New Initial RFP Released for Washington Bridge Rebuild Project

PROVIDENCE, RI - Governor Dan McKee today announced that the new initial Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Washington Bridge Replacement Project is now live. The initial RFP includes changes to produce strong, well-defined proposals with innovative solutions for building the new Washington Bridge.

Following the issuance of the new initial RFP, the bidders will have the opportunity to provide comments for the Rhode Island Department of Transportation’s (RIDOT) consideration. The final RFP will be issued on January 24.

"Rhode Island remains committed to building a new Washington Bridge that has a state-of-the-art design, improves traffic flow and, most importantly, is built in a way where we can easily and comprehensively monitor its health over its long lifespan,” said Governor Dan McKee. "The State looks forward to seeing the innovative proposals from the two highly qualified design-build teams competing for this project."

Proposals to the final RFP will be submitted by the two highly qualified design-build teams - Walsh Construction Company II, LLC and the joint venture of American Bridge Company and MLJ Contracting Corporation - that were identified through the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process last week. The final RFP submissions will be evaluated and awarded based on the best value to the state, a combination of the bidders’ cost and technical proposals. The scoring also weighs the overall use of innovation, quality control, and traffic impacts in the design-build teams’ proposals.

The new initial RFP incorporates many changes suggested by the 11 major companies that participated in the Request for Information (RFI) process. The new initial RFP includes: 

• Additional Engagement Opportunities: The new initial RFP provides more opportunities for the exchange of information and ideas between the bidders and RIDOT during the procurement process. This allows for additional flexibility for innovative proposals and ensures the requirements are clear for both companies before they compete for the final award.  
• Stipend Adjusted: The stipend for the unsuccessful bidder was adjusted from $500,000 to $1.75 million. It is important to note that because there are only two bidders competing in this procurement, there will be only one company eligible for the stipend. In the previous RFP, the stipend would have been available to each unsuccessful bidder. Additionally, payment of the stipend gives RIDOT ownership of the ideas and concepts contained in the proposal, which could be utilized as part of the final project. 
• Liquidated Damages Adjusted: Liquidated damages were adjusted from $30,000 a day to $25,000 per day, holding the bidders accountable for completing the bridge on the timeline that they contractually agree to.  
• Completion Date Modified: In the new initial RFP, the completion date is dependent on the outcome of the bidding process, based on the design-build teams’ design concept and approach.  
• Removal of Substructure Demolition: The removal of the old bridge substructure is no longer part of the procurement for the rebuild project. Instead, it will be completed by the existing demolition contractor. Eliminating the potential requirement to replace the substructure from the reconstruction solicitation reduces bidder uncertainty, ensuring fair competition on a level playing field.
• Additional Information Provided to Bidders: RIDOT is providing additional studies on subsurface and underwater conditions to the design-build teams, providing more clarity regarding the necessary permits and equipping the bidders with critical information needed for design.

The new initial RFP encourages the use of accelerated bridge construction methods to replace the bridge and open travel lanes to the public as quickly as possible. It includes requirements such as carrying five through lanes over the bridge and constructing a new on-ramp to I-195 West from Gano Street and an off-ramp from I-195 West to Waterfront Drive. The project also includes paving, repair, and replacement of drainage structures, and removal of the crossover traffic pattern as lanes are built and opened on the new bridge. 

The incentives in the new initial RFP are unchanged from the previous RFP. It provides incentives up to a maximum of $10 million based on per-day rates – ranging from $5,000 per day to $70,000 per day – for opening lanes to traffic in advance of the substantial completion date as determined by the winning design-build team. The more lanes opened for both eastbound and westbound traffic, the higher per-day rate the selected design-build team can earn.

The full procurement schedule is published in the RFP, outlining 15 milestones for the project procurement. Highlights include: 

• December 18, 2024: Issuance of the initial RFP 
• January 24, 2025: Issuance of the final RFP
• Late January 2025 – Early April 2025: Review of alternative technical concepts from each design-build team. 
• May 16, 2025: Technical proposals due 
• May 30, 2025: Price proposals due 
• June 6, 2025: Tentative award  
• July 15, 2025: Notice to proceed given to begin work

RIDOT remains on track to issue a tentative award to the winning design-build team in early June 2025 and a notice to proceed with work by mid-July 2025. Once the winning company is notified, they will begin work immediately. Initial tasks include finalizing the design, obtaining permits, and staging equipment. The commencement of work in the field will be determined by the schedule provided by the winning design-build team at the time of the award.