NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS TO CONDUCT PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING FOR REGIONAL VELOWEB TRAIL CONNECTIONS TO RAIL STATIONS IN DENTON AND DALLAS COUNTIES OCTOBER 26, 2018
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS TO CONDUCT PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING FOR REGIONAL VELOWEB TRAIL CONNECTIONS TO RAIL STATIONS IN DENTON AND DALLAS COUNTIES INTRODUCTION The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) is requesting consultant assistance to conduct preliminary engineering for regional veloweb trail connections to rail stations in Denton and Dallas Counties. The goal of this project is to evaluate alignment options, recommend a preferred route, and conduct preliminary engineering for a Regional Veloweb shared-use path in Denton and Dallas Counties, Texas. The project study area is bounded on the north by the Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA) Hebron Station in Lewisville and continues southward approximately 8 miles to the Campion Trail along the border of Coppell and Irving. An additional three miles of regional trail connections are included to link with the North Carrollton/Frankford Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) Rail Station and the Trinity Mills DART Rail Station in Carrollton, and to the North Levee Trail along Denton Creek in northern Coppell. Project deliverables will include a design development schematic, environmental summary, necessary right-of-way and/or easements, and opinions of probable costs by jurisdiction. NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS The North Central Texas Council of Governments is a voluntary association of, by, and for local governments, and was established to assist local governments in the planning for common needs, cooperating for mutual benefit, and coordinating for sound regional development. NCTCOG s purpose is to strengthen both the individual and collective power of local governments as well as to help them recognize regional opportunities, eliminate unnecessary duplication, and make joint decisions. BACKGROUND Since 1974, NCTCOG has served as the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for transportation in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area. NCTCOG s Transportation Department is responsible for regional transportation planning for all modes of transportation. The Department provides technical support and staff assistance to the Regional Transportation Council (RTC) and its technical committees, which compose the MPO policy-making structure. 2
In addition, the Department provides technical assistance to the local governments of North Central Texas in planning, programming, coordinating, and implementing transportation decisions. PROJECT SUPPORT The project will be conducted under the guidance and supervision of a Project Review Committee (PRC) that will include members of NCTCOG and members from other public sector partners: Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA), Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), Dallas County, Denton County, City of Lewisville, City of Coppell, and City of Carrollton. The responsibilities of the PRC will be to serve as the principal technical review committee for this project. NCTCOG shall serve as project manager to implement a mutually- agreed-upon scope of work and to monitor project progress. NCTCOG shall also serve as the contract manager and procurement administrator for this project. SCOPE OF WORK Proposer(s) are invited to propose modifications to these tasks and to exercise creativity in responding to project s needs. The proposer, at a minimum, must achieve and maintain the performance outcomes listed below, consistent with NCTCOG standards or performance standards otherwise agreed to by NCTCOG through a contract resulting from this Request for Proposals (RFP). 1. PURPOSE Project Goal: The goal of the project is to reduce congestion and vehicle emissions by promoting the use of non-motorized travel along the Mobility 2045 Regional Veloweb, specifically within Denton and Dallas Counties. The regional shared-use path will link DCTA and DART passenger rail stations to paths located in the cities of Lewisville, Carrollton, Coppell, Irving and Dallas thus enhancing last mile connections to transit. Scope of the Project: The scope of work shall consist of developing strategies for improvements to achieve the project goal and include preliminary design of a schematic, preliminary engineering and preliminary environmental analysis, and detailed opinions of probable construction costs for the regional path alignment including connections to rail stations and other existing trails in the area. 3
