A one (1) year lease of tillable land

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ)
PORT OF HARLINGEN AUTHORITY Railyard Industrial Park
Development
RFQ No. 2026-01
Section 1: Background
Introduction
The Port of Harlingen Authority (Owner), a navigation district and political subdivision of
the State of Texas, hereby invites Statements of Qualifications (SOQ) from qualified
firms to provide Progressive DesignBuild (PDB) services for the development and
construction of a new railyard and associated rail infrastructure (Project).
This RFQ describes the minimum qualifications, submittal format, and evaluation
criteria by which the Owner will select up to three (3) Respondents for shortlisting.
Shortlisted Respondents will subsequently be invited to submit proposals in response
to a Request for Proposals (RFP), leading to the award of a Progressive DesignBuild
Contract.
The Project will be delivered in two phases using the Progressive DesignBuild method:
Phase 1 - Preliminary Design and Preconstruction Services
* Railyard layout planning and concept development
* Preliminary engineering (approximately 60%)
* Cost modeling, Guare and schedule development
* Risk identification and allocation
Phase 2 - Final Design and Construction Services
* Final engineering and permitting
* Procurement of rail materials and contractors
* Construction of railyard infrastructure
* Integration with existing railroad operations
* Testing, commissioning, and closeout
The Owner shall not be liable for any costs incurred by Respondents in the preparation
or submission of an SOQ.

Owner's Objectives
The Port of Harlingen Authority intends to partner collaboratively with the selected
DesignBuilder during Phase 1 to develop a railyard design that is operationally
efficient, constructible, and costeffective.
Key objectives include:
* Quality and Safety: Deliver a new high quality, safe and efficient rail park that
meets or exceeds all applicable industry standards, including Union Pacific
Railroad.
* Added Capacity and Efficiency: Deliver the new rail park facility with new
access off the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) main line to significantly increase
the Port's rail capacity and operational efficiency. The new facility should be
designed to efficiently handle a high volume of railcars and enhance the Port's
ability to attract and serve future tenants
* Cost and Schedule Certainty: Deliver the project in a cost-effective and timely
manner. The Progressive Design-Build model has been chosen to provide early
cost and schedule certainty and to foster a collaborative approach to managing
the project's budget and timeline.
* Future Expandability: Designing the rail park using a phased approach to
accommodate future expansion in a logical and cost-effective manner, in
accordance with the Port's Master Plan
* Collaboration: Foster a balanced allocation of risk between the Port and
selected Design-Builder as well as collaborative partnership between the Port
and the Design -Builder and all project stakeholders, including but not limited to
Union Pacific Railroad, local utilities and potential future tenants.
Section 2: Project Overview
Project Location
The Project is located within the Port of Harlingen in Cameron County, Texas. The
proposed site for the rail park is an area of land located immediately west of the Port's
current operational footprint (see the attached site plan). The site is part of a larger
area planned for long-term rail expansion. The site is currently undeveloped and will
require significant site preparations.

Project Scope
The Project scope is the design and construction of the first phase of a new, modern rail
park facility. The first phase of the project is expected to include:
* Alternative Analysis: Perform an initial study and alternatives analysis to
identify a preferred first phase alternative to move forward to design and define
possible options for future expansion. Study shall consider potential for railcar
stage in Phase One.
* Railroad Coordination: Lead coordination and design/construction approval
efforts with the Union Pacific Railroad.
* Utility Coordination: Lead coordination efforts with existing and proposed
utilities.
* Environmental Assessment & Permitting: Determine and prepare applicable
environmental and other permits for application by the Port to appropriate
agencies.
* Site Development: Design and construct all necessary site work, including
clearing, grading, access, drainage, and utilities to support the rail park.
* Rail Infrastructure: Design and construct Phase 1 of the rail park facility in
accordance with the preferred alternative identified in the alternative analysis.
Scope includes lead tracks to connect the new rail park to the Union Pacific
Railroad mainline. All track work must be constructed in accordance with
UPRR's Industrial Track Construction Specifications. Design shall comply with
applicable standards, including Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and Texas
Department of Transportation (TxDOT), where applicable.
Project Budget
The estimated total project cost for the new rail-park facility is currently $15,000,000.
This amount represents the total PDB project budget and does not include the Port's
other associated costs for the project, which may include advisory services, right of
way, easements, data collection, permit fees and /or administrative costs.
Project Permits and Approvals
The project is anticipated to require a number of permits and approvals from federal,
state and local agencies, as well as from Union Pacific Railroad. It is anticipated that
new environmental assessments, including cultural, historical, and environmental
surveys, will be required for the project site.
Project Schedule

