SOLICITATION NOTICE
R -- Hartford, CT
- Notice Date
- 9/3/2010
- Notice Type
- Presolicitation
- Contracting Office
- Environmental Protection Agency, Headquarters Procurement Operations Division, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, Nw, Washington, DC 20460
- ZIP Code
- 20460
- Solicitation Number
- RFQ-DC-10-00230
- Response Due
- 9/16/2010
- Archive Date
- 10/16/2010
- Point of Contact
- Point of Contact, Kelly Easterling, Purchasing Agent, Phone (202) 564-8421
- E-Mail Address
-
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(Easterling.Kelly@epamail.epa.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- NAICS Code: 541320 This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6, and Subpart 13.106, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotesare being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. The solicitation number is RFQ-DC-10-00230 and is being issued as a Request for Quotations (RFQ). The solicitation document and incorporated provisions are those in effect through FAC 2005-45. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), Office of Policy, Economics, and Innovation (OPEI), is seeking a contractor to assist state capitals in developing an innovative and implementable vision of distinctive, environmentally friendly neighborhoods incorporating green building and green infrastructure systems. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541320. The Small Business Size Standard is $7.0M. This requirement is a total set-aside for small businesses. Contractors shall indicate in its response how it meets the small business size standard to qualify for award. EPA anticipates awarding a fixed-rate purchase order with a ceiling established based on an estimated level of effort (LOE) of 440-500 hours. The period of performance will be nine (9) months from the date of award. Proposals shall address all aspects of the SOW and are limited to 25 pages in length, inclusive of all documents. Offerors shall provide separate cost and technical volumes. Offerors shall submit a cost proposal utilizing fixed rates and any anticipated other direct cost estimates to develop a proposed overall ceiling price based on the Statement of Work (SOW) below. Questions regarding this solicitation shall be submitted to Bradley Austin, Contracting Officer, at austin.bradley@epa.gov by 2:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday, September 8, 2010. Quotes shall be submitted electronically in Word or Adobe to Kelly Easterling, Contract Specialist, easterling.kelly@epa.gov, by 2:00 p.m. EST on Thursday, September 16, 2010. The following provisions and clauses apply to this acquisition: 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors?Commercial Items; 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications?Commercial Items; 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions?Commercial Items. The clause at FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders?Commercial Items, applies to this solicitation. Specifically, the following clauses cited are applicable to this solicitation: FAR 52.222-3, FAR 52.222-19, FAR 52.222-21, FAR 52.222-26, FAR 52.222-35, FAR 52.222-36, FAR 52.222-37, FAR 52.222-39, FAR 52.232-33, FAR 52.222-41 and FAR 52.222-42. Interested parties may submit their ORCA information (http://orca.bpn.gov) in lieu of the representations and certifications requested above. Prospective sources are reminded that an award can only be made to a Contractor who is registered in the Central Contractor Registration Database, IAW FAR 4.11. Contractors may obtain information on registration and annual confirmation requirements by calling 1-866-606-8220 or via online at http://www.ccr.gov. Evaluation Factors: Quotes submitted in response to this solicitation will be evaluated on a best value basis. Quotes will be evaluated on the ability to meet the requirements listed in the SOW below to include technical competence, personnel and relevant past performance. 1. Technical Competence-Knowledge of and demonstrated work (required) that considers the local ecoregion for Hartford, Connecticut, including geology, physiography, vegetation, climate, soils, land use, wildlife and hydrology.--Northeast Ecoregion: Defined by cold, snowy winters and warm to hot humid summers. Can receive up to 50 inches of annual rainfall in coastal areas. -Expertise creating high-quality design drawings and site plans, either freehand or digitally, during an on-site workshop. -Experience developing design solutions for public spaces that include consideration of environmental performance through natural systems as well as community benefit and aesthetics, such as for streets, parks, plazas, civic centers that reflect sense of place and local goals, as evidenced by awards received, publications, presentations at national conferences, etc. Experience should include streetscape re-designs in a range of settings, including, but not limited to residential streets, business districts, and arterial roadways.-Knowledge of and demonstrated design work with green infrastructure solutions, including for minimizing impervious surfaces and managing storm water runoff, which can achieve multiple benefits. Knowledge of and demonstrated work on green building techniques for private development, e.g., energy and water efficiency, waste reduction, and sustainable landscape design. -Understanding and experience analyzing and/or developing public policies that are used to support sustainable design strategies, as well as engaging different levels of government and external stakeholders (public, NGOs, developers) to consider design implementation and policy adoption.2. PersonnelProfessional qualifications including education, relevant experience, certifications and capabilities. 3. Past PerformanceOfferors should provide a list of previous work, similar in scope to the statement of work, performed in the past five years. Statement of WorkGreening America?s Capitals - Hartford, CTCapitol Avenue Public Space and Green Streets Redevelopment and Redesign Background and Purpose Greening America?s Capitals is a new project of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) - U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Partnership for Sustainable Communities to help state capitals develop an innovative and implementable vision of distinctive, environmentally friendly neighborhoods that incorporate innovative green building and green infrastructure systems. Greening America?s Capitals will work with city staff of state capitals to foster a strong sense of place by incorporating sustainable design techniques into the streets, parks, waterfronts, town squares, and civic buildings. Sustainable design techniques might include, but are not limited to: -Integrated, community-appropriate uses for the redevelopment of infill areas and underutilized parking lots;-Aesthetically and functionally valuable landscape architecture designs for green infrastructure and green streets retrofits for minimizing and managing stormwater runoff; -Complete streets designs that serve all modes of transportation safely and effectively, including automobiles, pedestrians, bikes, and public transportation.