SUBJECT
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Approve selection committee’s recommendation to authorize staff negotiations with Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. for professional engineering services for final design services for the Old Dixie Trail, a multimodal trail between the Auburndale Trailhead of the Auburndale TECO Trail to the Haines City Trail. (No fiscal impact)
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DESCRIPTION
Old Dixie Trail from Auburndale to Haines City project propose a varying 10 foot to 12 foot trail for approximately 13 miles in length, between the Auburndale Trailhead of the Auburndale TECO Trail to the Haines City Trailhead of the Haines City Trail, in Polk County. The project begins in Auburndale and primarily traverses along Lake Alfred Road and US 17/92 and terminates in Haines City. The project connects the cities of Auburndale, Lake Alfred, and Haines City.
The purpose of this project is to address an existing gap in the regional trail network between the communities of Auburndale and Haines City. Other goals of the project are to 1) provide a safe, viable, nonmotorized travel option for commuters and recreational trail users to access area destinations and 2) support quality of life and economic objectives of the surrounding area.
Roads and Drainage requested Procurement to solicit proposals for the purpose of providing professional engineering services for final design services for the Old Dixie Trail, a multimodal trail between the Auburndale Trailhead of the Auburndale TECO Trail to the Haines City Trail. Request for Proposal (RFP) 26-066, Old Dixie Trail from Auburndale to Haines City was issued, and nine firms submitted proposals. The selection committee met on Wednesday, April 9, 2026, to evaluate and score the proposal. The three highest scored proposers were elevated for interviews. On April 23, 2026, the selection committee conducted interviews and received presentations from three proposers. After the interviews, the consensus of the selection committee was to request the Board authorize staff to enter into contract negotiations with all proposers starting with the highest ranked proposer, Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc.
The following is a listing of the firms and their rankings:
Proposer Location Rank
Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. Orlando, FL 1
Rummel, Klepper & Kahl, LLP Lakeland, FL 2
Kisinger, Campo & Associates, Corp. Tampa, FL 3
A recommendation of award was posted, and no protests were received.
RECOMMENDATION
Request Board approve the selection committee’s recommendation and authorize staff to enter into negotiations with the highest ranked proposer, Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc in regard to RFP 26-066, Old Dixie Trail from Auburndale to Haines City, and moving to the second-highest ranked proposer and so on, if negotiations with Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc are unsuccessful.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact during negotiations.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Tabatha Shirah
Senior Procurement Analyst
(863) 534-5935
tabathashirah@polkfl.gov