Great Sauk State Trail

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
Great Sauk State Trail
Project areas, including:
Devil's Lake North Segment
Devil's Lake South Segment
Baraboo Spur
(See Appendix A 'GSST Project Map' for Geographic Locations)
Sauk County Land Resources and Environment Department
Released July 22, 2026
Point of contact: Brian Simmert, Planning & Zoning Manager
505 Broadway
Baraboo, WI 53913
(608) 355-48384
brian.simmert@saukcountywi.gov
Proposal packet Proposal packets must be received and date-stamped as received no later than 3:00
due date: P.M., Central Time, Friday, September 11, 2026. Faxed and emailed bids are not
acceptable. Proposal packets or amendments received by Sauk County after 3:00 P.M.
Central Time, on Friday, September 11, 2026, regardless of postmark, shall not be
considered
All proposals must Brian Simmert, Planning & Zoning Manager
be sent to: Land Resources and Environment Department
505 Broadway
Baraboo, WI 53913
The words "GREAT SAUK STATE TRAIL" must be clearly marked on the sealed envelope.
Part 1: Introduction and General Information
Part 2: Summary of Opportunity
Part 3: Proposal Packet Contents
Part 4: Consultant Selection
Part 5: Standard Terms and Conditions
Appx A: GSST Project Maps
Appx B: Sauk County and WDNR Land Use Agreement
Appx C: Sauk County and City of Baraboo and Town of Baraboo Cooperative Agreement
A
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Part 1: Introduction and General Information
1.1 Introduction/Project Brief. Notice is hereby given that Sauk County will receive proposal packets per
specifications until 3:00 P.M., Central Time, September 11, 2026 (Closing). There will be two separate
contracts for services: One contract for the Devil's Lake North and South Segments and one contract for the
Baraboo Spur. Both contracts will be part of the services awarded to the same primary consultant as part
of this RFP. Award of the Baraboo Spur contract is contingent upon designation of the final route by the City
of Baraboo and the availability of sufficient funding, as determined by the City. Nothing in this RFP obligates
the City of Baraboo to award or execute the Baraboo Spur contract if funding is unavailable or the project
does not proceed.
1.2 Specified Services Requested.
Devil's Lake North and South Segments
The primary focus of this project and RFP is the development of the Devil's Lake North and South Segments. The
Devil's Lake South Segment is entirely located within the boundaries of Devil's Lake State Park (DLSP). The Devil's
Lake North Segment is located primarily in DLSP and ends at the intersection of County Road DL and State Road
113. These two sections will extend the existing Great Sauk State Trail from near the Sauk Prairie State
Recreation Area to Devil's Lake State Park. The South Segment will connect Halweg Road to the south shore
recreation area, and the North Segment will connect the north shore recreation area to the Baraboo Spur,
establishing a connection to the City of Baraboo and to a continuous route for the trail's future westward
extension toward Reedsburg. See also the services requested in Section 2.2, Statement of Work.
The Baraboo Spur is in the Town of Baraboo and the City of Baraboo
At the time of this RFP release, the City of Baraboo is undertaking a process to designate the physical location of
the Baraboo Spur within its jurisdiction. Once the route is designated, the Baraboo Spur will become an added
project under a separate contract for services between the City of Baraboo, Town of Baraboo, and Sauk County.
See also the services requested in Section 2.2, Statement of Work.
Temporary construction easements or permanent easements may be required. The consulting engineer
designing the trail shall determine what, if any, construction easements are needed for the construction of the
Devil's Lake North, South, and Baraboo Spur segments. The services associated with identifying and securing all
necessary easements and ensuring compliance with law and federal grant requirements will be the responsibility
of the consulting engineer, and these requirements will be required in the subsequent services agreement. Upon
securing a construction easement, said easement must be recorded with the Sauk County Register of Deeds.
