REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS ANNOUNCEMENT 18-CDP-0016

DATED: September 11, 2017

The City of Arlington (“City”) is seeking a response to this Request for Qualifications (RFQ) from consultants interested in providing professional services needed to Develop Urban Design Guidelines for the intersection of Collins Street and Pioneer Parkway in Arlington, Tarrant County, Texas.

Qualifications, in accordance with the specifications and scope of work below, will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. on September 29, 2017.

PROJECT OVERVIEW

The City of Arlington is requesting qualifications from professional consulting firms with the necessary skills to develop Design Guidelines for the intersection of Collins Street and Pioneer Parkway in Arlington, Texas. This intersection is the western gateway to a rapidly evolving international corridor as established in the New York Avenue Corridor Strategy, adopted by the Arlington City Council in September 2013. These Design Guidelines are intended to highlight and honor this heritage and encourage the emerging international character along the Pioneer Parkway corridor, which extends eastward to Grand Prairie’s Asia Time Square Marketplace. The subject area for this project can found on the maps included in Exhibit E. Funding for this project will be provided through a partnership between the City of Arlington and Tarrant County.

Currently, this intersection is developed with various retail uses including a gas station, restaurant, alternative financial institutions, and general clothing and good retail stores. The City is interested in developing Design Guidelines that will increase the aesthetic quality of the area and better balance its economic, social, and environmental qualities while showcasing the international heritage that makes this section of Arlington unique. This intersection also has several drive approaches near the traffic signal, and drivers experience heavy traffic and hazardous road maneuvering, especially on Collins Street. The Design Guidelines should include innovative traffic calming devices to encourage a reduction in traffic congestion at this intersection while enhancing the pedestrian movement along this corridor. As part of the City’s 2014 Bond Program, Collins Street between Park Row and Pioneer Parkway will be rebuilt in part to reduce traffic congestion of the major north-south thoroughfare. The City would like to capitalize on this planned investment in hopes that it will spur redevelopment in the area. Construction is slated to begin in 2019.

A successful final document will build on the cultural diversity of the area to create a cohesive character. These Design Guidelines will focus primarily on the public property realm, with some recommendations for private property to enhance the international character.

The firm selected for this project will provide leadership throughout the planning process. This project should result in a comprehensive set of Design Guidelines to enhance the aesthetic quality of this gateway intersection. This process will require a community engagement component, including a charrette exercise. The selected firm will need experience identifying culturally appropriate and meaningful international aesthetic characteristics. The deadline for responses to the Request for Qualifications is 5:00 PM CST September 29, 2017.

PROJECT SCOPE

Response Requirements/Goals:

Responses for the Collins Street at Pioneer Parkway Design Guidelines should address the following:

1. Strategic framework of public and private realm design guidelines centered on the cultural diversity of the area, including but not limited to signage, public artwork, furniture, lighting, and other public infrastructure improvements.
2. Community engagement component, including a charrette with citizens, local businesses, community organizations, and other stakeholders.

Deliverables:

Successful completion of the Collins Street at Pioneer Parkway Design Guidelines will require the following deliverables:

1. Urban design guidelines (including but not limited to, gateway (monument(s), lighting standards, wayfinding signage, trash cans, benches, landscaping, traffic calming devices, street cross sections, pedestrian enhancements, etc.) for the public realm that build on the emerging international character of the area.
2. Conceptual level design guidelines for the private realm for future development in the area to enhance the international character and improve the aesthetics of the built environment in the corridor. Design development drawings or construction detail drawings are not part of this contract
3. Five (5) hard copies of draft Design Guidelines and one copy in MS Word with any detailed drawings and maps in a .PDF or GIS file format for City review.
4. Fifteen (15) hard copies of the final Design Guidelines and one electronic copy (MS Word, .PDF) with any detailed drawings and maps in a .PDF and/or GIS file format
5. Attendance at an estimated five (5) meetings with city and county staff and/or stakeholders throughout the duration of the project, including one (1) charrette.

The total budget for this project is $50,000.

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

General Submission Information:

The response should not exceed fifteen (15) pages, excluding resumes, cover sheets, cover letters, and tabbed pages. Responding firms should submit one (1) original and five (5) bound copies of the response, plus one (1) electronic copy on USB flash drive or CD-ROM.

Response Requirements:

Responses to this RFQ should be provided in the following a numbered format as listed below.

