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 July 2024 and ending July 2028, with the option for the City of Blaine to extend it for additional time and money if necessary. Consultants will be considered for the following project.
The City of Blaine reserves the right to amend 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.
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 replacement of 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 replacement of the SR 548 Dakota Creek Bridge, a dedicated multiuse path parallel to Bell Road. This project has 16% DBE goal. The major features of the project are as follows:
•Project management services while acting as 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 complete 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 (detailed design, CN) associated with this/these project(s).
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 includingWSDOT Local Agency Guidelines (LAG) Manual
•DBE approach and commitment
•Coordinating construction projects with BNSF Railway
•Environmental and construction permitting requirements for federally fundedprojects
•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:
Evaluation Criteria                                                                                                                                                                   Specific Weightings
Project Team Experience & qualification for similar projects                                                                                                               25%
Proponent’s experience with federal grants: working with federal highway funds and securing federal funds                                    20%
Proponent’s experience with WSDOT, FHWA & BNSF requirements and standards                                                                           15%
Proponent’s references & reputation                                                                                                                                                       15%
Proponent’s approach to the project and ability to meet schedule                                                                                                          15%
Approach to meet the DBE goal (DBE Participation Plan)                                                                                                                    10%

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 is included in the supplemental information which can be found at:
RFQ #22PW17 – Front end document:
https://www.ci.blaine.wa.us/DocumentCenter/View/20275/RFQ-22PW17-Front-E...

RFQ #22PW17 – Schedule A – Scope of Services –
https://www.ci.blaine.wa.us/DocumentCenter/View/20273/RFQ-22PW17-Schedul...

RFQ#22PW17 – Schedule B – Standard Response Guidelines –
https://www.ci.blaine.wa.us/DocumentCenter/View/20274/RFQ-22PW17-Schedul...

Please submit four paper copies and one PDF copy (on a USB drive) of your Statement of Qualifications to: City of Blaine, 435 Martin Street Suite 2000, Blaine, WA 98230, no later than 4:00 p.m. on May 13, 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 Procurement Schedule

Advertise RFQ                                                                      April 08 & April 15, 2024
Pre-proposal meeting                                                            April 22, 2024 @10:00am
Deadline for questions                                                          May 03, 2024
Deadline for submittals                                                         May 13, 2024 @4:00pm
Review and Rank SOQs                                                        May 27, 2024
Consultant Selection Interviews                                           June 14, 2024
Complete Contract Negotiations                                          July 17, 2024
City Council Approval                                                          July 22, 2024
Execute Agreement                                                               July 23, 2024
Complete Work/End Contract                                               July 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): April 08, 2024, and April 15, 2024