The Board of Estimate and Contract on Dec. 30 opened a request for qualifications (RFQ) for preliminary engineering of the South Fulton Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation, a qualifications-only solicitation that produced one submission transcribed as 'H VEA Engineers.' Staff said the RFQ packet contained resumes and statements of qualifications but no price proposals because the procurement is intended to select qualified engineering firms for later design work.

Mayor Patterson Howard, speaking at length, said the city closed the Fulton and Third Avenue overpasses on Jan. 12, 2023, after decades of deferred maintenance and structural warnings. "These bridges were F rated," the mayor said, describing prior temporary wooden shoring and steel banding and noting the bridges had become dumping grounds. "It is not an emergency until the bridge collapses with somebody's family member on that bridge," Patterson Howard said, explaining the city chose closure on public-safety grounds.

Curtis Woods, City Engineer, told the board the project is being coordinated with New York State’s bridge programs and that the city notified all 15 state-prequalified bridge contractors about the opportunity. Woods said staff will score submitted qualifications by experience and past work and may re-solicit if a respondent is found unsuitable or wait for the next state prequalification list in early 2025.

The mayor said the city secured approximately $4.9 million in state funding for one of the bridges and that further funds are being pursued. He emphasized the need for a long-term solution rather than temporary repairs that would quickly require rework.

Next steps: staff will evaluate the submitted qualifications, assemble a shortlist if multiple firms qualify, and later advertise a bidding package for construction after design and funding are secured.