Blatnik Bridge Structural Health Monitoring System Design and Implementation

Location:	Minnesota
Posted:	Jul 6, 2026
Due:	Jul 16, 2026
Agency:	State Government of Minnesota
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	C - Architect and Engineering Services - Construction
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

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Request for Proposals – Qualification Based Selection (QBS)

Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT)

MnDOT Contract No. 1063529

Minnesota’s Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

The State of Minnesota is committed to diversity and inclusion in its public procurement process. The goal is to

ensure that those providing goods and services to the state are representative of Minnesota’s communities and

include businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans and those with substantial physical disabilities. Creating

broader opportunities for historically under-represented groups provides for additional options and greater

competition in the marketplace, creates stronger relationships and engagement within the state’s communities

and fosters economic development and equality.

To further this commitment, the Minnesota Department of Administration operates a program for Minnesota-

based small businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans and those with substantial physical disabilities. For

additional information on this program, or to determine eligibility, please call 651-296-2600 or go to

www.mmd.admin.state.mn.us/mn02001.html.

This document is available in alternative formats for persons with disabilities by calling Colleen Lichtsinn at (651) 366-

4483 or for persons who are hearing, or speech impaired by calling the Minnesota Relay Service at 1-800-627-3529. For

other information on disability rights and protections, contact MnDOT’s Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Coordinator.

This RFP does not obligate MnDOT to award a contract or complete the project, and MnDOT reserves the right to cancel

the RFP if it is considered to be in its best interest.

A “Qualification Based Selection” method will be used to review proposals submitted in response to this RFP.

Responses to this RFP will be public information under the Minnesota Data Practices Act, Minnesota Statutes Chapter

13.

As of July 1, 2025, certain terms are unenforceable in state contracts. See Minnesota Statutes §16C.05 subdivision 8.

PROJECT SPECIFIC INFORMATION

Project Overview

MnDOT requests proposals for design and implementation of a structural health monitoring (SHM) system for the new

Blatnik Bridge connecting Duluth, MN and Superior, WI. This bridge is expected to face numerous challenges over time,

including evolving freight demands and the impacts of climate change. Increased wind loads and severe snowstorms can

accelerate material deterioration, leading to higher maintenance requirements and potential disruptions in regular

operations. MnDOT plans to implement a Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) system on the new Blatnik Bridge,

primarily the main navigational span section with consideration for its approach spans (inclusive of the Howard’s Pocket

spans), to preserve serviceability, safety, and sustainability of the bridge structure throughout its lifespan.

Due to the design-build delivery, interested responders must adhere the following requirements related to

organizational conflicts of interest (see “Conflict of Interest” under the Laws and Policies section):

(CSS/CM Last Updated 05/05/2026)

Design-Build Resources - MnDOT Design-Build Program

Project Goal

The goal of this project is to produce a SHM system that preserves serviceability, safety, and sustainability of the bridge.

This SHM system will leverage advanced sensing technologies developed over the past two decades to enable informed

decision making using both robust baseline and real-time data, ultimately enhancing public safety and extending the

structure’s service life. The SHM system will serve as a decision-making tool for efficient operations, maintenance, and

timely preservation projects. Data collected from the system will be integrated with bridge inspection data and

complemented by engineering judgment to determine the most effective preventive maintenance strategies, validate

assumptions about the structure’s performance, and monitor the condition of key components over time.

Project Constraints

The contract schedule is closely tied to the schedule of the Design-Build Contractor (DBC). The Contractor will

continually collaborate with the DBC and the State’s Design-Build Verification Oversight team (DBVO) as required on

scheduling, identify hold points, and remain available on short notice to accommodate DBC work. The state will facilitate

coordination between the Contractor and the DBC.

Power supply, material and access needs must be identified in Phase I of the project by the Contractor to advance

coordination with the DBC so they can implement these needs into their work.

The Contractor must be available within two weeks’ notice on site for installation of instrumentation.

MnDOT desires to implement a remote, permanent or temporary, real-time, sensor-based SHM system throughout the

new Blatnik bridge that is expandable or replaceable over the life of the structure. Specific goals of the system will be

determined during the first phase of the project, as described in the scope of work. The definition of these goals is

expected to occur on conceptual design drawings, given that final designs will still be in progress at that time.

Responders are expected to provide teams comprised of academia and consultants that understand bridge engineering,

monitoring, performance, and service life.

Budget and scope negotiations for Phase II and III of the contract will be negotiated and added to the Contract by formal

amendments at the sole discretion of the State.

Due to the security status of this bridge, confidentiality forms will be required. for all individuals involved in the project.

