26-99486 RFP for Special Structural Testing/Inspection Services

Location:	Minnesota
Posted:	May 1, 2026
Due:	May 12, 2026
Agency:	City of Duluth
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	H - Quality Control, Testing, and Inspection Services
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

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Purchasing Division, Finance Department

218-730-5340 | purchasing@duluthmn.gov

Room 120 | 411 West First Street | Duluth, Minnesota 55802

www.duluthmn.gov

City of Duluth Request for Proposals

Special Structural Testing and Inspection Services for

Chester Bowl Chalet Reconstruction

RFP Number 26-99486

Issued April 28, 2026

Proposals due TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2026 BY 3:00 PM CT

Submit to

City of Duluth

Attn: Purchasing Division

City Hall, Room 120

411 West 1st Street

Duluth, MN 55802

The City of Duluth is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

PART I – GENERAL INFORMATION

I-1. Introduction and project Summary. The City is seeking proposals from qualified engineering

and construction materials testing firms for inspection services related to reconstruction of the

Chester Bowl Chalet. The scope of work includes inspections of excavation, soils, concrete, structural

masonry, steel, and wood installation. Additional details are provided in Part IV of this RFP.

I-2. Calendar of Events. The City will make every effort to adhere to the following schedule:

Activity

Date

Deadline to submit Questions via email to

purchasing@duluthmn.gov

May 6, 2026 by

4:00 PM CT

Answers to questions will be posted to the City website no later

than this date.

May 8, 2026 by

4:00 PM CT

Proposals must be received in the Purchasing Office by 3:00 PM

on this date.

May 12, 2026 by

3:00 PM CT

I-3.Questions & Answers. Any questions regarding this RFP must be submitted by e-mail to the

Purchasing Office at purchasing@duluthmn.gov no later than the date indicated on the Calendar of

Events. Answers to the questions will be posted as an Addendum to the RFP.

I-4.Addenda to the RFP. If the City deems it necessary to revise any part of this RFP before the

proposal response date, the City will post an addendum to its website

http://www.duluthmn.gov/purchasing/bids-request-for-proposals/. Although an e-mail notification will

be sent, it is the Bidder’s responsibility to periodically check the website for any new information. Any

addenda issued must be acknowledged on the Proposal Sheet attached as Appendix A.

I-5.Interviews/Demonstrations. The City reserves the right to request interviews or demonstrations.

I-6.Rejection of Proposals. The City reserves the right, in its sole and complete discretion, to reject

any and all proposals or cancel the request for proposals, at any time prior to the time a contract is fully

executed, when it is in its best interests. The City is not liable for any costs the Bidder incurs in

preparation and submission of its proposal, in participating in the RFP process or in anticipation of

award of the contract.

I-7.Small Diverse Business Information. The City encourages participation by minority, women, and

veteran-owned businesses as prime contractors, and encourages all prime contractors to make a

significant commitment to use minority, women, veteran-owned and other disadvantaged business

entities as subcontractors and suppliers. A list of certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprises is

maintained by the Minnesota Unified Certification Program at http://mnucp.metc.state.mn.us/ .

I-8. Agreement. The awarded proposer will be required to sign the agreement attached as Appendix

B. Questions about the agreement should be submitted to purchasing@duluthmn.gov by the question

deadline in the schedule above.

I-9. Award. The agreement award amount will be based on the time and materials submitted in the

proposal, but will be a lump-sum, not-to-exceed agreement.

I-10. Term of Contract. The term of the contract will begin once the contract is fully executed and is

anticipated to end by December 1st, 2026. The selected Bidder shall not start the performance of any

work nor shall the City be liable to pay the selected Bidder for any service or work performed or

expenses incurred before the contract is executed.

