Bismarck Curb Management Study Request for Proposals

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
TO PERFORM PLANNING SERVICES FOR:
Bismarck Curb Management Study
BISMARCK-MANDAN METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION
Stephen Larson
Transportation Planner
PROPOSALS MUST BE DELIVERED TO
BISMARCK-MANDAN MPO
BY 4:00 P.M. Central Time, Friday, June 12, 2026
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Contents
I. PURPOSE OF THE REQUEST ................................................................................................. 4
II. OBJECTIVE ............................................................................................................................. 4
III. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS ................................................................................................. 4
IV. CONTENT OF PROPOSALS ................................................................................................. 5
V. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS AND MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION ................. 6
VI. EVALUATION CRITERIA AND PROCESS ........................................................................ 7
VII. REGIONAL CONTEXT AND EXISTING CONDITIONS ................................................. 8
XIII. STUDY AREA ..................................................................................................................... 8
IX. SCOPE OF WORK ................................................................................................................. 9
X. REVIEW AND COMPLETION PROCESS .......................................................................... 11
XI. PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT PLAN ....................................................................................... 11
XII. INFORMATION AVAILABLE TO THE CONSULTANT ............................................... 12
Appendix A: Proposed Sub-Consultant Request Form
Appendix B: Consultant Self Certification of Government-Wide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement)
Form
Appendix C: Certification and Restriction on Lobbying Form
Appendix D: Federal, State and Local Clauses
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I. PURPOSE OF THE REQUEST
The purpose of this Request for Proposals (RFP) is to provide interested consulting firms with enough information
about the professional services desired by the Bismarck-Mandan Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for
the following project:
Bismarck Curb Management Study
The MPO is requesting the services of a transportation engineering/planning firm to conduct a study to evaluate
areas with curb space challenges in Bismarck to examine existing and projected demand and provide alternatives
for addressing curb space utilization challenges. The Study will be conducted in cooperation with the City of
Bismarck, the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT), the Federal Highway Administration
(FHWA), and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).
II. OBJECTIVE
The urban curb is a limited resource, used for purposes as varied as bus stops, bike lanes, commercial loading and
delivery, dining, passenger pickup and drop-off, parking, and turn lanes. Curb management is about allocating
space efficiently and safely among those many uses (NACTO, Curb Management). Most public streets in Bismarck
include roughly eight feet of roadway pavement width adjacent to the curbs that is dedicated for public use but not
strictly necessary for mobility purposes. The Bismarck Curb Management Study will provide recommendations for
optimizing the benefit of this important public resource, especially in high-activity areas of the City where demands
on this space may exceed the available supply. The study will focus on the following:
1. Updating or creating an inventory on GIS of available curb space within the study area, along with
potential constraints such as spacing from intersections, driveways, hydrants, etc.
2. Evaluating various potential uses for this space, including but not limited to, on-street parking, passenger
loading zones, commercial loading zones, transit access, micro-mobility (scooter/bike share), and
placemaking (e.g. outdoor dining).
3. Evaluate options for demand management of curb space, such as parking time limitations, residential
parking permits, commercial loading zones, public transportation use (such as a downtown circulator route
or microtransit options), shared parking agreements, pedestrian and bicycle improvements, and the
management or redevelopment of obsolete or underutilized lots.
4. Estimate present and future demands on curb space utilization.
5. Provide recommendations regarding the appropriate use and management of each identified curb space in
the study area, based on present and future demand estimations.
6. Provide overall recommendations regarding management technologies, enforcement, and signage.
III. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
A. Any questions or comments regarding this proposal should be submitted to:
Stephen Larson
Bismarck-Mandan MPO
221 N 5th Street
P.O. Box 5503
Bismarck, ND 58506-5503
Phone: 701.355.1848
E-Mail: slarson@bismarcknd.gov
B. Proposals shall be submitted to:
Stephen Larson
slarson@bismarcknd.gov
C. All Proposals must be clearly identified with the following:
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1) NAME OF THE SUBMITTING FIRM
2) 'Proposal for: Bismarck Curb Management Study
D. The MPO will only consider proposals received prior to 4:00 PM Central Standard Time on Friday,
June 12, 2026. One (1) electronic copy must be received by the deadline. Electronic copies may be
emailed to slarson@bismarcknd.gov. Proposals received after the 4:00 PM deadline will be
considered unresponsive and will not be considered for an interview. The MPO reserves the right to
reject any or all proposals.
