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REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR

MINNESOTA GREAT RIVER ROAD CORRIDOR MANAGEMENT PLAN DEVELOPMENT &

PLAN IMPLEMENTATION SERVICES

MINNESOTA MISSISSIPPI RIVER PARKWAY COMMISSION/ MINNESOTA LEGISLATIVE COORDINATING COMMISSION

January 21, 2014

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REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

MINNESOTA GREAT RIVER ROAD CORRIDOR MANAGEMENT PLAN DEVELOPMENT & PLAN IMPLEMENTATION SERVICES

Solicitor: Minnesota Legislative Coordinating Commission (LCC) on

behalf of the Minnesota Mississippi River Parkway Commission (MN-MRPC)

Deadline for Receipt of Proposals

Proposals must be received by the LCC by 4:00 pm on Thursday, March 6, 2014. Late applications may not be accepted.

Proposal method: Proposals may be submitted in writing, by fax or electronically by email (electronic submission preferred).

Deliver Proposals to: Attn: MnGRR Corridor Management Plan Proposals Minnesota Legislative Coordinating Commission 72 State Office Building 100 Rev Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd Saint Paul, Minnesota 55155 Fax: (651) 297-3697 Email: diane.henry@lcc.leg.mn

Contact Person: Diane Henry-Wangensteen Minnesota Legislative Coordinating Commission 72 State Office Building Saint Paul, Minnesota 55155 (651) 296-1121 (voice) Email: diane.henry@lcc.leg.mn

Contents of this Packet: Cover Page (this page) Specifications, Page 3 Acronym Glossary, Page 22 General Terms and Conditions, Page 23

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SPECIFICATIONS

MINNESOTA GREAT RIVER ROAD CORRIDOR MANAGEMENT PLAN DEVELOPMENT & PLAN IMPLEMENTATION SERVICES RFP

INTRODUCTION The Legislative Coordinating Commission (LCC) on behalf of the Mississippi River Parkway Commission of Minnesota (MN-MRPC) is requesting proposals from a consulting firm or team to develop a Corridor Management Plan (CMP) for Minnesota’s Great River Road National Scenic Byway (GRR). The GRR is a ten-state byway envisioned in 1938 by then Secretary of Interior Harold Ickes to establish a parkway providing access to resources that celebrate the Mississippi River’s natural, cultural, scenic and recreational places, then newly available to more and more motorists. Every year since then public and private investments have continued to enrich and expand today’s national scenic byway experience while protecting the intrinsic resources. Like Minnesota’s current CMP “Great River Road Development Study” completed in 2000, the mission for this new CMP is to promote, preserve and enhance the resources of the Mississippi River Valley and to develop the highways and amenities of the GRR. COORDINATION This project will be coordinated by the MN-MRPC and the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). FUNDING Project funding is by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) National Scenic Byways Program, the National Park Service (NPS) and the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (MISS). SCHEDULE Over the course of 18 months, this project will build on the past 75 years of planning and implementation, examine today’s contexts, and describe corridor management strategies for the next 15 years that will contribute to a strong Minnesota Mississippi River byway legacy for the next 75 years.

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GREAT RIVER ROAD LEADERS AND PARTNERS In Minnesota the GRR’s endurance and success is due to a cornucopia of transportation and intrinsic resource management and marketing at the national, state and local levels. During the CMP process the project team will work with the following: Minnesota MRPC: The MN-MRPC members serve as CMP project leaders whose mission is to promote, preserve and enhance the resources of the Mississippi River Valley and to develop the highways and amenities of the GRR. Together with the other nine states, the MN-MRPC members serve as the GRR’s lead champions. While each of the ten states’ MRPC is established uniquely, in Minnesota the MN-MRPC is a non-partisan, legislatively appointed Commission organized and guided under Minnesota Statute 161.1419, which provides for 15 voting members: two from the House of Representatives; two from the Senate; one appointed by each of the following state agencies –

Transportation (MnDOT), Natural Resources (DNR), Agriculture (MDA), Explore Minnesota Tourism (EMT) and Minnesota Historical Society (MnHS);

one from each of five Minnesota Mississippi River regions and one member-at-large appointed by the other 14 Commissioners.

MN-MRPC technical advisors also actively support the mission and priorities of the Commission. They include staff from the MnHS; DNR; EMT; MnDOT; and MISS. MDA staff primarily support Minnesota Grown-related projects. The LCC serves as the fiscal agent for the MN-MRPC.

Minnesota’s current CMP “Great River Road Development Study” was completed in 2000 (http://www.dot.state.mn.us/scenicbyways/grrstudy.html) by MnDOT. The CMP has guided the work of the MN-MRPC, MnDOT and partners who have implemented the bulk of its key strategies. National MRPC: In 1938 the National MRPC was established, inspired by then-Secretary of Interior Harold Ickes. The Commission’s charge was to reclaim a river that was increasingly industrialized and unprotected, and to safeguard it for future generations by encouraging people to enjoy its bounty through thoughtful byway development. The national MRPC’s original and sustained vision, principles, planning and capital investments continue to provide a foundation for the state MRPCs who collectively serve as national Great River Road champions. Regularly convening and working as ten coordinated yet independent states, the MRPC accomplishes and encourages local work by and with federal, state, county, and community partners for the benefit of the byway, the intrinsic resources and its travelers.

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MnDOT: While MN-MRPC work is based upon collaborative effort by all members, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) has a statutory responsibility to provide technical assistance to the MN-MRPC, and to establish and sustain the Great River Road (GRR) (MS 161.142) and the Mississippi River Trail (MRT) (MS 160.266).