The project study area is bounded on the north by the Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA) Hebron Station in Lewisville and continues southward approximately 8 miles to the Campion Trail along the border of Coppell and Irving. An additional 3 miles of regional trail connections are included to link with the North Carrollton / Frankford Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) Rail Station and the Trinity Mills DART Rail Station in Carrollton, and to the North Levee Trail along Denton Creek in northern Coppell (See Attachment 1). The CONSULTANT shall accomplish the project goal to develop strategies for improvements to enhance non-motorized travel in the project area. All project activities shall comply with all applicable federal, state and local regulations and design criteria. The preliminary design will consist of a minimum 12-ft. wide hard surface path, trailheads, multi-use shared use path bridges, and various at-grade and grade separated railroad crossings. All new bridges will be designed as multi-use shared use paths with a minimum 16-ft wide clearance. The project may also consider the feasibility to reuse former DART rail bridges as shared-use path bridges for the corridor. Any at-grade roadway crossings will consider necessary pedestrian and bicycle safety countermeasures including signalization. The CONSULTANT is to perform preliminary engineering, determine approximate right-of-way and/or easement needs, perform an environmental analysis and prepare an associated report addressing any environmental issues and associated mitigation and permitting requirements, and develop opinions of probable costs by local jurisdiction. Coordination efforts will include representatives of the cities of Lewisville, Carrollton, Coppell, the Counties of Denton and Dallas, Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT), North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA), DART, DCTA, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACOE), local government peers, and other general project stakeholders. 2. PROFESSIONAL SERVICES PROVIDED BY CONSULTANT Task 1 Project Administration Task 1.1 Project Management After the notice to Proceed is issued, a kick-off meeting will be conducted to review the project goals, scope of work, and schedule/timeline. In addition, the Consultant will be responsible for the following: 4
Monthly conference calls with the project review committee to discuss project progress, foster team collaborations, and ensure appropriate coordination of all project processes, programmed items and schedules. Monthly billing and progress reports submitted to NCTCOG. 1.2 Project Initiation Meeting (1 meeting) Conduct an initial coordination meeting (kick-off meeting) with NCTCOG personnel to identify and outline specific desired elements related to the project scope of work, project objectives, project schedule, deliverables, monthly progress reports, and monthly billings. 1.3 Agency Coordination Meeting (1 meeting) Conduct one coordination meeting with representatives of agency stakeholders including DART, DCTA, TXDOT, USACOE, NTTA, Utilities, Levee District, City and County staff and other local partners to establish the project programming goals and objectives within each entity, the project scope, trail alignment, trailhead locations, trail constraints, environmental assessment, project schedule, deliverables and project objectives. 1.4 Agency Coordination Coordinate as necessary with representatives of agency stakeholders including DART, DCTA, TXDOT, USACOE, NTTA, Utilities, Levee District, City and County staff and other local partners. 1.5 Deliverables The Consultant shall deliver the following Project Deliverables within a monthly time-frame to NCTCOG to include, but not limited to: a. Handouts, materials and meeting summary for Project Initiation meeting. b. Handouts, materials and meeting summary for the Agency Coordination meeting. c. Monthly progress reports summarizing the Consultant accomplishments. d. Monthly invoices identifying hours worked by individual, hourly rate, indirect cost rate, activities performed, itemized costs for materials and expenses, and itemized invoices for consultant services. 5
Task 2 Design Survey: Representative activities the Consultant shall perform under this task include, but are not limited to, the following: 2.1 GIS Base Maps Utilize existing GIS data to incorporate in base materials for preliminary layout. Include additional data provided by each City and where possible, from NCTCOG. Consultant will provide a list of data needs to NCTCOG. 2.2 Preliminary Trail Layout and Field Review Conduct driving and walking tour with local partners and NCTCOG to identify desired connections to other existing trails, greenbelts, drainage ways, rail and utility corridors, rail stations, any potential neighborhood street connections, as well as highway crossing locations. The intent is to foster understanding and enable descriptions of key opportunities, constraints, existing features, corridor interests, destinations and linkages. Document and record potential general alignment choices. 