MPA-476 On-Call Cultural Resources Consultant Services - Open Enrollment

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation is conducting open enrollment for MPA-476 On-Call Cultural Resources Consultant Services, with a response deadline of November 28, 2027, and a question-and-answer period ending November 30, 2026. Current vendors holding existing cultural resources contracts are not required to respond.

The scope encompasses assistance with identifying, evaluating, and recording historic properties under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966; preparing Section 4(f) and Section 6(f) documentation; conducting historic cemetery delineation and assessment studies; and performing archaeological, architectural, historical, geological, and genealogical studies and impact assessments as needed by RIDOT. The MPA has statewide applicability and permits participation by municipalities, institutions of higher education, municipal and state schools, and quasi-public agencies.

Firms selected for the roster will not automatically receive Task Orders; RIDOT will evaluate and select vendors based on qualifications for specific project assignments through subsequent mini-bids. The contract has a three-year base term (August 20, 2026 through November 30, 2028) with options for two additional one-year extensions. Evaluation is qualifications-based; cost is not an evaluation criterion. All proposals must receive a "Pass" score on every evaluation criterion to be included on the MPA.

Vendors must demonstrate qualified personnel in nine required categories: Project Manager, Senior Archaeologist/Principal Investigator, Senior Architectural Historian, Architectural Historian, Assistant Architectural Historian, Senior Industrial Historian, Project Archaeologist, Field Archaeologist, and Laboratory Supervisor. Seven additional personnel categories are available (Laboratory Analyst, Laboratory Assistant/Technician, Cartographer/Graphics Specialist, GIS/AutoCAD Specialist, Administrative Assistant, Technical Editor, and Genealogist). Consultant firms and engineering sub-consultants must maintain required professional engineer registration in Rhode Island throughout the contract term and maintain active SAM registration prior to award.

Firms must submit fully loaded hourly rates for all three years; rates remain firm and fixed unless the State exercises its option to extend, in which case Year 4 and Year 5 rates may increase by a maximum of 3% over the previous year's rates. Reimbursable expenses are paid without markup. A 0.33% contract administrative fee is withheld from vendor invoices. Required insurance includes general liability of $1 million per occurrence combined single limit, workers compensation of $100,000 each accident, and automobile liability of $1 million each occurrence. A zero percent DBE goal applies; DBE firms certified by the State of Rhode Island may receive credit if they perform a commercially useful function. Proposals must be submitted electronically through Ocean State Procures.