Statewide Ports and Waterways Plan Update

MnDOT Contract Number: 1064045
Exhibit A: Specifications, Duties, and Scope of Work
PROJECT BACKGROUND
Minnesota has a significant transportation asset in its navigable waterways and commercial ports, supporting regional
and international trade on the Great Lakes and the Upper Mississippi River system. Key industries in the state are
dependent on low-cost, efficient, and readily available water transportation, including energy, construction, iron ore,
and agriculture. Minnesota is the head of navigation for both of these waterway systems and provides access and
intermodal connections through public and private port facilities. Port authorities in Duluth, St. Paul, Red Wing,
Wabasha and Winona are supplemented by fully-private and private, for-hire facilities and equipment. In addition to
freight, several of the ports host local sightseeing and scheduled cruise passenger services.
MnDOT supports public port facilities and connections throughout the state, due to the vital place in our freight
transportation infrastructure, for the waterborne movement of raw materials and products on the Great Lakes and
Mississippi River systems. These two major transportation links provide the most cost-effective method available for
linking Minnesota to a host of domestic and worldwide markets and make possible the economic success of a wide
range of basic industry including agriculture, metallic minerals mining, and energy. Minnesota has a legislatively
mandated program, the Port Development Assistance Program (PDAP), to administer this support, and developed a
state policy plan in 2014 to help support this program and guide other waterway policy and planning activities.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
The MnDOT Office of Freight and Commercial Vehicle Operations (OFCVO) manages the Port Development Assistance
Program, and supports navigable waterway activities around the state and the region. OFCVO will lead an effort to
develop an updated statewide Plan that will describe the current state of ports and waterways; the state, local
government, and private sector roles in operation of and investment in the system; assess the impacts and needs of the
system; and develop strategies to guide MnDOT's role in supporting the system. OFCVO and the selected consultant will
solicit input from MnDOT Districts, MPO's, port authorities, industry groups, and the public to shape the Plan. The final
draft Plan will comply with State planning guidelines and Maritime Administration (MARAD) best-practices.
Successful Responder will successfully demonstrate prior exposure to and expertise in ports and waterways planning,
evaluation, and identification of economic effectiveness. MnDOT to supply current information contained in Ports
Directory, participation as possible in business profiles from state Department of Employment and Economic
Development (DEED), transportation data, assistance and resources for steering committee and public outreach, and
project management.
PROJECT EXPECTATIONS AND PARAMETERS
A. Inform MnDOT's operational, infrastructure and other investments to meet the state's transportation needs
B. Increase overall intermodal connectivity and effectiveness of Minnesota's freight transportation infrastructure
by identifying and addressing emerging trends in this area
C. Identify innovative and sustainable solutions (engineering, policy, funding, partnerships, etc.) to meet emerging
challenges in multi-modal freight transportation, particularly concerning but not limited to public port facilities
and connectors
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MnDOT Contract Number: 1064045
Exhibit A: Specifications, Duties, and Scope of Work
D. Strengthen the economic vitality of Minnesota economy through support of waterborne-related businesses
utilizing Minnesota port facilities on the Upper Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers and the Great Lakes-St.
Lawrence Seaway systems
E. Increase Minnesota's competitiveness for new business development by providing operational and
infrastructure enhancements that facilitate waterborne freight transportation
F. All reports and materials must be in a plain language format where appropriate, be produced in an Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible format and meet MnDOT style and branding guidelines.
PROJECT SCOPE OF WORK
Task 1 - Project Management
The objective of this task is to conduct overall project management for the Ports and Waterways Plan (PWP) effort. This
includes ensuring that the project remains on schedule, within budget and that deliverables are being submitted on time
with proper feedback and input. The Project Management Plan (PMP) must include an outline of the Successful
Responder's team organization, responsibilities, key contact information, identification of the roles and level of
involvement of MnDOT staff. The PMP will also provide a detailed description of the project, identifying all deliverables
resulting from the planning process, a summary of the project phases, guidelines for the specific approach to completing
each of the project tasks, the budget for each task, and a proposed timeline that identifies project phasing milestones
and key decision points.
Task 1 Deliverables:
a. A kick-off meeting and ongoing monthly project management meetings with the MnDOT Project Manager
(PM) and other personnel
b. Submission of regular progress reports and billing invoices
c. A Project Management Plan (PMP)
d. All documents must be produced in an accessible and plain language format consistent with MnDOT
documentation standards and state law. Resources include MnDOT logos/templates, and use of MnDOT
Style Guides.
e. Detailed schedule
Task 2 - Communications and Public Engagement
In this task, the Successful Responder will work with the MnDOT PM and MnDOT Communications staff to develop and
execute a communications, outreach and engagement plan. This plan is intended to guide engagement with key freight
stakeholders and the public.
