Lena Gulch Channel Improvement Project - Independent Cost Estimator Request for Proposals

The City of Golden, Colorado, through an agreement with the Mile High Flood District (MHFD), is advancing the Lena Gulch Channel Improvement Project aimed at addressing undersized and aging flood control infrastructure along Lena Gulch, particularly to mitigate flooding impacts on US Highway 40 (Colfax) and to remove adjacent communities downstream from the floodplain. The project, initiated in 2020, has been divided into four reaches due to funding constraints. Reach 2 has been completed with full funding, Reach 3 design is in progress under FEMA funding but lacks construction funding, and Reaches 1 and 4 are the current focus, supported by a Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) PROTECT Grant totaling approximately $1.27 million. The current solicitation seeks Independent Cost Estimator services specifically for Reaches 1 and 4, which encompass approximately 2,600 linear feet of channel with multiple culverts under two quarry accesses (Reach 1) and an area upstream of Zeta Street to near Violet Street (Reach 4). Both reaches involve culverts that are currently undersized for a 100-year flood event, requiring engineering interventions including culvert replacement or upsizing and channel stabilization. The Request for Proposal (RFP 2025-RFP-145) issued by the City of Golden Public Works department establishes a firm deadline of January 13, 2026, for submission and includes mandatory compliance with federal funding requirements, including adherence to the FHWA-1273 Required Contract Provisions for federal-aid construction projects and nondiscrimination statutes. The contract is funded under the FHWA PROTECT competitive grant program with a total project budget estimated at $30 million, covering design, construction, and associated risk pools. The services include cost estimating during design and preconstruction phases with a focus on ensuring compliance with federal cost principles, coordination with Muller Engineering and MHFD, and meeting milestone deadlines critical to securing construction funding. Detailed conceptual design alternatives have been developed, analyzing multiple options for culvert and channel improvements to control floodplain impacts. The project operates under a professional services agreement template with provisions for scope changes, termination rights, and invoicing. Evaluation criteria emphasize the qualifications of the firm and project team, with a structured procurement process utilizing electronic submissions via an online portal. The project also mandates compliance with labor standards, Davis-Bacon wage requirements, Buy America provisions, and federal civil rights laws to ensure equitable and accountable implementation.