Request for Qualifications (RFQ): D&L Trail Consulting Services
This RFQ Has Been Awarded
Thank you for your interest in the D&L Trail Consulting Services RFQ. The submission period has closed, and the contract has been awarded. We appreciate the time, effort, and consideration from all who reviewed or submitted for this opportunity.
Please continue to check our website for future RFQs, RFPs, and partnership opportunities with the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor.
Does the proposed team need to have all possible specialty sub-services (survey, underwater inspection, etc.) covered or can sub-consultants be brought onto the team as needed throughout the life of the contract?
Answer: No, consultants are not required to meet all of the specialty sub-services, you may bring on a sub-consultant either during the RFQ process or in the future. Please note in your proposal if you intent to bring on a sub-consultant in the future for specific services and if possible include their qualifications.
In section 20.0 Form of Proposal, subsection 20.2.1 it states, “As a minimum, documentation to support the requirements outlined in Sections 3.0 – Scope of Work through 9.0 – Qualifications and Experience above shall be included.” In reviewing section 9.0 Compensation, the section header is not listed as Qualifications and Experience. Are we to include the Compensation with the Technical Proposal? Or is Compensation to be separate from the Technical Proposal?
Answer: Please include your compensation as outlined in Section 9 within the Technical Proposal.
For 20.2.2: Please clarify what is required for the “hourly rate for services” as multiple staff could be engaged on each task. Does DLNHC require an average or estimated rate? Or could the consultant state an average cost for each specific task?
Answer: Please identify all staff you anticipate will work on each service you provide and the estimated rates for those staff members. If you have multiple staff members engaging on a task, please include all staff members and their rates as well as a line that notes the average cost for the service that includes the time of all staff listed above.
Per Para. 10.3 (Professional Liability Insurance) – note the $3m aggregate limit is high and I have not been required to insure to this level in 30 years of my practice which does not involve sealed engineering plans, survey, soil or structural certifications etc. I recommend for this class of practitioners DLNHC consider lowering the aggregate to $2m as this is fair from an industry and risk management perspective. Even my railroad clients require $2m.
Answer: See the Addendum 01 and Updated RFQ documents uploaded to the RFQ page for an updated Section 10.3 Professional Liability Insurance – 10.3.1 Limit of Liability. Amounts have been amended to $1,000,000 by claim and $2,000,000 in the aggregate.
Per Para. 10.4 (General Liability Insurance) – note the $3m aggregate limit is likewise excessive. Most real estate and business operators I have dealt with ask for $2m, which is where my existing policy sits. The added limit is not a huge deal to bump up, however.
Answer: See the Addendum 01 and Updated RFQ documents uploaded to the RFQ page for an updated Section 10.4 General Liability Insurance – 10.4.1 Limit of Liability. Amounts have been amended to $1,000,000 by claim and $2,000,000 in the aggregate.
How many firms does DLNHC intend to shortlist and is the intent to make multiple, non exclusive awards from this RFQ?
Answer: It is DLNHC’s intent to secure a short list of consultants that together meet all of the needs identified in Section 3. Scope of Work. The number of shortlisted firms will depend upon the submitted qualifications.
It is DLNHC’s intent to make multiple non exclusive awards from this RFQ, further outlined in Section 14.0 Contract, on a project by project basis.
What evaluation criteria does the DLNHC plan to use to rank firms for the shortlist?
Answer: See the Addendum 01 and Updated RFQ documents uploaded to the RFQ page for the addition of Section 25.0 Evaluation & Award Criteria – outlined below:
25.0 DLNHC reserves the right to reject any or all proposals. Based on responses and qualifications, several consultants may be invited to be interviewed.
25.1 DLNHC has set a cumulative set of evaluation factors that allow us to identify the firms that meet our full set of needs. Proposals will be evaluated on the following criteria:
Firm’s overall experience with projects that reflect the work outlined under Section 3. Scope of Work,
Experience with partner organizations including PennDOT, PHMC and railroads,
Firms strength in relevant consulting categories outlined in Section 3. Scope of Work (planning, acquisition, engineering, project management, construction oversight, etc.),
Understanding of DLNHC’s role in the Heritage Area/along the D&L Trail and our goals,
Rates, and
Overall proposal quality.