GRR Community: The byway is host to a vast richness of intrinsic resources in and between Minnesota’s 60+ Mississippi River communities. While individually many communities are actively developing and marketing their riverfronts, it is collectively that GRR communities can better offer endless travel itinerary options, and market and manage the river as a great place to enjoy daily life. Although the GRR was conceived, and has been primarily developed, as an auto tour along the Mississippi, initial design guides describe bicycle accommodation. Through extensive and ongoing work with GRR communities and led by MnDOT, establishment of a signed MRT in Minnesota will be complete in 2015. By coordinating the MRT with other modal infrastructure development GRR communities can provide increasingly wider byway traveler options suited to a variety of preferences and schedules. In Minnesota, the Mississippi River corridor’s transportation modal options include the GRR, MRT, MnDNR Mississippi Water Trail, the NPS National Blueway, AmTRAK, commuter and light rail, transit, major to minor airways, seasonal river excursions and possible future high speed rail. GREAT RIVER ROAD BACKGROUND Mississippi means Great River. As the name implies the Great River Road is all about the Mississippi, its stewardship and its exploration. The Mississippi River is the fourth longest in the world and is the largest river and watershed in the United States. The GRR is America’s longest and one of its oldest byways. Minnesota has the honor of hosting the Mississippi River headwaters. At 575 miles, Minnesota also hosts the longest byway segment of the ten states. Minnesota’s GRR and MRT tie together roads and trails that follow the river landscape as it grows from grassy stream to working river framed by 500 foot bluffs. Byway travelers also have many opportunities to get on the water including canoeing, kayaking, water excursion cruises, boats for fishing, hunting, picture-taking, sailing, skiing, and house-boating, or beaching and swimming. The river and its tributaries have served through time as a transportation corridor encompassing water, land and air. As man invented machine to carry himself and his commerce, Harold Ickes could foresee that the oxbows, bluffs and backwaters would beckon the harried modern traveler to the river for exploration, solace, sport and culture. The GRR pleasure drive allowed people a means to enjoy the river. Today the GRR can blend with other modes of river travel offering a kaleidoscope of adventure inviting travelers of all means to return again and again. In Minnesota, the GRR spans 575 miles from Lake Itasca State Park to the Iowa Border, including 60 communities and 21 counties.

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The Minnesota Great River Road was designated as a National Scenic Byway in 2000, the same year the existing CMP was completed. While the majority of the strategies in the current plan has been implemented or will not be pursued, installing wayshowing signs along the MRT is one of those remaining. Under separate contract during 2013 – 2015, MRT wayshowing signs will be installed in Minnesota. Since 2000, while the Mississippi continues to flow, much change has occurred, including technological, demographic, traveler preference, intrinsic resource improvement and degradation, energy and industrial development, globalization, national security, invasive species, river bridge investments, economic downturn and its slow return, global warming, public health, and on, each affecting the byway and its travelers. While the MN-MRPC cannot control and can only minimally affect change, the CMP will help respond to current conditions and anticipate tomorrow’s change in order to continue to fulfill its mission. The 2000 CMP included marketing and management strategies to develop along Minnesota Great River Road distinct destination areas each with unique river attributes. Each area is attractive to varying combinations of target markets. Each area is named with one word that highlights the region’s context, and of course, its namesake “Mississippi.”

1. Mississippi Headwaters (Lake Itasca to Bemidji) 2. Mississippi Northwoods (Bemidji to Grand Rapids) 3. Mississippi Crossings (Grand Rapids to Brainerd) 4. Scenic Mississippi (Brainerd to Elk River) 5. Metro Mississippi (Elk River to Hastings) 6. Mississippi Bluffs (Hastings to the Iowa border)

The CMP will further develop the destination area marketing and corridor management framework including coordination with a pending National Geographic Society Geotourism project led by the Mississippi River Connections Collaborative, including MRT Inc., USFW, NPS and USFS, expected to be initiated during the course of the CMP. PROJECT SUMMARY

This project will provide a corridor management plan written to describe the actions, responsibilities, procedures, controls, operational practices, and suggest strategies to help the MN-MRPC and its partners provide and promote a superior byway travel experience and improve quality of life locally, while maintaining the archaeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational, and scenic intrinsic resources that support Minnesota’s Great River Road National Scenic Byway. The planning process will inform and generate the partner synergy required for plan implementation.

While not a required format, the Minnesota Great River Road Corridor Management Plan will demonstrate that it addresses the National Scenic Byway CMP components described in the Federal Register, Notice Vol. 60, No. 96, Thursday, May 18, 1995 as follows:

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(1) A map identifying the corridor boundaries and the location of intrinsic qualities and different land uses within the corridor. (2) An assessment of such intrinsic qualities and of their context. (3) A strategy for maintaining and enhancing those intrinsic qualities. The level of protection for different parts of a National Scenic Byway vary, with the highest level of protection afforded those parts which most reflect their intrinsic values. All nationally recognized scenic byways should, however, be maintained with particularly high standards, not only for travelers’ safety and comfort, but also for preserving the highest levels of visual integrity and attractiveness. (4) A schedule and a listing of all agency, group, and individual responsibilities in the implementation of the corridor management plan, and a description of enforcement and review mechanisms, including a schedule for the continuing review of how well those responsibilities are being met. (5) A strategy describing how existing development might be enhanced and new development might be accommodated while still preserving the intrinsic qualities of the corridor. (6) A plan to assure on-going public participation in the implementation of corridor management objectives. (7) A general review of the road’s or highway’s safety and accident record to identify any correctable faults in highway design, maintenance, or operation. (8) A plan to accommodate commerce while maintaining a safe and efficient level of highway service, including convenient user facilities. (9) A demonstration that intrusions on the visitor experience have been minimized to the extent feasible, and a plan for making improvements to enhance that experience. (10) A demonstration of compliance with all existing local, State, and Federal laws on the control of outdoor advertising. (11) A signage plan that demonstrates how the State will insure and make the number and placement of signs more supportive of the visitor experience. (12) A narrative describing how the byway will be marketed. (13) A discussion of design standards relating to any proposed modification of the roadway. This discussion should include an evaluation of how the proposed changes may affect on the intrinsic qualities of the byway corridor. (14) A description of plans to interpret the intrinsic resources of the scenic byway. (15) A narrative on how the byway will be promoted, interpreted, and marketed in order to

