Request For Proposals – Professional Engineering Design, Permitting & Bid Phase Services for MD-611 Shared Use Path

Issue Date: June 18, 2026
PUBLIC NOTICE FOR
Worcester County
LPA Project Number: WO563B21
MD 611 Shared Use Path
NOTICE TO ARCHITECTS & ENGINEERS
REQUEST FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Worcester County is issuing this Request for Proposals (RFP) for a qualified experienced consultant or
consultant team to provide professional engineering design, permitting and bid phase services for design
of the first phase of a shared use path along the east side of MD 611. The project will connect the existing
shared use path at US 50 and extend south approximately 1.3 miles to Mystic Harbour Blvd. The
Consultant Firms shall be proficient in the services listed in this RFP and shall bring an experienced and
expert staff to the contracts as required. Firms interested in being considered must submit a complete
Standard Form (SF) 330 concurrent with the technical proposal.
Worcester County anticipates awarding one project-specific contract for these services. The duration of
the Contract will not exceed 365 days. The total funding authority for this contract shall not exceed
$1,927,861.25. Worcester County reserves the right to modify the total funding authority. No minimum
amount of work or funds is guaranteed under this Contract. The Contract will be funded with Federal Aid
Highway Program (FAHP) grant funds administered by the Federal Highway Administration, with
assistance from the Maryland State Highway Administration and local funds from Worcester County.
An Offeror, either directly or through its subcontractor(s), must be able to provide all services and meet
all the requirements requested in this solicitation and the successful Offeror (the Contractor) shall remain
responsible for Contract performance regardless of subcontractor participation in the work. Firms
interested in being considered for work on these contracts must submit a Technical Proposal for the
contract as set forth herein.
The procurement of engineering and design related services funded by FAHP funds shall be conducted in
with competitive negotiation (qualifications-based selection) procedures in accordance with the Brooks
Act codified under 40 U.S.C. 1101-1104. The Contract resulting from this solicitation shall be structured
as project-specific and payment methods shall include cost plus fixed fee and unit cost rates. Additional
information regarding payment methods will be provided to the selected firm in the Request for Price
Proposal. To standardize the method of proposal submission, and to facilitate distribution of proposal
materials, it shall be necessary that all firms observe the following procedures.
Sealed Proposal Documents are due no later than July 30, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. and will be opened and
only vendor names will be read aloud in the Office of the County Commissioners, Worcester County
Government Center - Room 1103, One West Market Street, Snow Hill, Maryland 21863.
Late Proposal Documents cannot be accepted.
Envelopes shall be marked "RFP - MD-611 Shared Use Path" in the lower left-hand corner.

If a Joint Venture (JV) responds to this RFP, Worcester County will not accept separate Proposals from
the JV constituents. A firm will not be permitted to submit on more than one (1) JV for this RFP. Also, a
firm that responds to this RFP as a prime or a prime JV constituent may not be included as a designated
subcontractor to another firm that responds as a prime to this RFP. Multiple responses under any of the
foregoing situations may cause the rejection of all responses of the firms involved. The above does not
preclude a firm that has not submitted as a prime from being set forth as a designated subcontractor to
more than one (1) prime responding to this RFP.
All proposals received for this contract will be reviewed on a competitive basis. The Firm that submits the
highest rated Technical Proposal will be requested to submit a Price Proposal. Salary, Payroll Burden, and
Overhead limitations have been eliminated. Salaries shall be actual per-hour salary rates as supported by
Certified Payroll Rosters while Prime and Subconsultants' Payroll Burden and Overhead rates shall be
supported by either a Maryland Department of Transportation Modes approval letter or by an annual
overhead audit performed by an independent Certified Public Accountant in accordance with Federal
Acquisition Regulations 48 Code of Federal Regulation 1, Part 31 and applicable MDOT guidelines. The
annual overhead audit shall identify separate rates for both home office overhead and field overhead. If
negotiations with the Firm is timely and successful, a contract may be awarded to the Firm.
