Minnesota Archaeological Construction Monitoring for the I-535 John A. Blatnik Bridge Replacement

Location:	Minnesota
Posted:	May 5, 2026
Due:	May 14, 2026
Agency:	State Government of Minnesota
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	Y - Construction of Structures and Facilities
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

Brief Description: MnDOT and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) are proposing to replace the I-535 John A. Blatnik Bridge over the St. Louis Bay between Duluth, MN and Superior, WI. In order to meet statutory and regulatory compliance, MnDOT will be completing archaeological monitoring for bridge construction, including excavations and other related ground disturbance associated with the overall bridge construction project in 2026-2031. MnDOT requests proposals for archaeological monitoring of construction excavation and related ground disturbance associated with existing bridge demolition and new bridge construction in Minnesota.

Date posted: 04/10/2026
Due date: 05/14/2026

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State of Minnesota

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)

PART A: INSTRUCTIONS AND CONTENT

Minnesota Archaeological Construction Monitoring for the I-535 John A. Blatnik Bridge

Replacement

MnDOT Contract Number: 1059791

Date Posted: 04/10/2026

1. Responses must be received by MnDOT no later than 2:00PM, Central Time, 05/14/2026 Late responses will not

be considered.

2. This document is available in alternative formats for persons with disabilities by calling Leif Halverson at 651-

366-3786 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.

3. Responder must also complete and submit PART B of this Request for Proposals, posted separately from this

document.

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

subdivision 8.

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 our Minnesota 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 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.

SPECIAL NOTICE: This is a request for proposal. It does not obligate MnDOT to award a contract or complete the

proposed program, and MnDOT reserves the right to cancel this RFP if it is considered in its best interest.

(CSS/CM Last Updated: 01/20/2026)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Request For Proposal Part A Contents

SECTION 1 – INSTRUCTIONS TO RESPONDERS

SECTION 2 – SUMMARY OF PROJECT SCOPE

SECTION 3 – PROPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

SECTION 4 – PROPOSAL CONTENT AND SUBMISSION

SECTION 5 – EVALUATION PROCEDURE AND CRITERIA

SECTION 6 – TERMS AND GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

Request For Proposal Required Forms and Declarations (see PART B, posted seperately):

1. Attachment 1: Responder Declarations

2. Attachment 2: Exceptions to MnDOT's Terms and Conditions

3. Attachment 3: Responder Forms

a. Workforce and Equal Pay Declaration Form

b. Conflict of Interest Checklist and Disclosure Form

c. Resident Vendor Form

d. Federal Disclosure Form to Report Lobbying (Standard Form-LLL)

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Steps for

Completing

Your Response

Incomplete

Submittals

How to Ask

Questions

SECTION 1 – INSTRUCTIONS TO RESPONDERS

Follow the steps below to complete your response to this RFP:

Step 1: Read the solicitation documents and ask questions, if any

Step 2: Write your Proposal and complete the required Forms in Part B of this RFP

Step 3: Submit your Proposal

A Proposal must be submitted along with any required additional documents. Incomplete

Proposals that materially deviate from the required format and content may be rejected.

STEP 1 – READ THE SOLICITATION DOCUMENT & ASK QUESTIONS, IF ANY

The Instructions for Questions and Answers section is in this link to Section 3. The contact person

for questions is:

Leif Halverson, Contract Administrator

leif.halverson@state.mn.us

How to Write

your Response

Include both the MnDOT Contract No. 1059791 and the Minnesota Archaeological Construction

Monitoring for the I-535 John A. Blatnik Bridge Replacement in the subject line of the email.

Questions must be emailed to the contact person and received by 2:00PM Central Time on

04/28/2026. Other personnel are not authorized to answer questions regarding this RFP.

STEP 2 – WRITE YOUR RESPONSE

The Proposal Content section is in this link to Section 4. Prepare a written response and supply

all requested content. Proposals must address the requested information and documents

detailed in Section 4 or be disqualified as non-responsive.

All Proposals submitted in response to this RFP will be public information under the Minnesota

Data Practices Act, Minnesota Statutes Chapter 13 once the evaluation process is complete.

Where to Send

Your Response

and

Confirmation

Make sure to review and sign your Proposal and include all necessary Part B Attachments.

STEP 3 –SUBMIT YOUR RESPONSE

Proposals must be electronically submitted via e-mail to:

Leif Halverson, Contract Administrator

leif.halverson@state.mn.us

Include both the MnDOT Contract No. 1059791 and the Minnesota Archaeological Construction

Monitoring for the I-535 John A. Blatnik Bridge Replacement in the subject line of the email.

You must copy: ProfessionalTechnicalContractForms.dot@state.mn.us on the email.

Proposals must be received by MnDOT no later than 2:00PM, Central Time, on 05/14/2026. Late

responses will not be considered.

You will receive a confirmation email from MnDOT after submission. If you do not, please email

the Contract Administrator above to ensure your response was received.

By signing and submitting a Proposal, you are making a binding legal offer for the period of time

listed here. This Condition of Offer is discussed in more detail in the Terms & General

Requirements section of this RFP, Section 6.