1.2 Authority.
Sauk County and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) Land Use Agreement. Under the
authority granted by a Land Use Agreement made between the Sauk County and WDNR, Sauk County is seeking
a professional services consultant team for design and engineering services with experience in recreational trail
structural and civil design in an undeveloped area with diverse terrain, comprehensive construction
documentation, construction cost estimation, bidding support, project management, permitting support, public
perception management, and sustainable materials utilization to construct the Devil's Lake North and South
Segments of the Great Sauk State Trail on state property, otherwise known as the Devil's Lake State Park as a
fully constructed trail project. See Appendix B for the Sauk County and Wisconsin Department of Natural
Resources (WDNR) Land Use Agreement.
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Sauk County and City of Baraboo and Town of Baraboo Cooperative Agreement. Under the authority granted
by a Cooperative Agreement made between the Sauk County, the City of Baraboo, and the Town of Baraboo,
the three parties are seeking a professional services consultant team with experience in recreational trail
structural and civil design in an urban environment, construction cost estimation, project management,
permitting support, and sustainable materials utilization to develop 100% plans for the Baraboo Spur as a shovel-
ready project. See Appendix C for the Sauk County, City of Baraboo, and Town of Baraboo Cooperative
Agreement.
1.3 Definitions. For this Request for Proposals (RFP), the entity submitting the proposal packet will be referred
to as the consultant, Sauk County will be referred to as County, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources will
be referred to as WDNR, and the City of Baraboo will be referred to as City. The County, WDNR, and City are
referred to as parties in full or in part, depending on the context.
1.4 Contact Information. Questions can be sent electronically to Brian Simmert, Planning & Zoning Manager at
brian.simmert@saukcountywi.gov
1.5 Proposal Packet Information. Proposal packets must be received and date-stamped as received no later
than 3:00 PM, Central Time, September 11, 2026. Faxed and emailed proposal packets are not acceptable.
Amendments to proposal packets received by Sauk County after 3:00 P.M. Central Time, on September 11, 2026,
regardless of postmark, may not be considered. Proposal packet submittals shall include eight (8) complete hard
copies and four (4) copies in digital form on four separate USB flash drives.
Proposal packets must be addressed to Brian Simmert, Land Resources and Environment Department, 505
Broadway, Baraboo, WI 53913. The words "GREAT SAUK STATE TRAIL" must be clearly marked on the sealed
envelope.
The County reserves the right to reject any and all proposal packets not in compliance with all prescribed public
procedures and requirements, and may reject for good cause any and all consultants upon finding that it is in
the public interest to do so and to waive any and all informalities in the public interest. In the award of the
contract, the parties will consider the element of time, will accept the consultant who, in their estimation, will
best serve the interests of the parties, and will reserve the right to award the contract to the consultant whose
proposal packet presentation is best for the public good. The County encourages the submittal of proposal
packets from minority, women, and small business enterprises.
1.6 Tentative Schedule of Events.
July 31, 2026, at 3:00 P.M. Central Time Mandatory Site Visit RSVP Deadline
August 13, 2026, at 2:00 P.M. Central Time Mandatory Site Visit
August 21, 2026, at 3:00 P.M. Central Time Question Period Closed
August 25, 2026, at 3:00 P.M. Central Time Answer Period Closed
September 11, 2026, at 3:00 P.M. Central Time Proposal Packet Deadline
TBD - As Needed Oral Presentation (if needed)
September 25, 2026 (or sooner) Notice of Apparent Successful Consultant
1.7 Minimum Consultant Qualifications. The consultant must have an active professional license in the State of
Wisconsin and must have at least five (5) years of experience in recreational structure design, permitting, trail
design, and trail construction. Well-qualified consultants will have experience managing public interest,
expectations, and opinions for high-profile projects in public settings, on social media, and during individual
conversations with interested people.
1.8 Mandatory Site Visit. All prospective consultants must attend a mandatory site visit of the Devil's Lake North
and South Segments and Baraboo Spur to be eligible to submit a proposal. More than one route for the Baraboo
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Spur may be under consideration during the mandatory site visit. Prospective consultants will be shown the
routes under consideration. The purpose of the site visit is to allow interested consultants to inspect the site of
the future trail, evaluate existing conditions, and gather details necessary for an accurate proposal. Primary
consultants will be limited to two attendees, and subconsultants will be limited to one attendee each. Interns
and 'staff in training' are encouraged to attend and do not count against the limit. Transportation to each section
will not be provided; carpooling is encouraged to reduce vehicle congestion.