Worcester County shall comply with procurement requirements established in State and local laws,
regulations, policies and procedures that are not addressed by or are not in conflict with applicable
Federal regulations, as specified in 2CFR Part 1201. When state and local procurement laws, regulations,
policies, or procedures are in conflict with applicable Federal laws and regulations, a contracting agency
shall comply with Federal requirements to be eligible for Federal-Aid reimbursement, as specified in
2CFR200.102.
A Pre-Proposal meeting will be held on July 8, 2026, at 2 p.m. in the Worcester County Public
Works Administration Building at 6113 Timmons Road, Snow Hill, MD. There is also an option for
a virtual meeting at the same date & time:
Microsoft Teams meeting
Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/242086820698542?p=Mwc2wroCTZhoSUqxkf
Meeting ID: 242 086 820 698 542
Passcode: ox24L9jC
All questions concerning submissions and procedures must be submitted no later than July 16, 2026,
at 12:00 noon.
All addenda to this solicitation will be posted on the Worcester County bid board and on eMaryland
Marketplace Advantage (eMMA). No personal visits to Worcester County or MDOT employees will be
accepted.
Before a business entity can do business in the State of Maryland, it must be registered with the State
Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT). SDAT is located at State Office Building, Room 803,
301 West Preston Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201. The SDAT website is
http://sdat.dat.maryland.gov/RealProperty/Pages/default.aspx, It is strongly recommended that any
potential Offeror complete registration prior to the due date for receipt of Proposals. An Offeror's failure
to complete registration with SDAT may disqualify an otherwise successful Offeror from final
consideration and recommendation for contract award.
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Technical Proposals must be submitted in the format outlined within the SHA Standard Request for
Proposals guidelines. The SHA Standard Request for Proposals guidelines can be found on the SHA Web
Page at https://roads.maryland.gov/mdotsha/pages/Index.aspx?PageId=767 by navigating to the Standard
Request for Proposals link.
The SHA, 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 any contract entered into pursuant to this RFP, Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE)
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.
Consultants interested in submitting a Technical Proposal must comply with the SPECIAL
PROVISIONS, AFFIRMATIVE ACTION REQUIREMENTS, UTILIZATION OF DISADVANTAGED
BUSINESSES, THE SURFACE TRANSPORTATION AND UNIFORM RELOCATION ASSISTANCE
ACT OF 1987, ISTEA OF 1991, MAP 21 OF 2012, FAST ACT 2015, AND INFRASTRUCTURE
INVESTMENT AND JOBS ACT OF 2021 located at
https://roads.maryland.gov/mdotsha/pages/Index.aspx?PageId=767 and selecting Standard Request for
Proposals link).
Worcester County hereby notifies all bidders/offerors that regarding any contract entered into pursuant to
this RFP, the contractor, sub recipient or subcontractor shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color,
national origin, or sex in the performance of this contract. The contractor shall carry out applicable
requirements of 49 CFR part 26 in the award and administration of DOT-assisted contracts. Failure by the
contractor to carry out these requirements is a material breach of this contract, which may result in the
termination of this contract or such other remedy as the recipient deems appropriate, which may include,
but is not limited to:
(1) Withholding monthly progress payments;
(2) Assessing sanctions;
(3) Liquidated damages; and/or
(4) Disqualifying the contractor from future bidding as non-responsible.
Technical Proposals received after the deadline time will not be accepted, no matter how transmitted, and
will be returned unopened to the Consultant.
Worcester County reserves the right to reject any and all Proposals received in response to this request and
is not liable for any cost incurred by any Firm in connection with the preparation and presentation of
Proposals.
