TOWN OF MUNSTER, INDIANA REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ) RIGHT-OF-WAY DETERMINATION, ACQUISITION, AND CONDEMNATION SERVICES RIDGE ROAD CORRIDOR IMPROVEMENTS

Description: TOWN OF MUNSTER, INDIANA REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ) RIGHT-OF-WAY DETERMINATION, ACQUISITION, AND CONDEMNATION SERVICES RIDGE ROAD CORRIDOR IMPROVEMENTS The Town of Munster is soliciting Statements of Qualifications (SOQs) from qualified firms to provide right-of-way determination, acquisition, negotiation, appraisal coordination, eminent domain support, and related professional services for the Ridge Road Corridor Improvement Project between State Line Road and Columbia Avenue. The Town has identified approximately 40 to 55 parcels requiring review and potential acquisition activities. The selected consultant will assist the Town in resolving right-of-way ownership issues and acquiring property interests necessary to support roadway, pedestrian, sidewalk, streetscape, and related infrastructure improvements. Interested firms may submit a Notice of Intent, by November 19, 2026 at 4:30PM CST, to receive project background materials, including available title research, parcel tracking information, and right-of-way review exhibits. Statements of Qualifications must be submitted to the Town of Munster Clerk-Treasurer's Office, 1005 Ridge Road, Munster, Indiana 46321, no later than December 3, 2026 at 3:00 PM CST. The Town reserves the right to reject any or all submissions, waive informalities or irregularities, and accept the submission deemed to be in the best interests of the Town. For additional information, contact: Dan Reyes Assistant Town Manager Town of Munster (219) 836-6907 dreyes@munster.org TOWN OF MUNSTER REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ) RIGHT-OF-WAY DETERMINATION, ACQUISITION, AND CONDEMNATION SERVICES Ridge Road Corridor Improvements Milestone Date RFQ Issued 11/05/2026 Notice of Intent Due 11/19/2026 4:30PM CST SOQ Due 11/30/2026 4:30 PM CST Interviews (if required) 12/09-12/11/2026 Consultant Selection 12/21/2026 Contact: Dan Reyes Assistant Town Manager (219) 836-6907 Dreyes@munster.org 1005 Ridge Road Munster, IN 46321 PROJECT OVERVIEW The Town of Munster is soliciting Statements of Qualifications from firms experienced in right-of-way acquisition, title research, appraisal coordination, negotiation, eminent domain support, and related professional services. The selected consultant will assist the Town in resolving right-of-way ownership issues and acquiring property interests necessary to support the Ridge Road Corridor Improvement Project between State Line Road and Columbia Avenue. The project corridor is approximately 1.3 miles in length and includes roadway reconstruction, pedestrian improvements, sidewalk enhancements, streetscape improvements, and related infrastructure upgrades. The Town has identified approximately 40 to 55 parcels with varying levels of right-of-way uncertainty. Preliminary title work, parcel mapping, and right-of-way investigations have been completed and will be made available to the selected consultant. The Town anticipates that the selected consultant will utilize and build upon the existing title research, parcel mapping, and right-of-way review information developed for the project. Respondents should avoid duplicating work already completed unless additional investigation is determined to be necessary. SCOPE OF SERVICES The selected consultant shall review all available title research, parcel mapping, right-of-way exhibits, engineering plans, and related materials previously prepared for the project and shall rely upon such materials to the maximum extent practicable. Any proposed duplication of previously completed work shall be specifically identified and justified by the consultant. Services may include, but are not limited to: Existing Conditions Review Review all information provided by the Town, including: • Existing title work • Parcel ownership records • Right-of-way exhibits • Engineering plans • Acquisition tracking documentation Right-of-Way Evaluation The consultant shall: • Review existing ownership information. • Confirm ownership interests. • Identify title deficiencies. • Verify right-of-way extents. • Identify parcels requiring additional property interests. • Recommend acquisition strategies. Acquisition Strategy Development The consultant shall: • Develop parcel-specific acquisition recommendations. • Identify the most appropriate acquisition method for each parcel. • Estimate acquisition costs. • Develop an acquisition schedule. • Identify legal risks and constraints. Appraisal and Valuation Services The consultant shall: • Coordinate appraisals as necessary. • Coordinate appraisal review services. • Establish fair market value recommendations. • Prepare valuation documentation. Acquisition and Negotiation Services The consultant shall: • Contact property owners. • Conduct negotiations. • Prepare offer packages. • Maintain