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attract travelers domestically and from abroad. The agencies responsible for these activities should be identified. (16) A plan to encourage the accommodation of increased tourism, including capital investments for roadway, lodging and dining facilities, roadside rest areas, intrinsic resources and other tourist necessities. SCOPE OF WORK AND SERVICES The selected contractor will be responsible for development of a Corridor Management Plan (CMP) to guide the work of the Mississippi River Parkway Commission of Minnesota for the next 15 years. The plan will include short, mid and long range goals, the strategies to accomplish them and measures of effectiveness. The framing mission for the CMP is to promote, preserve and enhance the resources of the Mississippi River Valley and to develop the highways and amenities of the GRR. The CMP will identify and recommend byway-wide initiatives to improve the travelers’ experience and to promote, protect and enhance its intrinsic qualities. The project completion date is currently estimated at October 2015. The project includes the following tasks:

1. Convene Project Advisory Team • Plan and facilitate meetings, and implement recommendations. Initial estimate is ten

meetings for the project, with final numbers to be determined based on project and partner needs.

• Role of team: General advisors to the project at a very broad level with knowledge of representative agency details. Each member will help facilitate a successful project that meets their agency overall needs, meets the mission of the MN-MRPC, leverages resources, aligns efforts and sets the stage for future partnerships. Team members will serve as a conduit for information and ensure that a variety of viewpoints are considered in the project.

• Projected Timeline: April 2014– October 2015 Background materials provided by MN-MRPC: List of recommended team members and contact information. MN-MRPC agency member meeting facilities (other more river-oriented or

convenient facilities can be reserved and paid for by the project team).

2. Establish Stakeholder Communication System for CMP Development and Implementation

• Develop a communication framework including print, electronic, media, event and other means to publicize the project, promote participation, educate, receive and disseminate information, beta test strategies and other communication outcomes needed to fulfill the project.

• Distribute National Scenic Byway reference materials to libraries, city halls or similar in each Destination Area, to key byway stakeholders, or as awards at project events.

• Utilize http://www.mnmississippiriver.com/ as the foundation to develop, populate and manage project webpages and/or utilize online tools to facilitate two-way communication

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with Commissioners, Advisory Team, stakeholders including community leaders, intrinsic resource managers and advocates, businesses, residents and tourists. Intended functions include, but are not limited to:

o Project homepage with description, status updates, calls for action, project e-notification sign up, and contact us function.

o GRR and MRT route and intrinsic resource mapping that is interactive and downloadable, integrates GIS data developed during the 2000 GRR CMP, current GRR and MRT route GIS data, and data/content developed and provided by partners during this project. Mapping will include statewide and six destination area views, Mapping will include project planning/analysis and traveler trip

planning/printing formats; o project calendar with hotlinks to project task information; o meeting announcements; o virtual meetings, open houses and/or webinars; o pre and post-meeting information; o draft and final deliverables postings and review comment receipt; o receipt of technical project data, reports, and feedback; o surveys; o beta testing of project strategies o user interface tracking data; o social media project pages which may include Facebook, Twitter, YouTube,

Google+ and Flickr. o Integrate, coordinate and/or link with

http://rivertripplanner.org/ (Task 8) https://mymississippiview.crowdmap.com/ (Task 8) http://www.dot.state.mn.us/bike/mrt/ http://experiencemississippiriver.com/home.cfm http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/byways/ http://www.exploreminnesota.com/index.aspx http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/index.html http://www.mnhs.org/ http://www3.mda.state.mn.us/mngrown/ http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/sustainable/about_geotourism.

html • Communication system will be ADA compliant. • Web-based communication system elements will be developed in the English language,

and include strategies to improve foreign and domestic multi-national culture outreach. • Web-based communication system elements will scale-down for tablet and mobile phone

use. • Web-based communication system elements will work on standard internet web browsers

such as Google Chrome, Microsoft Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, and Apple Safari. • Web-based communication system elements will utilize standard internet languages,

libraries, and frameworks such as XHTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, MySQL, jQuery, Google Maps and WordPress.

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• Monitor web-based communication system elements for program updates and updated accordingly. Incorporate new technologies, services to address security threats may require the updating of code, components, plugins, libraries, etc.

• Provide editing/administrative access to MN-MRPC throughout the project. • Coordinate web-based communication system development and management with

Dynamic Den, Inc., the MN-MRPC website provider. • Train the MN-MRPC Director or assigned on necessary tasks associated with the day-to-

day upkeep of the web-based communication system webpages during the project and long term management after the project is complete.

• Projected Timeline: April 2014 – October 2015 Background materials provided by MN-MRPC: http://www.mnmississippiriver.com/ as the foundation to develop, populate and

manage web-based communication. Initial copy, logos, photos, style guides, layout ideas. National Scenic Byway reference library materials. MN GRR booth display. Limited quantities of previous GRR brochures.

3. Conduct Meetings and Focus Groups with Commission Members, Stakeholders and

Partners • Develop overall plan for public outreach and partner participation during the project and

into implementation. • Plan, conduct and synthesize results of approximately 18 on-site community outreach

meetings (3 per destination area). • Utilize technology to enhance analysis, strategic development, communication and

implementation. • Integrate and prioritize MN-MRPC member plans, principles and complimentary

initiatives. • Gather input from destination area/regional stakeholders and information from

local/regional planning efforts to ensure that the CMP engages the byway traveler, incorporates partner needs, safeguards intrinsic qualities and sustains the byway organization.

• Include or align CMP strategies with recommendations from recently completed or in-process local and regional river planning efforts.

