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The Metro Flood Diversion Authority has completed its evaluations and interviews of the respondents to the request for qualifications (RFQ) for the public private partnership (P3) constructed portion of the Fargo-Moorhead Metropolitan Area Flood Risk Management Project.

The Diversion Authority Board shortlisted four teams that best represented their ability to provide effective leadership and teamwork, and efficiently and effectively deliver the diversion project. Each of the four teams will receive the request for proposals (RFP), which is anticipated to be issued later this year by the Diversion Authority:

The Diversion Authority had issued an RFQ to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the diversion channel and associated infrastructure work package (DCAI WP) of the project in July 2016.  In response to the RFQ, the authority received six statements of qualifications. The Diversion Authority was impressed with the quality of each of the six teams.

The following four teams have been approved as the shortlisted proposers:

• Lake Agassiz Partners (Meridiam/Walsh/AECOM) 
• Red River Valley Partners (Fluor/Plenary/Ames/Barnard) 
• Red River Valley Alliance (Acciona/InfraRed/North American Enterprises/Shikun&Binui) 
• Red River Partners (Graham/Parsons/Alberici/BBGI) 

The DCAI WP consists of a 58 km long and 460 m wide diversion channel, 2 aqueducts, 2 river inlets, various local drainage inlets, the channel outfall, 4 railroad bridges, 4 interstate highway bridges, and 10 county road bridges, as well as associated environmental mitigation and recreational features. The goal is to reduce flood risk associated with a long history of frequent flooding on local streams in the area.

Of the entire project’s estimated US$2.2 billion cost, the winning PPP bidder’s share of the work is worth US$763 million.

Chairman Darrell Vanyo said:

“Permanent flood protection for Fargo-Moorhead is on the horizon. In addition to word last week from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that they intend to issue the first construction contract for the Diversion Project in the next month, the board’s action to shortlist firms and enter the RFP phase on the P3 portion of the project is good news for local residents who are ready to get it done and be assured they are safe from flooding for good.” 

“The response of the industry to this project shows that we have a great project.”