The following is a high-level, preliminary schedule for the project, which is subject to
change. A more detailed schedule will be developed collaboratively with the selected
Design-Builder.
Milestones Estimated Completion
RFQ Issued Q3 2026
SOQ Submissions Due Q3 2026
Short-listed Firms Notified Q3 2026
RFP Issued to short-listed firms Q3 2026
PDB Contract Award Q4 2026
Phase 1 NTP (Preliminary Design & pre- Q1 2027
construction
Phase 2 Final Design & Construction Q4 2027
Substantial Completion Q4 2028
Section 3: Progressive DesignBuild Services
General
The selected DesignBuilder shall provide all services necessary to plan, design, permit,
and construct the Project in accordance with the Design-Build Institute of America
(DBIA).
Roles and Responsibilities
Owner Responsibilities
* Provide project oversight and decisionmaking
* Review and approve design milestones
* Coordinate port operations and stakeholders
* Secure funding and grant oversight
DesignBuilder Responsibilities
* Serve as sole point of responsibility for design and construction
* Lead engineering, estimating, and scheduling
* Manage risk, safety, environmental and quality programs
* Coordinate with railroads, regulatory agencies, and utilities for all necessary
permits
* Deliver the Project in accordance with agreed scope, schedule, and price

Section 4: Procurement Process
RFQ Contact and Communications
All communications regarding this RFQ shall be directed to:
Walker Smith
Port Director
Port of Harlingen Authority
24633 E Port Rd, Harlingen, TX 78550
Phone: (956) 423-0283
Email: walker@portofharlingen.com
Unauthorized contact with other Port officials or staff may result in disqualification.
Procurement Schedule (Preliminary)
Milestone Date Interval
RFQ Issued 7/10/2026 RFQ Date
Questions Deadline 7/20/2026 RFQ + 10 Days
Addendum Issued 7/27/2026 RFQ + 17 days
SOQs Due 8/10/2026 RFQ + 30 days
ShortList Announcement 8/21/2026 RFQ + 41 days
RFP Issued 8/21/2026 RFP Date
One on One Mtgs w/ shortlisted teams 8/24-8/28/2026
Deadline for Questions/Comments 8/31/2026 RFP + 10 days
Final RFP Addendum posted 9/9/2026 RFP + 19 days
RFP Submittals Due 9/23/2026 RFP + 33 days
Interviews (Optional by Owner) 10/5-10/9/2026
Notice to Selected Team 10/14/2026 RFP + 54 Days
Contract Negotiations Oct-Nov 2026
Commission approval 11/5/2026 RFP + 70 days
Section 5: SOQ Submission Requirements
Submittal Place and Deadline
Submittal must be received not later than 2:00 PM on Wednesday, August 10, 2026.
Sealed submissions must be supplied on a flash drive (PDF format) along with five (5)
hard copies. Sealed submissions must be addressed and delivered to:
Walker Smith, Port Director
Port of Harlingen Rail Park RFQ 2026-01