Prospective consultants interested in joining the mandatory site visit must RSVP to
brian.simmert@saukcountywi.gov by 3:00 P.M. Central Time, on July 31, 2026, with a list of attendees and firms
they are representing. The mandatory site visit date is 2:00 P.M. Central Time, on August 13, 2026, at the Devil's
Lake State Park Office, located at S5975, Park Road, Baraboo WI 53913.
1.9 Question Period. The final day to submit questions is 3:00 P.M. Central Time, on August 21, 2026. Questions
can be sent to brian.simmert@saukcountywi.gov. Subject line must include, "GSST RFQ Question." Questions
will not be accepted verbally except during the mandatory site visit.
1.10 Answer Period. The answer period will be throughout the proposal packet procurement period and will
officially end at 3:00 P.M. Central Time, on August 25, 2026. Questions submitted and responses will be posted
periodically on Sauk County's website at https://www.co.sauk.wi.us/rfps. Questions will not be answered in a
return email.
Part 2: Summary of Opportunity
2.1 Project Description. When fully completed, the Great Sauk State Trail will be a 37-mile
bicycle/pedestrian/hiking trail connecting the future Walking Iron Trail in Dane County to the 400 State Trail in
Reedsburg, including requisite spur trails to the City of Baraboo and Village of West Baraboo. It is suggested that
interested consultants view the Great Sauk State Trail Master Plan for a detailed description of the master
planning process and identification of routes: https://www.co.sauk.wi.us/parksandrecreation/great-sauk-state-
trail. This opportunity specifically applies to the Devil's Lake Segment referenced in the plan (excluding that part
of the proposed trail that parallels Devil's Lake) and the Baraboo Spur.
2.2 Statement of Work.
Utilize the information provided under Section 1.1 Introduction/Project Brief and Section 1.2 Authority for more
information to complete the statement of work. As part of the consultant's statement of work, provide cost
proposals as follows.
Devil's Lake North and South Segments. Provide cost proposals for the following work:
- Determine the trail location and layout.
- Complete plans for structural and civil design for a fully developed trail that includes a 12-foot bituminous.
surface with 1-foot graveled shoulders and including possible boardwalks, bridges, and culverts.
- Opinion of probable construction cost estimates.
- All environmental review and permitting.
- Bidding services for construction.
- Construction management.
- Securing all temporary construction easements or permanent easements necessary for the projects,
ensuring the legal compliance of those easements, and recording all easements with the Sauk County
Register of Deeds.
- The fully developed trail for the Devil's Lake Segments must meet Wis. Admin Code NR 44.07 Recreational
use setting subclassifications (3)(h) Fully developed trail. A fully developed trail shall be a trail with a
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smoothly graded base and a stable, hard surface composed of materials such as asphalt, aggregate or frozen
earth. The trail's cleared width, tread width and cuts and fills are not limited, but shall be appropriate for
the trail's intended use. To the degree practicable and feasible, fully developed pedestrian trails shall be fully
accessible by persons with physical disabilities. Note: This trail will be composed of asphalt.
- The South Segment will be routed completely on DNR land; not in railroad right-of-way.
- The Devil's Lake South Segment is approximately three (3) miles and the North Segment is approximately
one (1) mile.
For a fully completed, fully built trail project.
Baraboo Spur. Provide a cost proposal for the following work:
- Confirm feasibility of selected route.
- Complete plans for structural and civil design.
- Opinion of probable construction cost estimates.
- All environmental review and permitting.
- Securing all temporary construction easements or permanent easements necessary for the projects,
ensuring the legal compliance of those easements, and recording all easements with the Sauk County
Register of Deeds.
- The fully developed trail shall be fully accessible by persons with disabilities as much as practicable.
- The length of the Baraboo Spur will be determined following route selection.
For a shovel-ready trail project.
The cost estimates provided herein shall not encompass the physical construction of the trail. Consultant
proposals must acknowledge that a detailed opinion of probable construction cost will be supplied once the
structural and civil design documents are finalized.
