GLX Releases Draft Request for Proposal for Design-Build Contract

BOSTON – The MBTA Green Line Extension (GLX) Project Team has released a draft Request for Proposal (RFP) for the GLX Design Build (DB) contract to the short-listed DB teams. The draft RFP includes an Affordability Limit of $1.319 billion, base scope of work, and “Additive Options,” should a firm believe the Options can be completed within the Project schedule and the Affordability Limit budget.

“This draft RFP is a major step in the ongoing procurement process as we proceed towards building the Green Line Extension,” said Program Manager John Dalton. “This document reaffirms the primary objective of delivering the base scope of the program while also allowing for the inclusion of additive-scope options if the completive pricing received from the design-build teams will allow. The maximum price tag for the Green Line Extension Project has been set and supported by the Fiscal and Management Control Board and we will not go beyond this threshold. Teams hoping to participate in the GLX delivery effort must focus first on the core elements—seven stations and train service—before pricing out additional scope elements that would be welcome but not required to comply with the Project’s successful completion.”

Six Additive Options are included within the draft RFP that the competing design-build firms may propose under the Affordability Limit. Options must be added in in the following prioritized order:

1. Platform canopies.
2. Additional elevators at select stations.
3. Public art.
4. Additional community connection to the community path located on Chester Street in Somerville.
5. Extension of the community path between East Somerville and Lechmere Stations.
6. Enhanced Vehicle Maintenance Facility in Somerville. 

The MBTA, in collaboration with stakeholders, established the prioritized list to meet its objectives of enhancing rider experience, community access, and operational improvements.

Price proposals for the competing design-build firms are due in September 2017 and must not exceed the established Affordability Limit of $1.319 billion, which is a part of the overall GLX Program budget of $2.3 billion.

Also included within the draft RFP are necessary weekend shutdowns of the Lowell and Fitchburg commuter rail lines for twenty-five weekends during each year of construction. These two lines share right-of-way areas with Green Line Extension Project locations. These shutdowns, during the forty-three months of scheduled construction, will be coordinated with non-GLX work whenever possible. The draft RFP also states that the MBTA has the ability to consider more extended shutdown periods if the contractor can provide appropriate cost and/or schedule savings for the Project.

The final RFP will be issued in May 2017 after feedback is received from the design-build firms on the draft RFP.

For more information on the Green Line Extension Project, please visit the Project’s webpage.

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