Project Information

Bid Title

Blatnik Bridge: Specialized Bridge Construction Oversight

Issuing Agency

State Government of Minnesota

Location

Minnesota

Published Date

Feb 20, 2026

Closing Date

Mar 16, 2026

Government Level

State & Local

Status

Closed

Original Source

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Bid Documents

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Project Description

Blatnik Bridge: Specialized Bridge Construction Oversight

Brief Description: MnDOT requests proposals for specialized bridge construction engineering and inspection oversight for the main navigation span of the new Blatnik Bridge. The goals for this contract are for MnDOT and WisDOT to receive expert consultant assistance in review of the construction contractor’s plans and specifications, and to provide on-site verification during construction of the main navigation span.

Date posted: 02/20/2026
Due date: 03/16/2026

• RFP QBS
• Scope of Work
• TGB/VET Special Provisions

Attachment Preview

MnDOT Contract No. 1061739

Exhibit C: Specifications, Duties, and Scope of Work

1

INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND INFORMATION

1.1 General Statement of Scope of Work

The Specialized Bridge Construction Oversight Consultant (Contractor) will serve as an extension of MnDOT staff

by performing specialized bridge construction engineering services and inspection verification/oversight. The

State Staff and Contractor are collectively known as the Specialized Bridge Construction Oversight Team (SBCOT)

for State Project (SP) 6981-26 on I-535 for Blatnik Bridge Replacement Design-Build Project (Project). Contractor

will:

1. Provide reviews of the Design-Build Construction Contractor’s (DBC) plans and specifications

2. Provide on-site verification of several activities for the main navigation channel bridge unit

3. Have a thorough understanding of the Design-Build (DB) Conformed Contract for the Project

4. Have a thorough understanding of State’s (both Wisconsin Department of Transportation and

Minnesota Department of Transportation) standards, specifications, requirements and applicable

state statutes.

5. Attend conferences or meetings necessary for close coordination during day-to-day progress of the

work or as required to carry out the Project.

6. Notify State’s Project Manager immediately of any unanticipated project conditions.

7. Consult with State’s Project Manager when an interpretation involves complex issues or may have

an impact on the cost of performing the work.

When warranted, State’s Project Manager may request an interpretation from the Contractor.

1.2 Co-Location

Co-location is not required for this project. Refer to the Contractor Team section below for requirements that

may include temporary co-location.

1.3 Project Letting

The Project letting is June 23, 2026.

1.4 Project Scope

The project is primarily located in St. Louis County, Minnesota and Douglas County, Wisconsin between the cities

of Duluth, Minnesota and Superior, Wisconsin. The project limits extend 0.3 miles from the existing bridge

structure on the Minnesota approach to 0.75 miles from the existing bridge structure on the Wisconsin

approach, along US 53.

The project includes replacement of the existing John. A. Blatnik I-535 Bridge (Minnesota Bridge number 9030,

Wisconsin Structure B-16-5) on Interstate 535 (I-535) connecting Duluth, Minnesota and Superior Wisconsin

across the St. Louis River and Bay. The project also includes reconstructing an interchange in Superior, WI that

routes I-535 directly to US 53, with local connections to Hammond Avenue and WIS 35. The project includes

design and construction of a new mainline bridge (Minnesota Bridge number 69913, Wisconsin Structure B-16-

0153) and new exit ramp bridge (WI Structure B-16-0154) and entrance ramp bridge (WI Structure B-16-0155).

The new mainline bridge includes several bridge units:

1

MnDOT Contract No. 1061739

Exhibit C: Specifications, Duties, and Scope of Work

1. The Bridge Unit(s) for I 535 mainline portions from the abutment in Minnesota to the Main

Navigation Channel Bridge Unit

2. Bridge Unit of the Main Navigation Channel over St. Louis River,

3. The Bridge Unit(s) along Conner’s Point between the Main Navigation Channel and Howard’s Pocket

Navigation Bridge Units

4. The Howard’s Pocket Navigation Channel Bridge Unit

5. The Bridge Unit(s) from the Howard’s Pocket Navigation Channel Bridge Unit to the mainline

abutment in Wisconsin.

The project includes a new shared use path on the easterly side of the new mainline bridge and Wisconsin

entrance ramp bridge with trail connections in Duluth and Superior, drainage improvements, retaining walls,

and improvements within the City of Superior. The existing bridge will be closed for most of the construction

and traffic will be detoured to the Richard I. Bong Memorial Bridge (US-2 over the St. Louis River).

