SD State Rail Plan Update & Napa-Platte Railway Feasibility Study

The South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) is issuing a Request for Proposal for professional research and consulting services to update the South Dakota State Rail Plan and conduct a feasibility study on the state-owned Napa-Platte Railway (NPRW). The primary deliverables include completion of an updated State Rail Plan meeting Federal Rail Administration guidelines per 49 USC Chapter 227 and 49 CFR Part 266, and a comprehensive feasibility study evaluating the NPRW's restoration potential, market viability, ownership structure, current condition, and phasing options for public investment. Key objectives require proposers to conduct stakeholder engagement with railroad operators, shippers, local officials, grain elevator cooperatives, agricultural shippers, and industrial users; compile and analyze rail system data; develop a federal grant strategy; and deliver preliminary and final presentations to the South Dakota Railroad Board. The NPRW feasibility study must be completed within 12 months of contract execution, with the full State Rail Plan update completed by month 20. Qualified proposers may include colleges, universities, research institutes, consultants, and federal, state, and local agencies with demonstrated expertise in rail planning, feasibility analysis, and transportation infrastructure investment assessment. Proposals must be submitted via email to Jack.Dokken@state.sd.us and Rocky.Matson@state.sd.us by 2:00 PM on Thursday, June 4th, 2026, with selection results announced no later than June 19th, 2026, and an anticipated contract start date of June 30th, 2026. Proposals must remain valid for at least 120 days following submission and include all required elements: cover page, table of contents, problem statement, background, objectives, research plan, products, implementation strategy, benefits, time schedule, staffing, facilities, SDDOT involvement requirements, quality and data management plans, budget, payment schedule, and references. All deliverables must comply with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Version 2.1, Level AA standards.

No set-aside designations or restrictions limiting organizational type are specified in the procurement documents; however, proposers must demonstrate relevant qualifications and experience in rail planning and infrastructure feasibility assessment. The RFP does not identify incumbent vendors or current contractors for this project. The total available funding for this contract is $350,000 sourced from the State Rail Fund, with payment structured in four installments based on deliverable completion: 25% upon completion of the NPRW feasibility study technical memorandum and Railroad Board presentation; 20% for outreach findings and annotated outline memorandum; 30% upon submission of the revised draft State Rail Plan; and 25% upon final report completion and executive presentation. SDDOT retains the right to reject any proposals, negotiate with selected proposers to address weaknesses, and will not be responsible for proposal preparation costs incurred prior to contract execution. Winning proposals with proprietary information redacted will be posted online on South Dakota's Transparency Website along with corresponding contractual agreements, as required by South Dakota state statute. Proposers must work collaboratively with SDDOT staff and a designated technical panel throughout the project duration, with SDDOT providing access to available records and data to support the study.