC-RAS software for hydraulic analysis (http://www.hec.usace.army.mil/).

II. Based on the findings of the site visit, geomorphic assessment, and hydrologic and hydraulic analysis develop an approach to the restoration design. A draft design documentation report (DDR) will be prepared and distributed for review and comment.

III. Prepare a final design documentation report based on the comments received on the draft. The DDR will be the basis for the design. The DDR shall include:

a. Restoration Objectives

b. Geomorphic survey results

c. Hydrologic Analysis Results

d. Hydraulic Model Results

e. Analysis of Drag, Dynamic, Shear, Moment force analysis, and Buoyancy Forces

f. Analysis of the use of large wood, riprap and other industry practices.

g. Assumptions used in Formulation of Recommended Design

h. Permitting Requirements.

i. National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit requirements.

j. Construction Season Feasibility

k. Local and Non-governmental Land Use requirements

l. Opinion of Probable Cost

m. Allow two (2) weeks for review by the DNR project team.

D. Permits:

I. Perform all tasks necessary to obtain project permitting, including wetland delineation, TEP Panel Review, USACOE and WCA Permitting application, and source wetland mitigation credits if required.

II. Perform all tasks necessary to obtain Public Waters work permit (MPARS, MnDNR Permitting and Reporting System).

III. Identify all permits required to construct project.

a. DNR will secure internal DNR permits other than MPARS permit.

b. Assign responsibility for other permits whether DNR, consultant, or construction contractors as is typical of the industry. DNR will assist in assignment as necessary. DNR will sign as the owner.

E. Preliminary Plans:

I. The preliminary plans will be developed in collaboration with the DNR Project Team.

II. Preliminary Plan sets to include:

a. Title Sheet & Site Map

b. Schedule of Estimated Quantities (SEQ)

c. Construction notes

d. Appropriate site plans

1. Identify construction limits

2. Identify right-of-way limits

3. Identify OHWL limits

4. Existing and final contours

e. Design details, typical sections and construction notes

f. Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan

1. Narrative

2. Soil Map

3. Erosion Control Plan

4. Erosion Control Typical Sections.

g. Cross Sections

h. Temporary traffic control

i. Construction staging areas.

III. Provide draft specifications in AIA format. The DNR does not use MnDOT special provisions however we do reference MnDOT Standard Specifications.

a. DNR will provide the Division 0 and Division 01 of the project manual.

IV. Prepare a detailed opinion of probable costs.

V. Conduct one preliminary review meeting with the DNR Project Team.

a. Provide preliminary drawings, calculations and estimates for review.

b. Prepare minutes of the meeting.

c. Allow ten (10) days for review by the DNR Project Team.

d. The DNR will provide one written set of comments.

F. Final Design Documents:

I. Consolidate all preliminary design review comments into a final construction document set.

II. Provide comment response memorandum, as necessary.

III. Provide final written construction specifications.

IV. Provide an updated opinion of probable cost.

V. Allow ten (10) days for review by the DNR Project Team. The DNR shall provide one (1) written set of comments.

G. Bidding:

I. The DNR will advertise bids. Responder will coordinate with the DNR on required materials to place the advertisement.

II. Provide technical support and answer questions from plan holders.

III. Assist in preparing addendums if necessary.

IV. Assist in reviewing bids and recommendation of award.

H. Construction Management:

I. Construction administration and management will be provided by the DNR Region 3 Engineering personnel.

II. Attend preconstruction and final inspection meetings.

III. Provide onsite technical inspection as construction progresses to resolve construction issues or for technical assistance.

a. Preconstruction meeting

b. Assume three, 8-hour onsite visits

c. Final inspection IV. Review and final approval of shop drawings & submittals.

V. Assist in change orders or supplemental instructions.

Permits: Consultant will be responsible for obtaining regulatory permits with assistance from the DNR.

Project Schedule This project is funded by Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) currently at $750,000 with a funding expiration date of June 30, 2027. The proposed schedule below is to meet the funding deadlines and the DNR needs.

Kick off Meeting – Within 45 days of Notice to Proceed (NTP) Concept Plans – 60 days after NTP Preliminary Plans – May 30, 2025 Final approvals and signed plans and specifications – July 11, 2025 Bid Opening Date – August 7, 2025 Construction – September thru November 2025.

One Year Warranty Inspection – November 2026

SECTION 3 – PROPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

1. Anticipated Contract Term.

The term of this contract is anticipated to be from December 01, 2024, to June 30, 2025, with the option to extend up to an additional 2 years in increments determined by the State. Depending on the availability of funding, it is anticipated to have an October 2025 construction completion date for segment no 2.

Question and Answer Instructions.

All questions should be submitted no later than the date and time listed in Section 1, Instructions to Responders. The State is not obligated to answer questions submitted after the question due date and time.