Approximate Project cost: The estimated cost of the Project is between $1.0 billion and $1.4 billion.

To find additional project information related to the Project, refer to the project website located here:

https://www.dot.state.mn.us/designbuild/blatnik-bridge/index.html

Project information such as design files, layouts and more can be found on the project SharePoint site, which is

found on the project website. Download and review all files on the project SharePoint site.

MnDOT anticipates a minimum of three-year duration for this contract. State anticipates the work may

extend past 5-years, which may result in a subsequent contract being set up.

1.5 Verification Team Organization Chart

Exhibit C – Attachment 1 is the SBCOT organization chart and shows how the State will staff the SBCOT for this

project. It graphically shows the chain of command. It also shows how the Contractor staff described in this

contract interacts with the State staff.

2

WORKFORCE

Contractor will perform all work necessary to manage this Contract and its personnel. Contractor will perform all

specialty bridge construction oversight work necessary to assist with managing the DB Conformed Contract.

2.1 Flexible Workforce

Contractor personnel approved by the State’s Project Manager are considered by the State to be committed to

performing services for the durations listed in this scope of work. Any changes will require written approval

from the State’s Project Manager and include both adding additional staff and reducing staff.

No personnel will be assigned until written notification by the State’s Project Manager has been issued.

If the DB Contract is suspended for any reason, the Contractor’s forces will be adjusted to correspond with the

type of cessation, either complete or partial suspension. Contractor will continuously look ahead to fully

understand what type of staff are needed and in what numbers. The Contractor’s schedule will be dictated by

the DBC’s schedule. Contractor will provide a flexible work force so that only those staff that can be fully utilized

during any given project activity are present and billing hours to the contract.

2

MnDOT Contract No. 1061739

Exhibit C: Specifications, Duties, and Scope of Work

Contractor will continuously monitor all activity to verify that all work carried out is within the agreed scope and

completed with resources that can complete the work as budgeted. In the event it becomes necessary to

complete work outside the original scope of work, the Contractor’s Project Manager will notify State’s Project

Manager immediately before proceeding. No work outside the original scope will be done without written

authorization from State’s Project Manager.

Throughout the course of the Project, it may become evident that two or more Contractor roles would be more

efficiently staffed by a single qualified person. If this situation arises, the Contractor can make a request to the

State’s Project Manager to modify the staff by combining roles. The State’s Project Manager will evaluate the

experience and workload of the remaining staff member and will make a determination of whether the roles

should be combined. If multiple roles are allowed to be staffed by a single person, the State Project Manager

may reverse that decision at a later date, if circumstances call for more attention to those roles than the single

person can effectively handle.

Conversely, it is expected that the Contractor will have staff available to fulfill the obligations of each role

described within this contract. This may include rotating on-site staff to fulfill project needs, based on approval

by the State’s Project Manager.

2.1.1 Flexible Workforce - Project Support Staff

The Contractor will need to leverage additional project support staff, whether within their company or through

subconsultants, to assist the various roles on the SBCOT. The additional staff are expected to be available to help

with the task of reviewing plans and calculations, draft alternative designs/create quantities to counter claims by

the DBC, and use other software listed in this scope to evaluate products the DBC creates using that software.

2.2 Items Provided by the State

The State will not provide office supplies or office space for this Contract.

2.3 Items Provided by Contractor

Provide durable office supplies and reference material for their own employees as needed. Provide any office or

inspection verification supplies and reference material for their own employees as necessary to complete the

tasks required in this Scope of Work.

2.4 Tasks

2.4.1 Contractor Staffing Approval

Contractor will utilize only personnel who are qualified by experience and education. Contractor will

submit, in writing, to the State’s Project Manager the names of all personnel to be considered for

assignment to the project, together with detailed resumes with respect to education, experience

(including specific durations) and qualification of each individual. Minimum qualifications for the

Contractor personnel are set forth in this Scope of Work. State may require that these minimum

qualifications be altered in instances when the unique nature of the work requires specific specialized

skills.

No personnel will be assigned to this Project by the Contractor until the qualifications of each person

proposed have been reviewed and approved in writing by the State’s Project Manager. The Contractor’s

3

MnDOT Contract No. 1061739

Exhibit C: Specifications, Duties, and Scope of Work

personnel approval request will be submitted at least two weeks prior to the date an individual is

scheduled to report to work.

