CIMS Solicitation

As part of the overall CIMS initiative and consistent with the Minnesota GO Vision, MnDOT anticipates having $30 million for a competitive solicitation in 2013 to fund trunk highway projects that improve quality of life, environmental health or economic competitiveness.

Through CIMS, MnDOT places a strong emphasis on building and maintaining a sustainable transportation system through solutions that ensure a high return-on-investment, given constrained resources, and complement the unique social, natural and economic features of Minnesota.

Resources and Helpful Links for Applicants

• Summary of CIMS Solicitation evaluation criteria (pdf)
• Minnesota GO vision: http://www.minnesotago.org/
• Background on benefit-cost analysis: http://www.dot.state.mn.us/planning/program/benefitcost.html
• MnDOT’s Cost Participation Policy: http://www.dot.state.mn.us/stateaid/ProjDeliv/agreements/information/ds11.pdf
• EPA’s NEPAssist analysis tool (natural, cultural, historical and archaeological resources): http://nepassisttool.epa.gov/nepassist/entry.aspx
• Wetlands data: http://www.mngeo.state.mn.us/chouse/water_wetlands.html
• Agricultural land data: http://www.mngeo.state.mn.us/chouse/land_use.html
• Traffic data and forecasting: http://www.dot.state.mn.us/traffic/data/
• Vehicle speed: http://www.dot.state.mn.us/speed/
• Bicycle benefit estimation: www.bicyclinginfo.org/bikecost
• Bicycle/Pedestrian counts: http://www.dot.state.mn.us/bike/
• Crash/Safety data: http://www.dot.state.mn.us/trafficeng/safety/data/index.html
• Methods of forecasting demand for rural public transit: http://www.trb.org/Main/Blurbs/168758.aspx
• Life cycle cost analysis resources for pavement: http://www.dot.state.mn.us/materials/pvmtdesign/docs/index.html
• American Community Survey/Census data: http://www.census.gov/acs/www/
• Minnesota Housing’s Community Profiles: http://www.mnhousing.gov/PolicyMap/index.aspx
• Minnesota tourist destinations: http://www.exploreminnesota.com/where-to-go/index.aspx
• School maps: http://w20.education.state.mn.us/SchoolFinder/index.jsp
• Scenic Byways: http://www.dot.state.mn.us/scenicbyways/index.html
• Real dollars vs. year of expenditure (or current) dollars explanation http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/income/data/historical/dollars.html

Information and Technical Assistance Sessions

MnDOT scheduled several sessions throughout the state to provide potential applicants more information about the solicitation and an opportunity to ask questions and receive guidance on completing the application. Information about the MnDOT/DEED Transportation Economic Development (TED) program was also presented at the sessions.

March 6 – Detroit Lakes
1:00 – 3:00 pm
MnDOT District Office
1000 Highway 10 West
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501

March 8 – Metro Area
10:00 am – noon
Brooklyn Park City Hall
5200 85th Avenue North
Brooklyn Park, MN 55443

March 11 – Mankato + Adobe Connect
10:00 am – noon
MnDOT District Office
2151 Bassett Drive
Mankato, MN 56001

Click here view the Adobe Connect recording of the March 11th meeting.

March 21 – Brainerd/Baxter
10:00 am – noon
MnDOT District Office
7694 Industrial Park Road
Baxter, MN 56425

March 21 – Bemidji
2:00 – 4:00 pm
MnDOT District Office
3920 Highway 2 West
Bemidji, MN 56601

March 22 – Duluth
10:00 am – noon
MnDOT District Office
1123 Mesaba Avenue
Duluth, MN 55811

March 25 – Rochester
1:00 – 3:00 pm
MnDOT District Office
2900 48th Street NW
Rochester, MN 55901

March 26 - Willmar
10:00 – noon
MnDOT District Office
2505 Transportation Road
Willmar, MN 56201

Future Solicitations

Once the 20-Year Minnesota State Highway Investment Plan 2014-2033 is adopted, MnDOT anticipates using future rounds of the CIMS Solicitation to program a portion of the revenue allocated to the Regional & Community Improvement Priorities investment category.