26-99436 RFP for ATV Route Study

Purchasing Division, Finance Department
218-730-5340 | purchasing@duluthmn.gov
Room 120 | 411 West First Street | Duluth, Minnesota 55802
www.duluthmn.gov
City of Duluth Request for Proposals
for ATV Route Study
Solicitation # 26-99436
Issued May 14, 2026
Proposals due June 3, 2026
Submit to:
City of Duluth
Attn: Purchasing Division
City Hall, Room 120
411 West 1st Street
Duluth, MN 55802
The City of Duluth is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

PART I - GENERAL INFORMATION
I-1. Introduction and project Summary. The City is soliciting proposals from qualified vendors to
develop a comprehensive study that identifies, evaluates, and recommends potential ATV routes
within the City limits for the purpose of establishing connectivity between far west Duluth and the
regional ATV trail system. The objective of this project is to produce data-driven, partner and
community-supported recommendations for designating, improving, and incorporating City ATV
routes into a broader regional ATV master plan.
I-2. Additional detail is provided in Part IV of this RFP.
I.3. Calendar of Events. The City will make every effort to adhere to the following schedule:
Activity Date
Pre-proposal Conference, 3:00 PM on this date May 20, 2026
Deadline to submit Questions via email to May 22, 2026
purchasing@duluthmn.gov
Answers to questions will be posted to the City website no later May 27, 2026
than this date.
Proposals must be received in the Purchasing Office by 3:00 PM June 3, 2026
on this date.
Interviews tentatively scheduled the week of: June 8, 2026
I-4. Pre-proposal Conference. The City will hold a MANDATORY pre-proposal conference as
specified in the Calendar of Events. Interested Bidders can attend via Microsoft Teams by
Joining here or clicking the link below:
https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/237550174340932?p=NnWedUkPuoWe18w1cS
Meeting ID: 237 550 174 340 932
Passcode: qF65z6zN
I-5. Questions & Answers. Any questions regarding this RFP must be submitted by e-mail to the
Purchasing Office at purchasing@duluthmn.gov no later than the date indicated on the Calendar of
Events. Answers to the questions will be posted as an Addendum to the RFP.
I-6. Addenda to the RFP. If the City deems it necessary to revise any part of this RFP before the
proposal response date, the City will post an addendum to its website
(https://duluthmn.gov/purchasing/bids-request-for-proposals/). Although an e-mail notification will be
sent, it is the Bidder's responsibility to periodically check the website for any new information. Any
addenda issued must be acknowledged on the Proposal Cover Sheet attached as Appendix A.

I-7. Interviews/Demonstrations. The City reserves the right to request interviews of up to the top
3 scored proposals.
I-8. Rejection of Proposals. The City reserves the right, in its sole and complete discretion, to
reject any and all proposals or cancel the request for proposals, at any time prior to the time a contract
is fully executed, when it is in its best interests. The City is not liable for any costs the Bidder incurs in
preparation and submission of its proposal, in participating in the RFP process or in anticipation of
award of the contract.
I-9. Small Diverse Business Information. The City encourages participation by minority, women,
and veteran-owned businesses as prime contractors, and encourages all prime contractors to make a
significant commitment to use minority, women, veteran-owned and other disadvantaged business
entities as subcontractors and suppliers.
I-10. Agreement. The awarded proposer will be required to sign the agreement attached as Appendix
F. Questions about the agreement should be submitted to purchasing@duluthmn.gov by the question
deadline in the schedule above.
I-11. Award. The agreement award amount will be based on the time and materials submitted in the
proposal, but will be a lump-sum, not-to-exceed agreement.
I-12. Term of Contract. The term of the contract will begin once the contract is fully executed and is
anticipated to end by June 30, 2027. The selected Bidder shall not start the performance of any work
nor shall the City be liable to pay the selected Bidder for any service or work performed or expenses
incurred before the contract is executed.
I-13. Mandatory Disclosures. By submitting a proposal, each Bidder understands, represents, and
acknowledges that:
A. Their proposal has been developed by the Bidder independently and has been submitted
without collusion with and without agreement, understanding, or planned common course
of action with any other vendor or suppliers of materials, supplies, equipment, or services
described in the Request for Proposals, designed to limit independent bidding or
competition, and that the contents of the proposal have not been communicated by the
Bidder or its employees or agents to any person not an employee or agent of the Bidder.
B. There is no conflict of interest. A conflict of interest exists if a Bidder has any interest that
would actually conflict, or has the appearance of conflicting, in any manner or degree with
the performance of work on the project. If there are potential conflicts, identify the
municipalities, developers, and other public or private entities with whom your company
is currently, or have been, employed and which may be affected.
C. It is not currently under suspension or debarment by the State of Minnesota, any other
state or the federal government.
D. The company is either organized under Minnesota law or has a Certificate of Authority
from the Minnesota Secretary of State to do business in Minnesota, in accordance with
the requirements in M.S. 303.03.