Worcester County
MD 611 Shared Use Path
LPA Project Number: WO563B21
1. Project Description
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Worcester County is issuing this Request for Proposals (RFP) for the design, permitting and bid
phase services for a new shared use path along the east side of MD 611. The consultant shall
complete preliminary engineering and final design of the MD 611 Shared Use Path (SUP) along
the east side of the MD 611 corridor extending south from US 50 to Mystic Harbour Boulevard,
approximately 1.3 miles. From the initial planning documents, the path will be 10 feet wide
(minimum 8 feet in constrained areas) and will be 5 feet from the proposed back of curb or 15
feet from the existing edge of roadway where no curb and gutter is present. Adjustments to the
planned location are subject to change during design. Final lateral offset shall comply with SHA
requirements. The path will traverse around most above ground utilities and structures;
underground utilities will be investigated. Drainage swales that the proposed path will cover are
required to be removed or relocated. Curb and gutter will be placed along a portion of MD 611.
The path will meet the requirements of Public Right-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines
(PROWAG) and the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). In the event of conflicting design
criteria, SHA accessibility and roadside design guidance shall govern, unless otherwise directed
by SHA. The SUP is expected to be primarily asphalt, though concrete pads and elevated
boardwalk may also be used. See Appendix A for the proposed alignment.
The project's scope of work includes Project Management and Administration, Data Collection
and Mapping, Geotechnical Investigation, Preliminary Engineering, Intermediate Design, Final
Design, and Environmental Services and Permitting. Bid Phase Services and Right of Way
(ROW) Plan Development are also included but may be fully funded by Worcester County and
are not eligible for federal reimbursement. Worcester County may award one project-specific
contract for these services. The duration of the contract will not exceed 365 days. The total
funding authority for this contract shall not exceed $1,927,861.25. No minimum amount of work
or funds is guaranteed under this contract. All work performed under this contract must be for
services as outlined in the contract scope of work and in conformance with all contract terms and
conditions and payment provisions.
2. Consultant Services Required
The services to be performed under this contract will provide design, permitting and bid phase
services for the new shared use path along the east side of MD 611 extending south from US 50
to Mystic Harbour Boulevard, approximately 1.3 miles. The firm may be authorized to
subcontract for specialty services with prior approval of Worcester County. The firm shall be
proficient in the services and shall bring an experienced and expert staff to the project.
Listed below is the Scope of Services and Examples of Work, Certifications and Engineering
Standards and Guidelines.
Scope of Services and Examples of Work:
A. PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION
a. Initiation and Progress Meetings
i. Project initiation meeting with Worcester County and SHA staff.
ii. Monthly progress meetings (virtual acceptable)
1. Monthly progress reporting
2. Budget tracking
iii. SHA milestone review meetings at 30/65/95% design (in person)
1. The Consultant shall provide written responses to all milestone
review comments
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b. The Consultant shall prepare meeting agendas and minutes for all meetings.
c. The Consultant shall maintain a submittal log, project risk register, and DBE
participation documentation consistent with SHA Local Public Agency (LPA)
requirements and provide updates at monthly progress meetings.
d. The Consultant shall prepare a Design Quality Control Plan consistent with SHA
LPA Manual requirements.
e. Coordination Meetings and Tracking
i. Utility coordination meetings during preliminary design
ii. Environmental coordination meetings during permitting
iii. The Consultant shall track agency coordination comments and
responses (e.g., MDE, USACE, DNR, SHA District 1)
f. Facilitation of two public meetings for NEPA compliance
i. Meeting notices
ii. Sign-in sheets
iii. Comment tracking matrix
iv. County will be responsible for securing venue.
