Project Information

Bid Title

Logo Sign Franchise Program

Issuing Agency

State Government of Minnesota

Location

Minnesota

Published Date

Jun 17, 2026

Closing Date

Jul 2, 2026

Government Level

State & Local

Status

Closed

Original Source

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Bid Inquiries

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Bid Documents

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Project Description

Logo Sign Franchise Program

Brief Description: Under Minnesota Statutes §160.80 , the Minnesota Department of Transportation (“MnDOT”) operates the Logo Sign Franchise Program (“Program”) on Interstate highways and certain controlled access highways in Minnesota. The Program provides for blue highway signs with individual logos for businesses that provide motorist services (gas, food, lodging, camping, and 24-hour pharmacies) and eligible attractions. MnDOT implements the Program by contracting with a qualified firm to operate and maintain the Program. The current contract expires December 31, 2026. The purpose of this Request for Proposal (“RFP”) is to provide interested parties with the opportunity and necessary information to prepare and submit a proposal for the continued operation and maintenance of the Program. MnDOT seeks proposals from qualified firms and intends to use the results of this RFP to award a 10-year Contract.

Date posted: 06/01/2026
Due date: 07/02/2026

• RFP
• Questions
• Exhibit A-List of Eligible Routes/Rural Interchanges
• Exhibit B-Reserved
• Exhibit C-Header Logo Sign Panel Designs
• Exhibit C1-Logo Sign Panel Designs
• Exhibit C2-Logo Sign Panel Designs- Legacy Use
• Exhibit C3-Exit Panel Designs - Legacy Use
• Exhibit D-Appeals Process for Logo Attraction Business Identification Panels
• Exhibit E-MnDOT Signing Standard Plan Sheets
• Exhibit F-I-Beam Sign Placement
• Exhibit G-I-Beam Sign Post Spacing Chart
• Exhibit H-Post Selection Chart for I-Beam Supported Signs
• Exhibit I-Windloading Chart for Signs on Square Tube Posts

Attachment Preview

Logo Sign Franchise Program

Request for Proposal

06/01/2026

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION 1 General Information for responders ....................................................................................................2

A. Purpose .....................................................................................................................................................2

B. Definitions and Acronyms.........................................................................................................................2

C. Scope of the Program................................................................................................................................3

D. Buyout of Existing Inventory .....................................................................................................................3

E. RFP Inquiries..............................................................................................................................................3

F. Addenda ....................................................................................................................................................3

G. Incurred Costs ...........................................................................................................................................4

H. Rejection of Proposals...............................................................................................................................4

I. Proposals...................................................................................................................................................4

J. Oral Presentations/Interviews ..................................................................................................................5

K. Calendar of Events ....................................................................................................................................5

L. Term of Contract .......................................................................................................................................5

SECTION 2 Information required from responders ..........................................................................................6

A. Evidence of Bid Bond/Insurance ...............................................................................................................6

B. Background/Experience ............................................................................................................................6

C. Work Plan..................................................................................................................................................6

D. Added Value ..............................................................................................................................................7

E. Supporting Materials.................................................................................................................................7

SECTION 3 Selection and award...........................................................................................................................8

A. Preliminary Evaluation ..............................................................................................................................8

B. Evaluation Criteria.....................................................................................................................................8

C. Notification of Intent to Award.................................................................................................................8

D. Post Selection Audit ..................................................................................................................................8

SECTION 4 Scope of work and specifications .........................................................................................................9

A. Responsibilities of the Contractor.............................................................................................................9

B. Logo Sign Program Rules and Regulations............................................................................................. 11

C. Design Standards for Logo Signs and Business Identification Sign Panels............................................. 16

D. Design Standards for Life Cycle Replacement/Refurbishment of Logo Signs ........................................ 21

SECTION 5 Terms and conditions ........................................................................................................................ 23

A. Termination............................................................................................................................................ 23

B. Assignment............................................................................................................................................. 23

C. Audits ..................................................................................................................................................... 24

D. Laws and Regulations............................................................................................................................. 24

E. Indemnity and Insurance ....................................................................................................................... 24

F. Surety Bond............................................................................................................................................ 26

G. Permits, Licenses and Taxes................................................................................................................... 27

H. Approvals ............................................................................................................................................... 27

EXHIBITS

EXHIBIT A

EXHIBIT B

EXHIBIT C1

EXHIBIT C2

EXHIBIT C3

EXHIBIT D

EXHIBIT E

EXHIBIT F

EXHIBIT G

EXHIBIT H

EXHIBIT I

List of Eligible Routes/Rural Interchanges

RESERVED

Logo Sign Panel Designs

Logo Sign Panel Designs – Legacy Use

Exit Panel Designs – Legacy Use

Appeals Process for Logo Attraction Business Identification Panels

MnDOT Signing Standard Plan Sheets

I-Beam Sign Placement

I-Beam Sign Post Spacing Chart

Post Selection Chart for I-Beam Supported Signs

Windloading Chart for Signs on Square Tube Posts

[Title]

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SECTION 1 GENERAL INFORMATION FOR RESPONDERS

A. Purpose

Under Minnesota Statutes §160.80, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (“MnDOT”) operates the Logo

Sign Franchise Program (“Program”) on Interstate highways and certain controlled access highways in Minnesota.

The Program provides for blue highway signs with individual logos for businesses that provide motorist services (gas,

food, lodging, camping, and 24-hour pharmacies) and eligible attractions. MnDOT implements the Program by

contracting with a qualified firm to operate and maintain the Program. The current contract expires December 31,

2026.

The purpose of this Request for Proposal (“RFP”) is to provide interested parties with the opportunity and necessary

information to prepare and submit a proposal for the continued operation and maintenance of the Program.

