Agency Transportation Department

Contractor Quandel Consultants, LLC

SWIFT Contract Number 223523

Project Name Northern Lights Express Capital Cost Estimate Update

Project Number (if applicable) 1052666

Summarize purpose of the contract, including why it was necessary: The Minnesota Legislature requested information about the potential capital costs and associated funding needs for the NLX
project by February 1, 2023 in order to consider supporting the project in the upcoming legislative session. Assuming the
legislature makes the necessary local match available, OFCVO staff were also currently preparing to submit an application to the
FRA’s Corridor ID program, a federal transportation grant. In order to submit the grant, MnDOT needs to provide the cost
estimates described above.
In 2018, MnDOT utilized a consultant to produce Capital Cost Estimates for the NLX project. MnDOT staff did not (in 2018 and at
the time of writing the contract) and does not currently possess the information or resources necessary to complete an updated
cost estimate to include the necessary level of detail. MnDOT relied on outside assistance from a consultant at the time, and the
circumstances have not changed. Similarly, MnDOT staff did not (at the time of contract amendment) and does not currently
possess the resources necessary to complete the Federal-State Partnership application.

Project Duration

Start Date Tue, 01/17/2023 - 00:00

Original end date Fri, 06/30/2023 - 00:00

Actual end date Sun, 04/30/2023 - 00:00

Did project finish on time? Yes

Total billable hours utilized (if applicable) {Empty}

Contract Amounts

Original contract: $38248.03

Amendments $40552.60

Contract total $78800.63

Did project finish within budget? Yes

What was the funding source? TRANSIT OPERATIONS

Is this a sole source contract? Yes

If this was a single source contract, explain why the agency determined there was only a single source for the services (if applicable) The Minnesota Legislature requested information about the potential capital costs and associated funding needs for the NLX
project by February 1, 2023 in order to consider supporting the project in the upcoming legislative session. Assuming the
legislature makes the necessary local match available, OFCVO staff were also preparing to submit an application to the FRA’s
Corridor ID program, a federal transportation grant. In order to submit the grant, MnDOT needed to provide the cost estimates
described above.
In 2018, Quandel Consultants produced Capital Cost Estimates for the NLX project. MNDOT staff did not (in 2018 and at the time
of the legislative request) and does not currently possess the information or resources necessary to complete an updated cost
estimate to include the necessary level of detail. MnDOT relied on outside assistance from Quandel at the time, and the
circumstances have not changed.
Only Quandel Consultants has both access to the information needed to produce the updated cost estimates, as well as the
familiarity with the factors involved in generation of the previous cost estimates – particularly with respect to why certain
elements were included or excluded for advanced technical purposes – to complete the estimate in the required timeframe

Evaluator Name Anthony,Lydia

Evaluator Email Address Lydia.Anthony@state.mn.us

Evaluate the contractor's timeliness The Consultant provided deliverables on time to meet the needs of the legislature and the submission deadline for the FSP
application, with time for MnDOT review. Some draft deliverable items were behind the discussed schedule for the application,
but the final deliverables were submitted on time that allowed MnDOT to submit and review the application on time

Evaluate the contractor's quality The Consultant's expertise with cost estimations and this specific grant application were demonstrated through their project
management and the final deliverables, meeting the language in the contract.

Evaluate the contractor's cost The Consultant stayed within the contract budget.

Evaluate the contractor's overall performance GOOD

Would you engage the contractor's services again? Yes

Describe any negative action taken during the duration of this contract (i.e., termination, pursuit of suspension, etc.): {Empty}

Please rate the overall experience with the contractor 5 - very satisfied