B. DATA COLLECTION AND BASE MAPPING
a. The Consultant shall obtain and review:
i. SHA ROW plats
ii. Deeds
iii. Existing easements
iv. Utility easements
v. Other documents pertinent to base mapping
b. Surveying
i. Consultant shall provide survey data using Maryland State Plane
Coordinate system, stationing shall be south to north and west to east,
horizontal control shall be established at each end of the project and at
major intersections. Vertical control shall be tied to at least two known
benchmarks.
ii. Full corridor topographic survey extending edge-to-edge of MD 611
right-of-way. Survey limits shall extend as necessary to support
drainage, environmental and permitting impacts.
iii. Locate roadway features, storm drain structures, outfalls, utilities,
driveway tie-ins, edges of pavement, and drainage patterns.
iv. Lighting pole and panel schedule survey of existing infrastructure
necessary to evaluate intersection lighting impacts.
v. Survey and map other items needed to facilitate the design and
permitting of the project.
c. Environmental Constraints Mapping
i. The Consultant shall map the following, as applicable:
1. Wetlands and Waters of the US
2. Floodplains (FEMA FIRM maps)
a. Identify FEMA flood zone designation by panel number
and base flood elevation.
3. Parks and recreation lands (Section 4(f))
4. Historic or archaeological resources
5. Threatened and endangered species habitat
6. Forest conservation areas
C. GEOTECHNICAL INVESTIGATION
a. Perform geotechnical investigations sufficient to support pavement, structural,
and foundation design. The anticipated level of effort is fifteen (15) borings.
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b. Provide laboratory testing and a geotechnical engineering report identifying:
i. Soil classifications and bearing capacity
ii. Pavement subgrade characteristics
iii. Foundation recommendations for boardwalk design, including piles
and retaining structures
iv. Groundwater and seasonal high water table information
D. PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING (30% DESIGN)
a. Alignment & Typical Section
i. Develop horizontal and vertical alignment.
ii. Establish typical section (width, cross-slope, buffer, separation).
iii. Provide cross slopes, landings, and transitions in accordance with
PROWAG and SHA ADA guidelines.
iv. Identify intersection treatments and crossings.
b. Structural Components
i. Structural boardwalk design, including piles, framing, decking, and
railings.
ii. Minor retaining walls and structures are anticipated.
iii. Structures requiring SHA Office of Structures approval are not
anticipated, but shall be included if required for constructability.
iv. Structural elements shall be designed in coordination with SHA Office
of Structures if required by SHA.
c. Utility Research and Designation
i. Perform utility record research.
ii. Conduct QL-B utility designation using geophysical locating
technologies.
d. Drainage Concept
i. Preliminary drainage analysis.
ii. Identify impacts to inlets, pipes, ditches.
iii. Identify potential out-of-ROW grading.
e. Preliminary ROW Impact Identification
i. Overlay alignment on ROW mapping.
ii. Identify any temporary construction easements (TCEs).
iii. Identify permanent easement needs (if any).
iv. ROW and temporary construction access needs are to be identified and
quantified before proceeding beyond the 30% design.
v. Preparation of plats, legal descriptions, deeds for ROW, construction
easements, and right-of-entry agreements will be paid for under Task
H, if needed.
E. INTERMEDIATE DESIGN (65% DESIGN)
a. Finalize Utility Impacts
i. Conduct QL-A up to 5 test hole investigations where needed to expose
critical utilities and resolve vertical conflicts. Test hole restoration and
traffic control are included.
ii. Utility designation and test hole investigations shall comply with
ASCE 38-22 Standard Guideline for Investigating and Documenting
Existing Utilities
iii. Prepare a complete utility base map and utility conflict matrix.
iv. Field meetings with utility owners, as needed.
v. Consultant shall identify and coordinate relocation requirements; utility
relocation design by utility owners unless otherwise authorized.
