Professional Services for Grand Island Rail Crossing Study

Location:	Nebraska
Posted:	Dec 10, 2025
Due:	Jan 7, 2026
Agency:	State of Nebraska - Department of Transportation (NDOT)
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	B - Special Studies and Analyses - Not R&D
Solicitation No:	RFQ-2519
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

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RFQ-2519

Request for Qualifications

Professional Services for Grand Island Rail

Crossing Study

December 10, 2025

Statements of Qualifications are due Wednesday, January 7,2026, 1:00 P.M.

GENERAL

In accordance with Nebraska Consultants’ Competitive Negotiation Act (Neb. Rev. Stat.

§81-1702), the Brooks Act (40 USC 1101), and 23 CFR 172.5, the State of Nebraska,

Department of Transportation (NDOT), is issuing a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Grand

Island Rail Crossing Study. Qualified consultants are invited to submit a statement of

qualifications as outlined below. NDOT’s website referred to in this document is located at:

https://dot.nebraska.gov/business-center/consultant/

All consultants interested in providing professional services for NDOT and Local Public

Agencies (LPAs) are strongly encouraged to review NDOT’s template Standard Professional

Services Agreement, Sample Fees and Payments Exhibit, and Insurance Requirements for

Professional Service Providers prior to responding to this RFQ. By submitting a statement of

qualifications in response to this RFQ, Consultant, and all subconsultants, agree to meet the

substantive requirements of these documents. These documents can be found on NDOT’s

website. An agreement will not be executed unless consultant provides a current overhead

(indirect cost rate) schedule and proof of meeting the insurance requirements in the form of an

Insurance ACORD. Further information regarding insurance, including a checklist to assist in

submitting an acceptable insurance certificate, can be found at

https://dot.nebraska.gov/business-center/consultant/insurance/.

NDOT is seeking a statement of qualifications from consultants who wish to be considered to

provide these services. The selected consultants will be required to follow the LPA Guidelines

Manual for Federal-Aid Projects and all applicable Federal and State requirements and

procedures for the local federal-aid projects.

This RFQ does not commit NDOT to award a contract, to pay any costs incurred in the

preparation of a response to this request, or to procure or contract for services. NDOT reserves

the right to award contracts to more than one qualified consultant, to accept or reject any or all

responses received as a result of this request, to negotiate with any qualified consultant or to

modify or cancel in part or in its entirety the RFQ, if it is in the best interest of NDOT to do so.

Nebraska Public Records Act

In accordance with Nebraska Revised Statute 84-712 et.seq., Nebraska Public Records Act,

documents provided to NDOT are public records subject to disclosure unless consultant

requests in writing that documents must be kept confidential and can demonstrate that such

records are confidential under federal or state law.

Template Date: 8/13/2025

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RFQ-2519

Required Title VI Non-discrimination General Assurance

The Nebraska Department of Transportation, 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/offerors that it will affirmatively insure {ensure} that any contract

entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged business enterprises will be

afforded full 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.

STANDARD WORK CATEGORIES

Standard Work Categories anticipated on this project are listed below. Consultant/team must

be certified in the following Standard Work Categories. Information regarding the Standard

Work Categories can be found on NDOT’s website.

100 Corridor Studies

102 Transportation Planning

105 Railroad Planning

120 Roadway Design

140 Traffic Operation Studies & Design

115 Other Environmental Studies

211 Public Involvement

SCOPE OF SERVICES

A. OVERVIEW OF THE WORK:

The Grand Island Rail Crossing Study will use a data-driven approach to assess the current

conditions of 17 public rail crossings along 11 miles of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe

(BNSF) Ravenna Subdivision in Grand Island, Nebraska. This Track 1 Planning Project

will develop a prioritized Corridor Improvement Plan, recommending crossing closures, grade

separations, and targeted safety countermeasures to enhance safety and address unreliable

travel routes and emergency response delays caused by frequent train traffic. The study will

include an alternatives analysis for the high-volume crossing of N. Broadwell Avenue.

Anticipated benefits include enhanced rail crossing safety, better access in communities

divided by the tracks, improved mobility for roadway users and trains, faster emergency

response times, and improved freight efficiency. The study lays the groundwork for critical

infrastructure improvements that will save lives, improve quality of life, and deliver significant

returns for Grand Island, BNSF, and the broader region.

B. QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

Previous experience developing Corridor Safety Plans or equivalent regional rail crossing

studies. Strong project management and coordination capabilities. Understanding of

multimodal transportation, including bicycle and pedestrian considerations at rail crossings.

Innovative thinking toward community-integrated rail safety solutions that balance

mobility, access, and safety.

• Technical Planning and Engineering

• Environmental & Regulatory

• Public and Stakeholder Engagement

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RFQ-2519

• Data Analysis and Cost Estimation

• Policy and Funding Alignment

C. SOFTWARE AND EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS:

Microsoft Office products or equivalent, eBuilder project management cloud-based software,

AutoCAD for preliminary design work, and ArcGIS for any planning or safety audit work, as

appropriate

D. EXPECTATIONS FOR THE DELIVERABLES:

• Development of a purpose and need statement

• Conceptual Engineering

• Public Involvement Plan

• Project Website

• Crossing Evaluations & Recommendations

• Project Prioritization

• Environmental inventory and concerns analysis

• Stakeholder and public involvement

• Cost estimates

E. SCHEDULE (IF APPLICABLE:

Federal report period ends 10/31/2027. Final schedule will be developed with selected

consultant

DETAILS

It is anticipated that three (3) consultants will be short-listed for interviews, with one (1)

consultant will be awarded the contract for the work. The evaluation criteria to be used

for the short-listing and final selection are outlined below. The payment method for the

contract may be Lump Sum, Cost Plus Fixed Fee, or Specific Rates of Compensation.