• Develop strategies to improve GRR effectiveness by better energizing and synchronizing the MN-MRPC membership in order to help assign collective priority to improve the way members fulfill their mission.

• Develop strategies to improve MN-MRPC efficiency and effectiveness as a Mississippi River community partner.

• Incorporate project team, project partner, resident, business and tourist outside experiences to improve the effectiveness of the CMP development and its implementation.

• Develop strategies GRR to collect data and demonstrate the value of the collective national, state and local effort and investment benefitting the GRR.

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• Assess the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) and the MnGO family of plans, as well as DNR, MnHS, EMT and AG investment and strategic plans resulting in strategies to

o Enhance coordination of MnMRPC member decision-making in order to provide a high-value and consistent Mississippi River byway experience and improve quality of life for residents and travelers, and

o Identify opportunities for local, regional, and national initiatives or projects that have compatible scope, budget or schedule to align with MN-MRPC work thereby yielding increased return through cooperative or coordinated effort.

• Partners/stakeholder efforts to align with and involve include, but are not limited to:

National

o National Park Service o Mississippi River Parkway Commission o Mississippi River Country o Great River Road Interpretive Centers o Mississippi River Trail Inc. o Mississippi River Connections Collaborative o National Geographic Society o Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative o The Nature Conservancy o National Audubon Society o United States Fish and Wildlife Service o United States Forest Service o United States Corps of Engineers o Federal Highway Administration

State

o Minnesota Department of Transportation o Minnesota Department of Agriculture o Minnesota Department of Natural Resources o Minnesota Historical Society/ State Historic Preservation Office o Explore Minnesota Tourism o Minnesota Department of Health o Minnesota Arts Board o Minnesota Indian Affairs Council o Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota o Parks and Trails Council of Minnesota o University of Minnesota Extension o PedalMinnesota o Other Minnesota byways

Local o Mississippi Headwaters Board o Mississippi Valley Partners

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o Crow Wing County Parks & Trails o Brainerd-Baxter Mississippi River Planning Group o State Veterans Trail o St. Cloud Mississippi River Partnership o Stearns County Soil & Water Conservation District Regional Mississippi River

Planning o Minneapolis Riverfront Partnership o Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board o St. Paul Riverfront Partnership/Great River Park o Mississippi – St. Croix Confluence Group o Southeastern Minnesota Association of Regional Trails o 7-Rivers Groups o Save the Bluffs o County and city engineers o Education and health facilities o Convention and Visitors Bureaus o Chambers of Commerce o Community foundations

• Projected Timeline: May 2014 – February 2015

Background materials provided by MN-MRPC: List of recommended partners/stakeholders and contact information. MN-MRPC agency member meeting facilities (indoors and outdoors).

4. Develop Mississippi River Trail community information kiosks • Develop, purchase and drop ship for local installation 14 in-town informational kiosks (2

panels per frame), one each in 7 MRT host communities. • Finalize locations for installation. • Develop 7 installation location site plans including right or way, property lines,

structures, utilities, dimensions, scale, north arrow and other site information as needed for accurate and appropriate installation by local staff.

• Incorporate draft frame design and specification provided by MN-MRPC. • Incorporate Destination Area map draft graphic files provided by MN-MRPC. • Develop information about the river, host community attractions and map, modal

connections, and bicycle safety and etiquette. • Incorporate on each site plan bicycle service stations and stands offered by

PedalMinnesota, if requested by MRT host communities and utilizing footing and other placement dimension details provided by the community.

• Coordinate content and placement with in-place Great River Road and local interpretive panels and Task 6 deliverables.

• Incorporate graphic style from existing GRR interpretive panels installed statewide. • Follow product specifications of existing interpretive panels for durability and

consistency. • Projected Timeline: April 2014 – June 2015

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Background materials provided by MN-MRPC: MRT Host community contact information. Draft frame details and specification. Draft Destination Area map graphics and existing panel examples.

5. Inventory and Map the Byway, Intrinsic Resource and Community Data • Build upon current CMP GIS data, updating transportation (including STIP projects,

MRT and Transportation Alternative System resources), intrinsic resource and other traveler amenity data along the full length of the Minnesota Great River Road.

• GPS inventory and map inplace route signage, noting where signs are missing or damaged, and utilizing MnDOT Sign Tracker data fields. Develop cost estimate and mapping for recommended wayshowing improvement.

• Incorporate community demographic and health data to facilitate ADA, public health and multi-cultural project objectives.

• Format map information to be used for consumer web trip planning (including ADA compliance and formatted for tablets and mobile devices and printing (see Task 2)), corridor management, amenity/resource planning and project development, trip package development, return on investment measurement, Alternative Transportation Plan statewide implementation, Visual Resource Protection Plan statewide implementation, and integration with other plans.

• Product should allow for ongoing revision to track and analyze byway development and changes over time.

• Product should align with Mississippi River Connections Collaborative Geotourism Project.

• Data sources may include: o MN Department of Transportation o Explore MN Tourism o MN Department of Natural Resources o MN Historical Society o MN Department of Agriculture o National Mississippi River Parkway Commission o National Park Service o US Forest Service o Mississippi River Trail Inc. o Minneapolis Riverfront Partnership o Mississippi Headwaters Board GIS project o Trust for Public Land o MN Department of Health o US Fish and Wildlife Service o Army Corps of Engineers o Local/Regional Planning Efforts

• Projected Timeline: April 2014 – November 2014 Background materials provided by MN-MRPC: “Great River Road Development Study” GIS database completed in 2000, updated by

MnDOT to reflect route adjustments since.

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2013 MRT route and other GIS data resulting from wayshowing work by MnDOT, including GPS locations developed during installation. Final route GIS anticipated by December 2014.

NPS Mississippi National River and Recreation Area Alternative Transportation System.

NPS Mississippi National River and Recreation Area GRR Visual Resource Protection Plan GIS data.

