LOI - Gay Street Bridge Traffic Study

The City of Knoxville, Tennessee, through Knox County, is seeking a professional consultant engineering firm to conduct a comprehensive traffic study related to the Gay Street bridge closure scheduled for June 2024. The primary objective is to evaluate pre and post closure traffic impacts on Chapman Highway/Henley Street, James White Parkway, and surrounding roadways. Specific project deliverables include developing a Travel Demand Model, preparing a benefit-cost analysis, conducting a web-based community survey, and providing recommendations for bridge replacement. The procurement is structured as a Request for Qualifications (RFQ), with evaluation criteria weighted as follows: firm qualifications and experience (30%), project approach and methodology (25%), key project personnel qualifications (25%), and firm availability (20%). Critical dates include a Letter of Interest (LOI) submission deadline of July 11, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time, with electronic submissions required through the City's Procurement website. The consultant evaluation committee anticipates making a final selection of the highest-ranked firm by July 25, 2025, and reserves the right to conduct interviews if additional assessment is necessary.

The City of Knoxville actively encourages participation from Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), minority-owned, and women-owned firms, implementing guidelines for equal employment opportunity and non-discriminatory action. This locally funded project does not involve Federal or State funding, which may provide more flexibility in vendor selection. While no specific budget range is disclosed in the available documentation, the comprehensive nature of the traffic study suggests a significant professional services contract. The procurement process emphasizes a holistic approach to vendor selection, focusing on technical expertise, methodological rigor, and the ability to provide actionable insights into the traffic implications of the Gay Street bridge closure. Potential respondents should carefully review the RFQ documentation and ensure their submissions comprehensively address the evaluation criteria, with particular attention to demonstrating relevant experience in urban traffic modeling and infrastructure impact assessment.