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

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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.

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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.

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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:

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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.

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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.

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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

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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:

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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,

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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.

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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.

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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

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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

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Plan in the proposal. Failure to comply with these requirements may find the proposal non-

responsive.

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.

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ATTACHMENT 1

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