RFP - Professional Engineering Consulting Services for Buffalo Waterfront Connectivity

Request for Proposals
Professional Services for Group 1139
Buffalo Waterfront Connectivity
Sean M. Ryan
Mayor
Nolan R. Skipper, P.E.
Commissioner
Alexander M. Bullers, P.E.
City Engineer
RFP Revision Date: June 1, 2026 Page 1 of 18

The City of Buffalo, Department of Public Works, will be accepting proposals for Professional
Services for Group 1139. A more detailed description of the services to be provided can be
reviewed in Attachment A.
Anticipated Schedule
RFP Posted June 3rd, 2026
Proposals Due July 1st, 2026
Selection July 2026
Contract Negotiated and Notice to Proceed Summer 2026
Project Commence Summer 2026
Grant Contract End Date August 31, 2029
Instructions for Submitting Proposals
Proposal packages for this project are due by Wednesday, July 1st, 2026 at 11:00 AM EST.
Proposals must be submitted by email only, to the City's Designee, identified below (maximum
10MB file size). Proposals shall include the following:
1.) Offeror shall provide a cover letter signed by an authorized representative of the
company, that shall constitute a representation by the Offeror that it is willing and able
to perform the services described in this Request for Proposal (RFP) and their
responsive proposal. The cover letter must explain the Offeror's understanding of the
City's intent and objectives. It must discuss the Offeror's project management
approach to deliver the scope of services as well as any additional relevant factors for
the City's consideration. The cover letter must also acknowledge that the Offeror's
responsive proposal accepts the general terms and the City's reservation of rights
included in Attachment C of this RFP as well as an acknowledgement of acceptance
of the insurance and indemnification provision included in Attachment D and
Attachment F of this RFP. The Offeror must submit a schedule outlining the scope of
services described within this RFP. The project must be completed by the DOS
contract end date of August 31, 2029.
2.) A brief description of firm, including office locations, professional services provided,
and relevant experience with respect to the City's intent. Firms with multiple offices
must identify the principal office which the proposed staff for this assignment operate
from. Offeror is to provide summary descriptions of similar projects, limit four (4), that
demonstrate the experience of their firm and specific staff proposed.
3.) Offeror is to provide an organizational chart and resumes of all team personnel who
will be assigned or dedicated to the services described in this Request for Proposals.
Offeror shall supply the names of all firms/persons that will work as Sub-
consultants/contractors (if any) on this project. Duties and responsibilities of each
firm/person should be clearly stated. Offeror should identify all persons, by name and
RFP Revision Date: June 1, 2026 Page 2 of 18

title, who will oversee and complete work on these projects, including availability. The
City reserves the right to negotiate additional staffing, and their rates based on
available funding.
4.) Lump sum and/or not to exceed hourly costs are to be provided as further detailed in
Attachment A, and fee schedule in Attachment E.
5.) Offeror shall submit its plan to comply with MBE / WBE goals defined in Mayor
Brown's Executive Order #16-04, included as Attachment B, and all goals as required
per the grant agreement, Attachment F. The grant agreement requires an MBE/WBE
goal of 30% and SDVOB goal of 6%.
City's Designee for Communication
For the purposes of this solicitation, the City's Designee shall be Jacob Anastasia with the
Division of Engineering, (716-851-4288, janastasia@buffalony.gov). Questions regarding the
Request for Proposals shall be directed to the City's designee only. Any impermissible contact
with any other City officer or employee of the City regarding the Request for Proposals during
this procurement period shall result in the rejection of any such Offeror's proposal. Offerors
shall communicate in writing only via email to the email address listed in the Request for
Proposals. No other communications with the City's designee regarding the Request for
Proposals are permitted during the procurement period.
All questions, requests for clarification, or additional information must be sent by email to
janastasia@buffalony.gov and must be received no later than Tuesday, June 23rd, 2026 at
4:00 PM EST.
Questions received from all Offerors will be answered in writing by the City's Designee. No
other officers, employees, or representatives of the City are to be contacted regarding this
Request for Proposals. The City accepts no responsibility for, and the Offeror agrees not to
rely upon, any non-written statements or representations by the City's Designee nor verbal or
written statements or representations from any other person, whether or not employed by the
City.
Addenda and Modifications
The City reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to amend this Request for Proposals at any
time prior to the deadline for submission of the proposals. In the event that it becomes
necessary to revise or expand upon any part of this Request for Proposals, all addendums,
amendments, and interpretations will be made in writing and sent via email to all firms invited
to respond to the Request for Proposals. It is the sole responsibility of the Offeror to ensure
that the City has accurate contact information and to monitor the City's website for any such
addendums, amendments, interpretations and/or modifications.
All addendums, amendments, interpretations, and/or modifications shall be deemed to have
been incorporated as part of this Request for Proposals as though they were originally set forth
in this Request for Proposals. No addenda will be issued later than twenty-four (24) hours
RFP Revision Date: June 1, 2026 Page 3 of 18