I-14. Notification of Selection. Bidders whose proposals are not selected will be notified in writing.
PART II - PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS
II-1. Proposal Submission. To be considered, hard copies of proposals must arrive at the City on
or before the time and date specified in the RFP Calendar of Events. The City will not accept
proposals via email or facsimile transmission. The City reserves the right to reject or to deduct
evaluation points for late proposals.
Proposals must be signed by an authorized official. If the official signs the Proposal Cover Sheet
attached as Appendix A, this requirement will be met. Proposals must remain valid for 60 days or
until a contract is fully executed. Terms of the awarded proposal as stated must be valid for the
project length of time.
Please submit one (1) unbound paper copy of the Technical Submittal and one (1) unbound paper
copy of the Cost Submittal. The Cost Submittal should be in a separate sealed envelope.
Proposals not following the specified format or exceeding the page limit will not be reviewed. No
additional sections or appendices are allowed. The delivered proposal shall be limited to 10 pages,
excluding the front and back covers, the cover sheet attached as Appendix A, and the cost proposal.
The 10 pages may be single-sided 8.5" x 11", or five 8.5" x 11" double-sided pages or a mixture
thereof. The separate cost proposal can be an 11"x17" sheet.
Proposers must submit a complete package to be considered. The submission package must include
each of the sections identified in the proposal content sections below.
All materials submitted in response to this RFP will become property of the City and will become
public record after the evaluation process is completed and an award decision made.
II-2. Technical Proposal Content.
A. Proposal cover sheet (form provided in Appendix A)
B. Goals and Objectives Restate the goals and objectives, and the project tasks to
demonstrate the responder's view and understanding of the project.
C. Experience: Describe the responder's background and experience with similar projects.
Project descriptions shall include a list of key staff and their role. Within the experience,
the responder should demonstrate and provide proof of competency in the following
areas:
i) Off-highway or recreational trail design
ii) Resilient trail design and construction techniques
iii) Producing accurate local market-based cost estimates

D. Personnel:
i) Identify the personnel that will conduct the project and detail their training and
work experience. Clearly identify a single point of contact/overall project
manager. Describe personnel qualifications to demonstrate ability to accurately
and efficiently complete work for this project.
ii) The project team must include but not be limited to a licensed Landscape
Architect and a licensed Civil Engineer.
iii) No change in personnel assigned to the project will be permitted without approval
of the City.
iv) List whether or not the responder will be the sole consultant for the entire project.
Include any subcontractors who will be working with your firm on this project,
their responsibilities, and a summary of applicable experience and qualifications.
E. Work Plan: Provide a detailed workplan identifying the tasks to be accomplished and
the budget hours to be expended on each task. The work plan shall also identify the
deliverables at key milestones in the project as well as any other services expected to
be provided by the City. Work plan will include public engagement strategy and
methodologies.
F. Work Schedule: Provide an anticipated project schedule. The work schedule shall
identify all key milestone dates. There is a strict completion date of June 30, 2027.
G. References: Provide a minimum of three (3) non-city references for whom the
responder has performed similar services and who can address past performance.
Include the references' names, addresses, and telephone numbers.
No costs are to be included in the technical proposal. All costs should be sealed separately in
the cost proposal.
II-3. Cost Proposal. Provide in a separate sealed envelope, one copy of the cost proposal
clearly marked on the outside with "Cost Proposal" along with the responder's official business name
and address. The terms of the proposal as stated must be valid for the length of the project.
The responder must also include a lump sum not-to-exceed total project cost, as well as subtotals for
design services and bidding, and any subconsultant fees. The cost proposal shall include the
following:
A. A cover/transmittal letter
B. A subtotal of the contract cost for each task
C. A breakdown of the hours by task for each employee
D. Identification of anticipated direct expenses and rates for miscellaneous charges such
as mileage and copies
E. Identification of any assumptions made while developing the cost proposal

