26-99698 RFP for Geotechnical Exploration and Review - Consolidated Maintenance Campus Addendum No. 1

CITY OF DULUTH
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR
GEOTECHNICAL EXPLORATION AND REVIEW
CONSOLIDATED MAINTENANCE CAMPUS
RFP NUMBER 26-99698
ISSUED: SEPTMEBER 22, 2026
PROPOSALS DUE: OCTOBER 13TH, 2026
SUBMIT TO
CITY OF DULUTH
ATTN: PURCHASING DIVISION
CITY HALL, ROOM 120
411 WEST 1ST STREET
DULUTH, MN 55802

PART I - GENERAL INFORMATION
I-1. Introduction. The City of Duluth's Property & Facilities Management division
seeks proposals from qualified engineering/testing firms to provide preconstruction
testing services related to development of a consolidated maintenance campus, to
include geotechnical drilling, soil and groundwater analysis, and subsurface design
recommendations for new buildings.
The selected firm will perform testing services in coordination with the City of Duluth's
architecture/engineering consultants and construction manager.
I-2. Project Overview. The City of Duluth will be initiating design and construction
planning for a consolidated maintenance campus to be located on the city-owned
parcels along West Superior Street between 40th and 42nd Avenues West. This area
currently hosts the primary facilities for Street Maintenance and Park Maintenance, DPD
impound lot, road salt and construction material storage, a greenhouse, various small
storage buildings, and a commercial building on the west edge that has been recently
acquired by City of Duluth.
The design concept for this maintenance campus includes demolition of three to six
buildings varying in size, relocation of storage buildings, grading and bituminous paving
of approximately six acres, and new building construction of approximately 70,000
square feet.
The intent of this RFP is to select a qualified engineering/testing firm to provide all
necessary subsurface materials testing and design recommendations for new
construction. This RFP is not soliciting construction materials testing or special
inspections, as those services will be solicited at a later date when construction
documents and schedule are developed.
The geotechnical services are expected to commence as soon as possible upon
completion of the agreement, with the goal of completing design recommendations by
January 2027.
Additional details are provided in Part IV of this RFP.
I-3. Calendar of Events. The City will make every effort to adhere to the following
schedule:
Activity Date
Request For Proposals posted to City website Sept. 22, 2026
Questions must be received via email by 4:00 PM on this date October 7, 2026
Answers to the questions will be posted to the City website no later
October 9, 2026
than this date.

Proposals must be received in the Purchasing Office by 3:00 PM on
Oct. 13, 2024
this date.
Anticipated date of City Council meeting for approval of agreement. Oct. 26, 2026
I-4. 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 Proposer incurs in preparation and submission of its
proposal, in participating in the RFP process or in anticipation of award of the contract.
I-5. 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-6. 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 Proposer's responsibility to periodically check the
website for any new information
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. Award. The agreement award will be based on the time and materials submitted in
the proposal, but will be a lump-sum, not-to-exceed agreement. Any costs for
reimbursable items must be identified, estimated and included in the total not-to-exceed
amount.
I-9. Term of Contract. The term of the contract will begin once the contract is fully
executed and is anticipated to end by February 2027. The selected Proposer shall not
start the performance of any work nor shall the City be liable to pay the selected
Proposer for any service or work performed or expenses incurred before the contract is
executed.
I-10. Mandatory Disclosures. By submitting a proposal, each Proposer understands,
represents, and acknowledges that:
A. Their proposal has been developed by the Proposer 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 Proposer or its employees or agents to any person
not an employee or agent of the Proposer.
B. There is no conflict of interest. A conflict of interest exists if a Proposer
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-11. Notification of Selection. Proposers 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 (1) unbound paper copy of the Technical Submittal and one (1)
unbound paper copy of the Cost Submittal. The Cost Submittal should be in a separate
sealed envelope. The technical proposal must not be longer than fifteen (15) single-
sided 8 x 11 inch pages. If double-sided, no more than eight (8) pages will be accepted.
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.
1. Proposal cover sheet attached as Appendix A

2. Cover letter that includes a description of specifically why Bidder is a good fit for
this project and a restatement of the goals and objectives to demonstrate
understanding of project details.
3. Scope of work envisioned, including but not limited to:
a. Specific objectives
b. Detailed deliverables
c. Timeline of services
4. Resumes of key personnel responsible for deliverables
5. Three examples of similar project experience of team
6. References
7. A lump sum, not-to-exceed total project cost including any sub-consultant fees,
along with the following information:
a. A breakdown of the hours by task for each employee
b. Identification of anticipated direct expenses
c. Miscellaneous charges such as mileage and copies
d. Identification of any assumptions made while developing the cost proposal
e. Any cost information related to additional services or tasks, to be included
as additional costs and not part of the total project cost
f. A work plan and detail on the scope of services and deliverables
PART III - CRITERIA FOR SELECTION
The proposals will be reviewed by City of Duluth's Property and Facilities Management
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 weighing on which proposals
will be judged are:
30% Qualifications of the bidder and personnel
30% Prior experience with similar projects
20% Objectives, deliverables and work plan
20% Cost
PART IV - PROJECT DETAIL
The geotechnical services are requested to assess subsurface conditions across the
project area, as new building construction, surface grading and bituminous paving are in
locations that are either currently vacant or situated where an existing structure will be
removed.
The anticipated number of soil borings required for this assessment is twenty-five (25),
and proposing firms should base their estimated work hours, level of design
recommendations, and deliverables based on this quantity.
The exact location and sequence of soil borings will be determined based on
architect/engineer recommendations, physical accessibility of locations, and in

