US-76/US-123 Corridor Study

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
US-123/US-76 Corridor Study
Proposal Due Date: April 15th, 2026 3:00 P.M.
March 25th, 2026
APPALACHIAN COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS
30 Century Circle, Greenville, SC 29607
www.scacog.org
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REQEUST FOR PROPOSALS
RFP#: P107
This RFP is available in its entirety in electronic form via the Appalachian Council of
Governments (ACOG) website at https://www.scacog.org/rfp-portal. You are responsible for
sending your name, address, email address, and telephone number to the RFP Coordinator for
your organization to receive any RFP amendments or bidder questions/agency answers.
You may also obtain a copy of the RFP by submitting a written request to the Transportation
Planner, Jake Whitmire, Appalachian Council of Governments, jwhitmire@scacog.org, Phone:
803-241-4674.
A pre-proposal conference will not be held for this project.
PROJECT TITLE: US-123 Corridor Study
PROPOSAL DUE DATE...(Opening Date/Time): April 15th, 2026, 3:00 pm.
RETURN PROPOSAL TO: Jake Whitmire, Transportation Planner, Appalachian Council of
Governments via email at jwhitmire@scacog.org
EXPECTED TIME PERIOD FOR CONTRACT
May 15th, 2026 to May 15th, 2027. Appalachian Council of Governments reserves the right
at its discretion to extend the contract up to three additional months.
CONSULTANT ELIGIBILITY: This procurement is open to those consultants that satisfy the
minimum qualifications stated herein and that are available for work in the Appalachian COG
Region.
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PART I: GENERAL INFORMATION
A. This project will be administered by the Appalachian Council of Governments (ACOG) on
behalf of Oconee County, the City of Seneca, and the City of Westminster.
B. Proposals will be considered as specified herein or attached hereto under the terms and
conditions of this proposal.
C. Proposals should be prepared simply and economically, providing a straightforward, concise
description of OFFEROR's capabilities to satisfy the requirements of the RFP. Emphasis
should be on completeness and clarity of content.
D. Proposals must be made in the official name of the firm or individual under which business
is conducted (showing official business address) and must be signed in ink by a person duly
authorized to legally bind the person, partnership, company or corporation submitting the
proposal.
E. Proposals must provide 90 days for acceptance by the Appalachian Council of Governments
from the due date for receipt of proposals.
F. OFFERORs are to include all applicable requested information and are encouraged to include
any additional information they wish to be considered.
G. SUBMISSION OF QUESTIONS: All questions or request for information must be submitted
via email to Transportation Planner, Jake Whitmire, at jwhitmire@scacog.org and received
by April 8th, 2026. After this date no further questions will be addressed. After all responses
have been received, a written response will be mailed to all potential OFFERORs.
H. ONE (1) DIGITAL COPY OF YOUR PROPOSAL IS REQUIRED.
I. Notice of intended award of contract will be posted on the ACOG website at
https://www.scacog.org/. All bidders will be notified via email.
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PART II: GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
Proposals shall include the following information:
A. Proposals must not be more than the equivalent of 15 single-sided 8 12 by 11-inch pages
in length (not counting the front and back covers of the proposal, section dividers that
contain no information or SF 330 forms). The font size should be no smaller than 12 pt.
B. Name the prime and subconsultants that will comprise the team and identify the
Executive Officer of each company.
C. Identify the proposed Program Manager for the team who will be the sole point of contact
for ACOG for day to day operations.
D. List the key personnel with their office location who will participate in performing the
scope of work. Provide a brief resume for each listed team member. (Including
subconsultants' key personnel with their office who will be completing a portion of the
scope of work).
E. Provide an organizational chart depicting the relationships between the team members
and agencies.
F. List three (3) recently performed, relevant projects within the past 5 years that indicate
the past performances and abilities of the proposed team. Include a key client contact
person for each project with their current daytime phone number.
G. Provide a proposed list of required tasks and milestones to address the provided scope of
work.
H. Provide a proposed project schedule that includes the key task activities, duration,
milestones and deliverables that will complete the scope of work in the shortest time
frame that is responsive to the required review.
I. Provide a flow chart depicting key task activities and sequence.
J. Provide Standard Federal Form 330 for the prime consultant and all subconsultants.
Unless stated otherwise herein, the basic and governing language of the contract resulting from
this solicitation shall be comprised of the RFP documents, including any attachments and
amendments, and the successful OFFEROR's signed proposal. In the event of a conflict between
the two documents, the RFP shall govern.
