Subject
title
Award and Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Contract with T.Y. Lin International for Planning and Engineering Services for the Twinbrook Pedestrian and Bicycle Bridge Study Project, Responsive to RFP #05-26, in an Amount Not to Exceed $381,296.00
end
Department
PW - Traffic & Transportation
Recommendation
Staff recommends the Mayor and Council authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with T.Y. Lin International for planning and engineering services for the Twinbrook Pedestrian and Bicycle Bridge Study project, responsive to RFP # 05-26, for an amount not to exceed $381,296.00.
Discussion
The City of Rockville was awarded a Neighborhood Access and Equity grant for $284,000.00 to conduct a feasibility study for the Twinbrook pedestrian and bicycle bridge. This project will evaluate the feasibility of construction and will prepare benefit-cost analyses for four railroad crossings near the Twinbrook Metrorail Station.
A pedestrian and bicycle bridge near the Twinbrook Metrorail Station was included in the city’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan, as well as the Pedestrian Master Plan. In 2022, DPW staff initiated a study of two potential crossings. At that time, staff determined that federal funding would be required for construction of any crossing and a much more detailed study as well as a benefit-cost analysis would be required to apply for federal funding. In 2024, DPW staff applied for, and the city was awarded, a Neighborhood Access and Equity grant, to conduct the study and benefit cost analysis. This grant award was originally for $568,000 and included a second phase to prepare preliminary designs of a preferred railroad crossing. However, this phase was rescinded by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in 2025.
The study and benefit-cost analysis included in this project are necessary first steps to advance this project to design and construction phases. This project also includes additional community outreach to solicit comments from residents that traditionally do not participate in public meetings. The expected project deliverables include feasibility study findings evaluating the constructability of each crossing, cost estimates for construction, a benefit-cost ratio for each crossing, and identification of a preferred crossing option. This project is expected to begin in summer 2026 and be complete by June 2027.
Mayor and Council History
The Mayor and Council ratified and approved the City Manager’s execution of an agreement with FHWA for the Neighborhood Access and Equity grant on January 13, 2025. The agreement was fully executed on December 30, 2024.
Public Notification and Engagement
The Twinbrook Community Association provided a letter of support for the grant application and will be included in the public outreach efforts of the project.
Boards and Commissions Review
The Rockville Transportation and Mobility Commission, Rockville Bicycle Advisory Committee, and Rockville Pedestrian Advocacy Committee provided letters of support for this project’s grant application and will be included in the public outreach efforts of the project.
Procurement
DPW and Procurement staff prepared and publicly advertised RFP #05-26, Twinbrook Pedestrian and Bicycle Bridge Study Project, in accordance with the City of Rockville Procurement requirements and consistent with Federal requirements provided in Code of Federal Regulations, Title 2, Federal Financial Assistance, Subtitle A, Office of Management and Budget Guidance for Federal Financial Assistance, Chapter II, Office of Management and Budget Guidance, Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards.
The study was solicited as a Request for Proposal and advertised as RFP # 05-26 on December 8, 2025. The solicitation was advertised on the city’s procurement website and on the State of Maryland’s eMaryland Markeplace. The RFP and addenda may be found at this link: RFP #05-26 and Addenda <https://rockvillemd.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=AO&ID=177046&GUID=c8f673f1-931c-4bd4-aae5-1739bfad6912&N=UkZQICMwNS0yNiBUd2luYnJvb2sgQnJpZGdlIFN0dWR5IHdpdGggQWRkZW5kYQ%3d%3d>
Notice was provided to 13 suggested sources as well as 308 vendors in the State of Maryland’s electronic procurement system including 76 MBE, 2 VSBE, 78 DBE, and 89 SBE registered vendors. Four proposals were received from:
1. Precision Systems, Inc.
2. T.Y. Lin International
3. Wallace, Montgomery & Associates, Inc.
4. WSP USA, Inc.
The evaluation committee consisted of staff from DPW assisted by the Procurement Department. DPW staff ranked the proposals based on five criteria:
|
Evaluation Criteria |
|
Tab Assignment |
Category |
Maximum Points |
|
A |
Firm Information |
N/A |
|
B |
Firm’s Qualifications and Experience |
20 |
|
C |
Similar Projects/References |
15 |
|
D |
Project Approach |
25 |
|
E |
Project Schedule |
20 |
|
F |
Technical Questions |
20 |
|
G |
Additional Information |
N/A |
|
MAXIMUM TOTAL POINTS |
100 |
The proposals were ranked as follows:
|
Proposer |
MFV-D Status |
Rank |
|
T.Y. Lin International |
Non-MFD-V |
First |
|
WSP USA, Inc. |
Non-MFD-V |
Second |
|
Precision Systems, Inc. |
MFD-V |
Third |
|
Wallace, Montgomery & Associates, Inc. |
Non MFD-V |
Fourth |
The evaluation committee determined T.Y. Lin to have best met the criteria and requested a cost proposal. This proposer demonstrated experience with similar projects, a reasonable project schedule, and a project approach consistent with the needs of the city. The T.Y. Lin response may be found at this link: T.Y. Lin Response <https://rockvillemd.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=AO&ID=177047&GUID=4ffa55c1-01b2-4de5-a818-0bb0e621b850&N=UkZQICMwNS0yNiBUd2luYnJvb2sgQnJpZGdlIFN0dWR5IC0gVFkgTGluIFJlc3BvbnNl>
The initial price proposal exceeded the city’s internal estimate based on expected staff hours. DPW and Procurement staff entered into negotiation with T.Y. Lin International, which resulted in a reduced price of $381,296.00. DPW staff has determined that this is a fair and reasonable price, has available funding, and accepted this best and final offer. The Best and Final Offer may be found at this link: Best and Final Offer <https://rockvillemd.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=AO&ID=177048&GUID=65ea0c5f-e028-4885-a6df-027e8e3d5a28&N=QmVzdCBhbmQgRmluYWwgT2ZmZXI%3d>
In accordance with Rockville City Code, Section 17-39(a), Awarding Authority, all contracts involving more than two hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($250,000.00) shall be awarded by the Mayor and Council. The final draft of the contract for this project is attached (Attachment 1).
Fiscal Impact
There is sufficient funding for this award within the Twinbrook Pedestrian-Bicycle Bridge (TC22) project (Attachment 2). The total project cost is $381,296. As a Neighborhood Access and Equity grant project, $284,000 will be reimbursed by FHWA. The city will provide the local match of $97,296.
Next Steps
Upon Mayor and Council award, the Procurement Department will obtain contract signatures, appropriate insurance, and issue the final contract to T.Y. Lin International.