MnDNR parks and trails GIS database. Current MnDOT STIP.

6. Confirm Great River Road Storybook Content and Locations • Review the 2001 MN Great River Road Interpretive Plan including the Roadside

Storybook content for six interpretive panels to be located in each of the 21 counties along the byway. Approximately 30% of the stories in the 2001 plan have been developed into panels and installed or will be installed in 2013.

• Confirm content for six signs in each of the remaining16 counties yet to receive panels including consideration of local priorities for other stories, while maintaining the voice, inter-relatedness and format of the original body of work and panels developed to date.

• Suggest locations for installations that enhance the byway streetscape and well-situated to present river stories that residents will pass on to their children and travelers take home.

• Provide cost estimate to graphically develop, fabricate and install. • Projected Timeline: August 2014 – January 2015

Background materials provided by MN-MRPC: 2001 MN Great River Road Interpretive Plan. 2000 MN GRR CMP Historic Resource Report. 2001GRR Interpretive Plan panel pdfs for those developed to date. Pre-2001 GRR interpretive panel pdfs.

7. Assess the Byway • Address 16 points required for National Scenic Byway CMPs by the Federal Highway

Administration. • Examine how the Great River Road infrastructure itself provides the public space upon

which the Mississippi River is experienced, suggesting strategies for improvement. • Suggest strategies for coordinating GRR and MRT route and amenity improvements,

management and marketing, building upon MnDOT MRT planning, river crossings, current GRR, MRT and transit projects and plans, NPS’s GRR Visual Resource Protection Plan and Alternative Transportation System, and local river-related planning and development initiatives.

• Review transportation projects in the current MnDOT STIP assessing how projects can better express Minnesota’s Mississippi River byway experience and summarizing best practices.

• Assess GRR safety and American with Disabilities Act (ADA) accommodation and suggest strategies for improvement.

• Develop strategies to improve public health by encouraging river experiences.

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• Assess GPS database of inplace route signage or lack thereof as a part of Task 5, integrating with MnDOT Sign Tracker database.

• Recommend route adjustments to improve the byway travelers’ Mississippi River experience.

• Examine how the byway expresses and interfaces with the intrinsic resources, suggesting strategies for improvement.

• Provide strategies to systematically apply context sensitive solutions principles to GRR and river corridor transportation management, investment, design, and maintenance.

• Identify other land use, transportation and resource development that could improve future byway management.

• Identify planned major developments to assess potential cumulative byway impacts. • Utilize technology to enhance analysis, strategic development, communication and

implementation. • Suggest measures of strategy success. • Testing strategies during the CMP process can be used to identify measure effectiveness. • Projected Timeline: August 2014 – May 2015

Background materials provided by MN-MRPC: Current route directions and maps. 2000 “Great River Road Development Study” follow-up route adjustment reviews. Current MnDOT STIP. GIS data described as Task 3 deliverables. Mississippi River Trail Bikeway Marketing Toolbox 2011. Management Options for Minnesota’s Mississippi River Trail State Bikeway 2013

(draft). MnDOT MRT Community Engagement Report. Minimum Design Guidelines for the MRT developed for MNRRA Off-road segments

(draft). MnDOT MRT Bike-friendly Community Reports (draft). MnDOT MRT Host Community Marketing Action Plans (draft). Minnesota Statewide Bicycle Policy Plan (Dec. 2014 completion). Minnesota Statewide Bicycle Planning Study. NCHRP 20-07/task 350 Bicycle Route Signing report (Oct. 2014 completion).

8. Incorporate Recommendations and Process from the Mississippi National River and

Recreation Area’s Visual Resource Protection Plan and Alternative Transportation Plan

• The National Park Service/Mississippi National River and Recreation Area developed a visual resource protection plan and view assessment tool for the 72 miles of river in the Metro Mississippi region of the Great River Road. The MN-MRPC is partnering on this effort and has committed to applying results of the project to the full length of the Great River Road as a part of the CMP. The visual resource protection plan task will involve public input to determine favorite views, application of an empirical process for volunteer teams to identify and evaluate views, strategies to help protect, enhance, promote and improve access to the river’s visual resources, and a trip planning function.

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• The National Park Service/Mississippi National River and Recreation Area developed an Alternative Transportation Plan to increase park visitation without increasing traffic congestion. The CMP will incorporate the NPS web-based alternative transportation trip planner and an alternative transportation project selection process to help focus efforts that help achieve this goal. The CMP will provide strategies to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of multi modal travel along the byway by applying the NPS tools statewide. Develop and test strategies that help Mississippi River travelers plan seamless multi-modal adventures.

• Projected Timeline: August 2014 – January 2015

Background materials provided by MN-MRPC: NPS Mississippi National River and Recreation Area Alternative Transportation

Implementation System, and http://rivertripplanner.org/ website framework. NPS Mississippi National River and Recreation Area GRR Visual Resource

Protection Plan, and https://mymississippiview.crowdmap.com/ web site framework.

9. Identify Visitor Impressions and Analyze Current/Future Visitor Needs • Develop and conduct a visitor survey(s) and interviews, providing a variety of options for

feedback (in person, on paper, online). • Gather feedback to address the needs of multiple ages, cultures and interests of residents

and travelers. • Assess GRR safety and ADA accommodation. • Assess how other deliverables can be improved by receiving and applying visitor

impressions. • Synthesize and analyze information received and recommend strategies to attract more

visitation, improve visitor experience, and identify target markets that will yield maximum return while safeguarding byway resources.

• Utilize technology to enhance analysis, strategic development, communication and implementation.

• Projected Timeline: July 2014 – March 2015 Background materials provided by MN-MRPC: “Great River Road Development Study” intercepts survey and results.

