US 20 Mississippi River Crossing RFP

Location:	Iowa
Posted:	Mar 23, 2026
Due:	Apr 20, 2026
Agency:	State Government of Iowa DOT
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	Y - Construction of Structures and Facilities
Solicitation No:	355
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

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US 20 Mississippi River Crossing Study RFP

Request For Proposal

Iowa Department of Transportation

Introduction

The Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT) is interested in entering into a professional

services contract with one consultant team to conduct a Planning and Environmental Linkages

(PEL) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) study for the US 20 Mississippi River

crossing between Dubuque, Iowa, and East Dubuque, Illinois. The preliminary study limits

currently extend from just west of the Locust Street Intersection in Dubuque to the Timmerman

Drive Intersection in East Dubuque; however, these limits may be adjusted as alternatives are

developed.

If your firm is interested in providing the described services, please submit a proposal stating your

ability and availability to complete this work.

Project Background

The Iowa DOT, in partnership with the Illinois DOT, is initiating a Planning and Environmental

Linkages (PEL) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) study for the US 20 Mississippi

River crossing between Iowa and Illinois. The existing US 20 Mississippi River crossing

between Iowa and Illinois includes a historic bridge constructed in 1943.

The purpose of this study is to identify a technically feasible, environmentally permittable, and

generally publicly acceptable recommended alternative for crossing improvements. A full range

of alternatives will be evaluated.

In order to comply with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and

potential Section 4(f) use determinations, at a minimum the following will be evaluated:

• Do nothing.

• Build a new structure at a different location without affecting the historic integrity of the

old bridge, as determined by procedures implementing the NHPA.

• Rehabilitate the historic bridge without affecting the historic integrity of the structure, as

determined by procedures implementing the NHPA.

Project Scope

The work associated with this contract includes, but is not limited to:

• Completing all tasks necessary for a PEL/NEPA study

• Performing preliminary engineering and layout of alternatives to achieve project goals

• Preparing TS&L of all structures and roadway plans to identify right-of-way impacts

• Preparing drawings and documents for Railroad coordination

• Preparing a Bridge Condition Report

• Completing CADD tasks using 3D modeling with Bentley software

• Conducting topographic, photogrammetric, and/or field surveys, as necessary

• Performing bathymetric surveys, as necessary

• Completing utility surveys, including Subsurface Utility Engineering (S.U.E.), as

necessary

• Completing preliminary geotechnical investigations and design, as appropriate.

Geotechnical work will require the use of a barge and/or means necessary to obtain

structure boring information.

• Performing preliminary hydraulic and hydrologic investigations, engineering, and design,

as appropriate

• Preparing preliminary cost estimates

• Conducting traffic operations and safety analysis

• Traffic capacity analysis

• Initial construction staging analysis

• Collecting data on existing conditions

• Completing a navigation study, as necessary

• Establishing an Environmental Survey Area

• Preparing a Historic Bridge Review Technical Memorandum

• Conducting Section (4f) evaluations

• Preparing a Community Impact Assessment

• Conducting Noise studies, as appropriate

• Performing field reviews and database research for presence of regulated material

• Develop a detailed public engagement plan outlining the tools, methods, and strategies

necessary to ensure inclusive and effective stakeholder participation.

• Supporting DOT-led public involvement activities such as preparing outreach materials,

managing meeting logistics, and providing event assistance as requested.

• Supporting DOT-led coordination with appropriate federal and state agencies including

Coast Guard, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Iowa DNR, Illinois DNR, Illinois EPA,

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, etc.

• Providing materials for NEPA/404 Concurrence Point process

• Preparing and delivering technical memorandums and project documents that are in

compliance with website accessibility standard of Iowa that meet Section 508 of the

Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended.

The Iowa DOT will provide:

• Traffic estimates

• Desktop environmental data (including T&E, Water Resources, and Cultural Resources

shapefiles)

• Safety data

• As-builts/existing plans

• Wetlands identification and/or delineations

• Cultural resource surveys and testing

• Threatened & Endangered Species surveys

• Public Engagement – the Iowa DOT will lead and oversee all public engagement

activities and external communications. The consultant is expected to provide support for

these efforts as requested by the DOT.

• Vessel Collision Study

• Railroad coordination

The Illinois DOT will provide:

• Cultural resource surveys and testing

• Threatened & Endangered Species surveys

• As-builts/existing plans

• Safety data

• Wetlands identification and/or delineations

• Desktop environmental data

Contract Information

The Iowa DOT anticipates extending one, Project-Specific, Cost-Plus Fixed Fee contract to the

selected consultant as soon as the selection process is complete. The contract will begin on or

after July 1, 2026. Contract duration will be through project completion.

General Requirements

The consultant and their subconsultants are required to meet the requirements of specified work

categories as defined in the Iowa DOT’s Policy and Procedure Manual, Policy No. 300.04, at the

time of contract execution, and for the duration of the contract. Prequalification assessment will

occur in the initial phase of proposal review. No prior submission for prequalification will be

required. Work under this contract will require the consultant team to meet the requirements of

the following work categories.

