RRPM2026-1_Nov_2_26_solicitation_doc.pdf

This Request for Proposal (RFP) is issued by the Connecticut Department of Transportation to solicit proposals for rail property management, leasing, and asset development services across state-owned passenger and freight lines. The contractor will manage rail property along the New Haven Line, Danbury Branch, Waterbury Branch, New Canaan Branch, state-owned freight lines, and all other state-owned railroad rights of way, encompassing more than 4,000 acres of land, approximately 300 miles of track, 52 stations, and over 500 existing lease and license agreements. Primary responsibilities include creating efficient administrative processes and record-keeping systems for the Office of Rail's real estate interests and providing innovative solutions to generate recurring and non-recurring non-fare revenue through strategic disposition of real estate rights. The solicitation opened August 27, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. EDT with a deadline for proposal submission of October 30, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. EDT. Questions from vendors are due October 2, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. EDT. Proposal presentations are scheduled for the week of November 16, 2026, with selection notification estimated for the week of December 7, 2026. The contract term is three years with successive one-year renewal options at CTDOT's discretion, and Notice to Proceed is anticipated by April 26, 2027. Contact for questions is Brent Bette at the DOT Rail Office of Connecticut Department of Transportation.

Compensation is to be negotiated and has not been established. All vendors are eligible to respond; no set-asides or preference programs apply to this opportunity. The contractor must submit a revenue opportunities report within 90 days of Notice to Proceed, an advertising procurement schedule within 30 days of NTP, and a transition plan for existing agreements within 90 days of NTP. The contractor is responsible for procuring all required software licenses and subscriptions, including a property management system with GIS functionality and automated notifications; however, the property management system remains with CTDOT upon contract conclusion. Evaluation criteria include technical approach and methodology (10 points), proposer qualifications and relevant experience (20 points), project management and key personnel (20 points), oral presentation (20 points), and cost (30 points). Proposals are limited to 50 pages and must be submitted electronically in PDF format. Required insurance coverage includes Automobile Liability ($1 million minimum), Commercial General Liability ($1 million per occurrence/$2 million aggregate), Professional Liability ($1 million with three-year tail), Workers' Compensation, and Valuable Papers Insurance ($25,000 minimum).