In addition, to ensure the protection of sensitive project information and the accuracy of any public communication, the

State will require that all papers, articles, presentations, or other publications related to this project be submitted for

prior review and approval.

Scope of Work and Deliverables

A detailed description of the scope of work and deliverables for this contract has been posted separately from this RFP.

Quality Management Plan (QMP) and Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) Procedures.

The successful responder will develop a project specific QMP that specifies how Contractor will perform QA/QC activities

throughout the duration of the project to ensure delivery of a quality product in a timely manner that conforms to

established contract requirements. The successful responder will be required to submit the project specific QMP to

State’s Project Manager for approval within five business days of Notice to Proceed.

Responders are encouraged to propose additional tasks or activities if they will substantially improve the results of

the project.

Anticipated Term

The term of this contract is anticipated to run from September 2026 through October 2031. MnDOT anticipates that this

contract may extend past 5 years.

QUESTIONS

Responders who have any questions regarding this RFP must submit questions, by e-mail only, to the Contract

Administrator:

Colleen Lichtsinn, Contract Administrator

Colleen.lichtsinn@state.mn.us

IMPORTANT: Use the following as the subject line of your email: MnDOT Contract No. 1063529, Blatnik Bridge

Structural Health Monitoring System Design and Implementation.

All questions and answers will be posted on MnDOT’s Consultant Services Web Page at www.dot.state.mn.us/consult

under the “P/T Notices” section. All prospective responders will be responsible for checking the web page for any

addendums to this RFP and any questions that have been answered. Note that questions will be posted verbatim, as

submitted.

Questions regarding this RFP must be received by MnDOT no later than 2:00 pm Central Time, on July 2, 2026.

MnDOT anticipates posting answers to such questions no later than 2:00 pm Central Time, on July 7, 2026.

No other MnDOT personnel are allowed to discuss this RFP before the proposal submission deadline. Contact regarding

this RFP with any personnel not listed above may result in disqualification.

PROPOSAL CONTENT

The following will be considered minimum contents of the proposal and must be submitted in the order listed. Items 1

through 4 must fall within the Proposal page limit identified in the “Page Limits” table below.

1. Contact Information:

Responders must clearly identify the company’s full legal name, business address, contact person’s name, telephone

number, and e-mail address.

2. Project Understanding:

The purpose of this section is for the responders to detail their understanding of the project. Responders must clearly

state their understanding of the project objectives, goals, and tasks to show or demonstrate their view of the nature of

implementing the structural health monitoring system on the Blatnik Bridge. Responders must discuss known and

potential project challenges and propose mitigation strategies.

A. Describe your understanding of how the responder will support and enhance the overall Blatnik Bridge

Replacement Project and contribute to the serviceability and resilience of the structure.

B. Describe your understanding of how the Team will support the development of goals for a practical approach to

a Bridge Monitoring plan. Explain how the team will approach the Phase I workshop to determine the most

useful data to collect for understanding bridge behavior and maintenance needs throughout the structure’s

lifespan.

C. Describe how your team will support and encourage collaboration among MnDOT, WisDOT, the Design-Build

(DB) Contractor, and the design oversight team during the development of project goals.

D. Describe how the team will interact with both the State and the Design-Build Contractor through the length of

this contract.

E. Describe any foreseeable challenges throughout the implementation phase of the project and explain how key

personnel on your team will help address and overcome those challenges.

F. Describe your preliminary plan for integration and deployment of the SHM system, including any coordination

steps needed to ensure smooth installation without construction delays.

G. Describe the team’s approach for operating and maintaining the SHM system once the bridge is open to traffic.

Identify the key personnel who will be involved in this process and their role.

3. Work Plan and Project Approach:

In the Work Plan, responders must comprehensively address the tasks and deliverables proposed in the scope of work

and propose modifications necessary to complete the project. Responders must be sure to not only describe what will

be done but explain how each task will be accomplished. Responders must address all structure types that are under

consideration through the design-build letting.

Within the breakdown of project tasks, the Work Plan must include the following:

A. List key personnel performing each task and identify their role(s) for the task.

B. Correlate scope tasks to appropriate QA/QC activities as described in in Section 4.1 of the MnDOT Bridge Design

Manual.

C. Include an organization chart that clearly demonstrates: 1) interaction among functional areas within the project

team; and 2) interaction with MnDOT, WisDOT, and other project participants and stakeholders. The

organization chart must show clear lines of reporting among the team’s functional groups.

D. Describe how staff will remain engaged throughout each phase of the project while remaining mindful of

taxpayer dollars. Discuss what additional staff or resources may be used to meet the needs of the project.