Only personnel listed above are authorized to discuss this solicitation with responders. Contact regarding this solicitation with any personnel not listed above could result in disqualification. This provision is not intended to prevent responders from seeking guidance from state procurement assistance programs regarding general procurement questions.

If a Responder discovers any significant ambiguity, error, conflict, discrepancy, omission, or other deficiency in the solicitation, please immediately notify the contact person detailed above in writing of such error and request modification or clarification of the document.

Additional Tasks or Activities.

Responders are encouraged to propose additional tasks, activities, or goods above and beyond the scope of what is requested in this solicitation if they will substantially improve the results of this procurement. Any costs associated with these additional tasks, activities, or goods should be clearly marked and separated from costs associated with the tasks, activities, or goods specifically requested under this solicitation. Because cost is a factor in the evaluation of responses to this solicitation, failure to separate costs for additional tasks, activities, or goods may result in those costs being included in a responder's cost proposal and result in a lower cost score for that proposal.

SECTION 4 – PROPOSAL CONTENT

Please submit the following information:

Work Plan. Responder should provide a description of the deliverables to be provided by the Responder along with a detailed work plan that identifies the major tasks to be accomplished and be used as a scheduling and managing tool, as well as the basis for invoicing. This document should NOT list cost detail. If cost detail is included in this document, the State may disqualify the proposal as non-responsive. Responder should provide a statement of the objectives, goals, and tasks to show or demonstrate the Responder's view and understanding of the nature of the contract, and what makes the Responder uniquely suited for this work.

Qualifications and Experience. Responder should provide an outline of background and experience with examples of similar work done by the Responder and a list of personnel who will conduct the project, detailing their training, and work experience. The design firm must have demonstrated experience (two projects in the last five years) in civil engineering and streambank restoration, stabilization and permitting.

Resumes or other information about project personnel should not, if possible, contain personal telephone numbers, home addresses, or home email addresses. If it is necessary to include personal contact information, please clearly indicate in the response that personal contact information is being provided.

Cost Detail. Complete and submit Attachment C, “Cost Detail,” attached to this solicitation.

Submit all requested documentation, including, but not limited to, the following documents:

1. Attachment A: Responder Declarations

2. Attachment B: Exceptions to State's Standard Terms and Conditions

3. Attachment C: Cost Proposal

4. Attachment D: Responder Forms

a. Veteran-Owned Preference Form (If Applicable)

b. Workforce and Equal Pay Declaration Page (Workforce required if anticipated contract and all extensions exceed $100,0000; Equal Pay required if anticipated contract and all extensions exceed $500,000)

c. Equal Pay Certificate Form (If Proposal Exceeds $500,000, Including Extension Options)

DO NOT INCLUDE Non-Public/Trade Secret data (as defined by Minn. Stat. § 13.37).

SECTION 5 – EVALUATION PROCEDURE AND CRITERIA

The State will conduct an evaluation of responses to this Solicitation. The evaluations will be conducted in three phases:

Phase 1 - Review responses for responsiveness and pass/fail requirements Phase 2 - Evaluate responses Phase 3 - Select finalist(s)

1. Phase 1 – Responsiveness and Pass/Fail Requirements The purpose of this phase is to determine if each response complies with mandatory requirements. The State will first review each proposal for responsiveness to determine if the Responder satisfies all mandatory requirements. The State will evaluate these requirements on a pass/fail basis.

Mandatory Requirements. The following will be considered on a pass/fail basis:

· Responses must be received by the due date and time specified in this RFP.

· The design firm must have demonstrated experience (two projects in the last five years) in civil engineering and streambank restoration, stabilization and permitting.

Phase 2 - Evaluate Responses Only those responses found to have met Phase 1 criteria will be considered in Phase 2.

The factors and weighting on which responses will be evaluated are:

Preference points are described under Solicitation Terms and will be applied to the total score after points have been awarded.

Phase 3 - Select Finalist(s) Only those responses that have been evaluated under Phase 2 shall be eligible for Phase 3.

The State will make its selection based on best value, as determined by this evaluation process. The State reserves the right to pursue negotiations on any exception taken to the State’s standard terms and conditions. In the event that negotiated terms cannot be reached, the State reserves the right to terminate negotiations and begin negotiating with the next highest scoring responder or take other actions as the State deems appropriate. If the State anticipates multiple awards, the State reserves the right to negotiate with more than one Responder.

It is anticipated that the evaluation and selection will be completed by early December 2024.

SECTION 6 – SOLICITATION TERMS

1. Competition in Responding The State desires open and fair competition. Questions from responders regarding any of the requirements of the Solicitation must be submitted in writing to the Solicitation Administrator listed in the Solicitation before the due date and time. If changes are made the State will issue an addendum.

Any evidence of collusion among responders in any form designed to defeat competitive responses will be reported to the Minnesota Attorney General for investigation and appropriate action.