2.3 Aerial Survey The Consultant will perform an aerial survey of the project area including the primary trail alignment and trail connections and incorporate existing aerial photography and survey information from the Cities of Lewisville, Coppell, and Carrollton. Additionally this work may include Irving if needed to connect to the Campion Trail North Extension. a. Collect topographic data to be used to develop a 1-foot contour interval topographic map of a 200 ft. swath along the trail corridor. b. Horizontal and vertical elevations and other data needed for preliminary design of the trail. 2.4 Deliverables The Consultant shall deliver the following Project Deliverables to NCTCOG including, but not limited to: a. Copies of field survey data and notes signed and sealed by a licensed surveyor. b. Property corner shots for the creation of proposed project easements. c. Horizontal Vertical Alignment sheet; using State and local government standard format d. 1 foot contour topographic map from the field survey. 6
Task 3 Base Mapping: Representative activities the Consultant shall perform under this task include, but are not limited to, the following: 3.1 Assembly of Survey Data and Property/Tax Parcel Data a. Map and verify existing public utilities located within the limits of planning and design or construction of the project, including, but not limited to, electric, fiber optics, water, sanitary sewer and storm drainage facilities. b. Provide a base map identifying topography, tax parcel data, and railroad right-of-way boundaries. c. Identify surface utility appurtenances as needed and any other visible surface features. 3.2 Deliverables The Consultant shall deliver the following Project Deliverables to NCTCOG including, but not limited to: a. Base mapping will be formatted for production of 11 x 17 sheet format, indicating property boundaries, 1-foot interval contours, topographical information and other existing features with surveying data organized and labeled into a construction document format. b. Summary of right-of-way requirements including cost estimate, parcels required, 100- year easement or access purchase of footage. Task 4 Environmental Analysis: Representative activities the Consultant shall perform under this task include, but are not limited to, the following: 4.1 Data Collection a. Catalog existing environmental constraints b. Generate analysis maps illustrating storm water and drainage constraints, vegetation, wetland delineation, flood plain and flood way elevations, property ownership and easements, land uses, roadways, sidewalks, bicycle facilities, schools, community facilities. c. Provide summary of federal or state regulatory requirements for the trail alignment(s) in each jurisdiction (Lewisville, Carrollton, and Coppell. Additionally this work may include 7
Irving if needed to connect to the Campion Trail North Extension). The summary will include the following: USACOE permits Air Quality Cultural Resources Community Impacts Biological Resources Water Resources Historic Resources Hazardous Materials Traffic Noise Section 4(f) Parks and Wildlife Code, Chapter 26 Natural Resources Code, Chapter 183 Indirect Impact Analysis Cumulative Impacts Public Involvement d. Adhere to TXDOT environmental approval process and requirements. 4.2 Deliverables The Consultant shall deliver the following Project Deliverables to NCTCOG including, but not limited to: a. Technical report summarizing environmental considerations and issues and probable TXDOT environmental approval process and requirements, including a preliminary agency approval timeline. Task 5 Development of 15% Preliminary Design Schematic: 5.1 Schematic Preparation Representative activities the Consultant shall perform under this task include, but are not limited to, the following: 8
Develop a design schematic utilizing a base map identifying the recommended trail alignment. Verify all design work is compliant with TXDOT, NTTA, Federal Highway Administration, US Army Corps of Engineers, and other local design criteria. Develop typical sections for all segments of proposed shared path(s) consistent with AASTHO guidance. Develop Trail Plan/Profile plans. The plan view will identify existing right-of-way corridor, existing topography, existing railroad route and the recommended trail alignments and accommodations. The profile view will identify trail profile grades and elevations. Identify trailhead locations suitable to accommodate paved parking areas, signage, restrooms and water fountains. Identify recommended locations of shared use path bridges. Identify rail crossings with DART (at-grade adjacent to roadway crossings, grade separated