123 – Location Studies

216 – Non-Standard, Non-Steel Bridge Design

217 – Steel Bridge Design

351 – Environmental Impact Studies

214 – Highway Design – Major Facility – Urban

215 – Culvert and Standard Bridge Design

218 – Traffic Operations Design

236 – Traffic Operations Studies

311 – Land Surveying

312 – Engineering Surveying

315 – Photogrammetry

319 – Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE)

321 – Geological and Geophysical Studies

322 – Complex Hydraulic and Hydrologic Studies

323 – Hydraulic and Hydrologic Studies

325 – Bridge Inspection and Analysis

353 – Environmental Specialty Services

355 – Regulated Materials Investigation and Remediation Services

356 – Hydrogeology, Geomorphology & Other Geological Disciplines

Failure to meet the requirements during the contract will result in cancellation of any remaining

portion of the contract.

It is the policy of the Iowa DOT that Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs) and Targeted

Small Businesses (TSBs) shall have the maximum practicable opportunity to participate in the

performance of Iowa DOT contracts. Funding of this work is expected to involve federal-aid

highway funds. No DBE goal (0%) is established at this time. A list of TSB firms may be found

at https://www.iowa.gov/tsb.

Selection Information

Emphasis should be placed upon providing information concerning your proposed project

approach, similar projects your firm has recently performed and the availability and qualifications

of your key staff. The proposal may include additional information, as deemed appropriate,

subject to the overall length restriction established in Proposal Requirements.

A selection committee will include staff members from the Iowa DOT and the Illinois DOT. The

selection committee will review and evaluate the proposals submitted based on the following

criteria and the weighted value assigned to each. Include a detailed statement for each evaluation

criteria.

40% - Proposed Project Approach reflecting the firm’s understanding of the project and

demonstrating familiarity with Iowa DOT PEL/NEPA studies.

25% - Staff Qualifications and Firm’s Experience managing multi-stakeholder projects, working

with DOTs, Local Public Agencies, and Federal Agencies including FHWA.

25% - Staff & Firm’s knowledge of Iowa DOT’s and Illinois DOT’s development process,

standards & specifications, and demonstrated ability to meet schedules.

10% - Proximity and availability of key staff.

The selection committee does anticipate the need for oral interviews. Interviews are anticipated

to be held June 2, 2026, in Dubuque, IA. Invitations for interviews are expected to be sent

during the first week of May 2026.

Contacting any selection team member other than the RFP contact person is inappropriate.

Discussions of this RFP with any DOT staff during the solicitation period is also inappropriate.

Proposal Requirements

Please provide the following information in the order listed:

1. All responders must provide adequate information on the response’s cover page to clearly

identify the submittal is for the US 20 Mississippi River Crossing Study along with the

replying firm and an email for the point of contact for the firm.

2. Include your firm’s approach to addressing the identified tasks, your eligibility to meet the

requirements of the “Required Work Categories” for the work you intend to perform, your

understanding of the project’s scope, key issues and relevancy to Iowa’s transportation

system. Briefly discuss similar projects the members on your team have completed in the

past five years. This listing should be limited to the three most applicable projects.

3. Include the name, qualifications, experience, office address and availability of the contract

manager as well as the manager in charge of each major work task. This information

should include the identification of similar projects managed or participated in by these

individuals. The selection of a contract manager and work task managers by a firm will

constitute a commitment by that firm and NO substitute managers will be allowed without

prior written approval by the Iowa DOT.

4. Include experience and qualifications as related to the “Required Work Categories” for

any sub-consultants to be used and work they will perform.

5. Include a detailed resume, summary of current workload and a time commitment for each

professional or technical person to be assigned to the project. Identify the principal or

manager who will serve as the project manager.

6. A project schedule outlining the timeline and estimated completion date of each major task

identified in your scope of work. This should include a schedule with a description of all

deliverable products throughout the period. A graphical representation of the proposed

schedule should be included.

7. The location of the office where the majority of work will be performed.

8. A disclosure of all work for other clients that may be affected by work on the proposed

contract to avoid a potential conflict of interest.

9. Inclusion of promotional literature of a general nature will not be considered in the

selection process.

10. If applicable, include a statement that the consultant will meet the DBE goal. If the

consultant cannot meet the minimum goal, include a commitment statement for the

percentage of participation that they can meet.

The proposal may include additional information, as deemed appropriate, subject to the overall

length restriction established in Proposal Requirements.

Cost information should not be submitted as part of the proposal, and if submitted, will not be

considered. Inclusion of promotional literature of a general nature will also not be considered in

the selection process.

The proposal must be submitted as a single electronic PDF and be formatted to print on 8.5” x

11” pages. The proposal must be limited to twenty-five (25) single-sided pages. All pages will be

counted including: proposal covers, cover letter, dividers, appendices, etc. The maximum size

limit of a proposal is 25 megabytes.

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