2.3 Scope of Work. The Scope of Work consists of four phases that apply to each section of the trail described
under Section 1.1 Introduction / Project Brief. The phases include Design Development, Construction
Documents, Bidding, and Construction Administration. Proposals should address how each phase applies both
generally and uniquely to each section.
Planning Design.
Planning Design applies to the Devil's Lake North and South Segments and the Baraboo Spur.
* In the Planning Design Phase, the consultant shall determine the location and layout of trail and
provide drawings and other documents necessary to fix and describe the size and character of the trail,
for approval by the relevant party(ies) based on jurisdictional boundaries i.e., WDNR at Devil's Lake
State Park, City of Baraboo within the city's municipal boundaries, Town of Baraboo within the Town's
municipal, and where applicable, Sauk County.
The Design Development Phase includes the following:
- Project Administration. Services consisting of design development and administrative functions,
including consultation, meetings, correspondence, and progress design review meetings with the
party(ies).
- Document Checking. Review and coordination of documents prepared for the project.
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- Permitting Authority Consulting. Consultations, research of critical applicable regulations, and
preparation of written and graphic explanatory materials. The services apply to applicable laws,
statutes, regulations, and codes. Assist in obtaining approval from the approving agencies as required.
- Civil/Structural/Site Design. Services consisting of the development of civil/structural/site schematic
design documents. This includes, but is not limited to, wetland delineation, topographic surveys,
geotechnical surveys, endangered species review, and archeological/cultural review.
- Scheduling. Services consisting of reviewing and updating previously established schedules for the
project.
- Cost Estimating. Services consisting of providing a detailed opinion of probable construction costs,
including quantity surveys and unit costs of material elements for the project. Costs should also reflect
the level of design elements presented in the design development documents, plus appropriate
contingencies. Cost estimating at this stage may include options to be reviewed by the parties, with a
selected option being made part of the final 100% plans.
- Presentations. Services consisting of appropriate presentation(s) of design development documents by
the consultant to elected bodies, stakeholders, and the public.
- Deliverables.
* Three 22" x 34" hard copies of the Design Development drawings.
* Design Development opinion of probable construction costs.
* Electronic copies of all deliverables.
Construction Documents.
Construction Documents apply to the Devil's Lake North and South Segments and the Baraboo Spur.
In the Construction Documents phase, the consultant shall provide the services necessary to prepare
Construction Documents consisting of drawings, specifications, and other documents describing the
requirements for construction, bidding, and contracting for construction of the project, and based on the Design
Development documents. The Construction Document phase includes the following:
- Project Administration. Services consisting of construction documents, administrative functions
(including consultation, meetings, and correspondence), and process design review meetings.
- Document Checking. Review and coordination of documents prepared for the project.
- Permitting Authority Consulting. Consultations, research of critical applicable regulations, and
preparation of written and graphic explanatory materials. The services apply to applicable laws,
statutes, regulations, and codes. Assist in obtaining approval from the approving agencies as required.
- Civil/Structural/Site Design. Services consisting of the preparation of final civil/structural/site design
drawings and specifications based on approved design development documentation required for the
project.
- Specifications. Services consisting of activities of development and preparation of bidding documents,
conditions of the contract, civil specifications, and compilation of a project manual.
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- Scheduling. Services consisting of reviewing and updating previously established schedules for the
project.
- Cost Estimating. Services consisting of providing a detailed opinion of probable construction costs,
including quantity surveys and unit costs of material elements for the project. Costs should also reflect
the level of design elements presented in the design development documents, plus appropriate
contingencies. Cost estimating at this stage will reflect 100% plans.
- Deliverables.
* Three 22" x 34" hard copies of the drawings at 30% and 60%.
* Outline specifications at 30% and draft specifications at 60%.
* Three 22" x 34" hard copies of the drawings at 100% stamped and signed by an Engineer of Record.
* Three hard copies of the 100% specifications stamped and signed by an Engineer of Record.
* Opinion of probable construction cost estimates at 100%.
* Electronic copies of all deliverables.
Bidding.