MnDOT seeks proposals from qualified firms and intends to use the results of this RFP to award a 10-year Contract.

This RFP is not a contract. MnDOT reserves the right to amend existing provisions or to include additional

provisions not addressed herein.

B. Definitions and Acronyms

The following definitions and acronyms are used throughout the RFP:

1) Attraction – a service that includes facilities which have the primary purpose of providing amusement,

historical, cultural or leisure activities to the public.

2) Business – a commercial establishment that provides a Motorist Service (gas, food, lodging, camping or 24-

hour pharmacy) or qualifies as an eligible attraction facility.

3) Business Identification Sign Panel – a separately attached Logo Sign Panel on a Logo Sign that contains a

word legend, Logo, or combination thereof to identify a Business.

4) Business Lease Holder – A Business that signs a lease with the Contractor for its Logo to appear on a Logo

Sign under the Program.

5) Commissioner – Commissioner of Transportation

6) Contract – the contract to operate and maintain the Logo Sign Franchise Program that may be awarded as a

result of this RFP.

7) Contractor – the firm awarded the Logo Sign Franchise Program Contract

8) Crossroad – a marked route or other public road intersecting an eligible Interstate highway or controlled-

access highway to which access is provided at an Interchange.

9) Exit Ramp – a connecting roadway between two intersecting roads that are grade separated.

10) Exit Ramp Logo Sign – a Logo Sign along an Exit Ramp.

11) Interchange – a grade separated intersection with ramps to provide movement between roadways.

12) Logo – a distinctive emblem or trademark that identifies a commercial or non-commercial business,

program, or organization.

13) Logo Sign – a sign consisting of a Logo Sign Panel and the Sign Structure to which it is attached.

14) Logo Sign Panel – a rectangular sign panel consisting of the words: gas, food, lodging, camping. attraction or

24-hour pharmacy, a business identification sign panel, and directional information.

15) Mainline Logo Sign – a Logo Sign located along a freeway or controlled-access expressway highway, placed

on approach to an Interchange.

16) MnDOT – Minnesota Department of Transportation.

17) MN MUTCD – Minnesota Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.

18) Motorist Service – gas, food, lodging, camping, attraction or 24-hour pharmacy.

19) Program – Minnesota Logo Sign Franchise Program.

20) Responder – a firm submitting a proposal to this RFP.

21) Rural – all Minnesota counties except the majority of the eight-county Minneapolis/St Paul metropolitan

area (see Urban).

22) Seasonal Business – a gas, food, lodging, camping, attraction or 24-hour pharmacy facility that is open for

business fewer than 12 months per year.

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23) Signs – a collective reference to all Logo Signs (Mainline and Exit Ramp), Business Identification Signs and

Trailblazer Signs.

24) State – The State of Minnesota.

25) Structure – The sign support including any footings (see also Logo Sign)

26) Structure Type – category of sign support or Structure that the Logo Sign is installed upon, i.e. I-Beam,

Square Tube, U-Channel.

27) Trailblazing Sign – a Logo Sign on a local crossroad that directs motorists where to turn to reach the

Business.

28) Urban – includes the majority of the Minneapolis/St Paul metropolitan area, including the counties of

Anoka, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott and Washington. Specific Interchanges on the

outer edges of the Urban areas may be determined Rural by MnDOT on a case-by-case basis.

C. Scope of the Program

The Program consists of management, funding, and maintaining the Program. The Contractor will furnish, install and

maintain all Logo Signs relating to gas, food, lodging, camping, attractions and 24-hour pharmacies; market all

eligible spaces for Business Logo Sign Panels to be installed on Mainline and Exit Ramp Logo Signs; and install and

maintain all marketed Business Logo Sign Panels on eligible routes. All costs for marketing, fabrication, installation,

operation and maintenance of the Program as set forth in the Contract, as well as fees due to the State, will be paid

from fees and revenues received by the Contractor from Business leases. The Program currently has approximately

2,379 Mainline, 2,132 Exit Ramp, and 243 Trailblazing Business Logo Sign Panels. See EXHIBIT A for a current list of

eligible routes and Rural Interchanges.

D. Buyout of Existing Inventory

Any new Contractor is required to buy from the current Contractor all Logo Signs that are in place, including any

Logo Signs on which no Business Panels are displayed. The buyout formula for signs is:

P = (N/15 x O)

P = Total buyout price

N = Remaining years of unamortized sign costs

O = Cost of Structures (this should be “Cost of Logo signs” meaning that it includes the Sign Support and the Logo

Sign Panel)

E. RFP Inquiries

Responders who have any questions regarding this RFP must submit questions by e-mail only to:

Tayllor McGinnis

tayllor.mcginnis@state.mn.us

All questions and answers will be posted on MnDOT’s Consultant Services Web Page at

www.dot.state.mn.us/consult under the “P/T Notices” section. All prospective Responders will be responsible for

checking the web page for any addenda to this RFP as well as any questions that have been answered. Note that

questions will be posted verbatim as submitted.

Questions regarding this RFP must be received by MnDOT no later than 2:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time on June 22,

2026. MnDOT is not obligated to answer questions submitted after this due date and time.

MnDOT anticipates posting answers to such questions no later than 2:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time on June 24,

2026. All Responders will be responsible for checking the web page for any questions and their answers.

No other MnDOT personnel are allowed to discuss the RFP before the proposal submission deadline. Contact with

any personnel not listed above regarding this RFP may result in disqualification of the proposal.

F. Addenda

Any modifications to this RFP will be made by addendum. Addenda will become part of the RFP and will be posted

on MnDOT’s Consultant Services Web Page at www.dot.state.mn.us/consult under the “P/T Notices” section.

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Commodity Codes

• NAICS 339950Sign Manufacturing

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