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PART III: INTRODUCTION
Agency Overview
The Appalachian Council of Governments (ACOG) serves as the Council of Governments (COG)
for Anderson, Cherokee, Greenville, Oconee, Pickens and Spartanburg Counties. ACOG is
responsible, in cooperation with the South Carolina Department of Transportation and local
planning partners, for carrying out planning issues of a rural and regional nature.
Purpose of Request:
The RFP provides interested OFFERORs with sufficient information to enable them to prepare
and submit written proposals for consideration by the Appalachian Council of Governments
(ACOG) to develop a corridor study for US-123/US-76 between the SC-93 Intersection to the
east and to the point west of the City of Westminster where US-123 and US-76 diverge to
separate routes. This project will be funded through the Appalachian Council of Governments
federal Guideshare funds. The study will provide a framework of strategies and
implementation actions intended improve traffic operations, efficiency and safety on the US-
123/US-76 corridor. The plan will address federal and state regulations and directives related to
corridor planning.
PART IV: SCOPE OF WORK
Overview
The Appalachian 2045 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) serves as the comprehensive
plan for transportation investment to support the safe and efficient movement of people and
goods within the ACOG region through the plan horizon year of 2045. The Plan establishes the
purpose and need for major projects included in the federal transportation funding program,
identifies activities to address major transportation issues, and prioritizes investments in the
transportation system. Based on this plan, a corridor study has been requested for the US-
123/US-76. This corridor serves as a critical regional connector for commuter traffic, freight
movement, tourism, and local access. The corridor experiences a mix of rural, suburban, and
urban contexts, varying traffic demands, safety challenges, and land use pressures. The study is
intended to support regional mobility objectives, improve safety and operations, and inform
future SCDOT, Regional Mobility, and local transportation investments.
Task 1: Project Structure and Work Plan
Building on the scope of work presented in their proposal, and incorporating any relevant
changes made during contract negotiations, the consultant will prepare a detailed work plan
and the achievable timeline for the Plan. The work plan will outline the overall approach, as
well as specific actions and activities that will occur during the project and how these will result
in a successful conclusion to the study.
Task 2: Project Management and Coordination
The consultant shall be required to manage the study and coordination with any
subconsultants, as well as bear responsibility for all documentation and equipment needs. The
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consultant will identify a project lead from their team to act as the direct point of contact for
ACOG's project manager.
This task will also include regular progress meetings with ACOG staff, the preparation of
monthly progress reports, documentation of travel and expense receipts, and the preparation
and submission of invoices. When submitting progress reports, the consultant will be required
to outline the following:
1. Performed work;
2. Upcoming tasks or milestones;
3. Status of scope and schedule; and
4. Any issues to be aware of.
Development of the Plan will be guided by the ACOG Board of Directors which will provide
policy level oversight. A Technical Committee will also be created and input into study
assessments, analyses, policies, and recommendations for the Steering Committee approval.
Technical Committee meetings can be virtual or in person (either in person or virtual). The
consultant shall be responsible for the preparation and coordination of all data collection, data
analysis, technical memorandum, and draft documents for the Plan. In addition to the Steering
Committee meetings the Consultant will present up to two times to the ACOG Board of
Directors meeting in person.
ACOG staff shall be responsible for coordinating and scheduling committee meetings and
assisting the consultant in developing agendas. The consultant will be expected to work closely
with ACOG on the coordination and distribution of materials to the committees as applicable to
consultant work tasks, as well as be responsible for the recording of meeting minutes.
The Technical Committee should be comprised at the minimum of representatives from the
ACOG Regional Transportation Advisory Committee from Oconee County, the City of Seneca,
the City of Westminster, ACOG and SCDOT.
Task 3: Stakeholder and Public Engagement Program
The consultant will develop and implement a detailed stakeholder and public engagement
program that seeks to gain authentic and meaningful public input from community members.