Addenda to the Solicitation Changes to the Solicitation will be made by addendum with notification and posted in the same manner as the original Solicitation. Any addenda issued will become part of the Solicitation.

Data Security - Foreign Outsourcing of Work is Prohibited All storage and processing of information shall be performed within the borders of the United States. This provision also applies to work performed by subcontractors at all levels.

Joint Ventures The State allows joint ventures among groups of responders when responding to the solicitation. However, one responder must submit a response on behalf of all the others in the group. The responder that submits the response will be considered legally responsible for the response (and the contract, if awarded).

Withdrawing Response A responder may withdraw its response prior to the due date and time of the Solicitation. For solicitations in the SWIFT Supplier Portal, a responder may withdraw its response from the SWIFT Supplier Portal. For solicitations done any other way, a responder may withdraw its response by notifying the Solicitation Administrator in writing of the desire to withdraw.

After the due date and time of this Solicitation, a responder may withdraw a response only upon showing that an obvious error exists in the response. The showing and request for withdrawal must be made in writing to Solicitation Administrator within a reasonable time and prior to the State’s detrimental reliance on the response.

Rights Reserved The State reserves the right to:

· Reject any and all responses received;

· Waive or modify any informalities, irregularities, or inconsistencies in the responses received;

· Negotiate with the highest scoring Responder[s];

· Terminate negotiations and select the next response providing the best value for the State;

· Consider documented past performance resulting from a State contract may be considered in the evaluation process;

· Short list the highest scoring Responders;

· Require Responders to conduct presentations, demonstrations, or submit samples;

· Interview key personnel or references;

· Request a best and final offer from one or more Responders;

· The State reserves the right to request additional information and

· The State reserves the right to use estimated usage or scenarios for the purpose of conducting pricing evaluations. The State reserves the right to modify scenarios, and to request or add additional scenarios for the evaluation.

Samples and Demonstrations Upon request, Responders are to provide samples to the State at no charge. Except for those destroyed or mutilated in testing, the State will return samples if requested and at the Responder’s expense. All costs to conduct and associated with a demonstration will be the sole responsibility of the Responder.

Responses are Nonpublic during Evaluation Process All materials submitted in response to this Solicitation will become property of the State. During the evaluation process, all information concerning the responses submitted will remain private or nonpublic and will not be disclosed to anyone whose official duties do not require such knowledge. Responses are private or nonpublic data until the completion of the evaluation process as defined by Minn. Stat. § 13.591. The completion of the evaluation process is defined as the State having completed negotiating a contract with the selected responder. The State will notify all responders in writing of the evaluation results.

Trade Secret Information Responders must not submit as part of their response trade secret material, as defined by Minn. Stat. § 13.37.

In the event trade secret data are submitted, Responder must defend any action seeking release of data it believes to be trade secret, and indemnify and hold harmless the State, its agents, and employees, from any judgments awarded against the State in favor of the party requesting the data, and any and all costs connected with that defense.

The State does not consider cost or prices to be trade secret material, as defined by Minn. Stat. § 13.37.

A responder may present and discuss trade secret information during an interview or demonstration with the State, if applicable.

Conditions of Offer Unless otherwise approved in writing by the State, Responder’s cost proposal and all terms offered in its response that pertain to the completion of professional and technical services and general services will remain firm for 180 days, until they are accepted or rejected by the State, or they are changed by further negotiations with the State prior to contract execution.

Award Any award that may result from this solicitation will be based upon the total accumulated points as established in the solicitation. The State reserves the right to award this solicitation to a single Responder, or to multiple Responders, whichever is in the best interest of the State, providing each Responder is in compliance with all terms and conditions of the solicitation. The State reserves the right to accept all or part of an offer, to reject all offers, to cancel the solicitation, or to re-issue the solicitation, whichever is in the best interest of the State.

Requirements Prior to Contract Execution Prior to contract execution, a responder receiving a contract award must comply with any submittal requests. A submittal request may include, but is not limited to, a Certificate of Insurance.

Targeted Group, Economically Disadvantaged Business, Veteran-Owned and Individual Preference Unless a greater preference is applicable and allowed by law, in accordance with Minn. Stat. § 16C.16, businesses that are eligible and certified by the State as targeted group (TG) businesses, economically disadvantaged (ED) businesses, and veteran-owned businesses will receive points equal to 12% percent of the total points available as preference.

For TG/ED/VO certification and eligibility information visit the Office of Equity in Procurement website at https://mn.gov/admin/business/vendor-info/oep/ or call the Division’s Helpline at 651.296.2600.

Reciprocity State shall comply with Minn. Stat. § 16C.06, subd. 7, as that applies to a non-resident vendor. This paragraph does not apply for any project in which federal funds are expended.

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