232 Retention of an engineering firm

TURNPIKE COMMISSION

Retention of an Engineering Firm

[30 Pa.B. 738]

Mon/Fayette Expressway Project
Uniontown to Brownsville
Monongahela River Bridge
Fayette and Washington Counties, Pennsylvania

Reference No. E-014

   The Turnpike Commission (Commission) will retain an engineering firm to provide preliminary and final design services for a proposed structure crossing Monongahela River as part of the Mon/Fayette Expressway Project between Uniontown and Brownsville. The selected Firm will be responsible for the design of a multi-span, high level, possibly dual structure near Centerville, PA. The estimated total length of the structure is approximately 2,900 feet. The total construction cost is estimated at $40 million. Project teams will be evaluated for workload of the prime consultant and sub-consultant in relation to the team's capacity to meet the schedules and for experience in the design of major river crossings. This project will be financed with Federal, State and Turnpike funds and will be subject to Federal review and oversight in accordance with Federal aid regulations (23 CFR Chapter 1).

   Firms selected may be required to: perform field surveying; cross sections; evaluation of utility conflicts and potential relocations; development of erosion and sedimentation control plans and earth disturbance permits; preparation of type, size, and location plans and final bridge plans; seismic analysis, geotechnical investigations and structural foundation reports; preparation of preliminary and final right-of-way plans; defining environmental impacts; preparation of permit applications; development of environmental impact mitigation plans; preparation of construction plans, specifications and estimates; value engineering; public involvement; coordination with various agencies and special interest groups; and coordination with consultants involved in other design sections.

   The following factors will be considered by the Commission during the evaluation of the firms submitting Letters of Interest for this project:

   a.  Specialized experience and technical competence of prime consultant and subconsultants. The Team must clearly demonstrate an ability to analyze available data to make decisions, completing the project in a timely and cost effective manner.

   b.  Past record of performance with respect to cost control, work quality ability to meet schedules and previous experience on similar projects. The consultant should identify similar projects that have been completed by that firm as the prime, the magnitude of the project, and the client.

   c.  The specific experience and number of individuals who constitute the firm.

   d.  Location of consultant's office where the work will be performed.

   e.  Workload of the prime consultant and subconsultants for all Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission projects.

   f.  Other factors, if any, specific to the project.

   Address these items and any necessary further details in a brief yet comprehensive manner in the letter of interest.

   Firms expressing interest in this project must agree to ensure that Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) firms as defined in the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) and currently certified by the Department of Transportation shall have the maximum opportunity to participate in any subcontracting or furnishing supplies or services approved under Form 442, Section 1.10(a). The act requires that firms owned and controlled by women (WBEs) be included, as a presumptive group, within the definition of Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE). The goal of DBE participation in these contracts shall be 15% of the total contract cost. Responding firms shall make good faith efforts to meet the DBE goal using DBEs (as they are defined prior to the act), WBEs or combinations thereof. Proposed DBE firms must be certified at the time of submission of the letter of interest. If the selected firm fails to meet the established, it shall be required to demonstrate its good faith efforts to attain the goal. If further information is desired concerning DBE/MBE/WBE participation, direct inquiries to the Office of Equal Opportunity Development, Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission at the above address, or by calling [phone] Ext. 4241.

   The Commission will shortlist firms at a public meeting after the evaluation of acceptable letters of interest. Technical proposals will then be requested from the shortlisted firms based on a project Scope of Work. It is anticipated that the assignment of the above services will be made to one of the firms submitting letters of interest in response to this advertisement.

   Direct inquiries about this advertisement to Kenneth L. Slippey, at 939-9551, extension 5150; or by E-mail at [e-mail].

JAMES F. MALONE, III,   
Chairperson

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 00-232. Filed for public inspection February 4, 2000, 9:00 a.m.]