Architectural and engineering services for safer gratiot pilot

The City of Detroit Office of Contracting and Procurement, on behalf of the Department of Public Works, is requesting proposals for architectural and engineering services for the Safer Gratiot Pilot, with a pre-proposal conference on November 18, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. EST via Microsoft Teams and proposals due December 11, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. EST. The selected firm must hold MDOT prequalification and demonstrate a minimum of five years of experience on similar projects totaling at least $5 million in urban areas.

Detroit Equalization Credits award up to 10 evaluation points to certified Detroit-headquartered, Detroit-based, or Detroit resident businesses, Detroit small/micro businesses, and construction workforce development entities. This is an evaluation preference, not a set-aside.

Scope covers planning, engineering, design, environmental review, community engagement, project management, data analysis, surveying, and construction oversight for safety improvements along 8.83 miles of Gratiot Avenue (M-3). Work proceeds in a Base Phase (preliminary engineering and NEPA documentation), Phase 1 (final design), and Phase 2 (construction and capital maintenance). All deliverables must be prepared and sealed by a Michigan-licensed Professional Engineer. The City may select one or more firms for all or separate parts of the work. Respondents must disclose any AI use in their solution and complete the City's AI Factsheet if applicable, and they must indicate whether they will sign a Priority Hire Agreement.

The contract term is five years with no renewal options stated. Pricing is a firm fixed price submitted through Attachment C, organized by six task categories with hours and hourly rates by staff classification. The project is funded by the Federal Highway Administration's Safe Streets and Roads for All grant, which requires compliance with USDOT terms, 2 C.F.R. 200, and five-year record retention.

Evaluation awards up to 100 technical points: project understanding and approach (25), qualifications and competence of team (25), past project experience (20), work plan and capacity (15), and planning, design and engineering excellence (5). Cost proposals carry 10 points.

Questions are due November 20, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. EST, with answers distributed November 24, 2026. Proposals must be submitted exclusively through the EUNA Bonfire portal; late, faxed, or emailed proposals will not be accepted. Proposals remain firm for 120 days from the due date. Anticipated milestones include NEPA completion in Summer 2027, construction start in Spring 2028, substantial completion in Winter 2028/Spring 2029, and a final report in Winter 2030.

Proposals require notarized affidavits, including a non-collusion affidavit, a disclosure of interests, and certificates of authority, plus three years of financial statements and an active System for Award Management (SAM) registration. Affidavits are filed with the City of Detroit Board of Ethics. The approved Treasury Clearance is not required at proposal submission but is mandatory before final City Council approval, with a minimum processing time of ten days.