At minimum, the stakeholder and public engagement program should address the following:
1. Specific activities for reaching identified stakeholder groups and engagement strategies
that inform, involve, and empower stakeholders and the public;
a. Wiki Mapping Tool or other interactive Public Involvement tool or survey
b. Minimum of one public open house meeting
2. Timeline for stakeholder and public engagement activities;
3. Communication methods for sharing information with residents and community
members; and
4. Strategy for effective and consistent messaging.
5. Public Outreach and input: Engage stakeholders and the public with both in person and
virtual options (include engagement with ACOG Board of Directors and Technical
Committee throughout the project.)
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Task 4: Existing Conditions Assessment
Using the data collected in this task the consultant will prepare existing capacity analyses for
the study area intersections. The consultant will prepare a crash analysis based on various crash
characteristics such as lighting condition, crash type, contributing factors, pavement condition,
etc. Crashes will also be mapped using GIS to establish any spatial trends in crash locations. The
findings of the crash analysis will be used to identify any trends and areas of concern that may
be suitable for safety improvements. The findings of this analysis will be communicated with
the Technical Committee and used to identify areas of focus moving forward in the project. The
consultant will also review the study area and prepare an inventory of existing land use data,
roadway geometry data, multimodal facilities, and supporting utilities and infrastructure. The
consultant will conduct an existing conditions assessment of the corridor including the
following activities but not limited to:
1. Refine list of existing facilities for data collection based on Technical Committee input.
2. Traffic data collection will include all relevant sections and intersections along the US-123/US-76
corridor.
3. Turning movement counts will be collected at intersections for use in traffic signal
warrant analyses.
4. Available AADT volume information along the corridor will be obtained from publicly available
sources and the ACOG travel demand model will be provided by ACOG for forecasts.
5. Crash Data Collection: The most recent five (5) years of crash data will be obtained from
the South Carolina Department of Public Safety.
6. Previous and Ongoing Studies/Projects: ACOG will provide any previous studies that
include relevant data related to planned development, traffic impacts, land uses, etc.
SCDOT will also be contacted to request relevant data related to planned development,
traffic impacts, current ongoing or planned improvement projects, etc.
7. Roadway Data Collection: The consultant will collect SCDOT roadway plans, as available,
to determine geometry, rights-of-way, access management, multimodal facilities, and
supporting utilities and infrastructure.
8. The consultant will review available information on natural resources to determine what
environmental and cultural resources are known to be present with the areas that may
be considered for transportation improvements.
9. Land Use Data Collection: ACOG will provide available land use and relevant geographic
information system (GIS) data for the study area. The consultant will gather publicly
available GIS data relevant to the study.
10. Future Impacts:
a) The consultant will work with local jurisdictions to review future traffic impacts and
traffic patterns as a part of the Land Use Data Collection task.
Task 5: Purpose and Needs Statement
The consultant with Technical Committee input will use previously gathered information and
analysis to develop a Purpose and Need statement for the project. The statement will be
developed in conjunction with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) guidelines.
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Task 7: Identify Alternatives and Recommendations
The consultant will develop design concepts that will include the recommendations from the
preliminary investigation, evaluation methodology, and alternative feasibility.
1. This task will include planning level cost estimates using current local and SCDOT unit
costs for highway construction.
2. The consultant will prioritize projects and determine an implementation schedule,
which will be used in the final recommendations and preferred alternative. The timeline
should include near mid and long-term improvements.
Task 8: Develop Final Corridor Study and Documentation
The consultant will prepare a final study document that includes an executive summary and
outlines the analyses and findings of previous tasks. This document will include descriptive text,
tables, and figures to portray the analysis and clearly define the recommendations of the study.
An electronic PDF draft version of the study document will be submitted to the ACOG and the
Technical Committee for review and comment. Upon receipt of committee comments, a final
version of the study document will be prepared and submitted to ACOG in electronic PDF
format.
PART V: EVALUATION AND SELECTION CRITERIA
Proposals will be reviewed internally by ACOG Staff and evaluated against the following criteria.
Each of the identified criteria has an assigned weight (whole numbers between 1 and 100) that is
used to establish their relative importance in the evaluation process.
Criteria Maximum Points
Method of Approach: This refers to the technical soundness of the 20%
consultant's stated approach to the project, the comprehensiveness of
the proposed approach, and the techniques to be used.
Originality and innovativeness: A key factor in the selection of the firm 20%
is any innovative approach to the project that goes beyond the
suggested Scope of Work, design, functionality, interactivity, etc. It
must be shown how this will be accomplished within the time limits.