crossings at existing railroad bridges, and required protective features). Identify existing geometry and provide design options at major roadway crossings including IH35E, Sam Rayburn Tollway/SH121, President George Bush Turnpike/SH 190. Identify local trail connections to existing and planned major developments in the corridor including the Huffines Communities located south and east of the Hebron Station. Identify the recommended trail alignment southward through the DCTA Hebron Station area from the current existing trail that terminates on the north side of the station property. Evaluate the feasibility of the trail to be located parallel to the existing DART rail line from the DCTA Hebron Station to North Carrollton / Frankford DART Station. Examine the possible use of the existing utility corridor through the Hebron/SH121 station development as an alternative alignment for the trail. Evaluate the extension of Lewisville trail along Timber Creek to Sam Rayburn Tollway/SH 121. Evaluate a trail alignment from the rail line along the south side of Sam Rayburn Tollway to an IH35E crossing. Identify a feasible east-west trail connection from the regional trail to the North Levee Trail in northern Coppell which currently terminates on the west side of MacArthur Rd, 9
including the use of Levee District property west of IH 35E (in Lewisville and the unincorporated area). Evaluate the potential dual use of the existing service road as a trail between IH 35E northbound frontage road and the Elm Fork Trinity River (in the area generally located east of IH35E midway between Sam Rayburn Tollway/SH121 and W. Frankford Rd). Evaluate the feasibility of on-street bike lane and/or off-street trail connection between the N. Carrollton/Frankford DART station and the Trinity Mills Station. Identify recommended trail connections from the regional trail alignment to the North Carrollton/Frankford DART station and to the Trinity Mills DART station. Identify trail alignments that may be necessary through private properties. Evaluate alignment options of the regional trail south of Sandy Lake Rd to the future Cotton Belt trail and the Campion Trail, including an alignment through the Carrollton McInnish Park and the Sports Complex as well as an alignment along the overhead power utility corridor through Coppell. Develop detailed opinion of probable construction costs by jurisdiction. 5.2 Deliverables The Consultant shall deliver the following Project Deliverables within a quarterly time-frame to NCTCOG to include, but not limited to: 1. Cover Sheet 2. Project Layout Sheet 3. Boundary and Topo Survey Sheet including topography, railroad and right-of-way data and utilities 4. Typical Sections 5. Horizontal and vertical alignments 6. Draft design schematic sheet submittals in 1 =20 scale and done in Microstation (.dgn) format. Final submittal Scale: 1 = 100. 7. Estimate of probable construction costs based on the preliminary design and construction cost by jurisdiction in Microsoft Excel format. 10
Task 6 Conceptual Design and Environmental Project Review / Coordination Meetings: 6.1 Coordination Meetings (2 meetings) Conduct review meetings for each milestone submittal of conceptual design schematic, preliminary environmental analysis and probable cost summary. Provide discussion of project elements including preliminary trail alignments, trail corridor assessment, environmental constraints and local government comments. The meeting will include representatives from partnering agencies, including NCTCOG, Cities of Lewisville, Coppell, Carrollton, Denton County, Dallas County, DART, DCTA, TXDOT, NTTA, and any other impacted jurisdictions. Additionally these meetings may include Irving if needed to connect to the Campion Trail North Extension. 6.2 Revised Design Schematic A fifteen percent (15%) design development schematic will be provided based on input received from the NCTCOG project manager and from the review and coordination meeting. 6.3 Deliverables The Consultant shall deliver the following Project Deliverables to NCTCOG to include, but not limited to: a. Handouts, meeting materials and meeting summary. b. Draft design schematic sheet submittals in 1 =20 scale and one full scale schematic 1 =100 scale and done in Microstation format. c. Draft environmental report done in Microsoft Word format. d. Draft summary opinion of probable cost by jurisdiction in Micorosoft Excel format. Task 7 Final Review / Coordination Meeting: 7.1 Final Review Meeting a. Conduct a review meeting with representatives from partnering agencies, including NCTCOG, Cities of Lewisville, Coppell, Carrollton, Denton and Dallas County, DART, DCTA, TXDOT, and NTTA. Additionally this meeting may include Irving if needed to connect to the Campion Trail North Extension. b. Submittal of completed set of fifteen percent (15%) design schematic, opinion of probable cost, and construction cost by jurisdiction and environmental consideration technical report. 11
