Active SLED Opportunity · ARIZONA · TOWN OF FLORENCE
AI Summary
The Town of Florence seeks industry input via an RFI for a public private partnership to design and construct a program of transportation projects improving connectivity across the Gila River. The goal is to enhance safety, mobility, and economic development through improved road and bridge infrastructure.
The TOWN OF FLORENCE is in the preparatory stage of determining interest in, and the viability of, a public private partnership in which a private entity (or group) would facilitate the design and construction of a program of projects that make connections from Arizona Farms on the north to SR 287 on the south side of Florence across the Gila River.
The purpose of this RFI is to seek industry’s perspective and feedback on the questions presented herein and to provide an opportunity for industry input on interest and preliminary considerations for a successful public private partnership for this program of projects. People, firms, and entities are strongly encouraged to submit responses with detailed comments. The information provided in response to this RFI process will assist the Town of Florence in the planning and development efforts as well as assist the Town in assessing the viability of the Program of Projects and formulating viable options to consider in the procurement, financing, and delivery approach for a potential future solicitation.
2.1 BACKGROUND/CURRENT CONDITIONS
The Town of Florence was established south of the Gila River; however, over time The Town has grown on the north side of Gila River. Florence is connected from north by two roadways (Hunt Highway and State Route (SR) 79) as shown in Exhibit A. Approximately 6 miles west of SR 79 is Attaway Road, a north-south roadway. Attaway Road and SR 79 currently provide two-lane bridge crossings of the Gila River. Unfortunately, frequent road closures on Hunt Highway and SR 79 cause major issues with residents, emergency response times regional and local economies.
Currently, local traffic must rely on indirect routes that increase travel time, congestion, and conflict points within residential and commercial areas. Further, the increase in average daily travel on all roadways Statewide and locally, exacerbates both local and regional travel.
Our residents and business owners want more inclusiveness between north and south sides of the Gila River. Florence would like to improve emergency response, commute time, redundancies in our network and promote regional travel and economic development.
PROJECT GOALS
The following goals are expected to be achieved in terms of the program of projects:
PROJECT CHARACTERISTICS
The following are project characteristics:
TRANSPORTATION NETWORK BENEFITS
SAFETY AND MOBILITY ENHANCEMENTS
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND LONG-TERM PLANNING
2.2 SCOPE OF THE PROJECT
A Program of North-South and East-West Road Projects will enhance regional connectivity, improve emergency response times, and promote economic development. Effective Transportation Systems are essential for supporting and sustaining long-term economic growth by improving mobility, facilitating commerce, and increasing access to jobs, services, and opportunities. We encourage innovative approaches to delivering either a single Project or a coordinated program of multiple projects that provide lasting transportation, economic, and community benefits.
2.3 PROGRAM SCHEDULE
The Town of Florence would expect to receive potential partners, schedules, designs, construction with measurable and achievable project milestones. For example, Florence would like to know when project(s) will be open to motorists (i.e., within 18-24 months) upon notice to proceed on a single project or a program of project(s).
3.1 CHANGES TO THIS RFI
At any time, in its sole discretion, the Town of Florence may, by written addenda to this RFI, modify, amend, cancel and/or reissue this RFI. If an amendment is issued prior to the date information is due, it will be made available on the OpenGov procurement portal to anyone following the Project.
3.2 INFORMATION PREPARATION COSTS
The Town of Florence shall not be liable for any costs incurred by any Respondent in the preparation, submission, presentation, or revision of its information and response, or in any other aspect of the Respondent’s pre-information submission activity. All such costs shall be borne solely by the Respondent. In no event shall the Town of Florence be bound by, or liable for, any obligations with respect to the project until such time (if at all) as the Town of Florence authorizes and executes a written agreement, and then only to the extent set forth in such agreement.
3.3 CLARIFICATION OF RESPONSES
The Town of Florence reserves the option, at its sole discretion, to contact a Respondent to seek clarification regarding information contained in its response but shall have no obligation to do so. The decision to contact and request clarification from a Respondent rests solely with the Town of Florence. In submitting its response, a Respondent should not assume that it will be provided an opportunity to subsequently clarify or otherwise discuss any feature thereof.
3.4 DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION CONTENTS
All materials and information submitted in response to this RFI, and any materials delivered to the Town of Florence during one-on-one meetings, are subject to the Arizona Public Records Law, Title 39 ARS, and any other laws, regulations and case decisions applicable to the disclosure of materials and information submitted under this RFI (collectively, the “Public Records Laws”).