E. Proposal Cut Down: The Selection Committee intends to interview between three (3) and five (5)
consultants, depending on the number and quality of proposals received. The strength of the written
proposals will be the basis for awarding an interview. Consultants will be notified of their interview
status by phone or email June 15-17, 2026.
F. Selection Committee: The Selection Committee will consist of a panel of up to six (6) people; five
(5) voters and one (1) moderator. The MPO Project Manager will moderate the interviews. In the
case of a first ranked tie, the moderator's ranking will provide the tie-breaking score.
G. Interviews: Consultants will be evaluated on both written proposals and interviews. Interviews may
be conducted in-person, remotely, or using a hybrid combination of both options at the discretion of
the candidate. Ranking is based on the criteria listed in Section V: Evaluation Criteria and Process.
Interviews are planned to be held June 29-July 2, 2026. Consultants will be given forty-five (45)
minutes to present their proposals and entertain questions. The consultant will be responsible for
managing their interview and allowing time for questions. The MPO project manager will provide a
TEAMs link for the interview to allow for screen sharing.
H. Selection and Approvals: Selection will be based on the interview committee's recommendation.
All interviewees will be notified of the selection results in writing. Approval of the top ranked firm
will be requested of the MPO's TAC and Policy Board on July 20 and 21, 2026, respectively.
I. Contract Negotiations: Contract negotiations will begin immediately after Policy Board approval.
Consultant will be required to prepare a scope of work and final fee schedule which will be included
in the MPO's template contract as Exhibit A. Draft contracts are reviewed by MPO Staff, its partners
and legal counsel. Upon successful negotiations, the MPO intends to execute the contract upon staff
authority (Disclaimer: This contract will be subject to a financial assistance contract between the
state of North Dakota and the USDOT).
Successful final negotiations shall include:
1.) Prime Consultant scope of work and final fee schedule not exceeding $150,000 (programmed
in 2026 to spend up to $73,000 and in 2027 to spend remaining balance of $77,000).
2.) Scope of work and fee schedule for ALL Subconsultants
3.) Prime Consultant Certificate of Liability Insurance
4.) Prime Consultant Indirect Cost Form (blank form provided by MPO)
5.) SFN 60233: Prime Consultant Request to Sublet Form (blank form provided by MPO)
6.) Up-to-date SF330 Form for NDDOT, if needed (see Section III: Content of Proposals)
IV. CONTENT OF PROPOSALS
Length of Proposals:
The main body of the proposal shall be no more than eight (8) pages and pages shall be numbered. The cover page,
table of contents, and appendix will not count toward the proposal page limit of eight (8) pages.
Required Elements for Proposal:
The consultants are requested to be as brief and concise as possible. The main body of the proposal shall address
the following major sections:
a) Description of firm
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b) Organizational chart showing project team and general activities
c) Table of key individuals' time-available for project/study
d) Understanding of project and proposed work approach
e) Brief examples of past, pertinent work projects
Required Elements for Appendix:
The consultant's appendix must include the following unless noted as 'optional'. The items included in the
appendix will not count toward the eight (8) page limit and may take as many pages as needed.
* Proposed Project Schedule: Proposed schedules may begin as early as August 17, 2026 and should
detail all activities necessary to complete the study. Activities may include but are not limited to:
Contract Negotiations
Monthly updates (via Zoom or in person) to MPO TAC and Policy Board
Data Acquisition (provided, as available, by the MPO, NDDOT, and local jurisdictions)
Consultant led in-field collection (if needed, should be prioritized before snowfall)
Steering Committee Meetings/Activities
Documents/Tech Memos for Study Milestones
Stakeholder Interviews
Public Input Meetings
Public Outreach Activities (webpage, meetings, social media, news releases, etc.)