prior to the date and time for the receipt of offers, except an addendum withdrawing the
Request for Proposals, or addenda for postponement of the due date and/or time. The City
does not assume any responsibility for the receipt of information sent to any Offeror except for
the information received via written addendum.
Selection Process and Criteria
The City's objective in soliciting proposals is to enable it to select a respondent that will provide
high quality and cost-effective services to the citizens of Buffalo. The City will consider
proposals only from respondents that, in the City's sole judgment, have demonstrated the
capability and willingness to provide high quality services to the citizens of the City in the
manner described in this RFP.
Each proposal must satisfy the objectives and requirements detailed in this RFP except as
otherwise stated. Successful respondents shall be determined by an evaluation of the total
content of the proposal submitted. The City reserves the right to not select any of the
proposals. The City shall not be obligated to explain the results of the evaluation process to
any respondent.
A selection team of members of DPW Staff will be established to evaluate all proposal
packages based on the following criteria:
Cover Letter, Project Management Approach, and Schedule (3-page max) 15%
Description of Firm / Related Project Experience or References (3-page max) 25%
Proposed Team and Organization Structure (2-page max) / Resumes of Key 20%
Personnel (no page limit)
Fee Schedule 20%
Minority Employment & Business Opportunities 1 15%
Female Employment & Business Opportunities 1 5%
1 New York State has established a 30% Minority- and Woman-owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE) utilization goal for
this project, which includes sub-goals of 15% MBE and 15% WBE utilization. M/WBE subcontractors and vendors
must be certified by New York State. If respondent is not itself a certified M/WBE company, explain how you will assist
the City in achieving its 30% M/WBE goal.
RFP Revision Date: June 1, 2026 Page 4 of 18

List of Attachments
Attachment A Proposed Scope of Services
Attachment B Mayor Brown's Executive Order #16-04
Attachment C City of Buffalo Reservation of Rights
Attachment D Insurance and Indemnification Provision
Attachment E Fee Schedule
Attachment F Grant Agreement
RFP Revision Date: June 1, 2026 Page 5 of 18

