PURPOSE OF REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFPs)

The Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority ("Authority") is soliciting proposals from a qualified prime firm and their subconsultant with expertise in landscape architecture and civil and geotechnical engineering consulting services. The team under this contract may perform master planning, design feasibility analysis, pre-design through final construction documentation and construction oversight and administration as needed. Projects under this contract will be focused on small to medium-sized public access facilities such as parking areas, trailheads and trails, accessibility design, restroom structures and other related features. Projects could also include ecological restoration planning and design. Environmental compliance associated with these projects will not be included in this contract, however the Prime Firm will work in collaboration with the Authority's team. The Authority is seeking proposals from an experienced prime firm and their subconsultant for landscape architecture and engineering consultation which will be on an "As Needed" basis within a four (4) year term, not to exceed $400,000. The selected professionals will have proven experience in landscape architecture, engineering, and related services for federal, state, and local public agencies and be fully qualified to perform services requested by the Authority in this RFP.

BACKGROUND

The Authority is an independent special district created on February 1, 1993, by an act of the Legislature and is governed by a seven-member elected Board of Directors. The Authority serves a large portion of Santa Clara County by protecting sensitive lands and agricultural resources, preserving natural communities, and managing open space. The Authority has preserved over 22,000 acres, which include three preserves open to the public with over 20 miles of trail. As-needed landscape architecture and engineering consultant services will support the Authority in its role related to connecting people to nature through public access, education and interpretive opportunities, and resource and habitat protection and management through ecological restoration.

We are currently planning multiple public access and capital improvement projects, in addition to resource management planning and master planning for open space management. Design for public access projects may include components of recreational trails, roadways, staging areas, waterway crossings, or other Authority facilities. The Contractor will aid Staff by developing site designs and schematics for permitting and construction needs, as well as for outreach materials for presentation to the Authority's Board of Directors and to the general public.

OBJECTIVES

The Authority is inviting proposals from qualified consulting firms, groups, or individuals ("Prime Consultant") to work with Staff and project partners on a variety of tasks that support the organization's conservation planning and design projects at the project and program level. Serving on an as-needed basis, services performed through this RFP will provide Authority Staff with more capacity to perform a variety of tasks related to capital improvement projects and open space management.

Please see the Authority's website for full RFP details, including Scope of Work, Preparation and Submission of Responses, and Important Dates. Proposals are due February 15, 2019.