Draft Report Development
Draft Report Review by Steering Committee, MPO, NDDOT, FHWA, and/or FTA (required
before presentation to Bismarck City Commission and MPO Boards)
Final Presentations to the Bismarck City Commission and the MPO TAC and Policy Board
* Quality Control/Quality Assurance (QC/QA) program: Detail the program that will be used on the
project. This (QC/QA) program must identify the team members, their responsibilities, and stages of
development at which each is to be responsible.
* Required Qualification Based Selection (QBS) Documents:
Signed Proposed Sub-Consultant Request Form if applicable (Appendix A)
Signed Consultant Self Certification of Government-Wide Debarment and Suspension
(Nonprocurement) Form (Appendix B)
Signed and Notarized Certification and Restriction on Lobbying Form (Appendix C)
* Resumes or list of Personnel: Detail who will be assigned to work on the project (including titles,
education, and/or work experience).
* Optional: The Federal Standard Form 330, "Architect-Engineer Qualifications", is an NDDOT
requirement, and proves the consultant is pre-qualified to provide architectural, engineering, and/or
planning services. Consultants will not be penalized if the SF 330 is omitted in their proposal, but the
MPO will verify a current version is on file with NDDOT after the consultant is selected for
contract negotiations. Architect and Engineering firms must have an active SF 330 on file with
NDDOT before the contract can be signed. See https://www.gsa.gov/system/files/2024-08/SF330-
21a.pdf for a link to the SF 330. All SF 330 forms provided to the MPO will be kept on file by the
MPO and forwarded to NDDOT.
Disclosure of Proposal Ownership:
At the conclusion of the selection process, the contents of all proposals will be subject to the City of Bismarck's Open
Records Policy, based on N.D.C.C 44-04 requirements, and may be open to inspection by interested parties. Any
information included in the proposal that the proposing party believes to be a trade secret or proprietary information must
be clearly identified in the proposal. Any identified information documented as such and protected by law may be exempt
from disclosure.
V. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS AND MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION
State, Federal and Local Contract Requirements:
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The City of Bismarck as the MPO's Host Agency, the NDDOT, and FHWA require that specific clauses accompany
federally funded projects executed by the MPO. Consultants should be prepared to abide by the necessary clauses which are
included verbatim and unaltered in all potential MPO contracts. The clauses can be reviewed in Appendix D: State, Federal
and Local Clauses.
Ownership of Work Product:
One additional clause not included in Appendix D but required due to the use of Federal Funds, is the "Ownership of Work
Product" clause. Consultants and sub-consultants should be prepared to abide by the following:
Ownership of Work Product: All work products and copyrights of the contract, which result from the contract, are the
exclusive property of Bismarck-Mandan Metropolitan Planning Organization (BMMPO) and North Dakota Department of
Transportation (NDDOT), with an unlimited license for use by the federal government and its assignees without charge.
General Information:
Bismarck-Mandan MPO reserves the right to enter into a supplementary agreement to have the selected firm perform any
additional work not currently assigned.
If the contract is terminated prior to completion of the final report, all work completed, which has been compensated for,
shall become the property of the Bismarck-Mandan MPO and NDDOT, as per the 'Ownership of Work Product' Clause.
The final report will be submitted using the following formats and standards, if applicable:
* MS Word/ MS Excel/MS Powerpoint
* Adobe Acrobat (Standard or Compatible)
* NDDOT Data Collection Codes and Procedures
* NDDOT and/or City, as applicable, Drafting Standards
* NDDOT Design Manual
* ArcGIS Online
* GIS Data
VI. EVALUATION CRITERIA AND PROCESS
The selection process will be completed in accordance with Bismarck-Mandan MPO policies. Written proposals shall
address the firm's ability to perform the necessary services in the allotted time with qualified personnel. Selection will be
based on an array of measures chosen from the following criteria:
1. Recent, current, and projected workloads
2. Ability of professional personnel (staff experience and technical capabilities)
3. Related experience on similar projects
4. Location
5. Project understanding, issues and approach
6. Past Performance
7. Willingness to meet time and budget requirements
8. Recent and current work for the agency
9. Project schedule
The final selection will be based on written proposals along with interviews. All firms not selected will be notified in
writing.
