Logo Sign Franchise Program

Logo Sign Franchise Program
Request for Proposal
06/01/2026

TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION 1 General Information for responders ....................................................................................................2
A. Purpose .....................................................................................................................................................2
B. Definitions and Acronyms .........................................................................................................................2
C. Scope of the Program................................................................................................................................3
D. Buyout of Existing Inventory .....................................................................................................................3
E. RFP Inquiries ..............................................................................................................................................3
F. Addenda ....................................................................................................................................................3
G. Incurred Costs ...........................................................................................................................................4
H. Rejection of Proposals...............................................................................................................................4
I. Proposals ...................................................................................................................................................4
J. Oral Presentations/Interviews ..................................................................................................................5
K. Calendar of Events ....................................................................................................................................5
L. Term of Contract .......................................................................................................................................5
SECTION 2 Information required from responders ..........................................................................................6
A. Evidence of Bid Bond/Insurance ...............................................................................................................6
B. Background/Experience ............................................................................................................................6
C. Work Plan ..................................................................................................................................................6
D. Added Value ..............................................................................................................................................7
E. Supporting Materials.................................................................................................................................7
SECTION 3 Selection and award ...........................................................................................................................8
A. Preliminary Evaluation ..............................................................................................................................8
B. Evaluation Criteria .....................................................................................................................................8
C. Notification of Intent to Award .................................................................................................................8
D. Post Selection Audit ..................................................................................................................................8
SECTION 4 Scope of work and specifications .........................................................................................................9
A. Responsibilities of the Contractor .............................................................................................................9
B. Logo Sign Program Rules and Regulations ............................................................................................. 11
C. Design Standards for Logo Signs and Business Identification Sign Panels ............................................. 16
D. Design Standards for Life Cycle Replacement/Refurbishment of Logo Signs ........................................ 21
SECTION 5 Terms and conditions ........................................................................................................................ 23
A. Termination ............................................................................................................................................ 23
B. Assignment ............................................................................................................................................. 23
C. Audits ..................................................................................................................................................... 24
D. Laws and Regulations ............................................................................................................................. 24
E. Indemnity and Insurance ....................................................................................................................... 24
F. Surety Bond ............................................................................................................................................ 26
G. Permits, Licenses and Taxes ................................................................................................................... 27
H. Approvals ............................................................................................................................................... 27

EXHIBITS
EXHIBIT A List of Eligible Routes/Rural Interchanges
EXHIBIT B RESERVED
EXHIBIT C1 Logo Sign Panel Designs
EXHIBIT C2 Logo Sign Panel Designs - Legacy Use
EXHIBIT C3 Exit Panel Designs - Legacy Use
EXHIBIT D Appeals Process for Logo Attraction Business Identification Panels
EXHIBIT E MnDOT Signing Standard Plan Sheets
EXHIBIT F I-Beam Sign Placement
EXHIBIT G I-Beam Sign Post Spacing Chart
EXHIBIT H Post Selection Chart for I-Beam Supported Signs
EXHIBIT I Windloading Chart for Signs on Square Tube Posts
[Title] 1

SECTION 1 GENERAL INFORMATION FOR RESPONDERS
A. Purpose
Under Minnesota Statutes 160.80, the Minnesota Department of Transportation ("MnDOT") operates the Logo
Sign Franchise Program ("Program") on Interstate highways and certain controlled access highways in Minnesota.
The Program provides for blue highway signs with individual logos for businesses that provide motorist services (gas,
food, lodging, camping, and 24-hour pharmacies) and eligible attractions. MnDOT implements the Program by
contracting with a qualified firm to operate and maintain the Program. The current contract expires December 31,
2026.
The purpose of this Request for Proposal ("RFP") is to provide interested parties with the opportunity and necessary
information to prepare and submit a proposal for the continued operation and maintenance of the Program.
MnDOT seeks proposals from qualified firms and intends to use the results of this RFP to award a 10-year Contract.
This RFP is not a contract. MnDOT reserves the right to amend existing provisions or to include additional
provisions not addressed herein.
B. Definitions and Acronyms
The following definitions and acronyms are used throughout the RFP:
1) Attraction - a service that includes facilities which have the primary purpose of providing amusement,
historical, cultural or leisure activities to the public.
2) Business - a commercial establishment that provides a Motorist Service (gas, food, lodging, camping or 24-
hour pharmacy) or qualifies as an eligible attraction facility.