negotiation records. • Coordinate settlements. • Assist with execution of acquisition documents. All settlements shall be subject to approval by the Town of Munster. Legal and Eminent Domain Services The consultant team shall include qualified legal counsel experienced in Indiana eminent domain and right-of-way acquisition matters. Services may include: • Acquisition document preparation; • Legal review of acquisition documents; • Eminent domain support; • Condemnation preparation and coordination; • Litigation support; • Expert testimony support; and • Coordination with the Town Attorney and other legal counsel retained by the Town. The selected consultant shall be responsible for performing the day-to-day legal and acquisition support services necessary to complete the project. The Town Attorney shall remain legal counsel to the Town and may review acquisition recommendations, condemnation actions, settlement recommendations, and other matters requiring legal review or presentation to the Town Council. All acquisition settlements, condemnation actions, and final property acquisition decisions shall be subject to review and approval by the Town Council. Closing and Recording Services The consultant shall: • Coordinate closings. • Coordinate title updates. • Record acquisition documents. • Maintain acquisition files. • Provide final ownership documentation. SCHEDULE The selected consultant shall begin work immediately upon contract execution. The Town's objective is to complete all required right-of-way acquisition activities by December 31, 2027. Respondents shall provide a proposed schedule demonstrating their ability to meet this objective. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Respondents must demonstrate the following minimum qualifications to be considered responsive: Firm Experience The prime consultant shall have completed at least: • Three (3) right-of-way acquisition projects within the last ten (10) years involving public roadway improvements. • One (1) project involving twenty (20) or more parcels. • One (1) project involving commercial property acquisition. Indiana Experience The prime consultant or key team members shall demonstrate experience with: • Indiana right-of-way acquisition procedures. • Indiana eminent domain law. • Indiana property recording requirements. Acquisition Personnel The proposed project manager shall have: • At least five (5) years of experience managing right-of-way acquisition projects. • Experience serving as project manager on at least one roadway acquisition project involving ten (10) or more parcels. Legal Counsel The consultant team shall include an attorney licensed to practice law in Indiana with demonstrated experience in: • Real estate acquisition. • Right-of-way acquisition. • Eminent domain proceedings. Insurance The consultant shall maintain insurance coverage meeting Town requirements and provide proof of coverage. NOTICE OF INTENT All interested parties are encouraged to submit a written "Notice of Intent to Submit Statement of Qualifications - ROW Acquisitions". Submission of a Notice of Intent is encouraged but not required. Firms that do not submit a Notice of Intent are responsible for monitoring the Town's procurement postings for addenda, responses to questions, and other RFQ updates. Interested parties can provide written notice by email to the Contact, found above, with the "Notice of Intent to Submit SOQ - ROW Acquisition" in the subject line. The body of the e-mail shall contain the name of the interested party, a contact person to receive any information from the Town concerning the RFQ process and that person's contact information. Upon receipt of a Notice of Intent, the Town will provide available background materials, including preliminary title research, parcel tracking information, and right-of-way review exhibits. QUESTIONS Questions regarding this RFQ are encouraged to be submitted in writing to the Contact identified herein. The Town may issue written responses or addenda as deemed appropriate. Verbal responses provided by Town staff shall not be considered binding interpretations of this RFQ. DELIVERABLES The consultant shall provide, at a minimum: • Existing Conditions Review Report • Parcel Ownership Matrix • Acquisition Strategy Report • Acquisition Cost Estimate • Appraisal Documentation • Negotiation Logs • Monthly Status Reports • Executed Acquisition Documents • Recorded Deeds and Easements • Condemnation Support Documentation • Final Corridor Right-of-Way Ownership Report • Final Project Closeout Report STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS REQUIREMENTS Submittals should include: Four (4) copies of the firm's proposal and one (1) flash drive with an electronic copy shall be submitted to ATTN: Town of Munster ROW Acquisition RFQ, Town of Munster Clerk Treasurer's office, 1005 Ridge Road, Munster, Indiana 46321, no later than December 3 at 3:00 PM CST. Electronic submissions will not be accepted. Qualifications must be delivered in hard copy to the Clerk-Treasurer's Office prior to the submission deadline. In order to be responsive, all proposals must follow the format and contain information listed in this section. Unnecessarily elaborate brochures and other presentations beyond those sufficient to present and complete and effective response to the solution are not desired. 