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b. Finalize Geometry
i. Lock horizontal and vertical alignment.
ii. Finalize grading limits.
iii. Refine intersection crossings and ADA ramps.
iv. Prepare and submit design waiver requests, including supporting
technical justification, and coordinate with the SHA for review and
approval in accordance with TAP and federal-aid requirements.
c. Drainage Design
i. Hydrologic/hydraulic calculations.
ii. Develop Stormwater Management (SWM) Designs in accordance with
MDE Stormwater Design Manual and SHA Stormwater Design
Guidelines.
iii. Stormwater concept approval meeting with MDE and/or SHA prior to
final SWM design.
iv. Prepare required storm drain analysis and outfall evaluations.
v. Maintain or improve existing roadway drainage patterns to avoid
adverse impacts to SHA facilities.
d. Erosion & Sediment Control
i. Develop E&S plan in accordance with MDE Standards and
Specifications for Soil Erosion and Sediment Control.
ii. Prepare narrative and details for approval.
e. Traffic Engineering and Safety
i. Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) Plans
1. Preliminary construction staging strategy.
2. MOT plans meeting SHA requirements.
a. Signing & Pavement Marking Plans
b. Shared use path signing and striping.
c. Any required roadway signing adjustments to
accommodate design.
ii. Lighting
1. Lighting systems/photometric analysis for intersections with
public roads and commercial driveways.
2. Lighting design is limited to intersection safety evaluation and
does not include continuous shared use path lighting.
iii. Signalization
1. Investigate pedestrian signal improvements for the signalized
intersection and provide recommendations.
F. FINAL DESIGN AND PS&E PACKAGE
a. Final Plans
i. Plan and profile sheets.
ii. Cross sections.
iii. Signing and pavement marking plans.
iv. Lighting (if included).
v. Landscaping/restoration plans.
b. Specifications
i. SHA Standard Specifications with special provisions.
ii. Include required federal-aid contract provisions, if applicable.
c. PS&E Package
i. Finalize PS&E package for authorization.
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ii. Provide support to the County in preparing elements of the PS&E
package related to the work performed herein.
d. Final QA/QC Certification Statement
i. Final design exception documentation (if any)
ii. Final ADA compliance certification or SHA design waiver approval.
e. Estimate
i. Engineer's opinion of probable cost.
ii. Bid item list formatted per SHA requirements.
G. ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES AND PERMITTING
a. Environmental Screening
i. Consultant shall determine potential impacts of construction activities
and recommend mitigation
1. Water quality
2. 100-year floodplain
3. Protected waterways
4. Protected plants/vegetation
5. Protected animals/wildlife
6. Cultural Resources
b. Environmental Studies and Coordination
i. Wetland Delineation and Reporting
1. Conduct delineation in accordance with USACE 1987 Manual
and regional supplements.
2. Flag boundaries and obtain GPS survey.
3. Provide a formal Wetland Delineation Report.
ii. Natural Resources Coordination
1. Rare, Threatened & Endangered (RTE) species coordination
2. Habitat evaluations, if required
iii. The Consultant shall prepare documentation supporting a Categorical
Exclusion (CE) under NEPA unless otherwise directed by SHA.
iv. CE must be obtained prior to PS&E authorization.
c. Permitting
i. Prepare permit applications and supporting documentation and
coordinate with agencies to obtain required permits.
1. MDE Wetlands & Waterways permits
2. SHA District Permit
3. SHA Utility Permit
4. Joint Permit Application (JPA) documentation
5. Stormwater Management & Erosion/Sediment Control approvals
6. Forest Conservation requirements (if applicable)
7. Tree Removal Permitting
8. Prepare applications for Roadside Tree permits if tree impacts
occur.
H. ROW PLAN DEVELOPMENT
a. Preparation of plats, legal descriptions, deeds for ROW, construction easements,
and right-of-entry agreements.
b. Prepare ROW plan sheets in SHA format including parcel summaries and impact
tables.
c. Support County in acquisition documentation (if needed).
d. ROW Certification Support
i. Confirm no new impacts introduced.
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ii. Coordinate with SHA for ROW certification.
iii. Provide documentation summary to County.
I. BID PHASE SERVICES
a. Pre-Bid Support
i. Chair the pre-bid meeting, provide minutes, and prepare responses to
bidder questions.
b. Firms providing bid phase services though this contract are prohibited from being
Prime, a JV constituent or a Subcontractor on a subsequent construction contract.
