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Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) currently is accepting construction manager/general contractor proposals for the first phase of its Northwest and Southeast light-rail corridor extensions. But interested firms should be prepared to provide more services.

The agency is taking a different approach to its request-for-proposals process. In the past, DART completed design, bid the contract and awarded it to the lowest bidder. Now, the agency is requiring the selected contractor to perform pre-construction design review, and offer construction planning and services. Bidders must guarantee a maximum fixed price for the project, and pay the difference if the project cost exceeds their estimate.

In addition, the contractor will be expected to surpass DART’s safety record, minimize disruption to communities, meet or exceed minority-contracting goals and encourage teaming with small businesses.

Expected to be awarded in August, the contract includes constructing the entire 10-mile Southeast Corridor line connecting Pleasant Grove and Pearl Station in downtown Dallas, and completing facility construction, trackwork, utility relocation, light-rail systems installation and traffic control for a 2.3-mile section of the Northwest Corridor.

Once complete, the 25-mile Northwest Corridor extension will comprise two branches — one extending from West End Station in downtown Dallas and traveling north to Carrollton, Texas, and the other extending from a planned Bachman Station in northwest Dallas to Irving, Texas, and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.