3) Business Identification Sign Panel - a separately attached Logo Sign Panel on a Logo Sign that contains a
word legend, Logo, or combination thereof to identify a Business.
4) Business Lease Holder - A Business that signs a lease with the Contractor for its Logo to appear on a Logo
Sign under the Program.
5) Commissioner - Commissioner of Transportation
6) Contract - the contract to operate and maintain the Logo Sign Franchise Program that may be awarded as a
result of this RFP.
7) Contractor - the firm awarded the Logo Sign Franchise Program Contract
8) Crossroad - a marked route or other public road intersecting an eligible Interstate highway or controlled-
access highway to which access is provided at an Interchange.
9) Exit Ramp - a connecting roadway between two intersecting roads that are grade separated.
10) Exit Ramp Logo Sign - a Logo Sign along an Exit Ramp.
11) Interchange - a grade separated intersection with ramps to provide movement between roadways.
12) Logo - a distinctive emblem or trademark that identifies a commercial or non-commercial business,
program, or organization.
13) Logo Sign - a sign consisting of a Logo Sign Panel and the Sign Structure to which it is attached.
14) Logo Sign Panel - a rectangular sign panel consisting of the words: gas, food, lodging, camping. attraction or
24-hour pharmacy, a business identification sign panel, and directional information.
15) Mainline Logo Sign - a Logo Sign located along a freeway or controlled-access expressway highway, placed
on approach to an Interchange.
16) MnDOT - Minnesota Department of Transportation.
17) MN MUTCD - Minnesota Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
18) Motorist Service - gas, food, lodging, camping, attraction or 24-hour pharmacy.
19) Program - Minnesota Logo Sign Franchise Program.
20) Responder - a firm submitting a proposal to this RFP.
21) Rural - all Minnesota counties except the majority of the eight-county Minneapolis/St Paul metropolitan
area (see Urban).
22) Seasonal Business - a gas, food, lodging, camping, attraction or 24-hour pharmacy facility that is open for
business fewer than 12 months per year.
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23) Signs - a collective reference to all Logo Signs (Mainline and Exit Ramp), Business Identification Signs and
Trailblazer Signs.
24) State - The State of Minnesota.
25) Structure - The sign support including any footings (see also Logo Sign)
26) Structure Type - category of sign support or Structure that the Logo Sign is installed upon, i.e. I-Beam,
Square Tube, U-Channel.
27) Trailblazing Sign - a Logo Sign on a local crossroad that directs motorists where to turn to reach the
Business.
28) Urban - includes the majority of the Minneapolis/St Paul metropolitan area, including the counties of
Anoka, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott and Washington. Specific Interchanges on the
outer edges of the Urban areas may be determined Rural by MnDOT on a case-by-case basis.
C. Scope of the Program
The Program consists of management, funding, and maintaining the Program. The Contractor will furnish, install and
maintain all Logo Signs relating to gas, food, lodging, camping, attractions and 24-hour pharmacies; market all
eligible spaces for Business Logo Sign Panels to be installed on Mainline and Exit Ramp Logo Signs; and install and
maintain all marketed Business Logo Sign Panels on eligible routes. All costs for marketing, fabrication, installation,
operation and maintenance of the Program as set forth in the Contract, as well as fees due to the State, will be paid
from fees and revenues received by the Contractor from Business leases. The Program currently has approximately
2,379 Mainline, 2,132 Exit Ramp, and 243 Trailblazing Business Logo Sign Panels. See EXHIBIT A for a current list of
eligible routes and Rural Interchanges.
D. Buyout of Existing Inventory
Any new Contractor is required to buy from the current Contractor all Logo Signs that are in place, including any
Logo Signs on which no Business Panels are displayed. The buyout formula for signs is:
P = (N/15 x O)
P = Total buyout price
N = Remaining years of unamortized sign costs
O = Cost of Structures (this should be "Cost of Logo signs" meaning that it includes the Sign Support and the Logo
Sign Panel)
E. RFP Inquiries
Responders who have any questions regarding this RFP must submit questions by e-mail only to:
Tayllor McGinnis
tayllor.mcginnis@state.mn.us
All questions and answers will be posted on MnDOT's Consultant Services Web Page at
www.dot.state.mn.us/consult under the "P/T Notices" section. All prospective Responders will be responsible for
checking the web page for any addenda to this RFP as well as any questions that have been answered. Note that
questions will be posted verbatim as submitted.
