RFSQ - Professional Traffic Engineering Services for the Hardy Downtown Connector (HDC) Program

Harris County is soliciting professional traffic engineering services for the Hardy Downtown Connector Program under solicitation number 26/0001, with responses due by June 1, 2026. The contract, classified under NAICS code 541330, requires technical expertise in traffic modeling, data collection, signal timing analysis, and transportation planning using approved software such as VISSIM and Synchro, with deliverables including calibrated models, GIS visualizations, progress reports, and QA/QC documentation compliant with HCTRA and HDC GEC standards. The scope of work spans Harris County and surrounding jurisdictions including Fort Bend, Montgomery, Brazoria, and Galveston, with performance requiring a Significant Local Presence in those areas. Evaluation is point-based across two core components—Technical Proposal (30 points) and Key Personnel Qualifications (30 points)—with an additional 40 points unspecified, indicating a best-value award mechanism where technical merit is prioritized over price, which is only assessed for reasonableness post-selection. Award will be made to the most qualified offeror, and pricing shall be negotiated after technical evaluation. Special requirements include strict eligibility restrictions, such as a prohibition against firms that served as General Engineering Consultants on the HDC project since August 7, 2025, and a mandatory certification of no organizational conflict of interest with the GEC or HCTRA personnel during the evaluation period. Proposal submissions must be structured into four clearly labeled electronic sections uploaded exclusively through Bonfire, with tight page limits on each component: two pages for the transmittal letter, five pages for the statement of qualifications, and one page per key personnel resume. Key personnel must be licensed Texas Professional Engineers with TxDOT precertification or equivalent experience, and resumes must confirm availability starting October 1, 2026. M/WBE participation is required, with affirmative action triggers mandating documentation of outreach efforts if goals are not met, and certifications must originate from approved agencies such as TUCP, SBA, or WBENC. The contract includes no option periods or renewal clauses but allows a backup proposal to be enforced if the selected firm fails to perform within 45 days of award. All submissions must include a completed Texas Ethics Commission Form 1295, and no marketing materials or unauthorized communications with county or GEC staff are permitted. Payment must follow HCTRA’s professional services invoice template tied to project task codes, with monthly progress reports required, although no specific