Can you share any details related to the anticipated annual volume (number of tasks) and a rough mix across planning studies, design, permitting, construction oversight, and grant support so we can align staffing?
Answer: Annual tasks will be based upon a number of fluctuating circumstances including grant funding, partner/landowner coordination, and staff capacity. While some projects are in a pipeline and anticipated, others are unpredictable and occur based on D&L Trail landowner needs like repairs after a major storm event. Because of this we are unable to predict the annual anticipated volume of tasks. In 2026 we anticipate one planning study that will include preliminary engineering and one design/permitting project. This is subject to change based on our landowner needs.
After the shortlist is set, how will tasks be solicited and assigned (mini RFP among pool, rotation, best fit, or price quote)?
Answer: Once the shortlist of firms is secured through this RFQ process a request for proposals will be solicited to the shortlist for each individual project.
Can you provide more context or an example of what would be expected for “emergency availability”?
Answer: DLNHC provides support to our 30+ local landowners that include state agencies, local governments and nonprofits. An example of “emergency availability” would be if designs/permitting were required for trail repairs after a major storm event. In some cases, repairs need to be made immediately.
Can DLNHC provide any information pertaining to it’s capital plan and or proposed projects?
Answer: Annual tasks will be based upon a number of fluctuating circumstances including grant funding, partner/landowner coordination, and staff capacity. While some projects are in a pipeline and anticipated, others are unpredictable and occur based on D&L Trail landowner needs like repairs after a major storm event. Because of this we are unable to predict the annual anticipated volume of tasks. In 2026 we anticipate one planning study that will include preliminary engineering and one design/permitting project. This is subject to change based on our landowner needs.
Can DLNHC upload the 2025 state of the trail video? the link does not seem to work for me.
Answer: The 2025 State of the D&L Trail Address is available on YouTube linked on our website here and a direct link or you can click here to view on Youtube. A PDF copy of the presentation is also available on our website.
When will the 2026 State of the Trail address be delivered?
Answer: The 2026 State of the D&L Trail Address will be delivered in April, 2026.
I would like to request the following changes to the insurance requirements:
10.3 – Professional Liability: $1,000,000 each / $1,000,000 aggregate
10.4 – General Liability: $1,000,000 each / $2,000,000 aggregate
10.6 – Automobile Liability: $300,000 combined single limit (each accident)
10.7 – Umbrella Insurance: None
Answer: For 10.3 Professional Liability – See the Addendum 01 and Updated RFQ documents uploaded to the RFQ page for an updated Section 10.3 Professional Liability Insurance – 10.3.1 Limit of Liability. Amounts have been amended to $1,000,000 by claim and $2,000,000 in the aggregate.
For 10.4 General Liability – See the Addendum 01 and Updated RFQ documents uploaded to the RFQ page for an updated Section 10.4 General Liability Insurance – 10.4.1 Limit of Liability. Amounts have been amended to $1,000,000 by claim and $2,000,000 in the aggregate.
For 10.6 Automobile Liability – DLNHC will not be adjusting our Automobile Liability policy.
For 10.7 Umbrella Excess Liability – this policy was previously reduced from $5,000,000 per occurrence, which was listed in our 2021 RFP, to the $2,000,000 listed in the 2026 RFQ. DLNHC will not be making further changes the Umbrella Excess Liability policy.
Per item 10.3.1 Professional Liability Insurance Limit of Liability of $1M/$3M. $3M aggregate is high. Will you accept a lower level?
Answer: See the Addendum 01 and Updated RFQ documents uploaded to the RFQ page for an updated Section 10.3 Professional Liability Insurance – 10.3.1 Limit of Liability. Amounts have been amended to $1,000,000 by claim and $2,000,000 in the aggregate.
Per item 10.4.1 General Liability Insurance Limit of Liability of $1M/$3M. $3M aggregate is high. Will you accept a lower level?
Answer: See the Addendum 01 and Updated RFQ documents uploaded to the RFQ page for an updated Section 10.4 General Liability Insurance – 10.4.1 Limit of Liability. Amounts have been amended to $1,000,000 by claim and $2,000,000 in the aggregate.
The proposal submission period has now closed. Thank you for your interest and participation.