7.2 Deliverables The Consultant shall deliver the following Project Deliverables to NCTCOG to include, but not limited to: a. Meeting summary b. Fifteen percent (15%) design schematic documents in full scale 1 = 100 Scale and done in Microstation and Adobe PDF format c. Recommended trail alignments in Geographic Information System (GIS) d. Environmental Consideration Technical Report in Microsoft Word format, Geographic Information System (GIS), and Adobe PDF) e. Estimate of probable cost by jurisdiction (Microsoft Excel and Adobe PDF) SCHEDULE AND BUDGET The project is anticipated to take approximately eighteen months to complete with an anticipated project start date of March 4, 2019. The estimated budget for the project is approximately $600,000. CONSULTANT SELECTION CRITERIA AND AWARD The Consultant Selection Committee (CSC) will review all proposals and select a firm it considers qualified to undertake the project. The following criteria will be used to evaluate the proposals: 1. Project Understanding 30 percent 2. Scope of Services 25 percent 3. Project Manager/Staff Qualifications 20 percent 4. Knowledge of DFW Area 10 percent 5. Firm Qualifications/ Consultant References 10 percent 6. Project Schedule 5 percent If the CSC determines that interviews will be required before a final decision can be made, the interviews will take place at NCTCOG offices in Arlington, Texas, on Wednesday January, 9, 2019. Proposers should be willing and able to attend these interviews, if necessary. Firm(s) who are invited to an interview will be notified on Wednesday, December 19, 2018 that an interview has been scheduled. Costs for developing the proposals and costs attributed to 12
interviews (and subsequent negotiations) are at the proposer s own expense and will not be reimbursed by NCTCOG. Following final negotiations of the work plan and costs satisfactory to NCTCOG, the firm(s) will be asked to execute a contract with NCTCOG. The Sample Contract, provided in this transmittal, contains federal requirements that must be included with all proposals submitted. If awarded, Proposers will be asked to agree to the terms identified in the sample contract. Proposers should identify, in their response, any revisions to the terms or conditions they would like NCTCOG to consider. Appendices C through I of the Sample Contract contain compliance requirements and certification forms that must accompany the proposals. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in finding the Proposal non-responsive. The Texas Legislature has adopted House Bill 1295. In short, the law states that a governmental entity or state agency may not enter into certain contracts with a business entity unless the business entity submits a disclosure of interested parties (Form 1295) to our agency at the time of a signed contract. As part of contract development, the Consultant will be asked to complete the disclosure of interested parties electronically and submit through the Texas Ethics Commission website. NCTCOG will provide a specific contract number associated with the award for inclusion in the submittal. Once submitted, the Consultant will be requested to return an e-mail confirmation of submittal to NCTCOG. For more information about the process, please visit the following website for Frequently Asked Questions: www.ethics.state.tx.us/whatsnew/faq_form1295.html. NCTCOG reserves the right to reject any and all proposals, to contract for any or all portions of the project with the selected firm(s), or to hire multiple firms. The successful responder(s) to this Request for Proposals is expected to provide qualified personnel to accomplish each portion of the work in this study. NCTCOG will maintain the right to request the removal of any personnel found, in its opinion, during the course of work on this project, to be unqualified to perform the work. DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PARTICIPATION The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise participation must meet the 31.92 percentage goal identified for this type of procurement. Respondents should also include an Affirmative Action 13
Plan in the proposal. Failure to comply with these requirements may find the proposal nonresponsive. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS All questions regarding the services required shall be directed in writing by email to TransRFPs@nctcog.org by the close of business on Friday, November 2, 2018 by 5:00pm. All questions and responses will be posted on NCTCOG s website at www.nctcog.org/rfp by the close of business on Wednesday, November 7, 2018. NCTCOG reserves the right to respond to inquiries as it deems necessary. 14
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