Understanding of Purpose: A determination will be made of the 25%
consultant's understanding of the purpose and tasks as presented in the
RFP. Familiarity with local, regional and SCDOT studies and documents
of multimodal transportation opportunities and obstacles. Evaluation
will be based on the information presented in the consultant's proposal,
the allocation of time on specific tasks. Consultants should feel free to
suggest other requirements, problems, and solutions that may have
been overlooked.
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Capability and Qualifications: The ability of a prospective consultant will 25%
be evaluated under the terms of the RFP, relative to having a staff with
the qualifications needed to successfully complete the
project. Qualifications of professional personnel assigned to the project
will be measured by both education and experience, and with reference
to experience on similar projects. The consultant's professional and
project staff that work on the project must be the same staff that is
identified in the proposal.
Schedule: The prospective consultant will be evaluated on their ability 10%
to follow a schedule that will successfully complete the project within a
reasonable time frame.
PART VI: PERFORMANCE CONDITIONS
A. The Contract shall be on the basis of a fixed fee with a Contract maximum.
B. The contractor shall be required to assume sole responsibility for the complete effort as
required by this RFP. ACOG will consider the contractor to be the sole point of contact
with regard to contractual matters.
C. Timing. The consultant shall complete the project and provide deliverables by May 15th,
2027.
PART VII: TIMELINE
Approximate RFP timeline for solicitation and award of contract.
Procurement Step Date
RFP Release Date March 25th, 2026
RFP Advertised March 25th to April 15th, 2026
Deadline for Questions April 8th, 2026
Deadline for submission of proposals April 15th, 2026 at 3pm
Evaluate Proposals April 16th to April 30th, 2026
Technical Interviews (if needed April 16th to April 30th, 2026
Consultant Selection/Notification May 1st, 2026
Contract Award Date Early May 2026
Notice to Proceed May 15th, 2026
Contract Duration 12 months
Contract Completion May 15th, 2027
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PART VIII: CONTRACTUAL REQUIREMENTS
1) FORCE MAJURE: The Contractor shall not be liable for any excess costs if the failure to
perform the contract arises out of causes beyond the control and without the fault or
negligence of the contractor. Such causes may include, but are not restricted to acts of God
or of the public enemy, acts of the Governments in either its sovereign or contractual
capacity, fires, floods, epidemics, quarantine restrictions, strikes, freight embargoes, and
unusually severe weather; but in every case the failure to perform must be beyond the
control and without the fault or negligence of the contractor. If the failure to perform is
caused by the default of a subcontractor, and if such default arises out of causes beyond the
control of both the contractor and subcontractor, and without the fault or negligence of
either of them, the contractor shall not be liable for any excess costs for failure to perform,
unless the supplies or services to be furnished by the subcontractor were obtainable from
other sources in sufficient time to permit the contractor to meet the required delivery
schedule.
2) GOVERNING LAW: Contractor consents to be governed by Section 11-35-4230 of the South
Carolina Code of Laws and agrees that Section 11-35-4230 applies to and governs the
Agreement. Contractor waives any objection it may have now or hereafter to the
administrative process required by Section 11-35-4230. To the extent that Section 11-35-
4230, by its own terms, does not govern a claim or controversy arising out of or relating to
the Agreement, Contractor agrees that any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating
to the Agreement shall be instituted and maintained only in a state or federal court located
in Beaufort County, State of South Carolina. Notwithstanding any other agreement between
Contractor and the State, the Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the laws of the State of South Carolina, and any suit, action or proceeding arising out of
or relating to the Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of South Carolina.
Contractor agrees that any act by the State regarding the Agreement is not a waiver of either
the State's sovereign immunity or the State's immunity under the Eleventh Amendment of
the United States Constitution. As used in this paragraph, the term "Agreement" means any
transaction or agreement arising out of, relating to, or contemplated by this solicitation. As
used in this paragraph, the phrase "the State" includes any governmental entity transacting
business with Contractor pursuant to the Agreement and the South Carolina Budget & Control
Board.
3) OFFEROR'S QUALIFICATION: OFFEROR must, upon request of ACOG, furnish satisfactory
evidence of its ability to furnish products or services in accordance with the terms and
conditions of this proposal. The Planning Department reserves the right to make the final
determination as to the OFFEROR's ability to provide the services requested herein.
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