An individual previously approved by the State’s Project Manager whose performance is later

determined by the State to be unsatisfactory will be replaced by the Contractor within two weeks.

Contractor will be responsible for obtaining proper licenses for equipment and personnel operating

equipment (as necessary).

1. Deliverable: Contractor Personnel Approval Request. One request may include multiple

people.

2. Format: Electronic Microsoft Word 2013 document (docx extension). Deliver to State’s

Project Manager electronically either by email or File Transfer Protocol (FTP) site.

3. Due: At least two weeks prior to the date an individual is scheduled to report to work.

4. Standard: Written as a letter/email.

5. State Review: Five business days.

6. Contractor Update: Update and resubmit the deliverable to State within five business days

of receiving State review comments.

3

MEETINGS

3.1 Weekly Oversight Team Meetings

Contractor’s Project Manager will schedule and if requested, facilitate weekly meetings with State’s Project

Manager and the entire SBCOT. Meetings will be held via Microsoft Teams.

1. Deliverable: A weekly verification team meeting. Meeting minutes are not required.

2. Format: Microsoft Teams Meeting

3. Due: Weekly.

4. Standard: Intentionally left blank. Minutes are not required.

3.2 Monthly Progress Report Meetings

Contractor’s Project Manager, when requested, will meet with State’s Project Manager to review the monthly

progress reports and invoices. Contractor’s Project Manager will solicit feedback from State’s Project Manager

to assess whether all services meet or exceed the requirements of the project.

If needed, Contractor will direct changes to personnel and/or procedures to correct identified deficiencies and

implement opportunities for improvements.

1. Deliverable: An informal meeting with the monthly progress reports and invoices supplied.

2. Format: See requirements in contract and in this Scope of Work.

3. Due: Monthly at the same time as the contract progress reports and invoices.

4. Standard: Intentionally left blank. Meeting minutes are not required.

5. State Review: During the meeting.

6. Contractor Update: Update progress reports, invoices, and s-curves as needed within five business

days of State review.

4

CONTRACTOR TEAM

4

MnDOT Contract No. 1061739

Exhibit C: Specifications, Duties, and Scope of Work

This section describes the minimum, required personnel positions provided by the Contractor to assist MnDOT

with bridge construction technical review and on-site oversight. A single individual may be listed for on multiple

teams, provided the satisfy the minimum requirements of each team.

4.1 Project Manager

This person is responsible for managing the consultant contract and its personnel. Contractor will manage the

verification of the DBC’s plans and specifications by making sure the right specialized engineers are reviewing

the relevant plans, maintaining a consistent and predictable enforcement of the DB Conformed Contract

(including all relevant Books and Sections), and meeting all verification responsibilities of the DB Conformed

Contract for tasks relevant to this Scope of Work. Assist the State’s Project Manager to complete the duties of

the State’s Project Manager, which includes leading the team that is responsible for achieving the project

objectives. This person must be familiar with and understand the DB Conformed Contract.

4.1.1 Staffing Requirements

Contractor will provide one person to perform the duties of Contractor’s Project Manager. This position

may also serve as other positions in the Contract. This position must meet the following requirements:

1. Licensed to practice engineering within the State of Minnesota or the State of Wisconsin

now or within 3 months from contract award.

2. Must have project management experience in design-build oversight.

3. Must have a been on a minimum of 3 design-build projects (either on DBC Team or

Verification Team are permitted). Verification Team experience is preferred.

Co-location is not required; however, must be on-site for meetings as requested by State’s Project

Manager.

4.1.2 Tasks

1. Train design staff, including State staff and separate consultant contracts, on Design-Build

verification process and procedures for each DBC Submittal.

2. Review SBCOT comments and/or redlines of DBC submittals for consistency and accuracy.

Identify preferential comments and work with State to determine if these should be

included with responses.

3. Develop quality management processes and procedures for verification team staff.

4. Participate in select over the shoulder and other construction submittal related meetings

with the DBC.

5. Participate in pre-construction, construction, progress, and close-out meetings with the

DBC.

6. Monitor the State’s record of design submittals, approvals, changes, and modifications

relevant to the task in this Contract.

7. Monitor the DBC’s schedule for construction and proactively engage staff as necessary

8. Keep all records and documentation in accordance with standard State procedures, formats

and content.

9. Perform other duties as assigned by the State’s Project Manager.

4.2 Demolition and Temporary Access Engineering Team

5

Commodity Codes

• NAICS 237310Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction

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