Questions regarding this RFP must be received by MnDOT no later than 2:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time on June 22,
2026. MnDOT is not obligated to answer questions submitted after this due date and time.
MnDOT anticipates posting answers to such questions no later than 2:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time on June 24,
2026. All Responders will be responsible for checking the web page for any questions and their answers.
No other MnDOT personnel are allowed to discuss the RFP before the proposal submission deadline. Contact with
any personnel not listed above regarding this RFP may result in disqualification of the proposal.
F. Addenda
Any modifications to this RFP will be made by addendum. Addenda will become part of the RFP and will be posted
on MnDOT's Consultant Services Web Page at www.dot.state.mn.us/consult under the "P/T Notices" section.
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G. Incurred Costs
The State is not liable for any costs incurred by Responders in responding to this RFP.
H. Rejection of Proposals
MnDOT reserves the right to reject any and all proposals that do not comply with the requirements of this RFP.
Proposals received after the Proposal due date and time will be rejected.
I. Proposals
The evaluation and selection of the Contractor will be based on information submitted in proposals, as outlined in
SECTION 2, INFORMATION REQUIRED FROM RESPONDERS, references, and oral presentations, if held.
All materials submitted in response to this RFP will become property of MnDOT and will become public record, in
accordance with Minnesota Statutes 13.591, after the evaluation process is completed. MnDOT's evaluation
process will be complete when the Contract has been fully negotiated with the successful responder.
If a Responder submits information in response to this RFP that it believes to be trade secret materials, as defined by
the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, Minnesota Statutes 13.37, the Responder must:
Clearly mark all trade secret materials in its proposal at the time the proposal is submitted;
Include a statement with its proposal justifying the trade secret designation for each item; and
Defend any action seeking release of the materials it believes to be trade secret and indemnify and hold
harmless the State, its agents and employees, from any judgments or damages awarded against the State in
favor of the party requesting the materials, and any and all costs connected with that defense. This
indemnification survives MnDOT's award of a Contract. In submitting a proposal in response to this RFP, the
Responder accepts that this indemnification survives as long as the trade secret materials are in MnDOT's
possession. MnDOT is required to keep all the basic documents related to its Contracts, including responses to
RFPs, for a minimum of seven years.
MnDOT will not consider any prices or estimates submitted by the Responder to be proprietary or trade secret
materials.
1) Submitting a Proposal
Proposals must be electronically submitted via e-mail to:
Tayllor McGinnis
tayllor.mcginnis@state.mn.us
Include both "MnDOT Contract No. 1063331" and "Logo Sign Franchise Program" in the subject line of the
email and copy the following address on the email: The Responder must also include the following email
address ProfessionalTechnicalContractForms.dot@state.mn.us .
All responses must be received no later than 2:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time on July 2, 2026.
The Responder will receive a confirmation email from MnDOT after submission. If not received, please email
the Contract Administrator named above to ensure the proposal was received. By signing and submitting a
proposal, the Responder is making a binding legal offer for the period of time listed here. This Condition of
Offer is discussed in more detail in SECTION 5 TERMS AND CONDITIONS.
2) Proposal Format and Organization
Responders must limit their proposal to 25 pages, single spaced on 8.5"x11" pages, with no smaller than 11-
point font. One side of a sheet is one page. Excess pages will not be reviewed or evaluated, regardless of
their content. Please note that the Responder's cover page and cover letter, resumes (limited to one page
per resume), evidence of bid bond, and rate proposal will not count as part of the page limit.
The proposal must be organized as follows:
a. Cover page
b. Introduction/Cover Letter
c. Evidence of Bid Bond/Insurance
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d. Background/Experience
e. Work Plan
f. Added Value
g. Supporting Materials
J. Oral Presentations/Interviews
In some instances, an interview may be part of the evaluation process.
K. Calendar of Events
Date Event
June 01, 2026 Date of issue of RFP
June 22, 2026 Last day for submitting written questions
July 2, 2026 Proposals due from responders
July 17, 2026 Approximate notification of Contract award
September 18, 2026 Approximate Contract start date
January 1, 2027 Date of Program transfer
December 31, 2036 Expiration of Contract
L. Term of Contract
The Contract will begin on or about September 18, 2026, and will terminate on December 31, 2036, unless
terminated earlier pursuant to its terms. Any new Contractor will begin operating the Program on January 1, 2027.
