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: |
|
| Publication URL: | To access bid details, please log in. |
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.
Attachment Preview
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
Q3 2026
Q3 2026
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
8/21/2026
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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