ALL-CR270-4.23_Metcalf - Request for Engineering Services

Location:	Ohio
Posted:	Jun 18, 2026
Due:	Jul 17, 2026
Agency:	Allen County Engineer's Office
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	C - Architect and Engineering Services - Construction R - Professional, Administrative and Management Support Services
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

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REQUEST FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES

ALL-C.R. 270-4.23

(METCALF STREET BRIDGE REPLACEMENT FEASIBILITY STUDY)

Using a quality-based selection process, the Allen County Engineer will be selecting an engineering firm to

perform a Feasibility Study for the replacement of the Metcalf Street Bridge located over the Norfolk Southern

Railroad, 0.15 mile north of W 4th Street in Lima, OH.

Project Description:

The Metcalf Street Bridge was originally built in 1923 as a grade separation over the railyard and carried a

streetcar track along the center of the roadway. In 1957 the streetcar line was removed and the deck was

replaced with a new concrete deck. The route on the bridge was once designated as U.S. 25 (South Dixie Highway)

before U.S. 25 was combined with I-75 in the 1960’s at which point the bridge became the joint responsibility of

Allen County and the City of Lima. In 1970, the structure underwent minor rehabilitation, then a major

rehabilitation in 1989 and another minor rehabilitation again in 2007.

In 2022 the route containing the structure was put on the National Highway System (NHS). A recent inspection

produced a “Poor” (4) rating appraisal and the bridge is now posted for Ohio Legal Loads. The poor general

appraisal combined with a deck area of over 15,000 ft2 (15,763.4 ft2) qualifies the bridge for the Local Major

Bridge Program, which can provide federal funds for replacement. To apply for this funding a feasibility study is

required.

Project Scope:

Conduct a Feasibility Study to determine the proposed replacement structure type considering environmental

impacts, right-of-way, railroad issues, roadway alignment (existing alignment creates a larger span vs. a lesser-

skewed railroad crossing minimizing span length), maintenance of traffic, cost of construction, minimization of

future maintenance and inspection costs, etc. All alternatives analyzed must include a cost of construction that

can be submitted with the Major Bridge Program funding application.

The following prequalification requirements must be met by the consultant:

• Non-Complex Roadway Design

• Level 2 Bridge Design

The project shall be completed by August 31, 2027.

Submittals

Engineering firms interested in being considered for this selection must submit a Letter of Interest conforming to

the attached “Letter of Interest Form”. Letters of Interest shall be limited to a maximum of 6 single-sided pages

not including a one-page cover letter and shall be submitted to the Allen County Engineer, 1501 North Sugar

Street, Lima, Ohio 45801 prior to 3:00 PM on Friday, July 17th, 2026.

In addition, the prime consultant’s 2026 General Qualification Statement must be submitted and on file with the

Allen County Engineer to be considered. For firms that have not submitted General Qualification Statements for

2026, a General Qualification Statement can be submitted along with the Letter of Interest. This General

Qualification Statement does not automatically qualify as a submittal for 2026. Please follow the guidelines at

www.allencountyohengineer.com/engconsultants/. It is anticipated that the selected consultant will be

authorized to proceed by September 1, 2026.

Technical or scope of services questions can be emailed to Doug Karhoff at dkarhoff@allencountyohio.com.

Letter of Interest Form

General Instructions

Each component below requires a thorough response. Where explanations are requested, they must be given in

detail. Do not provide information which is not requested in this form. Please reply concisely.

I. Submitting a Letter of Interest

a) Letters of Interest must contain a Transmittal Letter on your firm's letterhead signed by the contractual

officer.

b) Letters of Interest must meet the following requirements:

1) Provide a minimum font size of 11-point and maintain margins of 1” on all four sides.

2) Page numbers must be centered at the bottom of each page.

3) Use 8½" x 11" bond weight paper only.

4) Bind pages by stapling at the top upper left-hand corner. Do not use any other binder system.

5) Do not provide tabbed inserts or other features that may interfere with machine copying.

c) Submit one (1) original and two (2) hard copies to the Allen County Engineer, 1501 N. Sugar Street, Lima,

Ohio 45801.

d) Letters of Interest must be received at the above location on or before the due date. Responses received

after the due date will not be considered.

II. Key Personnel

Indicate key personnel, along with their work experience, who would be assigned to the project. Include any

specialist(s) outside the consultant's firm who would be employed for the project.

a) Project Manager

b) Assigned Staff

III. Subconsultants

List any items of work which are proposed to be completed by subconsultants.

IV. Workload and Availability

Discuss your firm’s workload and your staff's availability in the required skill classes necessary to accomplish

the work outlined in your project approach.

V. Consultant’s Past Performance

List current O.D.O.T. pre-qualification status, current O.D.O.T. Consultant Evaluation System (CES) score, and

discuss your firm’s past performance on similar projects.

VI. Project Approach

Explain your method for project development and discuss any important details to be considered during

design and construction. In addition, explain any aspect of your method that is unique or innovative, and

specify the economic benefits to Allen County if such an approach is utilized. Consider any impact on the

efficiency and effectiveness of accomplishing the required work.

VII. Project Advancement Schedule

Considering Allen County's proposed project completion date and the review time needed for project

development, provide and discuss your firm's schedule for the various elements of the work to meet the

proposed completion date.

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

ALL-CR270-4.23_Metcalf - Request for Engineering Services

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