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SECTION 2 INFORMATION REQUIRED FROM RESPONDERS
A. Evidence of Bid Bond/Insurance
The Responder must show evidence of a bid bond in the amount of $10,000.00. The bond must be obtained from a
company on the Department of Treasury list issued by the Federal Register July 1, 2025, "Companies Holding
Certificates of Authority as Acceptable Sureties on Federal Bonds and as Acceptable Reinsuring Companies." Failure
to pass this requirement will eliminate the proposal from further evaluation.
A Responder's proposal must clearly note any exceptions desired to insurance requirements in SECTION 5-E(4)
Insurance, or the Responder will be deemed to have accepted such requirements and waived any request for
exception.
B. Background/Experience
Identify and describe the following:
1) The firm's experience as a prime Contractor performing similar work.
2) Any subcontractors the firm intend to hire, including but not limited to subcontractors for sign fabrication
and installation.
3) Qualifications and experience of personnel to be assigned to the Program. Include resumes and a
description of responsibilities for each key person.
4) The firm's familiarity with relevant federal and state laws, including Minnesota Statute 160.80, and the MN
MUTCD Part 2J.
5) The firm's experience in outdoor advertising, sign manufacturing, sign installation, advertising, sales or
related fields.
6) The firm's experience with administering similar statewide signing programs. Include a list of at least 3
references. MnDOT may contact selected references as part of the selection process.
C. Work Plan
Responders must understand the services needed to manage the Program. The Work Plan must address the
following categories:
1) Work Plan: Marketing Strategy
Describe the firm's marketing strategy. Include descriptions of sales goals, number of salespeople, customer
contact and customer follow-up, including the resolution of customer complaints. Include a mock-up of the
firm's website for the Program, which will provide valuable information for interested Businesses.
2) Work Plan: Sign Installation and Maintenance
Describe the firm's proposed process for designing, manufacturing, installing and maintaining Logo Signs
and Business Panels. Describe the firm's proposed schedule for replacing or refurbishing Logo Signs.
Describe the proposed or existing location of equipment, materials and field labor force. Describe the
estimated response time of the firm's crew and any efficiencies in its proposed operation.
3) Work Plan: Minnesota Office
Describe the proposed or existing location of the firm's office in Minnesota, including full-time personnel
with the authority and capability to complete a Business lease and respond to Business and MnDOT requests
and inquiries Monday through Friday during normal office hours.
4) Work Plan: Administration
Describe the firm's record keeping, billing and reporting systems. Describe the proposed Sign inventory
management system. Include samples of typical status and inventory reports.
5) Work Plan: Program Objectives
Describe how the firm's proposal will meet the following Program objectives:
a) Provide benefit to motorists;
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b) Minimize blank signs;
c) Be operated by a financially stable Contractor;
d) Provide competitive rates for the duration of Contract (10 years);
e) Be vigilant in driving sales for the Program;
f) Ensure customer satisfaction; and
g) Ensure fair, consistent, compliant and accurate operation and maintenance of the Program.
D. Added Value
The Responder must describe any proposed tasks, services or features that the firm desires to provide in addition to
the those solicited in this RFP. The Responder must provide an explanation of how the additional tasks, services, or
features will benefit the operation of the Program.
E. Supporting Materials
The Responder's proposal should include examples of supporting materials that will lead to successful management
of the Program, such as: site plans, as built plans, standard business lease agreement, annual compliance forms,
electronic information, etc. Provide an explanation of how the supporting materials will benefit the operation of the
Program.
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SECTION 3 SELECTION AND AWARD
All proposals received by the due date and time will be evaluated by a committee of MnDOT representatives.
A. Preliminary Evaluation
All proposals will first be reviewed to determine if proposal requirements are met. In the event that no proposals
meet the requirements, MnDOT reserves the right to continue its evaluation of the proposals and to select the
proposal that most closely meets the requirements of this RFP.
B. Evaluation Criteria
Proposals will be scored using the following criteria:
Criteria Points
Evidence of Bid Bond/Insurance Pass/Fail
Background/Experience 50
Work Plan 40
Added Value 5
Supporting Materials 5
TOTAL 100
C. Notification of Intent to Award
All Responders who respond to this RFP will be notified in writing of MnDOT's intent to award a Contract.
D. Post Selection Audit
After a Responder has been selected, MnDOT will conduct an audit to verify that the selected firm is financially
capable of buying out the old structures and financing any new structures. Failure to pass the post selection audit
will eliminate the proposal from consideration. In this event, MnDOT will then select the next best qualified
proposal. The buyout is estimated to be around $3,500,000.00.
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