Project: PL-00012, Landscape Master Plan (Gainesville)

A member of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU), the University of Florida (UF) is a major public, land-grant research institution that was established in Gainesville, Florida in 1906. The campus is situated on approximately 2,000 acres in the middle of the Gainesville Metropolitan Area. The campus includes approximately 448 acres of conservation lands including open water bodies and an additional 88 acres of designated open space. The campus is truly a city-within-a-city with its roughly 50,000 main campus headcount enrollment, nearly 30,000 employees including the medical complex, 11,000 on-campus residents, and untold numbers of daily visitors.

The University of Florida recently completed a Strategic Development Plan (SDP), and is finalizing Campus Design Guidelines (CDG). The SDP describes a broad framework for the long-term development of campus and its environs with an emphasis on community collaboration. Recommendations to develop five important civic squares, a north-south "main street" along Newell Drive, and an east-west corridor along Stadium Road are key to the SDP's framework for the physical campus. The Campus Master Plan for 2015-2025 (CMP) provides further site assessment, policy and design guidance, but will require some amendment to make it consistent with the SDP. The Campus Design Guidelines provide a unifying vision for the physical assets of campus including architecture, landscapes, natural areas, parking and circulation that are consistent with and support the SDP framework. The proposed Landscape Master Plan (LMP) would delve further into developing the details supporting this vision in terms of civic spaces, streetscapes, landscape concepts, signage, gateways, plant and material pallets that brand the university and mark its preeminent place in the community and in higher education. This campus-wide landscape vision will build upon concepts developed in the SDP and CDG, and operationalize these concepts to landscape policies, projects and priorities.

The selected firm will provide landscape architecture and civil engineering design services, and policy planning for the referenced project. Plans and specifications for University of Florida projects are subject to reuse in accordance with the provisions of Section 287.055, Florida Statutes. The selected applicant will be required to provide insurance coverage for General Liability, Automotive Liability, and Workers' Compensation.

Applicants will be evaluated on the basis of their experience, personnel, design ability, references, workload, and responses to questions posed both in the shortlist and interview phases. The Selection Committee may reject all proposals and stop the selection process at any time.

Prior to execution of any agreements between applicant and University relating to the project, the applicant entity must be authorized by the Florida Department of State to transact business in Florida.

Applicants desiring to provide professional services for the project shall submit a proposal only after thoroughly reviewing the Project Fact Sheet, and other background information. The proposal shall be prepared as specified in the Professional Qualifications Supplement (PQS) Instructions and shall include:

1. A Letter of Application that concisely illustrates the applicant's understanding of the scope of services, schedule, and other goals and considerations as outlined in the Project Fact Sheet.
2. A completed, project-specific PQS proposal with signed certification. Applications on any other form will not be considered.
3. Resumes and other pertinent credentials for all proposed staff (applicant and consultants).
4. Proof of the applicant entity's corporate status in Florida, or an affirmative statement that it will be authorized to transact business in the State of Florida prior to execution of any agreements between applicant and University relating to the project.

As required by Section 287.133, Florida Statutes, an applicant may not submit a proposal for this project if it is on the convicted vendor list for a public entity crime committed within the past 36 months. The selected professional must warrant that it will neither utilize the services of, nor contract with, any supplier, subcontractor, or consultant in excess of $15,000.00 in connection with this project for a period of 36 months from the date of their being placed on the convicted vendor list.

Incomplete proposals will be disqualified. Submittal materials will not be returned.

Additional information to assist the applicant in preparing a complete proposal — including the project-specific PQS forms, instructions, Project Fact Sheet, UF Design and Commissioning Services Guide, standard University of Florida Owner-Professional agreement, and other project and process information — can be found on the Planning Design & Construction website.

Finalists may be provided with supplemental interview requirements and criteria as needed.

Provide the number of copies prescribed in the Project Fact Sheet. Submittals must be received in the Planning Design & Construction office by 3:00 PM local time, on Thursday, September 28, 2017. Facsimile (FAX) submittals are not acceptable and will not be considered.

UF Planning Design & Construction
245 Gale Lemerand Drive / P.O. Box 115050
Gainesville, FL 32611-5050
Telephone: 352-273-4000
www.facilities.ufl.edu