Respondents are also advised that the Public Records Laws may exempt certain portions of the responses, such as certain trade secrets and commercial and financial information, from public disclosure and permit confidential treatment by the Town of Florence. If a Respondent has special concerns about the confidentiality of materials and information that it desires to make available to the Town of Florence, but which the Respondent believes is exempted from disclosure under the Public Records Laws, such Respondent shall specifically and conspicuously designate that material and information in writing and by placing “CONFIDENTIAL” in the header or footer of each such page affected, together with a concise written explanation as to why the information is exempt from disclosure. No oral designations of any kind will be accepted. Blanket written designations that do not identify the specific materials and information are not acceptable and may be cause for the Town of Florence to treat the entire response as public information.
The Town of Florence may disclose the contents of all responses to this RFI, except to the extent that a portion of the response may be exempt from disclosure in accordance with applicable Public Records Laws and the instructions provided above. By delivering a response, as well as by registering and participating in a one-on-one meeting with the Town of Florence, each Respondent consents to such disclosure and expressly waives any right to contest such disclosure unless exempt under applicable provisions of the Public Records Laws.
The Town of Florence will not advise a Respondent or other party as to the nature or content of documents entitled to protection from disclosure under the Public Records Laws, as to the interpretation of such laws, or as to the definition of trade secret or other proprietary information. Nothing contained in this provision shall modify or amend requirements and obligations imposed by the Public Records Laws. The provisions of the Public Records Laws shall control in the event of a conflict between the procedures described above and the Public Records Laws.
In the event of any litigation or other proceeding concerning the disclosure of a Respondent’s materials or information or portion thereof submitted to the Town of Florence, the Respondent shall be responsible for prosecuting or defending such action at its sole expense and risk; provided, however, that the Town of Florence reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to intervene or participate in the litigation or other proceeding in such manner as it deems necessary or desirable. All costs and fees (including attorneys’ fees and costs) incurred by the Town of Florence in connection with any litigation, other proceeding or request for disclosure shall be reimbursed and paid by the Respondent whose response is the subject thereof.
In no event shall the Town of Florence or any of their respective agents, representatives, consultants, directors, officers or employees be professionally or personally liable to a Respondent, a Respondent team member, or any other party for the disclosure of any materials or information submitted in response to this RFI or at the Industry Forum, including materials marked “CONFIDENTIAL,” whether the disclosure is deemed required by Public Records Laws or by an order of court or occurs through inadvertence, mistake or negligence.
3.5 OWNERSHIP OF SUBMITTED MATERIALS
All materials and information submitted in response to or in connection with this RFI shall become the property of the Town of Florence and will not be returned to the submitting parties. The Town of Florence shall have the right to use such materials and information and ideas set forth therein without restriction.
3.6 RIGHTS OF TOWN OF FLORENCE
The Town of Florence reserves to itself all rights available to it under applicable law, including but not limited to the unqualified right, at any time and in its sole discretion, to change or modify this RFI, to reject any and all information, to seek clarification of information, to request additional information, and to undertake communications with one or more Respondents or others who, at any time subsequent to the deadline for submissions to this RFI, may express an interest in the subject matter hereof. No Respondent or any other person or entity shall have any rights against the Town of Florence arising from the contents of this RFI, the receipt of information, or the incorporation in or rejection of information contained in any response or in any other document. The Town of Florence makes no representations, warranties or guarantees that the information provided here or in any other forum, or in any addenda hereto or thereto, is accurate, complete, or timely or that such information accurately represents the conditions that would be encountered. The furnishing of such information by the Town of Florence shall not create or be deemed to create any obligation or liability upon it for any reason whatsoever; and each Respondent, by submitting its information, expressly agrees that it has not relied upon the foregoing information, and that it shall not hold the Town of Florence liable or responsible.
Upload responses here
I understand that all materials and information submitted in response to or in connection with this RFI shall become the property of the Town of Florence and will not be returned to the submitting parties. The Town of Florence shall have the right to use such materials and information and ideas set forth therein without restriction.
I confirm that all referenced Exhibits and Appendix are included in the Attachments portion of the RFI.
SLED stands for State, Local, and Education. These are solicitations issued by state governments, counties, cities, school districts, utilities, and higher education institutions — as opposed to federal agencies.
SamSearch Platform
AI-powered intelligence for the right opportunities, the right leads, and the right time.