I-11. Mandatory Disclosures. By submitting a proposal, each Bidder understands, represents, and

acknowledges that:

A. Their proposal has been developed by the Bidder independently and has been submitted

without collusion with and without agreement, understanding, or planned common course

of action with any other vendor or suppliers of materials, supplies, equipment, or services

described in the Request for Proposals, designed to limit independent bidding or

competition, and that the contents of the proposal have not been communicated by the

Bidder or its employees or agents to any person not an employee or agent of the Bidder.

B. There is no conflict of interest. A conflict of interest exists if a Bidder has any interest that

would actually conflict, or has the appearance of conflicting, in any manner or degree with

the performance of work on the project. If there are potential conflicts, identify the

municipalities, developers, and other public or private entities with whom your company

is currently, or have been, employed and which may be affected.

C. It is not currently under suspension or debarment by the State of Minnesota, any other

state or the federal government.

D. The company is either organized under Minnesota law or has a Certificate of Authority

from the Minnesota Secretary of State to do business in Minnesota, in accordance with

the requirements in M.S. 303.03.

I-12. Notification of Selection. Bidders whose proposals are not selected will be notified in writing.

PART II – PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS

II-1. Proposal Submission. To be considered, hard copies of proposals must arrive at the City on

or before the time and date specified in the RFP Calendar of Events. The City will not accept

proposals via email or facsimile transmission. The City reserves the right to reject or to deduct

evaluation points for late proposals.

Proposals must be signed by an authorized official. If the official signs the Proposal Cover Sheet

attached as Appendix A, this requirement will be met. Proposals must remain valid for 60 days or

until a contract is fully executed. Terms of the awarded proposal as stated must be valid for the

project length of time.

Please submit one unbound (1) paper copy of the Technical Submittal and one unbound (1) paper

copy of the Cost Submittal. The Cost Submittal should be in a separate sealed envelope.

All materials submitted in response to this RFP will become property of the City and will become

public record after the evaluation process is completed and an award decision made.

II-2. Proposal Content.

Proposals should include a cover letter that communicates firm’s understanding of the project,

construction type, and timeline; along with the scope of proposed services, assigned personnel,

qualifications, and outline of any assumptions made in the proposal. Proposals should be limited to

20 pages (10 double-sided pages), exclusive of any City-required forms or acknowledgements.

PART III – CRITERIA FOR SELECTION

The proposals will be reviewed by City Staff. The intent of the selection process is to review

proposals and make an award based upon qualifications as described therein. A 100-point scale will

be used to create the final evaluation recommendations. The factors and weighting on which

proposals will be judged are: (feel free to update these to better reflect your project.

Qualifications of the Bidder and Personnel

Prior experience with similar work

Work Plan

Cost

40%

30%

10%

20%

PART IV – PROJECT DETAIL

The selected firm will provide special inspections and construction materials testing for structural

elements of a rebuilt and expanded Chester Bowl Chalet (approximately 5,400 square feet).

The existing building will be demolished down to the foundation walls, followed by excavation for a

new foundation on the west side to house an elevator and mechanical space, and will then be framed

to include a third story.

Demolition of the existing building is expected to begin mid-May, with construction ongoing over the

summer and substantially complete in fall/winter of 2026.

The selected firm will coordinate with City project manager, design team, and contractor to efficiently

complete the required inspections and testing, attend project meetings if needed, summarize and

report to project team on test findings, issues and recommendations.

The project’s Special Structural Testing and Inspection Program Summary Schedule is provided as

attached Appendix C.

APPENDIX A - SUBMISSION COVER SHEET

CITY OF DULUTH

RFP#26-99486 Special Structural Testing and Inspection Services – Chester Bowl Chalet

Reconstruction

Bidder Information:

Submitter Name

Mailing Address

Contact Person

Contact Person’s Phone Number

Contact Person’s E-Mail Address

Federal ID Number

Authorized Signature

Name & Title of Authorized

Signer

Email of Authorized Signer

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF ADDENDA

ADDENDUM #

INITIAL/DATE

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

26-99486 RFP for Special Structural Testing/Inspection Services - Chester Bowl Chalet Recon

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