A final scope of work will be developed and cost will be negotiated with the successful firm. An agreement will be
executed with a single firm. If unable to arrive at a mutual agreement with the top ranked firm, the MPO retains the right to
move on to negotiations with the second (then third, etc.) ranked firm. Approved sub-agreements for minor portions of the
work will be permitted.
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VII. REGIONAL CONTEXT AND EXISTING CONDITIONS
Bismarck-Mandan MPO Region:
The Bismarck-Mandan MPO consists of the cities of Mandan, Bismarck, and Lincoln, and the metropolitan portions of
Burleigh and Morton counties. The MPO has a performance-based planning process that supports metropolitan community
development and federal, state, and local transportation goals. These plans and programs are intended to lead to the
development of an integrated, multi-modal metropolitan transportation system that facilitates the safe, efficient, and
economic movement of people and goods.
The MPO planning area is roughly 394 square miles. It is bisected from north to south by the Missouri River and is
generally comprised of rolling topography throughout. Within the MPO area, the City of Bismarck is made up of around
33,100 households and an approximate population of 75,500 (Source: 2020-2024 5-year American Community Survey).
Energy development in western North Dakota from 2011-2015 contributed to a period of heightened growth for the MPO
planning area, however, historic growth trends have traditionally hovered within a 1% to 1.5% annual rate of population
growth. Currently, the adopted medium growth projection for the MPO area is a continuation of past trends, or a 1.1%
annual growth rate for the period between 2025 and 2050.
While steady growth is generally perceived as positive, there are some concerns of particular interest, specifically: the
impact of growth on public service costs, the continued ability of the MPO region to grow in an efficient manner, and the
ability to maintain the high quality of life enjoyed by residents of the communities. Consistent rates of growth strain many
aspects of the region's transportation infrastructure. Topography, man-made barriers, and historical development patterns
have contributed to challenges regarding roadway connectivity, specifically north-south movements in Bismarck and east-
west movements in Mandan. The growth has, at times, strained municipal services, schools, and transportation.
Local Existing Conditions:
Like the overall MPO region, the City of Bismarck is experiencing steady growth. It has also experienced a revitalization of
its downtown core, in part due to the Renaissance Zone program, and in part due to the continued expansion of its two
major hospitals. Enrollment in city schools and universities is increasing, and the state capitol complex continues to see
extensive use. Development is increasingly progressing to the north, but many residents travel to and through the
downtown core to access essential services and to conduct business and recreation. These and other factors (such as North
Dakota's prohibition of on-street parking meters) contribute to the existence of areas of constrained parking and curb
management concerns within the community.
In downtown Bismarck, the City owns 4 parking structures and 2 surface lots (approximately 1,786 spaces) that are
managed by the Bismarck Parking Authority. Additionally, per the Bismarck 2018 On-Street Parking Inventory, there are
approximately 2,961 on-street parking spaces within the downtown area. Approximately 33% of the on-street spaces are
occupied, on average, and no places within downtown have a significant loss of level of service due to insufficient parking,
per the 2018 Inventory.
Managing curb space utilization, parking constraints, policies, and enforcement is important as the City completes its
update to the Land Development Code (LDC), expected to be in force in the autumn of 2026. The LDC will reduce off-
street parking requirements for a variety of development types and otherwise modernize zoning and development in
Bismarck. This provides a number of opportunities and challenges for the City. The anticipated construction of parking
facilities (in conjunction with the potential Sanford Heart Hospital) in the downtown area is also noteworthy for this Study.