coordination with the active City maintenance operations on site. If soil borings are
requested in areas where material stockpiles or miscellaneous items interfere with
testing firm's equipment or personnel, City staff will be responsible for relocating items
and providing clearance.
The extent of the project area is shown in Appendix B. It is anticipated that soil borings
will be spread evenly across the entire site.
Appendices
Appendix A: Proposal Cover Sheet
Appendix B: Project Area
Appendix C: Agreement Template

APPENDIX A - SUBMISSION COVER SHEET
CITY OF DULUTH
RFP #26-99698 GEOTECHNICAL EXPLORATION AND REVIEW
CONSOLIDATED MAINTENANCE CAMPUS
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
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF ADDENDA
ADDENDUM # INITIAL/DATE
ADDENDUM # INITIAL/DATE
ADDENDUM # INITIAL/DATE
ADDENDUM # INITIAL/DATE

APPENDIX C
AGREEMENT FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
BY AND BETWEEN
Click or tap here to enter text.
AND
CITY OF DULUTH
THIS AGREEMENT, effective as of the date of attestation by the City Clerk (the "Effective
Date"), by and between the City of Duluth, hereinafter referred to as City, and Click or tap here
to enter text. located at Click or tap here to enter text., hereinafter referred to as Consultant for
the purpose of rendering services to the City.
WHEREAS, the City has requested consulting services for Click or tap here to enter text.,
(the "Project"); and
WHEREAS, Consultant has represented itself as qualified and willing to perform the
services required by the City; and
WHEREAS, Consultant submitted a proposal to provide services for the Project (the
"Proposal"), a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A; and
WHEREAS, the City desires to utilize Consultant's professional services for the Project;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and conditions hereinafter
contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
I. Services
Consultant will provide services related to the Project as described in Consultant's
Proposal (the "Services"). Consultant agrees that it will provide its services at the
direction of the Click or tap here to enter text. ("Click or tap here to enter text."). In the
event of a conflict between the Proposal and this Agreement, the terms and conditions
of this Agreement shall be deemed controlling.
II. Fees
It is agreed between the parties that Consultant's maximum fee for the Project and
Services shall not exceed the sum of Click or tap here to enter text. Dollars ($Click or tap
here to enter text.) inclusive of all travel and other expenses associated with the Project,
payable from Fund Click or tap here to enter text.. All invoices for services rendered shall
be submitted monthly to the attention of the Click or tap here to enter text.. Payment of
expenses is subject to the City's receipt of reasonable substantiation/back-up supporting
such expenses. Payment terms shall be net 35 per Minnesota Statute 471.425.
III. General Terms and Conditions
Rev. 4.28.2026

1. Amendments
Any alterations, variations, modifications or waivers of terms of this Agreement
shall be binding upon the City and Consultant only upon being reduced to writing
and signed by a duly authorized representative of each party.
2. Assignment
Consultant represents that it will utilize only its own personnel in the performance
of the services set forth herein; and further agrees that it will neither assign,
transfer or subcontract any rights or obligations under this Agreement without
prior written consent of the City. The Primary Consultant(s) assigned to this
project will be Click or tap here to enter text. (the "Primary Consultant"). The
Primary Consultant shall be responsible for the delivery of professional services
required by this Agreement and, except as expressly agreed in writing by the City
in its sole discretion, the City is not obligated to accept the services of any other
employee or agent of Consultant in substitution of the Primary Consultant. The
foregoing sentence shall not preclude other employees of Consultant from
providing support to the Primary Consultant in connection with Consultant's
obligations hereunder.
3. Data and Confidentiality, Records and Inspection
a. The City agrees that it will make available all pertinent, non-privileged
information, data and records under its control for Consultant to use in the
performance of this Agreement, or assist Consultant wherever possible to
obtain such records, data and information.
b. All reports, data, information, documentation and material given to or
prepared by Consultant pursuant to this Agreement will be confidential and
will not be released by Consultant without prior authorization from the City.
c. Consultant agrees that all work created by Consultant for the City is a "work
made for hire" and that the City shall own all right, title, and interest in and to
the work, including the entire copyright in the work ("City Property").
Consultant further agrees that to the extent the work is not a "work made for
hire" Consultant will assign to City ownership of all right, title and interest in
and to the work, including ownership of the entire copyright in the work.
Consultant agrees to execute, at no cost to City, all documents necessary for
City to perfect its ownership of the entire copyright in the work. Consultant
represents and warrants that the work created or prepared by Consultant will
Rev. 4.28.2026