Progressive Design?Build (PDB) services for the development and construction of a new railyard and associated rail infrastructure (Project)

Location:	Texas
Posted:	Jul 23, 2026
Due:	Aug 10, 2026
Agency:	Port of Harlingen
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	Y - Construction of Structures and Facilities
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

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Request for Qualifications

The Port of Harlingen Authority (Owner), a navigation district and political subdivision of the State of Texas, hereby invites Statements of Qualifications (SOQ) from qualified firms to provide Progressive Design‑Build (PDB) services for the development and construction of a new railyard and associated rail infrastructure (Project).

Deadline: RF Q packet s must be received by POH no later than 2 :00 PM on August 10, 2026 , to be considered.

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REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ)

PORT OF HARLINGEN AUTHORITY Railyard Industrial Park

Development

RFQ No. 2026-01

Section 1: Background

Introduction

The Port of Harlingen Authority (Owner), a navigation district and political subdivision of

the State of Texas, hereby invites Statements of Qualifications (SOQ) from qualified

firms to provide Progressive Design‑Build (PDB) services for the development and

construction of a new railyard and associated rail infrastructure (Project).

This RFQ describes the minimum qualifications, submittal format, and evaluation

criteria by which the Owner will select up to three (3) Respondents for short‑listing.

Short‑listed Respondents will subsequently be invited to submit proposals in response

to a Request for Proposals (RFP), leading to the award of a Progressive Design‑Build

Contract.

The Project will be delivered in two phases using the Progressive Design‑Build method:

Phase 1 – Preliminary Design and Preconstruction Services

• Railyard layout planning and concept development

• Preliminary engineering (approximately 60%)

• Cost modeling, Guare and schedule development

• Risk identification and allocation

Phase 2 – Final Design and Construction Services

• Final engineering and permitting

• Procurement of rail materials and contractors

• Construction of railyard infrastructure

• Integration with existing railroad operations

• Testing, commissioning, and close‑out

The Owner shall not be liable for any costs incurred by Respondents in the preparation

or submission of an SOQ.

Owner’s Objectives

The Port of Harlingen Authority intends to partner collaboratively with the selected

Design‑Builder during Phase 1 to develop a railyard design that is operationally

efficient, constructible, and cost‑effective.

Key objectives include:

• Quality and Safety: Deliver a new high quality, safe and efficient rail park that

meets or exceeds all applicable industry standards, including Union Pacific

Railroad.

• Added Capacity and Efficiency: Deliver the new rail park facility with new

access off the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) main line to significantly increase

the Port’s rail capacity and operational efficiency. The new facility should be

designed to efficiently handle a high volume of railcars and enhance the Port’s

ability to attract and serve future tenants

• Cost and Schedule Certainty: Deliver the project in a cost-effective and timely

manner. The Progressive Design-Build model has been chosen to provide early

cost and schedule certainty and to foster a collaborative approach to managing

the project’s budget and timeline.

• Future Expandability: Designing the rail park using a phased approach to

accommodate future expansion in a logical and cost-effective manner, in

accordance with the Port’s Master Plan

• Collaboration: Foster a balanced allocation of risk between the Port and

selected Design-Builder as well as collaborative partnership between the Port

and the Design -Builder and all project stakeholders, including but not limited to

Union Pacific Railroad, local utilities and potential future tenants.

Section 2: Project Overview

Project Location

The Project is located within the Port of Harlingen in Cameron County, Texas. The

proposed site for the rail park is an area of land located immediately west of the Port’s

current operational footprint (see the attached site plan). The site is part of a larger

area planned for long-term rail expansion. The site is currently undeveloped and will

require significant site preparations.

Project Scope

The Project scope is the design and construction of the first phase of a new, modern rail

park facility. The first phase of the project is expected to include:

• Alternative Analysis: Perform an initial study and alternatives analysis to

identify a preferred first phase alternative to move forward to design and define

possible options for future expansion. Study shall consider potential for railcar

stage in Phase One.

• Railroad Coordination: Lead coordination and design/construction approval

efforts with the Union Pacific Railroad.

• Utility Coordination: Lead coordination efforts with existing and proposed

utilities.