Port of Harlingen Authority
24633 E Port Rd
Harlingen, TX 78550
Each Respondent assumes full responsibility for timely delivery of its SOQ. Any
SOQ received after the submittal deadline will not be considered.
Submission Format
* Maximum length: 16 pages (excluding transmittal letter & appendices)
* 8.5" x 11" format (limited foldouts allowed)
* PDF submission plus required hard copies
Required Content
1. Transmittal Letter
2. Executive Summary
3. DesignBuilder Profile and Subcontractors
4. Project Team Structure (Organizational chart) and Key Personnel
5. Relevant Railyard / Rail Infrastructure Experience of Design Builder &
Subcontractors
6. Experience & approach to Progressive DesignBuild
7. Current workload
8. Appendices
o Acknowledgement of addenda
o Acknowledgement of Social Equity Policy Compliance (Exhibit A)
o Financial statements & performance bond
o Resumes of key personnel
o Safety Program & Record
o Optional Contract Comments
Section 6: Evaluation and Selection
Evaluation Criteria (Weighted)
* Project Team Structure & Key Personnel - 40%
* Relevant Railyard & Rail Infrastructure Experience - 30%
* PDB Experience & Approach - 20%
* Design- Builder Profile, Safety & Current workload - 10%
* Pass/fail requirements include:
* Executive summary
* Financial capability
* Performance & Payment Bonds

* Insurance
* Acknowledgment of compliance with Port of Harlingen Social Equity Policy
Section 7: Conditions for Respondents
* Procurement governed by applicable Texas Water Code
* All SOQs subject to Texas Public Information Act
* Owner reserves all rights to modify, cancel, or reject submittals
* Key Personnel and firms must remain committed throughout procurement

EXHIBIT A
PORT OF HARLINGEN AUTHORITY COMMISSION POLICY
SOCIAL EQUITY Policy No.
4.7.22.1
1. PURPOSE
This Policy prioritizes the Port of Harlingen Authority's commitment to social equity, using a racial
equity focus, and to leverage the Port's strengths to create a more prosperous, equitable and livable
region. This Policy confirms and reinforces The Port's commitment to diversity through creating and
maintaining an inclusive and collaborative workplace culture. It recognizes the rewards of
embedding such culture. Consistent with our values, we are a workplace that recognizes and values
diversity.
2. POLICY PARTICIPANTS
All Port employees and contingent workers, Port business, Board of Commission, and stakeholder
partners.
3. POLICY STATEMENT
It is the Policy of the Port of Harlingen Authority to promote social equity with the purpose of
advancing fair and equitable inclusion and creating the conditions in which all people can
participate, prosper, and achieve equitable outcomes with respect to the Port's employment,
business, and services.
Port staff are directed to establish a framework to integrate social equity considerations and goals
into decision making processes within the Port consistent with this Policy.
* Because historically inequitable policies and practices in our community may have resulted in
many social inequities that persist to this day;
* Because it is the Port's focus to enhance regional prosperity and we seek to do so with a social
equity "lens";
* Because by addressing the barriers experienced by minorities, we hope to also identify solutions
and remove barriers for other historically underserved population groups;

* Because we have a responsibility as neighbors in our community to understand the impacts of our
decisions and our operations; and
* Because we believe more diverse voices lead to better business decisions.
4. DEFINITIONS
4.1 Contingent Worker
Workers used to temporarily fill in for FTE (Full Time Employee) vacancies or to perform project-
based services that are discrete in nature and that cannot be performed by an existing Port
employee because of workload, specialized nature of work to be performed, etc. (i.e., contract
services).
4.2 Social Equity
Fair and equitable inclusion and creating the conditions in which all people can participate, prosper,
and achieve equitable outcomes with respect to the Port's employment, business, and services.
4.3 Racial Equity
The condition that would be achieved if one's racial identity no longer predicted, in a statistical
sense, one's access to opportunity. Racial equity can be advanced by ensuring that all races have
access to opportunity, and that access may need to be tailored to meet an individual's or group's
specific needs.
4.4 Historically Underserved
Historically underserved communities are those groups that either face barriers to participate in
decision-making processes and/or have documented low levels of access to employment, service,
and business opportunities.