Bidding applies to the Devil's Lake North and South Segments Only.
In the Bidding phase, the consultant, following approval of the Construction Documents by Sauk County and
WDNR, the most current statement of opinion of probable construction cost, and verification of requisite funds
to complete construction, shall provide services necessary to obtain bids, awarding, and preparing construction
contracts. The Bidding phase includes the following:
- Bidding Materials. Services consisting of organizing, coordinating, and handling bidding documents for
reproduction, distribution, and retrieval, receipt, and return of document deposits.
- Addenda. Services consisting of the preparation and distribution of addenda as may be required during
the bidding process, and including supplementary drawings, specifications, instructions, and notice(s) of
changes in the bidding schedule and procedure.
- Bidding. Services consisting of participation in pre-bid conferences, responses to questions from
bidders, and clarification or interpretations of the bidding documents.
- Analysis of Substitutions. Services consisting of consideration, analysis, comparisons, and
recommendations relative to substitutions proposed by bidders before receipt of bids.
- Bid Evaluation. Services consisting of validation of bids, participation in review of bids and alternates,
evaluation of bids, and recommendation on award of contract.
- Deliverables.
* Respond to pre-bid questions and maintain a record of responses.
* Host a pre-bid meeting with interested construction firms.
* Preparation of drawings/responses or other documents required for the issuance of an addenda.
* Written documentation regarding the evaluation of bids and/or bidder qualifications.
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Construction Contract Administration.
Construction Contract Administration applies to the Devil's Lake North and South Segments Only.
In the Construction Contract Administration phase, the consultant shall provide services necessary for the
administration of the construction contract. Construction Contract Administration shall include:
- Project Administration. Services consisting of construction contract administration functions, including
consultation, conferences, communications, and progress reports.
- Document Checking. Reviewing and checking of documents (required submittals) prepared for the
project.
- Construction Administration. Services consisting of processing of submittals, including receipt, review
of, and appropriate action on drawings, product data, samples, and other submittals required by the
contract documents. Distribution of submittals to Sauk County, WDNR, contractor, and field
representatives as required. Maintain a master file of submittals and related communications.
- Construction Field Observation. Services, including visits to the site at intervals appropriate to the
stage of construction or as otherwise agreed, to become familiar with the progress and quality of work
and to determine if the work is proceeding in accordance with the contract documents, and preparing
related reports and communications. The consultant will schedule and lead pre-construction meetings
and periodic meetings throughout construction to assess challenges and progress.
- Documents. Services consisting of preparation, reproduction, and distribution of clarification
documents and interpretations in response to requests for clarification by contractors. Maintenance of
records and coordination of communications relative to requests for clarification. Preparation,
reproduction, and distribution of drawings and specifications to describe work to be added, deleted, or
modified, review of proposals, review and recommend changes in time for substantial completion,
assisting in the preparation of modifications of contracts and coordination of communications,
approvals, notifications, and record keeping relative to changes in the work.
- Scheduling. Services consisting of monitoring the progress of contractors relative to established
schedules and developing status reports.
- Cost Accounting. Services consisting of maintenance of records of payments on account of the
contract and all changes thereto, evaluation of applications for payment and certification thereof, and
review and evaluation of cost data submitted by the contractors for work performed.
- Project Closeout. Services initiated upon notice from the contractor that the work is sufficiently
complete, in accordance with the contract documents, to permit occupancy or utilization for the use
for which it is intended, and consisting of detailed inspection of conformity of the work to the contract
documents, issuance of a list of substantial completion, receipt and transmittal of warranties,
affidavits, receipts, releases and waivers of lien or bonds, permits, and issuance of final certificate for
payment.
- Deliverables.
* Contractor progress payments.
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* Complete records (hard and electronic copies) of all documentation submitted by the contractor.
* Complete records (hard and electronic copies) of all documentation prepared by the consultant.
2.4 Project Schedule. The following schedule represents broad measurable targets for project milestones and
completion. Proposal packets should include a more detailed schedule and methodology based on the
prospective consultant's approach to the project. Project completion may extend beyond Fall 2028.