• Environmental Assessment & Permitting: Determine and prepare applicable

environmental and other permits for application by the Port to appropriate

agencies.

• Site Development: Design and construct all necessary site work, including

clearing, grading, access, drainage, and utilities to support the rail park.

• Rail Infrastructure: Design and construct Phase 1 of the rail park facility in

accordance with the preferred alternative identified in the alternative analysis.

Scope includes lead tracks to connect the new rail park to the Union Pacific

Railroad mainline. All track work must be constructed in accordance with

UPRR’s Industrial Track Construction Specifications. Design shall comply with

applicable standards, including Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and Texas

Department of Transportation (TxDOT), where applicable.

Project Budget

The estimated total project cost for the new rail-park facility is currently $15,000,000.

This amount represents the total PDB project budget and does not include the Port’s

other associated costs for the project, which may include advisory services, right of

way, easements, data collection, permit fees and /or administrative costs.

Project Permits and Approvals

The project is anticipated to require a number of permits and approvals from federal,

state and local agencies, as well as from Union Pacific Railroad. It is anticipated that

new environmental assessments, including cultural, historical, and environmental

surveys, will be required for the project site.

Project Schedule

The following is a high-level, preliminary schedule for the project, which is subject to

change. A more detailed schedule will be developed collaboratively with the selected

Design-Builder.

Milestones

RFQ Issued

SOQ Submissions Due

Short-listed Firms Notified

RFP Issued to short-listed firms

PDB Contract Award

Phase 1 NTP (Preliminary Design & pre-

construction

Phase 2 Final Design & Construction

Substantial Completion

Estimated Completion

Q3 2026

Q4 2026

Q1 2027

Q4 2027

Q4 2028

Section 3: Progressive Design‑Build Services

General

The selected Design‑Builder shall provide all services necessary to plan, design, permit,

and construct the Project in accordance with the Design-Build Institute of America

(DBIA).

Roles and Responsibilities

Owner Responsibilities

• Provide project oversight and decision‑making

• Review and approve design milestones

• Coordinate port operations and stakeholders

• Secure funding and grant oversight

Design‑Builder Responsibilities

• Serve as sole point of responsibility for design and construction

• Lead engineering, estimating, and scheduling

• Manage risk, safety, environmental and quality programs

• Coordinate with railroads, regulatory agencies, and utilities for all necessary

permits

• Deliver the Project in accordance with agreed scope, schedule, and price

Section 4: Procurement Process

RFQ Contact and Communications

All communications regarding this RFQ shall be directed to:

Walker Smith

Port Director

Port of Harlingen Authority

24633 E Port Rd, Harlingen, TX 78550

Phone: (956) 423-0283

Email: walker@portofharlingen.com

Unauthorized contact with other Port officials or staff may result in disqualification.

Procurement Schedule (Preliminary)

Milestone

RFQ Issued

Questions Deadline

Addendum Issued

SOQs Due

Short‑List Announcement

RFP Issued

One on One Mtgs w/ shortlisted teams

Deadline for Questions/Comments

Final RFP Addendum posted

RFP Submittals Due

Interviews (Optional by Owner)

Notice to Selected Team

Contract Negotiations

Commission approval

Date

7/10/2026

7/20/2026

7/27/2026

8/10/2026

8/21/2026

8/24-8/28/2026

8/31/2026

9/9/2026

9/23/2026

10/5-10/9/2026

10/14/2026

Oct-Nov 2026

11/5/2026

Interval

RFQ Date

RFQ + 10 Days

RFQ + 17 days

RFQ + 30 days

RFQ + 41 days

RFP Date

RFP + 10 days

RFP + 19 days

RFP + 33 days

RFP + 54 Days

RFP + 70 days

Section 5: SOQ Submission Requirements

Submittal Place and Deadline

Submittal must be received not later than 2:00 PM on Wednesday, August 10, 2026.

Sealed submissions must be supplied on a flash drive (PDF format) along with five (5)

hard copies. Sealed submissions must be addressed and delivered to:

Walker Smith, Port Director

Port of Harlingen Rail Park RFQ 2026-01

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

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Progressive Design?Build (PDB) services for the development and construction of a new railyard and associated rail infrastructure (Project)

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