10. Create Future Corridor Development Strategies • Include short, mid –range and long term recommendations and strategies to meet the

MN-MRPC mission: 12 month, 5 year, and 15 year. • Utilize updated GIS, stakeholder and byway traveler input to analyze potential return on

investment from draft strategies. • Assess what work remains from the current CMP and bring forward strategies that meet

today’s and tomorrow’s needs. • Expand the traveler’s enjoyment of the river’s ecological, recreational and cultural

resources. • Utilize on-site meetings to actively explore the river to inform strategies based upon

team, partner, resident and tourist experiences and suggestions.

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• Provide strategies for efficient and effective use of current and future technology to enhance corridor management and the traveler experience.

• Utilize technology to facilitate long term analysis, strategic development, communication and implementation.

• Incorporate pending GRR capital investment summary to be developed by MnDOT for all Minnesota Scenic Byways, anticipated completion November 2014.

• Projected Timeline: April 2015 – May 2015 Background materials provided by MN-MRPC: MnDOT Minnesota Byway Capital Investment Summary (November 2014).

11. Develop Byway Organization Business Plan Including Sustainability Provisions • Identify a long-term business plan to improve MN-MRPC state-wide coordination,

partnership facilitation and integration of independent works aiming to improve how the byway contributes to a sustainable river corridor comprised of vibrant communities within a healthy river landscape improving quality of life for residents and tourists alike.

• Identify strategies to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the MN-MRPC in meeting their collective and respective missions, aiming to yield greater results through increased member priority on targeted efforts.

• Develop strategies and measures of success to help guide the work of MnDOT and the DNR related to MS 161.142 and MS 160.266.

• Identify strategies to maximize and measure the MN-MRPC’s effectiveness as one of ten states comprising the MRPC.

• Identify strategies to maximize and measure the MN-MRPC’s effectiveness as a designated National Scenic Byway.

• Identify potential GRR champions whose current work benefits the byway experience, but who may not realize their relation to the byway.

• Identify strategies to develop and strengthen current and potential GRR champion relationships.

• Incorporate byway, bikeway and blueway activities during the CMP process to strengthen the MN-MRPC and its partnerships.

• Utilize technology to enhance analysis, strategic development, communication and implementation.

• Examine the MN-MRPC member agency statute, plans, investments and operations for opportunities to better align and prioritize the advancement of the GRR and MRT with ongoing member work.

• Suggest measures of strategy success. • Projected Timeline: January 2015 – February 2015

Background materials provided by MN-MRPC:

Mn Statute for GRR, MN-MRPC, MRT. Mn Statute for Ag, EMT, MnHS and DNR. “Management Options for Minnesota’s Mississippi River Trail State Bikeway”. “Mississippi River Trail Bikeway Marketing Toolbox”.

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12. Develop Communication/Public Relations Plan • Provide strategies to build relationships along the corridor and to keep the public

informed on issues related to byway management. • Provide strategies to market the GRR locally, across the nation and worldwide

coordinated with the other CMP strategic development. • Utilize technology to enhance analysis, strategic development, communication and

implementation. • Projected Timeline: April 2015

Background materials provided by MN-MRPC: Statistics from www.mnmississippiriver.com use. MN-MRPC brochure. MN-GRR map, map tablets, website (including GRR videos), and Exploration Guide.

13. Present Plan to MN-MRPC, partners, stakeholders and National MRPC; Gather

Feedback • Present draft plan to MN-MRPC and incorporate feedback. • Present draft plan to National MRPC at semi-annual or annual meeting, or via web based

meeting and incorporate MRPC feedback to help ensure a coordinated byway experience. • Provide plan for public review and comment. • Projected Timeline: September 2015 – October 2015

Background materials provided by MN-MRPC:

MRPC Meeting information.

14. Finalize Overall Corridor Management Plan • 50 hard copies delivered to MN-MRPC. • 1 ADA compliant digital bookmarked version ready for posting at

www.mnmississippiriver.com and other identified web sites. • Projected Timeline: October 2015

Background materials provided by MN-MRPC:

Assistance posting on www.mnmississippiriver.com.

15. Project Management • Primary project partners include the Mississippi River Parkway Commission of

Minnesota; Minnesota Department of Transportation; National Park Service/Mississippi National River and Recreation Area; and Minnesota Legislative Coordinating Commission. The consultant will work closely with these partners to carry out the scope of work.

• Project management should include establishing a system of regular communications with the primary partners and project management team, including a monthly progress report.

• Utilize technology to enhance analysis, strategic development, communication and implementation.

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• Projected Timeline: April 2014 – October 2015

Background materials provided by MN-MRPC: MN-MRPC leadership and project facilitation.

BUDGET Up to $466,000 is available to complete the tasks above. This funding comes from a National Scenic Byways Grant and a National Park Service Grant. Firms responding to this RFP shall include a proposal to complete the project as outlined above and within the stated budget. The consultant will be paid in equal amounts on a regular schedule up to the total amount available. Billing rates must be guaranteed for the life of the contract. TIMELINE January 21, 2014 Release RFP February 13, 2014 RFP informational meeting March 6, 2014 Closing date for receipt of proposals Mid to late March 2014 Finalists contacted to schedule interviews, if required Early April 2014 Contract Award April 21, 2014 Project Start Date (tentative) October 31, 2015 Project End Date, Final CMP Delivered Projected timelines for specific tasks are provided in the scope and services section above, but are subject to revision. INFORMATIONAL MEETING Individuals/entities interested in submitting a proposal are encouraged to attend an informational meeting during which questions regarding the request for proposal may be asked. Interested individuals are asked to preregister for the meeting by 4:00 pm on February 10, 2014 to: Diane Henry-Wangensteen diane.henry@lcc.leg.mn (651) 296-1121 (voice) (Email advisements encouraged) The informational meeting will be held: February 13, 2014, 1:00 pm Meeting Room Number 300 South State Office Building 100 Rev Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Blvd. St. Paul, MN 55155 Public parking information: http://mn.gov/admin/citizen/buildings-grounds/parking/