Deliverable Requirements
A. All deliverables shall:
a. Meet the requirements of the Engineering Standards and Guidelines listed in
Section 5 of this RFP.
b. All design files shall be compatible with SHA standards.
c. Be compliant with federal aid funding and reimbursement requirements.
d. Address PROWAG/ADA requirements.
e. Be suitable for advertisement by Worcester County.
f. Include electronic PDF and editable formats (DWG, Word, Excel, etc.).
Exclusions
A. To prevent scope ambiguity, the following are excluded unless specifically added by
amendment:
a. Design of new traffic signals
b. Full redesign of signals to accommodate proposed pedestrian signalization or
pedestrian signal improvements.
c. Noise or air quality studies
d. Lighting design except as required for intersection safety evaluation.
e. Photometric lighting analysis except at intersections with public roads and
commercial driveways.
f. Developer-related utility relocations outside path limits
g. Property Owner Negotiations for ROW, easements and right of entry agreements.
The County will perform all acquisition and negotiations.
h. Construction phase services are excluded unless added by amendment.
Expected Deliverables
A. 30% Design Plans (Preliminary Engineering Plans)
B. 65% Design (Intermediate/ROW and Permit Plans and Specifications)
C. 95% Design Plans and Specifications (Final QA/QC Review)
D. PS&E package
E. Property plats and necessary easement documents, if any.
F. Permits, clearances and approvals required for construction phase.
G. Updated engineer's cost estimate at each milestone.
H. The Consultant shall perform internal interdisciplinary QA/QC reviews prior to each
design submission.
I. The Consultant shall formally document all design conflicts and provide written
recommendations for resolution prior to milestone submission
Schedule Requirements
A. The schedule below provides an anticipated timeline for completion of the project.
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Milestone Approximate Time After NTP
Survey Completion 30-45 days
Geotechnical Investigation Complete 45-60 days
Environmental Screening/Permit Strategy 30-60 days
Permit Applications Submitted 60-120 days
30% Design Submission 75-90 days
Agency Review Comments Returned 30 days after submittal
65% Design Submission 180-210 days
Agency Review Comments Returned 30 days after submittal
95% Design Submission 270-300 days
Agency Review Comments Returned 30 days after submittal
PS&E Package Submission 330-360 days
Final Submission 15-30 days after PS&E comments
B. The consultant shall propose a detailed schedule identifying dates for:
a. Survey completion
b. Geotechnical investigations
c. Environmental and permitting milestones
d. 30%, 65%, and 95%, design submissions
e. PS&E Package submission
C. The project schedule shall reflect the County's need to complete design and permitting
within the anticipated funding cycle.
D. SHA and Worcester County review periods of no less than 30 days shall be incorporated
into the schedule. The Consultant shall not proceed beyond the authorized phase,
including advancement past 30% design, without prior written approval from Worcester
County and concurrence from State Highway Administration/Federal Highway
Administration, as required.
The Firm selected for contract award may be required to develop a knowledge and project
transition plan that outlines a step-by-step process to reach a smooth transition from the
current project delivery and support team to new Firms. The transition plan may include a
combination of a series of meetings, documents, checklists, or other means to gather the
information and project history and background to move forward effectively and efficiently
without delay.
The Firms must propose a data storage and information management system for Worcester
County's consideration and approval.
The Consultants shall, at their own cost, provide industry-standard software applications and
platforms to perform all services required in this RFP.
Periodically, new guidelines, processes, laws, and mandates may require additional activities
not clearly cited in the RFP. All activities required to deliver a project or program, whether
new or existing, unless otherwise controlled by regulation or statute, will be completed under
this contract. If special skills or services are identified that are beyond the expertise of the
consultant, then new subconsultants may be required to be added to the contract to support
project delivery.
This is not an all-inclusive list as this contract may include other professional services related
to the scope outlined above.
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