Attachment A - Proposed Scope of Services
Scope of Work
The New York State Department of State (DOS / Grantor) awarded the City of Buffalo a grant
through the State's Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) to design and undertake
intersection improvements along Tonawanda Street near Riverside Park. The total value of this
contract is estimated to be $123,288. The project is anticipated to include preliminary design of
four intersections along Tonawanda Street near Riverside Park to improve safety, accessibility,
connectivity, speed reduction, wayfinding, green infrastructure, transit and bicycle facilities,
and pedestrian traffic signals. The project location includes the Tonawanda Street intersections
with Crowley Avenue, Esser Avenue, Roesch Avenue, and Vulcan Street. These intersections
are the only means for neighborhood residents and visitors to access Riverside Park and its
connection to the Shoreline Trail which serves as a gateway to regional waterfront trails.
The following tasks and deliverables will be included in the scope of services:
Task 1 (DOS Task 5): General
The Consultant shall become familiar with the project before starting any work. This includes a
thorough review of all supplied project information and a site visit to understand current field
conditions. The Consultant is to become familiar with the City's Local Waterfront Revitalization
Program and RiverRock Connections Plan. The Consultant shall assume one kick-off meeting
to coordinate with the City and review existing plans, data, and historical information. The
Task 2 (DOS Task 6): Data Collection, Analysis, and Existing Conditions Report
The Consultant shall complete all necessary surveys to determine existing conditions. The
consultant shall review all accident data provided by the City and perform the necessary
accident safety screening, identify accident patterns or clusters, and summarize all findings.
The Consultant shall review all traffic count data provided by the City and provide manual
volume and turning movement count data and diagrams where necessary. At a minimum, the
existing conditions report should include identification, analysis, and mapping of the following:
- Site survey with the extent of the project boundary
- Ownership/grant/lease status of all properties within the project boundary
- Structures, buildings, or facilities within and adjacent to the project boundary
- Above and below ground infrastructure, including sewer, water, and other utilities
- Transportation systems that serve or are located near the project boundary
- Adjacent land and water uses
- Historic and archeological resources
- Soil and/or core sampling
- Topography and hydrology
- Natural resources, including locations of mature trees
- View corridors
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- Zoning and other applicable designations
- Site constrains, needs, and opportunities
Task 3 (DOS Task 7): Schematic Design and Alternative Analysis
The Consultant shall identify applicable design standards to be used for the project. The
Consultant shall develop schematic designs and/or alternatives including all required maps,
tables, data, written discussions, and other information as identified in the contract work plan.
The Consultant shall submit an alternatives analysis and schematic designs to the City for
review. The Consultant shall select a preferred schematic design based on the City's review,
stakeholder input, and public input.
Task 4 (DOS Task 8): Public Meetings
The Consultant shall prepare for and host one stakeholders meeting and two public outreach
meetings to present the alternative analysis and schematic designs for the project.
Task 5 (DOS Task 9): Preliminary Design
The Consultant shall develop preliminary designs for each intersection based on the preferred
schematic design selection including all required maps, tables, data, written discussions, and
other information as identified in the contract work plan. Preliminary design includes cost
estimates for each intersection. The preliminary design(s) shall be provided to the City for
three (3) rounds of review.
Preliminary design shall include, at a minimum, the following:
- Draft and Final Preliminary design drawings and supporting materials
- Draft and Final Preliminary Design Report including:
o Maps
o Tables
o Data
o Written discussions
o Description of necessary permits and approvals
o Other information identified during the preliminary design process
- Pre-permitting meeting with the City and NYSDOS
Task 6 (DOS Task 10): Final Project Summary Report and Measurable Results
The Consultant shall draft a Final Project Summary Report and Measurable Results for the
City to review and submit the final product to NYSDOS electronically at:
https://forms.office.com/g/eZERFeEeKM
RFP Revision Date: June 1, 2026 Page 7 of 18

Task 7 (DOS Task 11): MWBE Reporting
- The Consultant shall comply with NYSDOS MWBE Reporting requirements including:
Submit Form D - MWBE Utilization Plan to indicate any state-certified MWBE firms
selected to work on this contract. Form D must be updated and submitted to NYSDOS
whenever changes to the selected MWBE firms occur (addition or removal).
- Record payments to MWBE subcontractors using NYSDOS funds through the New
York State Contract System (NYSCS) at: https://ny.newnycontracts.com
Task 8 (DOS Task 12): Project Status Reports
The Consultant shall assist the City in submission of semi-annual (every June 30 and
December 31) status reports to the NYSDOS. The reports will include a description of the work
completed, the status of all tasks in the work plan, schedule of completion of remaining tasks,
and explanation of any problems encountered.
RFP Revision Date: June 1, 2026 Page 8 of 18