E. Describe the work plan for each phase of the project, including how each team leader will be involved. Provide a

rough schedule.

Artificial Intelligence. In its breakdown of each Project Task, responders must also disclose whether it intends to use any

artificial intelligence technologies, either directly or indirectly, to accomplish Project Tasks and if so, a detailed

description of such technologies and how they will be used. See “General Requirements” below for additional

information regarding the use of artificial intelligence.

4. Key Personnel Qualifications and Experience :

The purpose of this section is for responders to detail the background and experience of project personnel. Responders

must clearly demonstrate how cited personnel experience is relevant and similar in scope and complexity to this project.

This section describes the minimum, required personnel positions provided by the Contractor to assist MnDOT with the

planning, implementation, and operation of a Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) system on the new Blatnik Bridge. The

same individual may fulfill multiple roles under this contract, provided they meet the minimum qualifications for each

assigned role. However, the following restrictions apply:

• The Quality Assurance Manager must not have any additional roles under this contract.

• The Bridge Technical Lead and the Research Lead must not be fulfilled by the same person.

− Project Manager

This person is responsible for managing the consultant contract and its personnel. Assist the State’s Project Manager to

complete the duties of the State’s Project Manager, which includes leading the team that is responsible for achieving the

project objectives.

1. Must be licensed to practice engineering within the State of Minnesota or the State of Wisconsin now or

within 6 months from contract award.

2. Must have project management experience, with preference given to experience in any of the following

areas of expertise: complex bridges, bridge structural health monitoring, and/or diagnostics projects.

3. Preferred experience with design-build contracts.

4. Must have experience in bridge structures.

5. Must be available for on-site meetings in Duluth/Superior as requested by the State’s Project Manager.

− Bridge Technical Leads (for both cable-stay and tied arch structure types)

This person will serve as the bridge technical expert for the contractor and use their technical expertise to identify

critical components that should be monitored.

1. Must be licensed to practice engineering within the United States.

2. Must demonstrate expertise in design of cable-stay and tied-arch bridge superstructures within the

United States. Must provide evidence of specific experience working on the design of each structure

type within the last 10 years. Experience must be a high-level role such as lead designer, lead design

reviewer, or Engineer of Record (EOR) and must demonstrate experience in design of both the

superstructure and substructure components of the specific structure type. Separate people may fill the

role for cable-stay and tied-arch bridge types as well as substructure and superstructure. Upon selection

of Bridge Type by DBC, Contractor may elect to remove staff included in proposal if specifically identified

by Bridge Type. The proposal must contain experience for both structure types regardless of whether or

not the DBC and structure type are known at the time of submitting proposals. Equal weight will be

assigned to scoring technical lead(s) for each structure type.

− Research Lead

This person will be responsible for providing technical expertise on monitoring goals and strategies for the development

of the Bridge Monitoring Plan and Structural Monitoring System. The Research Lead is also responsible for selecting and

managing any graduate or undergraduate assistants. The Research Lead may also choose to conduct literature review

for the contract to identify best practices.

1. Must have a PhD degree in Civil Engineering or related field with preferred emphasis in bridge structures

and structural health monitoring systems.

2. Must be a tenure-track, tenured faculty, or professor emeritus at an ABET-accredited university.

3. Preferred experience in bridge research, instrumentation, diagnostics, and/or structural health

monitoring.

− Bridge Monitoring Plan Team Lead

This team holds primary responsibility for completing submittals throughout the contract.

1. Must demonstrate bridge structural health monitoring or lifecycle management experience with

preference for experience with the possible structure types (cable-stayed and tied-arch).

2. Preferred experience in bridge analysis.

− Installation and Operation Team Lead

This team is primarily responsible for field activities and will be required to be on site for the SMS installation and

operation.

1. Must be available for installation of instrumentation within two weeks’ notice.

2. Must be on-site during SMS installation and available to be on-site within seven days during the initial

monitoring period.

3. Must demonstrate experience with structural monitoring system installation and operation.

4. Preferred recent field experience in bridge construction over water.

− Quality Assurance Manager

This person will conduct oversight of the Contractor’s activities to ensure completeness and compliance with the

contract. The individual serving as the Quality Assurance Manager cannot serve as any other role on the project.

1. Must be licensed to practice engineering within the State of Minnesota or the State of Wisconsin at the

time of this RFP release, or within 6 months of award of this contract.

If subconsultants are to be used on this project, responders must also outline their background and experience,

including examples of similar work done by each subconsultant. Responders must also detail the qualifications and

experience for subconsultant personnel who will perform work on the project.

This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.

Blatnik Bridge Structural Health Monitoring System Design and Implementation

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