XIII. STUDY AREA
The study area includes all of downtown Bismarck (from Avenue B to Kirkwood Mall, and from Washington Street to
South 12th Street). The consultant will also assist the MPO and the City of Bismarck in defining any additional high-activity
areas within city limits that may need to be studied, such as Bismarck High School, Bismarck State College, Legacy High
School, and/or local sporting event locations.
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PRIMARY STUDY AREA
IX. SCOPE OF WORK
The selected consultant will study existing and projected parking demands on curb space utilization within the study
area(s), based on:
1. No less than three observations of existing curb utilization in the study area(s), taken during different times of the
week based on peak activity.
2. Previous studies of curb utilization in the study area(s), including the 2018 On-Street Parking Inventory Survey
conducted by the City of Bismarck.
3. Existing land uses in the study area(s) and how they may generate demands.
4. A projection of land uses in the study area(s), considering density allowances and parking requirements within the
Bismarck Land Development Code and the Comprehensive Plan.
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5. Interviews with operations of major activity generators, including but not limited to, hospitals, schools, and event
planners.
6. The effects of shifts in travel modes between driving, carpooling, transit, walking, and cycling.
Parking policies contained within existing local and state statutes, and especially the updated Bismarck Land Development
Code, should be examined. The consultant will identify a list of peer communities to evaluate, with a focus on locations
that have reduced off-street parking mandates (and have addressed accompanying challenges). The adequacy of existing
regulations, signage, and enforcement should be reviewed, with an emphasis on existing time and day limitations, 'No
Parking' signs, and on-street ADA/handicapped parking spots.
Existing conditions, future forecasting, and public involvement will be utilized to evaluate curb management opportunities
and challenges in the study area(s). A creative, multimodal range of alternatives will ultimately be produced, with
appropriate prioritization based on the data and on public, Steering Committee, and MPO feedback. Alternatives should be
organized into short, medium, and long-term actions, with benefits, feasibility, costs, funding sources, and trade-offs
provided.
Project Management
This task involves activities required to manage the project including staff, equipment, and documentation. It also includes
the preparation of progress reports, documenting travel and expense receipts, and preparing and submitting invoices in a
timely manner (monthly). This task includes monthly progress reports to the MPO, TAC, and Policy Board.
Monthly TAC and Policy Board Meetings:
The consultant will provide monthly updates (i.e. progress reports) to the MPO TAC and Policy Boards. Updates will be
conducted verbally (if desired by the project manager) and with written memorandums briefly updating board members on
the status of the project.
Steering Committee:
The MPO project manager will assist the consultant in developing a Steering Committee for the study. The Committee may
include but are not limited to the following agency and/or organizational representatives:
* City Planners
* City Engineers
* City Law Enforcement
* Bis-Man Transit Staff
* Bismarck-Mandan Chamber EDC
* Bismarck Public Schools
* Bismarck Downtowners
* NDDOT Local Government Division
* NDDOT Bismarck District
* FHWA
* FTA
The consultant shall meet with the Steering Committee periodically and as necessary during the study process to review
data and recommendations. The consultant shall provide progress/technical memorandums at key points throughout the
study process. Enough copies shall be provided for distribution to the Steering Committee.
Data Collection:
The consultant shall identify the data collection needed to support the Scope of Work. The consultant shall also identify
times and methods in which the data will be collected. The MPO and its jurisdictions will provide datasets as available.
Any additional data collection needed to complete technical analysis will be the responsibility of the consultant.
Draft and Final Report
The consultant is responsible for providing the draft report and appendices in electronic format for review. Creative options
for formatting will be considered, if they increase the usefulness of the Study. The consultant shall provide up to four (4)
paper copies of the final report as well as an electronic format. All graphics of preliminary and final alternatives within the
report shall be easy to read, meet accessibility standards, and be easy to reproduce. Summaries and technical analysis of
important meetings shall be included in the appendix of the report. Comments received from public meetings and public
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