Attachment B - Mayor Brown's Executive Order #16-04
Minority Business Employment / Women Business Employment
The City encourages the selection of individuals, firms and businesses that are active in the
recruitment, training and retention of women, blacks, Hispanics and all other minority groups.
The inclusion of specific selection criteria for those individuals, firms and businesses desiring
to provide professional services to the City, that also considers the firm's recruitment, training
and retention of Women, Blacks, Hispanics and all other minority groups, supports and
encourages these practices.
Pursuant to Executive Order 16-04, issued in accordance with the laws of the State of New
York and Article 2, Sections 2-3 and Article 4, Section 4-1 of the Charter of the City of Buffalo,
all City departments are required to incorporate into their Requests for Proposals (RFPs) or
Requests for Qualifications (RFQs) for professional services, including but not limited to, legal,
architectural, accounting and engineering services, the following:
1.) A minimum of fifteen percent (15%) of the total score of the professional services
response to a RFP or RFQ issued by the City of Buffalo is to be based on the
Offeror's minority workforce development, community involvement and Offeror
policies;
2.) A minimum of five percent (5%) of the total score of the professional services
response to a RFP or RFQ issued by the City of Buffalo is to be based on the
Offeror's women workforce development, community involvement and Offeror
policies.
The factors to be considered include, but are not limited to, the following:
1.) Workforce: Offerors should describe any programs or actions they undertake to
attract, recruit, train, retain and promote minority and female employees, partners
and associates and current representation of minorities and women.
2.) Community Involvement: Offerors should describe any programs or initiatives they
sponsor or support that further the development of minority or women-owned
business enterprises in the City of Buffalo.
3.) Offeror Policies: Offerors should describe any procurement policies or practices they
have adopted that provide M/WBE suppliers or services business opportunities.
Bidders should describe in their bid submissions any programs, actions, initiatives, policies or
practices relevant to their Workforce Development, Community Involvement, Vendor Policies
that further the retention of minority or woman owned businesses in the City of Buffalo. Such
programs can include, direct hire programs, minority and women business utilization plans,
and youth hiring programs.
RFP Revision Date: June 1, 2026 Page 9 of 18

Attachment C - City of Buffalo Reservation of Rights
Submission of Proposal
Offerors assume all risks for the timely and proper delivery of submitted proposals.
The received time of proposals will be determined by the clock at the above noted location. No
consideration will be given to proposals received after the stated date and time.
Offerors mailing their proposal must allow sufficient mail delivery time to ensure receipt of their
proposal at the specified location no later than the specified date and time. Delays in United
States mail deliveries or any other means of transmittal, including couriers or agents of the
Offeror, shall not excuse late proposal submissions. Similar types of delays, including but not
limited to, bad weather or security procedures for parking and building admittance shall not
excuse late proposal submissions. Offerors are cautioned that the City cannot be responsible
for the actions of their chosen carrier or method of delivery.
Proposals are solicited in accordance with the terms, conditions and instructions as set forth in
this Request for Proposals. Submission of proposals via telephone, facsimile, e-mail or any
other method not specifically provided herein is prohibited. Proposals must be completed in
accordance with the requirements of the Request for Proposals. No amendments or changes
to proposals will be accepted after the closing date and time. No proposals shall be accepted
after the stated deadline. The City reserves the right to reject any or all proposals.
The City shall not be responsible for any expenses or charges incurred by any Offeror in
preparing or submitting a proposal, or in their providing any additional information considered
necessary by the City in the evaluation of their proposal.
Any material misrepresentation made by an Offeror may void their proposal and eliminate the
Offeror's proposal from further consideration. Any proposal that is based upon violation of
federal, state or local law, or deemed by the City, in its sole discretion, to be non-responsive
will be eliminated from consideration.
Request for Proposals Review
Each Offeror is responsible for carefully examining this Request for Proposals and thoroughly
familiarizing themselves with each of the City's requirements prior to their submission of a
proposal to ensure that their responses are in compliance with this solicitation.
Each Offeror is responsible for conducting its own investigations and any examinations
necessary to ascertain conditions and requirements affecting the requirements of this Request
for Proposals. Failure to perform such investigations and examinations shall not relieve the
Offeror from its obligation to comply, in every detail, with all of the provisions and requirements
contained in this Request for Proposals.
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