(CSS/CM Last Updated: 01/20/2026)

SECTION 2 –SUMMARY OF PROJECT SCOPE

1. Project Overview

MnDOT and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) are proposing to replace the I-535 John A.

Blatnik Bridge over the St. Louis Bay between Duluth, MN and Superior, WI. In order to meet statutory and

regulatory compliance, MnDOT will be completing archaeological monitoring for bridge construction, including

excavations and other related ground disturbance associated with the overall bridge construction project in 2026-

2031. The term of this contract is anticipated to run from 6/1/2026 to 5/31/2031. MnDOT anticipates the work to

extend past 5 years, which may result in a subsequent contract being set up.

MnDOT requests proposals for archaeological monitoring of construction excavation and related ground disturbance

associated with existing bridge demolition and new bridge construction in Minnesota.

2. Project Goal

The purpose of the archaeological monitoring is to quickly identify and immediately protect and preserve cultural

resources eligible for the National Register of Historic Places, or human remains that may be encountered, during

ground-disturbing construction activities.

3. Scope of Work and Deliverables

Scope of Work

Task 1: Field Preparation

Under this task, the Successful Responder will review the following documentation, provided by MnDOT’s Cultural

Resources Unit (CRU): (1) project Archaeological Construction Monitoring and Post-Review Discoveries Plan, and (2)

project background information, including the types of materials that may be encountered during monitoring. This

task includes preparing equipment and other materials that will be required to perform the work. The Successful

Responder must have an Industrial Hygienist under contract and a health and safety plan in place prior to the start

of fieldwork and will be responsible for procuring and preparing any necessary personal protective equipment and

annual licensing to conduct monitoring work in Minnesota.

Task 2: Coordination and Meetings

Under this task, the Successful Responder’s archaeological monitors will coordinate with MnDOT’s CRU and

MnDOT’s excavation/construction contractor regarding work locations and schedules. Archaeological monitors will

attend meetings (e.g., safety meetings, monitoring discussion meetings, etc.) as requested by MnDOT’s CRU.

Task 3: Monitoring and Reporting

Under this task, the Successful Responder’s archaeological monitors will work in coordination with cultural/Tribal

monitors to observe ground-disturbing construction activities to identify archaeological resources or human remains

that may be inadvertently impacted. The archaeological monitors will work in coordination with cultural/Tribal

monitors to observe removal or disturbance of soils and sediments and to closely inspect disturbed soils and

sediments in excavated areas when safe to do so. Monitoring will be carried out in accordance with the procedures

contained in the MnDOT’s CRU Archaeological Construction Monitoring and Post-Review Discoveries Plan for the

project. Archaeological monitors will write weekly summaries of monitored activities and write annual monitoring

reports.

Task 4: Discovery Documentation

The Successful Responder’s archaeological monitors will document discoveries, assess National Register of Historic

Places eligibility, identify potential human remains, and secure and protect discoveries from further disturbance as

appropriate. Archaeological site forms may need to be updated or created based on documented discoveries.

MnDOT’s CRU has retained the services of a professional osteologist to aid monitors in the identification of potential

human remains.

(CSS/CM Last Updated: 01/20/2026)

Task 5: Discovery Plan

Should an identified discovery need a formal Phase II evaluation or Phase III data mitigation, the Successful

Responder’s archaeological monitor will develop a discovery plan for that effort. The Successful Responder will

submit a subsequent scope for a formal Phase II or Phase III investigation once this effort is deemed necessary.

Task 6: Artifact Analysis

If sites are identified, and archaeological materials must be collected for curation, the Successful Responder will

conduct artifact analyses and prepare artifacts for curation with a state repository. Artifact cataloging must be in

accordance with current Minnesota Historical Society standards.

Task 7: Artifact Curation

This task is for the direct fees associated with curating artifacts and associated documentation at a state repository

under MnDOT’s CRU annual repository agreement with the Minnesota Historical Society.

Assumptions

When preparing a response to this RFP, responders should assume:

1. No more than four monitors per day.

2. Daily monitoring in Fiscal Year (FY) 28-FY29, and infrequent monitoring in FY27 and FY30-FY31. MnDOT’s FY runs

from July to June.

3. No more than four discoveries.

4. No more than one discovery plan for subsequent evaluation/mitigation work.

5. Weekly one-hour meetings throughout the life of the contract.

6. No more than 150 artifacts per discovery.

7. No more than one cubic foot of curated archaeological materials per discovery.

Deliverables

The Successful Responder will develop and deliver the following:

1. Written summaries of monitoring activities and results, to be submitted weekly to MnDOT’s CRU project

manager, via email.

2. Annual monitoring reports providing detailed discussions of monitoring activities and results to be submitted to

MnDOT’s CRU project manager, via email.

3. Geographic Information System (GIS) shapefiles, per MnDOT CRU GIS data standards.

4. Discovery plans and scopes for additional investigations, as necessary, to be submitted to MnDOT’s CRU project

manager, via email.

4. Additional Tasks or Activities.

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

this Project. These items must be separated from the required items on the cost proposal required under this RFP.

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(CSS/CM Last Updated: 01/20/2026)

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

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Minnesota Archaeological Construction Monitoring for the I-535 John A. Blatnik Bridge Replacement

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