Devil's Lake Segment- North
Finalized Signed Contract (Fall 2026)
100% Design Development (Spring 2027)
30% Construction Documents (Spring 2027)
60 % Construction Documents (Early Summer 2027)
100 % Construction Documents (Mid-Summer 2027)
Bidding (Fall 2027)
Construction Contract (Late Fall 2027)
Grubbing and Clearing (Winter 2027)
Project Completion (Fall 2028)
Endangered and threatened species avoidance periods may apply per NHI/endangered species review.
Consideration will be given to controlling Oak Wilt.
Devil's Lake Segment- South
Finalized Signed Contract (Fall 2026)
100% Design Development (Spring 2027)
30% Construction Documents (Spring 2027)
60 % Construction Documents (Early Summer 2027)
100 % Construction Documents (Mid-Summer 2027)
Bidding (Fall 2027 -Based on Funding)
Construction Contract (Late Fall 2027 -Based on Funding)
Grubbing and Clearing (Winter 2027 -Based on Funding)
Project Completion (Goal Fall 2028 -Based on Funding)
Endangered and threatened species avoidance periods may apply per NHI/endangered species review.
Consideration will be given to controlling Oak Wilt.
Baraboo Spur
Finalized Signed Contract (Fall 2026)
100% Design Development (Mid-Summer 2027)
30% Construction Documents (Late Summer 2027)
60 % Construction Documents (Fall 2027)
100 % Construction Documents (Winter 2027)
Bidding (TBD -Based on Funding - Separate Contract)
Construction Contract (TBD -Based on Funding - Separate Contract)
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Part 3: Proposal Packet Contents
3.1 Proposal Packet Contents. The proposal packet shall be assembled in the following order and with the
requested content and page limits. Project Approach, Project Schedule, Work Plan, and Project Budget
Cover Page. Interested consultants shall provide a cover page.
Cover Letter. Interested consultants shall provide a cover letter from the lead project manager(s) introducing
themselves and the consultant firm. The letter should generally explain the consultant's understanding of the
project, approach to working with clients on projects of this type, and qualifications, showing the consultant's
ability to accomplish the project's deliverables. (Limit 1-page)
Table of Contents. Interested consultants shall include a table of contents (Limit 1-page)
Project Approach. Include two separate project approaches: One for the Devil's Lake North and South Segments,
and one for the Baraboo Spur, as further noted below (note bold text).
Devils Lake North Segment and Devils Lake South Segment. Interested consultants shall provide a detailed
understanding of the Devil's Lake North and South Segments based on the scope of work and information
gathered at the mandatory site visit, including technical components and managing public expectations. As part
of the project approach, the consultant should present their proposed process to achieve the deliverables within
the context of completing the project on public recreational lands. (Limit 10-pages)
Baraboo Spur. Interested consultants shall provide a detailed understanding of the Baraboo Spur based on the
scope of work and information gathered at the mandatory site visit, including technical components and
managing public expectations. As part of the project approach, the consultant should present their proposed
process to achieve the deliverables within the context of completing the project within an urban environment.
(Limit 10-pages)
Total Limit 20 pages
Project Schedule and Work Plan. Include two separate project schedules and workplans: One for the Devil's
Lake North and South Segments and one for the Baraboo Spur.
Interested consultants shall provide a work plan with tasks and corresponding months/years to accomplish
project milestones. Each task should correspond to a written narrative explaining the purpose of each task and
how it contributes to the deliverables. The project schedule should utilize the anticipated project schedule under
Section 2.5 as a guideline; however, the consultant should provide a more detailed timeline and outline for the
project based on the consultant's understanding and based on experience with similar projects. If selected, it is
anticipated that the project schedule and work plan developed under this section will be made part of a final
contract, with changes as identified. (Limit 15-pages)
Project Budget. Include a detailed project budget for the Devil's Lake North and South Segments only. A
detailed project budget will be requested from the selected consultant following designation of a final route for
the Baraboo Spur by the City of Baraboo. The designation of the final route will occur after September 11, 2026,
Project Proposal Deadline. Consultants must provide a generalized project budget for the Baraboo Spur in their
proposal.
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