Selected Successful Responder will work with MnDOT to develop and revise key messaging for this effort to include
MnDOT webpages, social media, online surveys, in person outreach and stakeholder input gathering. It may be
necessary to build internal consensus amongst MnDOT stakeholders about the most desirable approaches and methods
of communication throughout the planning effort. The consultant team is requested to be flexible.
The PWP update effort will engage with internal and external stakeholder groups, including:
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MnDOT Contract Number: 1064045
Exhibit A: Specifications, Duties, and Scope of Work
1. The PMT - the Successful Responder's staff, MnDOT PM and other MnDOT or partner staff that will directly
work on the state freight plan effort and meet monthly to manage the effort.
2. The Project Advisory Committee (PAC) - the Successful Responder will work with the PM to identify
stakeholders to advise MnDOT in the development of the technical tasks and the final plan.
3. External Stakeholders groups such as the Minnesota Freight Advisory Committee (MFAC), the Statewide Freight
Investment Committee (SFIC), the Duluth-Superior Port Technical Advisory Committee or Harbor Technical Advisory
Committee (HTAC), the federal MARAD, the United States Army Core of Engineers (USACE), Port Authorities, Great Lakes
and St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers (GSGP), and the Coalition for America's Gateways and Trade Corridors
(CAGTC).
Task 2 Deliverables:
a. Prepare for, coordinate and facilitate meetings with MnDOT staff (including PM and MnDOT communications) to
develop the Communications and Public Engagement Plan (PEP).
b. Develop, prepare and deliver key messages and content for MnDOT webpage posting
c. Develop, prepare and deliver key online engagement and online survey materials
d. Deliver a Communications and PEP in an accessible and plain language format
Task 3 - Background Analysis, Document Synthesis and Review of Current Materials
Under this task the Successful Responder will research existing transportation plans, studies, statutes, and reports
related to the Minnesota ports and waterways system that will form the background and basis for future conversations
in the planning process. This paper should summarize the results and strategies of the current PWP along with any
applicable changes to federal law and the 3C transportation planning process, as well as MARAD best practices for
waterway plans.
Task 3 Deliverables:
a. Prepare, coordinate and facilitate meetings with internal MnDOT staff and/or Project Team (PT) to identify,
interview and aggregate materials for this task
b. A working paper detailing Minnesota's freight policies as the apply to waterway planning, current key MnDOT
goals, relationships between transportation planning efforts and coordination/compliance with federal goals
and legislation
Task 4 - Freight Data Gathering, Analysis and Formatting
In Task 4, the Successful Responder will gather ports and waterways related data from previous studies, plans, reports
and other sources for the Ports and Waterways Plan. In addition, this data will be used to map and analyze current and
future freight investments. Address American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Infrastructure
Subtask 4.1 - Inventory of Facilities and Conditions, and Shippers
In this subtask the Successful Responder will gather information to update the current MnDOT Port Directory. This
includes gathering updated information on port facilities, including capacity, utilization, condition, and ownership; the
types, volumes, and values of commodities being handles; intermodal capacity of facilities, including roads and bridges,
rail, pipelines, handling equipment, condition of the connectors, and other connections and capabilities, and an
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MnDOT Contract Number: 1064045
Exhibit A: Specifications, Duties, and Scope of Work
estimated life-cycle of capital assets and conditions, including maintenance intervals or upgrades as expected and
appropriate.
The Successful Responder is also requested to gather information on the general corporate identity and structure of
users of Minnesota's ports and waterways. This includes information on the commodity of commodities handled by
water; supply sources, markets, and extended supply chains connected through waterways.
Subtask 4.2 - Aggregate Data and Create Maps
In this subtask the Successful Responder will aggregate commodity flow and other similar freight flows data to create a
series of charts and maps to incorporate into the PWP that will highlight and summarize the statistics of ports and
waterways within Minnesota, and key ports outside connecting to Minnesota. The Successful Responder will create a
working paper that will summarize the key port facilities statewide. It will contain key information such as a summary of
Minnesota's history and current ports and waterways trends including carriers, commodities and industries,
management and improvement of the system, the role of public and private ports, economic and demographics, and an
infographic that describes Minnesota's key waterways industries. This subtask must meet the requirements identified in
the IIJA Act for the waterways network. The working paper will also include an inventory of commercial ports in the
State.
