DEPARTMENT: Transportation
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization to Execute Contract With Alliant Engineering, Incorporated, For Professional Design Services And Amend 2025 Transportation Capital Improvement Program Budget For County State Aid Highway 42 Trail Gap In Burnsville, County Project 42-167
end
PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorization to execute a contract with Alliant Engineering, Incorporated, for final design consulting services for construction of a trail gap on the north side of County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 42 from CSAH 5 to Nicollet Avenue. Authorize a budget amendment to the 2025 Transportation Capital Improvement Program Adopted Budget to add City funds for project-based expenses for County Project (CP) 42-167 in Burnsville.
SUMMARY
To provide a safe and efficient transportation system for all users, Dakota County (County) is proceeding with CP 42-167, which will address a key gap in the local and regional trail system by adding a multiuse path along the north side of CSAH 42 between CSAH 5 and Nicollet Avenue in Burnsville, MN. In addition to upgrading the existing sidewalk to a 10-foot multi-use trail, the project will include consideration of crossing improvements at the ten roadways and driveways between CSAH 5 and Nicollet Ave.
Scope of Work.
The project scope includes a multimodal analysis, engineering analysis, and final engineering. The project deliverables generally consist of final design, plans, specifications, estimates, multimodal crossing analysis memo, photometric analysis memo, environmental documentation, survey, public utility maintenance, quality management, and community/property owner engagement.
Project Goals.
The project aims to balance the mobility demands of a high vehicle volume corridor with multimodal travel and accessibility and provide a design that improves the safety of pedestrian crossings and interaction with motor vehicles.
Consultant Selection
Prior to the RFP process, County and City staff discussed anticipated complexities and risks with leaders of the three consultant teams. The Dakota County Transportation Department issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for comprehensive transportation project design services. Three proposals were received and evaluated by staff representing the County and the City of Burnsville. Alliant Engineering, Inc., was selected as the preferred professional engineering consultant.
The proposal from Alliant Engineering, Inc., provided the most complete response to the services needed. The Alliant Engineering, Inc., proposal was exceptional in demonstrating review of critical issues and was the strongest proposal. A Consultant Evaluation Summary detailing the proposal process, review team, evaluation criteria and results, and best-value cost evaluation is included (see Attachment: Consultant Evaluation Summary).
The cost participation for the engineering work will be in accordance with section F.1, Replacement and Modernization -Trails of the adopted Dakota County 2040 Transportation Plan Cost Share Policy. Under this policy, the County has an 85% cost share, and the City has a 15 percent cost share.
The consultants submitted cost proposals as follows:
Consultant Amount Hours Cost/Hour
Alliant $299,250 1,925 $155.49
MSA $189,688 1,175 $161.51
Moore $275,361 1,727 $159.44
The proposal from Alliant Engineering, Inc., demonstrated the best combination of quality and project understanding. Alliant Engineering, Inc., was also the preferred proposal from the City of Burnsville staff that reviewed the proposals. Alliant had the most knowledge of the corridor due to their previous work on the preliminary engineering phase and the lowest average rate of $155.49 per hour.
The 2025 Transportation Capital Improvement Program Adopted Budget includes $340,000 for consulting services. In the County's CIP, the City's share is not reflected, and the total budget is entirely funded by the County. This budget was based on the City leading the design effort. With the County now leading the design, a revised cost share to county participation policy F.1 Cost Participation - Roadway Principal Arterials - non-Freeway 85 percent County and 15 percent City, after applicable state and federal funds are required to follow the Dakota County highway Cost Share Policy. A budget amendment is necessary to correct the approved budget amount to reflect the City's cost share.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
County Staff recommends the execution of a contract with Alliant Engineering, Inc., for the professional design services for CP 43-55 for actual costs not to exceed $299,250 and amending the 2025 Transportation Capital Improvement Adopted Budget.
end
EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
The 2025 CIP has enough County funds to award the final design services contract. According to the Dakota County 2040 Transportation Plan, the cost share for CP 42-167 consulting services is 85% County and 15 percent City of Burnsville. The budget now includes the City's share of consulting costs, which was not initially shown when the City planned to lead all engineering phases.
☐ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☒ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
body
WHEREAS, to provide a safe and efficient transportation system, Dakota County is proceeding with County Project (CP) 42-167; and
WHEREAS, County Project 42-167 is the final engineering design of a trail gap project on the north side of County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 42 from CSAH 5 to Nicollet Avenue, County Project (CP) 42-167 in Burnsville; and
WHEREAS, the Transportation Department sent a Request for Proposal (RFP) to three qualified professional consultants; and
WHEREAS, the proposals received were evaluated by County and City staff; and
WHEREAS, the proposal from Alliant Engineering, Incorporated, provided the most complete response to the RFP, including project details and the most comprehensive cost for all the services needed; and
WHEREAS, the staff recommends execution of a contract with Alliant Engineering, Incorporated, for engineering consulting services for CP 42-167 for actual costs not to exceed $299,250; and
WHEREAS, the City’s staff concurs with this recommendation; and
WHEREAS, the cost participation for the final design engineering will be in accordance with the adopted Cost Share Policy F.1, Replacement and Modernization - Trails; and
WHEREAS, the County’s cost share is 85 percent of the consultant contract.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Physical Development Director to execute a contract with Alliant Engineering, Incorporated, to perform engineering consulting services for County Project 42-167 in an amount not to exceed $299,250, subject to approval by the County Attorney’s Office as to form; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the 2025 Transportation Capital Improvement Program Adopted Budget is hereby amended as follow:
Expense
CP 42-167 $44,888
Total Expense $44,888
Revenue
City of Burnsville ($44,888)
Total Revenue $44,888
end
PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
None.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Project Location Map
Attachment: Consultant Evaluation Summary
BOARD GOALS
☒ A Great Place to Live ☐ A Healthy Environment
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☐ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACT
Department Head: Erin Laberee
Author: Keelee Roggenbuck