Minnesota Department of Transportation

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Project development

Engineering process | Scoping

Negotiated Maintenance and Construction Contracts (NMCs)

Purpose

A Negotiated Maintenance or Construction Contract (NMCs) is an alternative contracting delivery method that allows MnDOT to execute a contract with a contractor easier and in less time than it takes to execute one in the normal competitive bidding process under certain circumstances.

When to use this subject

You can use NMCs to award highway construction and maintenance contracts. Only projects that meet specific criteria qualify for the NMC contract process. The scope of the work cannot exceed $250,000 and you must receive a minimum of two quotes. NMCs are not only a simplified delivery method to get important work done, but is also a great vehicle to use to create opportunity for small business or contractors new to doing business with the Department. Examples of project types that may go through this process are:

  • Bridge and road construction (BARC)
  • Ditch cleaning
  • Catch basin repair
  • Bituminous pavement repair
  • Pipe lining and outlet restoration
  • Bridge drainage system cleaning
  • Unauthorized site cleanup
  • Guardrail installation
  • Impact attenuator installation
  • Landscaping activities
  • Tree/Brush clearing and grubbing
  • Signing
  • Shoulder work
  • Concrete flatwork
  • Fencing
  • Mowing

NMCs:

  • Must be state-funded only
  • Must adhere to prevailing wage requirements
  • Use purchase orders for procurement and become the legal binding contract
  • Receive a minimum of two quotes to proceed
  • Do not have set DBE, TGB, or OJT goals

How this subject fits into the overall project development process

You can begin the NMC contract process once you know that you have a project that is eligible and you have secured funding. You must have an executed Purchase Order in place before the contractor can begin work.

District staff will create a NMC Early Notification Memo (ENM) to provide early notification of a proposed project and/or request early review of the project (and coordination with other agencies when needed) to ensure that environmental concerns and other interests related to the project are considered in the project scoping, layout or design:

Organizations involved

  • MnDOT:
    • Office of Advancing Equity
    • Project Managers
    • Maintenance
    • Construction
    • Procurement
    • Environmental/Specialty Areas (Utilities, Water Resources, Office of Construction Innovative Contracting, etc.)
    • Design
  • Municipalities and Counties
  • Private Business Owners