NDOT reserves the right to abandon or terminate any contract at any time and either re-

advertise services or utilize its own forces. NDOT also reserves the right to accomplish

services for future phases on all projects with the selected consultant, select another

consultant, or utilize its own forces.

NDOT will not hold a briefing. All information is contained within this RFQ and on NDOT’s

website. If additional information is deemed necessary, it will be posted on the same web page

as this RFQ and will be labeled as an update. Consultants interested in this RFQ are

responsible for checking for updated information.

Interested consultants must be certified by NDOT or have a completed certification form on file

with NDOT prior to the deadline identified in the Schedule of Activities. Instructions for

completing the NDOT Annual Consultant Certification form is available at:

https://dot.nebraska.gov/media/g1qb344b/cert-instruc-annual-certification.pdf

Please submit your Drug-Free Workplace Policy (DF Policy) separate from the response to

this RFQ (DF Policy Example). The DF Policy is a one-time submittal to NDOT. Please do

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RFQ-2519

not re-submit unless your DF Policy has changed or you never have previously submitted a

DF Policy. While the DF Policy is not a submittal requirement, all consultants must have an

acceptable DF Policy on file prior to the deadline identified in the Schedule of Activities. If

necessary, the consultant’s DF Policy may be submitted via email to:

NDOT.PDAnnualCertification@nebraska.gov

Please do not call or write NDOT staff for information regarding the services in this RFQ.

Email all inquiries/questions to NDOT Procurement Engineer, at:

ndot.pdRFQinfo@nebraska.gov or call (402) 479-4778.

EVALUATION CRITERIA

A. QUALIFICATIONS (30 PTS)

1. Qualifications of the project manager and key team members to perform the work.

2. Firm’s demonstrated capacity to manage project teams with multiple consultants.

3. Applicability and relevance of comparable projects provided by the Consultant.

4. Knowledge directly related to railroad crossing safety, corridor studies and safety

planning.

5. Experience on infrastructure planning and safety projects.

6. Experience conducting corridor studies and developing safety improvement plans

for public at-grade rail crossing.

7. Knowledge of the NEPA process and adhering to the purpose and need of the

project.

B. PERFORMANCE DATA (20 PTS)

1. Performance evaluations by NDOT regarding the work of the Consultant.

2. Adherence to applicable standards and completeness of previous projects

3. Project schedule adherence on previous projects with NDOT.

4. Cooperation with NDOT staff on previous projects.

5. If firm has no experience with NDOT, review information obtained from Consultant’s

references for Consultant’s performance with other states, local governments, or

appropriate clients. The team should list a minimum of two (2) references in their

proposal.

C. UNDERSTANDING OF THE SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED (20 PTS)

1. Consultant demonstrated they understand nature and scope of the projects to be

assigned under agreement.

2. The consultant has recognized and identified special circumstances to be

considered for the projects.

3. Consultant provided a logical approach to complete tasks and resolve issues of the

project.

Final Selection (30 pts, 100 pts total)

D. DISCUSSION OF FOCUS AREA TOPICS (20 PTS)

1. Consultant’s interview presentation was clear and concise.

2. Consultant showed knowledge and understanding of topics.

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RFQ-2519

E. COMMITTEE Q&A SESSION (10 PTS)

1. Consultant answered committee questions logically and thoroughly.

SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES

Date (2025)

Time (CST)

RFQ posted

December 10, 17, and 24

Last day questions will be accepted

December 17

4:00 PM

Last day Q&A or updates to RFQ may be posted

December 24

4:00 PM

NDOT Form 497 & Drug-Free Workplace Policy on file at NDOT January 7

1:00 PM

Statement of Qualifications Due

January 7

1:00 PM

Post Short-List Consultants & Interview Schedule

Interview

January 16

January 26

4:00 PM

2:00 PM –

4:30 PM

Post Final Selections

January 30

4:00 PM

NOTE – Shortlisted Firms may be asked to provide verification that they and all subconsultants have

submitted their indirect cost rates and certifications for their latest fiscal year. Latest fiscal year means

the last fiscal year with an end date no more than 6 months in the past.

SUBMITTAL OF QUALIFICATIONS

All information must be received by the deadline identified in the Schedule of

Activities. No exceptions to this deadline will be given.

One (1) electronic copy (PDF format) of your firm's statement of qualification (SOQ) must be

submitted using the Online “SOQ Submittal Form” link found on the Consultant Services

Business Opportunities page. Please “reduce file size” of PDF before submitting.

Submittals are to include the following in the order given below:

1. Front cover to include the consultant, subconsultants (if applicable), and number and

title of the RFQ.

2. A letter of interest not to exceed one (1) page.

3. Organizational Chart not to exceed one (1) page.

4. A narrative responding to the established evaluation factors not to exceed five

(5) pages.

5. A maximum of five (5) pages of additional supportive material such as charts,

tables, resumes, or photos.

6. NDOT Form 498, “Architect, Engineer, & Related Services Supplement to

Statement of Qualifications” (MS Word version) not to exceed six (6) pages for the

consultant and six (6) pages for each subconsultant. A separate NDOT Form 498

must be submitted for each subconsultant to be used.

Additional submittal requirements are:

1. All narrative-related material in the submittal must be formatted for 8½ x 11 paper,

single or double spaced. Font size for narrative text no smaller than 11 point.

2. Submittal covers and dividers between the sections are allowed and not included in

the page limit.

Template Date: 8/13/2025

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

Professional Services for Grand Island Rail Crossing Study

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See also