Task 4 Deliverables:
a. A working paper summarizing Minnesota ports and the waterways networks and their economic context
including maps and visuals
b. Geographic Information System (GIS) and accessible static maps of the Minnesota ports and waterways
networks that follow the Minnesota State Highway Investment Plan (MnSHIP) map format guidelines that can be
shared with the public and used within the PWP
Task 5 - Statewide Needs Assessment and Future Program Recommendations
In Task 5 the Successful Responder will analyze the output of subtasks 4.1 and 4.2 to create a working paper that will
estimate the total ports and waterways needs statewide. The Successful Responder will produce planning level
estimates to determine a range of costs to address statewide needs that could be connected into future PDAP updates.
This working paper will list the needs associated with access and intermodal improvements, dockside and facilities
improvements, the impacts of private ports assistance to system effectiveness, peer state port programs with
commentary on possible or probable Minnesota application, and adequacy of the current PDAP including evaluation and
potential improvements. The paper should also discuss how Minnesota can better leverage federal and state resources
and programs.
The working paper will also describe the economic impacts of the system including economic, financial, operational, and
economic development benefits, including jobs; cost/benefit justification of public investment on variety of assets or
connectors; benefits of freight expansion or diversion, based on potential for capacity expansion, transit time
advantages, and redundancy on routing options; commentary on relationship of waterways use to State's viability,
economic vitality, and quality of life.
In addition, the Successful Responder will develop draft State or agency policy statements for ongoing involvement
including the PDAP and develop a scope of recommended investments including the role of private investment, federal
investment, and local investments provided by port authorities, the state, and other governmental units. There will be
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MnDOT Contract Number: 1064045
Exhibit A: Specifications, Duties, and Scope of Work
an identification of reasonable and reportable performance measures, reflective of program effectiveness, system
efficiency, cost competitiveness, and capacity. The recommendations will consider United States Department of
Transportation (USDOT), MARAD, and UCACE initiatives, such as Maritime Highways proposals.
Task 5 Deliverables:
a. A working paper summarizing the number and scale of ports and waterways needs statewide and a statewide
estimate addressing all port and waterways freight-related needs
b. A working paper of key policy recommendations for the State of Minnesota to undertake to align the Port
Development Assistance Program, and other state efforts, with the needs of the ports and waterways system.
The working paper will include a summary of the role of private investment, federal investment, and local
investments provided by port authorities, the state, and other governmental units
c. Explore and identify where multimodal freight can be improved by collaboration and coordination across modes
(e.g., data sharing, multimodal freight funding)?
Task 6 - Ports and Waterways Impacts Analysis
In this task, the Successful Responder will work with MnDOT staff to identify impacts of marine transportation to
Minnesota's economy, sustainability, transportation efficiencies and future mode balance. MnDOT is interested in
creating an investment case for key decision makers around the benefits of ports and waterways transportation
movements.
Task 6 Deliverables:
a. Prepare an analysis based on the results of Task 5 about current and future economic impacts of the waterway
transportation system in Minnesota at a planning level using accepted economic practices, including how
waterways are part of a broader, integrated, multimodal system.
b. Develop a summary of the economic and societal impacts for decision makers and the public written in plain
language using infographics or similar visual communication techniques.
Task 7 - Draft PWP Document
Successful Responder will write and deliver a draft plan. The process of drafting the updated plan will need to include
internal MnDOT and advisory committee review and revisions based on that feedback. This document must be ADA
compliant and be delivered in an attractive and plain language format using MnDOT templates and style guidance.
The draft plan will contain all federally required materials and will be created from the technical findings of the working
papers and other studies/reports analyzed during the planning process. The Freight Policy and Action Agenda will be key
components that will be highlighted in the task. In addition, a shorter public infographic version will be developed to
share online with the highlights of this work in connection with the release of the draft plan for public comment.
Task 7 Deliverables:
a. Draft updated PWP document in ADA accessible format as well as text and figures that may be directly
integrated into MnDOT's minnesotago.com website. Ensure the policies and actions identified in the plan are
consistent with Minnesota GO Vision and the Statewide Multimodal Transportation Plan (SMTP)
b. An infographic summarizing the key highlights of the ports and waterways plan
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MnDOT Contract Number: 1064045
Exhibit A: Specifications, Duties, and Scope of Work
Task 8 - Draft Plan Public Comment Support, Revisions and Final PPWP
As part of the process of finalizing the draft PWP, the consultant team will work to provide support as requested by
MnDOT with the draft public comment period including attending up 3 public meetings to be conducted in the Twin
Cities and in Greater Minnesota, listening/hearing and reviewing public comments and integrating them as directed into
the draft PWP.
Task 8 Deliverables:
a. Summary of public input and comments
b. Identification of key revisions
c. Participation and staff support for up to 3 public meetings engaging on the PWP release
TIMELINE AND SCHEDULE
The project will start upon contract execution (anticipated in October 2026) and is to be completed by September 30,
2027. It is expected that the draft report will be presented in June 2027.
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