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QUESTIONS REGARDING THE PROPOSAL With the exceptions of questions asked during the informational meeting, all other questions regarding the proposal must be submitted in writing by 4:00 pm on February 6, 2014. No phone call questions will be accepted. A compiled list of questions received and responses to inquires will be posted to http://www.lcc.leg.mn/RFPs.htm no later than 4:00 pm on February 20, 2014. Questions are to be submitted to: Diane Henry-Wangensteen and Chris Miller diane.henry@lcc.leg.mn chris@togpartners.com CONTENTS OF PROPOSAL Submitted proposals must:

a. Include a work plan outlining proposed process (methodology) for each of the tasks. b. Include a description of the Contractor’s knowledge and experience in providing similar

services. c. Include a description of the Contractor’s familiarity with the Great River Road, National

Scenic Byways, touring bicycle routes, intrinsic resource management, multi-agency management, technology-based management and marketing, and quality of life subject areas, if any.

d. Include the submitter’s overall cost proposal including procurement of specified task items, consultant fees/rates, travel, report generation, any associated sales tax if applicable, and all other costs associated with conducting and completing the project.

e. Professional credentials of principal representatives of the firm/team that will be coordinating the project.

f. The contact information for a minimum of three reference organizations to which the Contractor has provided similar services in the past. The LCC or MN-MRPC may contact the references to verify the extent and the quality of services provided.

g. Address all other matters required by the specifications to be in the proposal. h. The proposal may include additional services or enhancements that the Contractor may

deem necessary or desirable.

COST

The proposal must include all charges for the services provided and must address all areas listed in the project overview and deliverables section.

SELECTION PROCESS AND CONDITIONS The MN-MRPC, with assistance from the LCC, will select the contract recipient on the basis of price and quality. Quality includes the appropriateness of the proposed work plan, the relevant qualifications of the personnel to be assigned to the work, and the likelihood that the Contractor will complete the work in a timely fashion. All work product materials and observation reports prepared by the contractor in the performance of its obligations under the contract must be

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remitted to the MN-MRPC upon completion or termination of the agreement at no additional cost.

The MN-MRPC and the LCC reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, the right to waive any irregularity, the right to enter into a contract that varies from the specifications or general conditions, and the right to negotiate at any time with those that submit proposals or with any other party. The MN-MRPC and the LCC will not necessarily select the proposal that offers the lowest price; the MN-MRPC and the LCC reserves the right to consider price, quality, reliability, convenience, and any other factors that it deems relevant. General terms and conditions specified in this Request for Proposals beginning on page 23 must be included in contract.

PROPOSALS DUE Proposals must be received by the LCC by 4:00 p.m. Thursday, March 6, 2014. Electronic submission is encouraged. Faxed proposals may be submitted to 651-297-3697. Electronic documents can be e-mailed to the address below. Proposals are to be submitted to:

Diane Henry-Wangensteen, Assistant Director Legislative Coordinating Commission Room 72 State Office Building St. Paul, MN 55155 (651) 296-1121 (voice) diane.henry@lcc.leg.mn

Proposals must be received by the specified deadline. Late submissions may not be accepted. All expenses incurred in responding to this request for proposals shall be borne by the responder.

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ACRONYM GLOSSARY Acronym Term ADA Americans with Disability Act ATP Area Transportation Partnership CIMS Corridor Investment Management Strategy CMP Corridor Management Plan DNR Department of Natural Resources EMT Explore Minnesota Tourism FHWA Federal Highway Administration GIS Geospatial Information LCC Minnesota Legislative Coordinating Commission MDA Minnesota Department of Agriculture MISS Mississippi National River and Recreation Area MnDOT Minnesota Department of Transportation MnGO Minnesota Go MnGRR Minnesota Great River Road/ Great River Road National Scenic Byway MnHS Minnesota Historical Society MN-MRPC Minnesota Mississippi River Parkway Commission MRC Mississippi River Country MRPC Mississippi River Parkway Commission MRT Minnesota River Trail NPS National Park Service SHPO State Historic Preservation Office SMART Southeastern Minnesota Association of Regional Trails STIP State Transportation Improvement Program USFW United States Fish and Wildlife Service USFS United States Forest Service WI-MRPC Wisconsin Mississippi River Parkway Commission

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GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

A. “MN-MRPC” means the Minnesota Mississippi River Parkway Commission. “LCC” means the Minnesota Legislative Coordinating Commission. In matters arising out

of this proposal or out of any resulting contract, the authorized agent for the MN-MRPC is the Chair of the Minnesota Mississippi River Parkway Commission and authorized agent for the LCC is the Chair of the Legislative Coordinating Commission or the Director of the Legislative Coordinating Commission.

B. The MN-MRPC and the LCC reserves the right to reject any and all consultant proposals received as a result of this Request for Proposals, or to negotiate separately with any consultant in any manner necessary. C. Proposals will be received and considered in accordance with Minnesota Statutes 2013, Section 13.591,subdivision 3, Business as Vendor, paragraph (b) which provides as follows:

“(b) Data submitted by a business to a government entity in response to a request for proposal, as defined in section 16C.02, subdivision 12, are private or nonpublic until the time and date specified in the solicitation that proposals are due, at which time the name of the responder becomes public. All other data in a responder's response to a request for proposal are private or nonpublic data until completion of the evaluation process. For purposes of this section, "completion of the evaluation process" means that the government entity has completed negotiating the contract with the selected vendor. After a government entity has completed the evaluation process, all remaining data submitted by all responders are public with the exception of trade secret data as defined and classified in section 13.37. A statement by a responder that submitted data are copyrighted or otherwise protected does not prevent public access to the data contained in the response.