1. Provide a brief description of the firm, including the number of years the firm has been in existence, range of professional services, office location(s), and staff size.
2. Include an organizational chart that indicates the proposed key personnel for this project and their responsibilities. This should also include any proposed subcontractors.
3. Provide for each of the key personnel and subcontractors related work experience, education, training, and any other pertinent data that would demonstrate competence and experience in this type of work. This portion of the submittal shall include a resume for each proposed individual. Please note if any proposed individual would be a subcontractor or consultant outside the lead firm. Explain the firm’s past experience with each subcontractor listed. No change in the proposed key personnel or subcontractors will be approved without express written consent of the City.
4. Identify the project’s principal contact and contact information.
5. The City is interested in the experience of the firm and/or the proposed project leaders on similar projects. Please provide information regarding at least five (5) similar projects and include the following items in the narrative:
   • project name and location;
   • year completed;
   • owner representative’s name, title, address, and phone number;
   • project description and cost;
   • whether your firm was the prime or a sub-consultant on the project; and
   • name of project manager and members of the project team.
   • Projects must have been completed within the last five (5) years.
6. Provide a graphic timeline and project schedule with key milestones identified.
7. Describe a general project approach and methodology that would be employed to complete the project. State the firm’s philosophy in how it would facilitate Arlington’s desire for this Design Guideline project.
8. List and describe any prior or ongoing engagements or professional relationships that would constitute a potential conflict of interest, together with a statement explaining why such relationships do not constitute a conflict of interest relative to performing the proposed project. The firm covenants and agrees that the firm and its officers, employees, and subcontractors will have no interest, including personal financial interest, and will acquire no interest, either directly or indirectly, that will conflict in any manner with the performance of the services called for under this RFQ.
9. Identify and describe any potential problems, the firm's approach to resolving these problems, and any special assistance that will be requested from the City.
10. Include and additional information, such as awards or special recognition that will aide in ascertaining the firm’s qualifications for this project.
11. Include the following attachments:
    • Proof of Insurance Requirements (listed below)
    • Data Intake Form
    • MWBE Subcontracting Plan
    • Conflict of Interest Questionnaire

CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION OF QUALIFICATIONS

• Professional background and qualifications of key personnel
• Previous experience with projects of this scope
• Quality and completeness of prior work
• Reference of previous clients
• Capability to perform all aspects of the project
• Previous examples of graphic rendering for urban design projects
• Capability to meet all deadlines and schedules
• Thorough narrative and graphic timeline that details the proposed project approach
• Description of methodology to be used in completing the required work

Evaluation Criteria

Maximum Weighted Percentage

• The knowledge, skills, and experience of the firm’s proposed team: 40%
• The quality and effectiveness of the firm’s past projects of similar scope: 20%
• The firm’s proposed project methodology and approach: 30%
• The firm’s proposed work schedule: 10%

CONSULTANT SELECTION PROCESS

Qualifications will be evaluated by City of Arlington and Tarrant County staff. This committee will select the top three (3) prospective consultants or firms using the above criteria whose responses best demonstrate the competence and qualifications needed to perform the service. Each successful firm will be given the opportunity to make a presentation to the selection committee, followed by questions. Notice will be given as to the time and place of the presentation but is expected to be scheduled for October 11-13, 2017.

The following dates are set forth for informational and planning purposes; however, the City reserves the right to change the dates:

• RFQ Release Date: September 11, 2017, 8:00 am
• Last Day for Questions Due: September 19, 2017, 5:00 pm
• Release of Addendum 1 (if necessary): September 22, 2017, 5:00 pm
• Responses Due: September 29, 2017, 5:00 pm
• Response Firm Interviews: October 11-13, 2017, TBD
• Mayor and Council Approval: October 17, 2017, TBD

Upon selection, the consultant will participate in the final development of the project’s structure, scope, sequence, timeline for completion, and other performance measures required to meet the indicated contractual responsibilities. A formal contract for professional services will be executed through the Arlington City Attorney’s Office, with coordination through the COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND PLANNING DEPARTMENT.

NOTE: Absolutely no faxed or e-mailed qualifications will be accepted. The City of Arlington shall not consider any request for extension of the deadline for qualifications.

View the entire RFQ here: http://www.arlington-tx.gov/cdp/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2017/09/Collins-Street-Pioneer-Parkway-Design-Guidelines-RFQ-FINAL.pdf.