1. Cover letter - Provide a one or two-page letter introducing your firm, Office locations, and Primary Contact. 2. Overview and Approach- Provide an abstract of your firm's submittal, summarizing the nature of the proposal, and demonstrating your understanding of the project, proposed methodology, acquisition strategy, and risk management approach 3. Project team - Include brief bios or resumes of the staff who will be assigned to the project. Discuss experience and applicability to this project. Identify project manager, lead acquisition specialist, appraiser(s), legal counsel, key support staff. 4. Relevant project experience - Provide details of up to three prior projects your firm has completed which support the firm's qualifications for this assignment. 5. Schedule 6. References - Contact information for three references knowledgeable about the firm's experience in this type of project. 7. Disclosure of any actual or potential conflicts of interest, including representation of property owners or businesses located within the Ridge Road corridor, proof of insurance (Attachment A), and a completed Non-Collusion Affidavit (Attachment B) 8. Must be willing to accept payment by ACH. EVALUATION CRITERIA Criteria Weight Relevant ROW Acquisition Experience 30% Indiana Eminent Domain Experience 20% Qualifications of Project Team 20% Project Understanding and Approach 20% Capacity and Ability to Meet Schedule 10% SELECTION PROCESS Following evaluation, the Town may: • Select a consultant based solely on submitted qualifications; • Conduct interviews with one or more firms; or • Request additional information from respondents. The Town intends to enter fee negotiations with the highest-ranked respondent. If negotiations are unsuccessful, the Town reserves the right to terminate negotiations and begin negotiations with the next highest-ranked respondent. RESERVATION OF RIGHTS The Town of Munster reserves the right to: • Reject any or all Statements of Qualifications. • Waive informalities or irregularities in any submission. • Request additional information from respondents. • Conduct interviews with one or more respondents. • Negotiate with the highest-ranked respondent. • Cancel, modify, or reissue this RFQ. • Award all, part, or none of the services described herein if determined to be in the best interests of the Town. ATTACHMENT A Insurance Requirements All coverage should list Town of Munster as an additional insured on a primary and non- contributory basis. Below is an outline of our recommendations. Commercial General Liability Coverage 1. $1,000,000 Per Occurrence 2. $1,000,000 Personal & Advertising Injury 3. $2,000,000 General Aggregate 4. $2,000,000 Products/Completed Ops Aggregate 5. The Town should be named as an additional insured on a primary & non- contributory basis Professional Liability (Errors & Omissions) 6. $1,000,000 Each Claim 7. $1,000,000 Aggregate Commercial Automobile Liability Coverage 8. $1,000,000 Combined Single Limit 9. The Town should be named as an additional insured on a primary & non- contributory basis Umbrella or Excess Liability 10. $5,000,000 Per Occurrence 11. $5,000,000 General Aggregate 12. Coverage provided should be follow form Workers Compensation Coverage 13. Statutory limits 14. Employers Liability Limits of $1,000,000/$1,000,000/$1,000,000 15. Above coverages shall be from a company authorized to do business in Indiana and with at least an "A VII" rating from A.M. Best Company 16. If requested, organization must provide copies of applicable policy endorsements ATTACHMENT B Non-Collusion Affidavit The undersigned offeror or agent, duly swears, under penalties for perjury, that he has not, nor has any other member, representative, or agent of the firm, company, corporation or partnership represented by him, entered into any combination, collusion or agreement with any person relative to the price to be offered by any person nor to prevent any person from making an offer nor to induce anyone to refrain from making an offer and that this offer is made without reference to any other offer. _______________________________________ Offeror (Firm) _______________________________________ Signature of Offeror or Agent State of Indiana County of Lake This instrument was acknowledged before me on ______________________________ (date) by ___________________________ (name of person) as ________________________ (type of authority, e.g., officer, trustee, etc.) of ___________________________________ (name of party on behalf of whom instrument was executed). signature of Notary Public My Commission Expires: ________________ Resident of _____________________ County