If all responses to a request for proposal are rejected prior to completion of the evaluation process, all data, other than the names of the responders, remain private or nonpublic until a resolicitation of the requests for proposal results in completion of the evaluation process or a determination is made to abandon the purchase. If the rejection occurs after the completion of the evaluation process, the data remain public. If a resolicitation of proposals does not occur within one year of the proposal opening date, the remaining data become public.” D. The MN-MRPC and the LCC reserves the right to require a consultant to make an oral presentation of its proposal to the MN-MRPC or the LCC to permit a better understanding of the specifics of a consultant’s proposal.

E. The MN-MRPC and the LCC are not responsible for any cost incurred by the consultant in responding to this Request for Proposals. F. Payment for any contract entered into as a result of the Request for Proposals will be made on a negotiated periodic basis after receipt of billings accompanied by the appropriate verification of work time and satisfactory completion of tasks to billing date. In accordance with Minnesota Statutes 3.225, subdivision 6, paragraph (b), no more than 90 percent of the amount due under the contract may be paid until the MN-MRPC and the LCC ’s authorized agents have certified that the consultant has satisfactorily fulfilled the terms of the contract.

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G. All contractors and subcontractors must conform to the labor laws of the State of Minnesota, and to all other laws, ordinances and legal requirements affecting the work in this state. The consultant must conform with and agree to the provisions of Minnesota Statutes, Section 181.59, which prohibits discrimination in the hiring of labor by reason of race, creed, or color. That statute reads as follows:

181.59 DISCRIMINATION ON ACCOUNT OF RACE, CREED OR COLOR PROHIBITED IN CONTRACT. Every contract for or on behalf of the State of Minnesota, or any county, city, town, township, school, school district, or any other district in the state, for materials, supplies, or construction shall contain provisions by which the contractor agrees:

(1) That, in the hiring of common or skilled labor for the performance of any work under any contract, or any subcontract, no contractor, material supplier, or Contractor, shall, by reason of race, creed, or color, discriminate against the person or persons who are citizens of the United States or resident aliens who are qualified and available to perform the work to which the employment relates; (2) That no contractor, material supplier, or Contractor, shall, in any manner, discriminate against, or intimidate, or present the employment of any person or persons identified in clause (1) of this section, or on being hired, prevent, or conspire to prevent, the person or persons from the performance of work under any contract on account of race, creed or color (3) That a violation of this section is a misdemeanor; and (4) That this contract may be cancelled or terminated by the state, county, city, town, school board, or any other person authorized to grant the contracts for employment, and all money due, or to become due under the contract, may be forfeited for a second or any subsequent violation of the terms or conditions of this contract.

H. In accordance with Minnesota Statutes, section 176.182, the consultant must provide to the LCC acceptable evidence of compliance with the worker’s compensation insurance coverage requirement of Minnesota Statutes, section 176.181, subdivision 2. I. If the amount of this contract exceeds $100,000 and the consultant has employed more than 40 full-time employees in this state or in the state in which the consultant has its primary place of business on a single working day in the 12 months immediately preceding the due date for the proposal, the consultant must comply with the affirmative action plan requirements of Minnesota Statutes, section 363A.36, as follows:

(a) If the 40 full-time employees were employed in Minnesota, consultant must, prior to submission of the proposal, either have a certificate of compliance issued by Minnesota Commissioner of Human Rights or that commissioner must have received from the consultant an application for such a certificate. Prior to signing a contract

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resulting from a successful proposal, the consultant must have the certificate of compliance.

(b) If the consultant did not have more than 40 full-time employees in Minnesota but did have that number in another state in which the consultant has its primary place of business, the consultant must, prior to signing a contract resulting from a successful proposal, either have a certificate of compliance issued by the Minnesota Commissioner of Human Rights or certify that the consultant is in compliance with federal affirmative action requirements.

As required under Minnesota Rules, part 5000.3600, subpart 9: Minnesota Statutes, section 363A.36, and Minnesota Rules, parts 5000.3400 to 5000.3600, are hereby incorporated into this Request for Proposals and will be incorporated into any resulting contract, by reference. A copy of that statute and those rules are available to the consultant from the LCC upon request. J. As required by Minnesota Statutes, section 270C.65 subdivision 3, a consultant must provide to the LCC either its federal taxpayer identification number, its Social Security number, or its Minnesota tax identification number (if applicable). This information may be used in the enforcement of federal and state tax laws. Supplying these numbers could result in action to require consultant to file state tax returns and pay delinquent state tax liabilities. This contract will not be approved unless these numbers are provided. These numbers will be available to federal and state tax authorities and state personnel involved in approving the contract and the payment and audit of state obligations. These numbers will not be made available to any other person without the express written permission of the consultant. K. The consultant must agree to comply with the Government Data Practices Act, Minnesota Statutes, chapter 13, as it applies to all data provided by the MN-MRPC or the LCC in accordance with this agreement and as it applies to all data created, gathered, generated, or acquired in accordance with this agreement. All work products and interim and final reports prepared by the consultant in the performance of its obligations under this agreement are the property of the MN-MRPC and the LCC and must be remitted to the MN-MRPC and the LCC upon completion or termination of this agreement. The consultant must not use, willingly allow the use of, or cause to have the materials used for any purpose other than performance of the obligations under this agreement without the prior written consent of the MN-MRPC and the LCC.

L. Work must begin within the timeframe set in the signed contract between the MN-MRPC, LCC, and the consultant. The signed contract will terminate upon full performance by all parties of the contract agreement. M. This contract may be terminated by the MN-MRPC and the LCC as permitted under Minnesota Statutes 3.225, subdivision 6, in whole or in part, whenever the MN-MRPC and the LCC determines that termination is in the interest of the MN-MRPC and the LCC. The MN-MRPC and the LCC will pay all reasonable costs associated with this contract that the consultant has incurred up to the termination date of the contract and all reasonable costs associated with termination of the contract.