Engineering Services for Legacy Trail Extension (LTE) Overpass at Tuttle Avenue

Sarasota County, Florida is issuing a Request for Professional Services (RPS) solicitation to procure comprehensive engineering services for the design, permitting, and construction bid support of a new pedestrian overpass at Tuttle Avenue as part of the Legacy Trail Extension project. The scope of work encompasses structural bridge design, environmental and landscape design, utility improvements, drainage and stormwater management improvements, lighting, signage, and traffic control design, along with permitting services with local, state, and federal agencies. All engineering services must comply with current American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials Load and Resistance Factor Design specifications and the Florida Department of Transportation Structures Design Manual. The County will evaluate written proposals and conduct discussions with no fewer than three highest-scoring proposers before ranking short-listed firms and recommending the top-ranked engineering firm for award of a CCNA Specific Project Agreement. Minimum qualifications require that proposers be registered with the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation and include at least one registered Professional Engineer licensed by the Florida Board of Professional Engineers. Preferred qualifications include the Lead Engineer possessing a Florida PE license with a minimum of five fixed-span bridge projects completed within the last ten years, FDOT prequalification in Work Class 4.1.2 Minor Bridge Design and Work Class 5.4 Bridge Load Rating, and demonstrated team experience in structural, transportation, and roadway design with pedestrian overpass expertise. The solicitation was posted on March 13, 2026, with proposals due on April 20, 2026, and short-listed proposers will be required to participate in presentations and/or interviews in Sarasota, Florida or virtually at the County's discretion.

The project is funded through U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Project Funding grants, which imposes extensive federal compliance requirements under 2 CFR Part 200 Uniform Guidance, including domestic preference for U.S.-produced materials, Section 3 HUD preferences for low-income residents and businesses, lead-based paint compliance, and Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility standards. Insurance requirements are substantial, mandating Workers' Compensation per Florida Statutes Chapter 440, Commercial General Liability with limits of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate, Business Automobile Liability with $1,000,000 combined single limits, and Professional Liability coverage with $1,000,000 per claim or occurrence. The contract terms and conditions document indicates that the County will retain termination rights for convenience or default throughout the agreement term, with contractor invoicing permitted within 180 days of project completion. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in the available solicitation materials, and no specific budget amount or award value is disclosed in the posted documents. Additional compliance obligations include human trafficking attestations per Florida law, conflict of interest prohibitions, debarment and suspension certifications, and Byrd Anti-Lobbying Amendment compliance for contracts exceeding $100,000. All proposals must be submitted through the OpenGov electronic procurement portal with required vendor questionnaire forms, organizational charts, project approach documentation, workload assessments, and resumes of key personnel.