The City of Blaine solicits interest from consulting firms with expertise in Civil and Structural Engineering Design & project management. This agreement will be for approximately four years in duration, beginning August 2024 and ending August 2028, with the option for the City of Blaine to extend it for additional time and money for subsequent phases.

The City of Blaine reserves the right to amend the terms of this “Request for Qualifications” (RFQ) to circulate various addenda or to withdraw the RFQ at any time, regardless of how much time and effort consultants have spent on their responses.

All prospective consultants are advised that federally funded projects will be held to Federal EEO requirements.

Project Description

The work to be performed by the CONSULTANT consists of project management, preliminary design engineering, stakeholder coordination, environmental permitting, and right-of-way acquisition for the replacement of the at-grade crossing of BNSF’s Bellingham Subdivision main line with Bell Road (State Route 548). The replacement will be a grade-separated facility that integrates I-5 ramp realignment, including the replacement of the SR 548 Dakota Creek Bridge, a dedicated multi-use path parallel to Bell Road. This project has a 16% DBE goal. The major features of the project are as follows:

• Project management services while acting as the prime consultant for the project;
• Provide coordination with all the stakeholders including Tribal Government and BNSF Railway;
• Provide preliminary engineering design (30% design);
• Right of way acquisitions for the parcels as determined during the design phase;
• Obtain environmental permitting/NEPA;
• Assist with future funding opportunities including researching the grant opportunities and completing grant applications;
• Assist with public engagement throughout the project.

The City of Blaine reserves the right to retain the services of the successful firm(s) for any subsequent phases, i.e., Final Design and PS&E preparation to 100%, Construction Management, surveying, inspection services, and material testing.

Consultants shall have expertise in the following:

• Civil and structural engineering to complete railroad grade separation projects.
• WSDOT Local Programs requirements for Federally Funded projects including WSDOT Local Agency Guidelines (LAG) Manual
• DBE approach and commitment
• Coordinating construction projects with BNSF Railway
• Environmental and construction permitting requirements for federally funded projects
• Researching grant opportunities and writing grant applications
• WSDOT Engineering and Construction standards
• City of Blaine engineering standards, and the Blaine Municipal Code
• ADA Requirements

Evaluation Criteria                                                                                          100% Total

Submittals will be evaluated and ranked based on the following criteria:

Submittal

Submittals should include the following information: Firm name, phone, fax numbers, email; Name of Principal-in-Charge and Project Manager; and Number of employees in each firm proposed to project.

Additional project information, submittal guidelines, RFQ response guidelines and scope of services are included in the supplemental information which can be found at:

RFQ #22PW17 – Front end document:

https://www.ci.blaine.wa.us/DocumentCenter/View/20624/RFQ-22PW17-Front-End-Document

RFQ #22PW17 – Schedule A – Scope of Services –

https://www.ci.blaine.wa.us/DocumentCenter/View/20627/RFQ-22PW17-Schedule-A-Scope-of-Services

RFQ#22PW17 – Schedule B – Standard Response Guidelines –

https://www.ci.blaine.wa.us/DocumentCenter/View/20626/RFQ-22PW17-Schedule-B-Standard-Response-Guidelines

Please submit four paper copies and one PDF copy (on a USB drive) of your Statement of Qualifications to the City of Blaine, 435 Martin Street Suite 2000, Blaine, WA 98230, no later than 4:00 p.m. on July 05, 2024.  Submittals will not be accepted after that time and date.  Any questions regarding this project should be directed to Public Work’s Director, Harpiar Gandhi via email: hgandhi@cityofblaine.com.

Estimated Schedule

Advertise RFQ                                            June 10, June 17, 2024

Deadline for questions                                     June 27, 2024

Deadline for submittals                                    July 05, 2024 @4:00pm

City Council Approval                                     August 26, 2024

Execute Agreement                                          August 27, 2024

Complete Work/End Contract                         August 31, 2028

Contract Type

Contract type (method of payment) will be Negotiated Hourly Rate utilizing WSDOT’s Local Agency A&E Professional Services Negotiated Hourly Rate Consultant Agreement.  Submission of cost proposal or elements of cost shall not be submitted until a consultant selection has been made.

The Consultant(s) awarded the contract will be required to obtain and maintain a City of Blaine Business License.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Information

The City of Blaine in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (Section 504) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), commits to nondiscrimination on the basis of disability, in all of its programs and activities. This material can be made available in an alternate format by emailing Public Works Director Harpiar Gandhi at hgandhi@cityofblaine.com or by calling collect 360-332-8311 ext. 3309.

Title VI Statement

The City of Blaine, in accordance with the provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (78 Stat. 252, 42 U.S.C. 2000d to 2000d-4) and the Regulations, hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively ensure that in any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged business enterprises will be afforded full and fair opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, or national origin in consideration for an award.

Dates of publication in the Bellingham Herald, the Daily Journal of Commerce, and Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises (OMWBE):  June 10, 2024, and June 17, 2024.