F. Identification of any cost information related to additional services or tasks. Include this
in the cost proposal but identify it as additional costs and do not make it part of the total
project cost.
G. The responder must not include any cost information within the technical proposal.
PART III - CRITERIA FOR SELECTION
The proposals will be reviewed by City Staff. The intent of the selection process is to review
proposals and make an award based upon qualifications as described therein. A 100-point scale will
be used to create the final evaluation recommendations. The factors and weighting on which
proposals will be judged are:
Qualifications of the Bidder and Personnel 40%
Prior experience with similar work 30%
Work Plan 10%
Cost 20%
PART IV - PROJECT DETAIL
IV-1. Project Overview.
The City of Duluth is seeking professional services to develop a comprehensive plan that will address
ATV route feasibility, connectivity, environmental impacts, and public support within the city limits of
far west Duluth. ATV recreation is growing in popularity throughout the region, and the City
recognizes the potential for increased tourism, economic development, and motorized access to the
outdoors. To ensure sustainable and responsible integration of ATV use within the city, a strategic
planning effort is required.
The "City of Duluth ATV Route Study" will assess current trail conditions, recommend improvements
to existing ATV routes, identify alternative routes for ATV users, evaluate natural resource impacts,
outline compliance with environmental regulations, recommend mitigation strategies for affected
sensitive areas, forecast future trail development needs, account for potential conflict between
multiple user types, and address community concerns surrounding ATV use in Duluth.
This City approach to ATV trail development will be incorporated into a broader "Northeast Regional
ATV Master Plan" which has been commissioned by St. Louis, Lake, and Koochiching Counties and
developed by the Northeastern Regional ATV Joint Powers Board (JPB) in collaboration with regional
ATV clubs, and state, federal, and local government agencies.
This work is funded in part by the State of Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
Supplementary provisions and additional terms and conditions per the grant agreement as identified
in Appendix B are applicable to this project.

IV-2. Background
ATVs were banned from all public lands within the city limits of Duluth in 2004. In 2024, a new user
group, the Head of the Lakes ATV Riders, had requested routes within the City of Duluth be included
in the forthcoming "Northeast Regional ATV Master Plan".
City of Duluth staff members have preliminarily assessed user-identified routes through the lens of a
prior, 2014-2018 ATV trail feasibility study, resulting in the selection and mapping of candidate west
Duluth ATV routes. An annotated summary of the challenges, needs, and opportunities associated
with each of the selected candidate ATV routes has also been drafted. (See Appendix D, "Potential
ATV Routes for Further City Study" and Appendix E, "Memo Exhibit II: Notes on Candidate Western
Duluth ATV Routes").
The Northeastern Regional ATV JPB has developed the "Northeast Regional ATV Master Plan."
Within that plan, the authors have solicited input from a new Duluth-based non-profit ATV group, the
Head of the Lakes ATV Riders. In February 2024, the group developed a prioritized list of desired
routes in far west Duluth. The City took these proposed routes and pared them down to what is
shown in Appendices D and E.
Both the City's and the Head of the Lakes ATV Riders' assessments have studied many of the same
potential routes and have ruled out some routes based on factors including, but not limited to, ideal
conditions, feasibility, user conflict, environmental protection, law enforcement, safety, and cost.
IV-3. Site Map.
See Appendices D and E, attached, for candidate routes for review.
IV-4. Scope of Work.
This project is a comprehensive planning initiative titled, "City of Duluth ATV Route Study", led by the
City of Duluth in partnership with a qualified consulting firm. The purpose of the project is to identify,
evaluate, and recommend potential ATV routes within the Duluth city limits, specifically focused on
enhancing connectivity between far west Duluth and the broader regional ATV trail system.
Deliverables will include a final report with recommendations on routes and preliminary engineering
on those preferred routes.
This City initiative will be fully aligned with the "Northeast Regional ATV Master Plan", a collaborative
regional effort spearheaded by St. Louis, Lake, and Koochiching Counties, and the Northeastern
Regional ATV JPB.
The long-term vision of this project is to create a well-connected, high-quality, purpose-built ATV trail
system within the Duluth city limits that:

A. Provides legal and safe ATV access to local and regional riders
B. Enhances connectivity to the Northeast Regional ATV Trail System
C. Minimizes environmental and community impact
D. Supports tourism, recreation, and local economic development
E. Becomes a model for integrating motorized trail access into an urban setting
responsibly
No construction or maintenance will be performed as part of this initial project phase. This is a trail
planning study that will inform future ATV trail management decisions, and it will include the following
components:
A. Inventory and evaluation of existing trails leading to, and potential ATV routes within,
the Duluth City limits
B. Identification of route alternatives, including analysis of corridors previously studied by
the City and local ATV user groups
C. Assessment of natural resource impacts, environmental compliance, and
recommendations for mitigation strategies at the intersect of sensitive areas such as
wetlands, trout streams, and erodible soils
D. Development of safe, sustainable, and community-supported ATV route
recommendations based on stakeholder input, feasibility, environmental considerations,
and safety analysis
E. Future trail development and maintenance needs, including long-term capital
requirements and operational responsibilities
F. Evaluation of potential trailhead locations and practicality of judicious public street use
to improve ATV access and rider safety
G. Conflict mitigation strategies to address potential issues with other recreational users,
neighborhood residents, and law enforcement
H. Route signage and wayfinding recommendations and development of GIS-based maps
to support planning and visualization
The above criteria will be applied to identify trail corridors that connect existing trails with new
segments where needed, ensuring legal, safe, and continuous ATV access from within far west
Duluth to the adjacent regional ATV network. It will also recommend necessary improvements to
make trails suitable for ATV use including identifying appropriate surface types based on location,
terrain, environmental sensitivity, and anticipated usage.
The City of Duluth has full jurisdiction over lands, streets, and public rights-of-way within the city
limits. Preliminary route assessments have already been conducted at the proposed study area in far
west Duluth by both the City and local ATV advocacy groups. If required, the City can provide proof of
needed permissions to conduct this planning study and pursue further stages of development.
Candidate routes are identified in IV-3.

This "City of Duluth ATV Route Study" will be a comprehensive guide for identifying and improving
existing ATV routes and for designating new ATV routes in far west Duluth with the goal of increasing
trail connectivity to the regional ATV trail system. The following details must be addressed in the
study:
A. Study existing roads and trails that could be improved for ATV use in a manner that would
reduce deferred maintenance, routine maintenance, and long-term capital maintenance.
B. Route development must be safe and ecologically sustainable. Identify protection measures
that minimize damage to trails and natural resources, especially at or near sensitive areas
such as wetlands, highly erodible soils, designated trout streams, and high value ecosystems.
Construction methods will include earth moving, installation of stormwater controls, and
erosion control BMPs.
C. Examine whether public street use of an ATV for the purpose of accessing an ATV route
should be allowable.
D. Utilization of GIS data and mapping to facilitate ATV route study.
E. Propose trail corridors that enhance connectivity between existing trails, including opportunities
for more loops, connections to key destinations, and the promotion of longer riding
opportunities.
F. Outline potential environmental review requirements under MEPA and NEPA, and cultural
resource review requirements under the Natural Historic Preservation Act (NHPA Section 106).
G. Align with the DNR's "Minnesota All-Terrain Vehicle Strategic Master Plan" (Shown in Project
Detail IV-5. Previous Studies and Other Resources, "Minnesota All-Terrain Vehicle Strategic
Master Plan", below) emphasizing trail connectivity, communication, and information sharing
between clubs, LGUs, and the DNR.
H. Align with the "Northeast Regional ATV Master Plan" developed in partnership with the
Northeastern Regional ATV JPB, with St. Louis, Lake, and Koochiching counties.
I. This planning process shall result in a planning document that outlines potential preferred trail
routes, along with feasibility of route modifications in order to achieve the plan goals and may
need to include but not be limited to: property surveys, wetland delineation, identification of
endangered species, historical, and culturally significant areas, soils analysis, examination of
existing infrastructure such as roads and bridges, preliminary engineering of routes and
identification of any ATV route property or right-of-way acquisition needs.
This "City of Duluth ATV Route Study" must communicate to the public the City of Duluth's
commitment to improving and designating ATV routes, and user access to these routes, as well as
developing partnerships with ATV user groups and federal, state, and local government units. Future
commitment to partner focused maintenance and preservation should also be communicated through
this study.

The final report must be provided to the City in editable format and in PDF formatted for ADA
compliance.
IV-5. Other Resources
MN Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota All-Terrain Vehicle Strategic Master Plan
(https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/input/mgmtplans/ohv/plans/strategic/atv-strategic-master-plan.pdf)
NE Regional ATV Master Plan, Northeast Regional Joint Powers Board
(https://www.sehinc.com/hubfs/Website/Online/northeastern-regional-atv-joint-powers-
board/Northeast-Regional-ATV-Master-Plan-Final-2025-08-15.pdf)
IV-6. APPENDICES
Appendix A - Proposal Cover Sheet
Appendix B - Additional Terms and Conditions and Supplementary Provisions per the Grant
Agreement
Appendix C - NOHVCC Management Solutions, City of Duluth, Feasibility Study of an ATV Trail,
August 30, 2016
Appendix D - Potential ATV Routes for Further City Study
Appendix E - Memo Exhibit II: Notes on Candidate Western Duluth ATV Routes
Appendix F - Professional Services Agreement Template