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.
Solicitation Details
- Anticipated amount of funding: $30 million
- The maximum award will be $10 million and the minimum award will be $200,000
- No more than 60% of funds will be awarded to Greater Minnesota Projects or Twin Cities Metropolitan Area projects
- Funding may be used to augment an already planned MnDOT project or be used for a standalone project
- MnDOT projects and projects initiated and led by cities, counties and tribes on any state trunk highway are eligible
- MnDOT’s cost participation policy will apply
- Projects will be evaluated using social, environmental and economic factors
MnDOT has formed an advisory group of other state agencies to assist in the creation of project evaluation criteria and to help rank project proposals. MnDOT intends to release draft criteria by the end of the year for review and comment.
Learn More About the Solicitation
MnDOT held a Webinar- on Dec. 17, 2012 describing the solicitation.
During the webinar, CIMS Project Manager Philip Schaffner provided background information on the Minnesota GO vision and the Statewide Multimodal Transportation Plan policy objective to improve critical connections. CIMS aims to identify and prioritize opportunities to meet objectives for which no system performance target exists.
The 2013 CIMS Solicitation is designed to fund trunk highway projects that advance the Minnesota GO objectives of Quality of Life, Economic Competitiveness and Environmental Health. Philip provided details about the evaluation method that will be used to select projects, including the use of a tool developed by Parsons Brinkerhoff that calculates the return on investment of proposed projects. Philip also answered questions about the application process, eligiblility, and financial requirements.
Watch a recording of the webinar: http://mndot.adobeconnect.com/amss_cims1217/
Handouts from the webinar:
To request these files in another format, contact Philip Schaffner at philip.schaffner@state.mn.us or 651-366-3743.
Future Solicitations
Once the 20-Year Minnesota State Highway Investment Plan 2013-2032 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.