-Reduced energy and infrastructure costs, including water and transportation infrastructure, through better green building designs that meet multiple objectives;-Well-designed public art and civic design strategies that highlight the importance of these shared spaces for community identity; This place-based design assistance will help selected state capitals envision ways to clean-up and recycle vacant lands, provide greater housing and transportation choices, reduce infrastructure and energy costs, and build civic pride in neighborhoods and the city as a whole. EPA will fund a Contractor team to visit Hartford, Connecticut for up to three days to produce schematic designs and before and after illustrations intended to catalyze, or complement, a larger planning process for the Capitol Avenue area. The charrette will be an opportunity to develop detailed visuals and graphics for this area and connections to nearby locations, such as the Frog Hollow neighborhood and proposed Sigourney Street bus rapid transit (BRT) station. This focus area will serve as a place-based pilot for larger, city-wide actions such as changes to local codes and ordinances to better support sustainable growth and green building. EPA?s Greening America?s Capitals work will complement the National Endowment for the Arts iQuilt project to link cultural assets and integrate new public spaces along the Capitol Avenue corridor. EPA is providing this design assistance to help create stronger communities that protect the environment. Greening America?s Capitals will help communities consider ways to incorporate the ten principles of smart growth, in particular the principle to ?foster distinctive, attractive communities with a strong sense of place,? and similarly, one of the six livability principles of the EPA-HUD-DOT Partnership to ?support existing communities.? Furthermore, effective strategies for creating a strong sense of place, such as street and public space design using innovative stormwater practices, and sustainable green building techniques, can also address a community?s environmental concerns and help revitalize neighborhoods, spurring additional economic and social benefits. The study area is a mile-long portion of Capitol Avenue that runs east-west from Main Street to Sigourney Street. In the center of the project area is the Connecticut State Capitol and the Legislative Office Building, the seats of Connecticut?s State Government. The area also includes the State Library, the Supreme Court, the State Armory, and many State government offices, as well as three churches, residential and retail areas, and the Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts. At the east end of Capitol Avenue are the Elm Street and Buckingham Square National Historic Districts and at the west end is the George Keller Local Historic District. The project area also includes the proposed Sigourney Street Bus Rapid Transit Station, which is bordered to the north by Laurel/Marshall section of the Asylum Hill National Historic District (residential), to the east by the main campus of the Aetna Insurance Group, and to the south by Interstate 84 and the railroad line. The purpose of this work assignment is to provide a set of illustrations depicting a sustainable civic vision for the Capitol Avenue corridor and to provide specific next steps for policy changes that the city can use to either kick-start a public involvement and planning process, or complement a process currently underway. PersonnelIt is expected that the following skills will be required to carry out this technical assistance: -Knowledge of and demonstrated work (required) that considers the local ecoregion for Hartford, Connecticut, including geology, physiography, vegetation, climate, soils, land use, wildlife, and hydrology.--Northeast Ecoregion: Defined by cold, snowy winters and warm to hot humid summers. Can receive up to 50 inches of annual rainfall in coastal areas. -Expertise creating high-quality design drawings and site plans, either freehand or digitally, during an on-site workshop, especially related to smart growth, specifically the creation of compact, walkable neighborhoods.-Experience developing design solutions for public spaces that include consideration of environmental performance through natural systems as well as community benefit and aesthetics, such as for streets, parks, plazas, civic centers that reflect sense of place and local goals, as evidenced by awards received, publications, presentations at national conferences, etc. Experience should include streetscape re-designs in a range of settings, including, but not limited to residential streets, business districts, and arterial roadways.-Knowledge of and demonstrated design work with green infrastructure solutions, including for minimizing impervious surfaces and managing stormwater runoff, which can achieve multiple benefits. Knowledge of and demonstrated work on green building techniques for private development, e.g., energy and water efficiency, waste reduction, and sustainable landscape design. -Understanding and experience analyzing and/or developing public policies that are used to support sustainable design strategies, as well as engaging different levels of government and external stakeholders (public, NGOs, developers) to consider design implementation and policy adoption. TASKS AND DELIVERABLES Task 1 ? Conduct pre-charrette assessmentPurpose: The purpose of this task is to establish baseline conditions for the Capitol Avenue corridor and develop initial design responses that address the needs of the community and are appropriate for the specific site conditions. The discussions between the Contractor and Hartford and EPA staff regarding the initial design responses will form the basis for an on-site charrette. The Contractor shall participate in preliminary calls with Hartford staff and stakeholders to determine physical area of focus and sustainability challenges to address within approximately two week of contract being awarded. Upon determination of the study area boundaries, the Contractor shall develop appropriate base maps illustrating larger site context (e.g., connections to adjacent neighborhoods) and a map at a larger scale illustrating the specific study area(s) using contextual maps, aerials, GIS data and site plans received from city staff. Upon completion of the base map and approval by EPA and city staff, the Contractor shall develop an Existing Conditions map that effectively illustrates site conditions such as floodplain boundaries, vegetation cover, location of confirmed or suspected brownfield contamination, existing bike/ped connections, etc.). To prepare city staff, stakeholders, and EPA for the charrette, the Contractor shall develop and deliver a set of materials that can include, but is not limited to: -base maps, larger scale maps, and existing conditions maps -a selection of six to eight initial design schematics -a PowerPoint presentation no longer than 20 minutes that defines public realm, green streets, and neighborhood sustainability principles and the applicability to the Capitol Avenue area and surrounding context. All examples used must be regionally relevant and reflect similar environmental conditions to those of the community. Task 1 Deliverables and Timeline: 1a. Participate in approximately three conference calls with Hartford staff and stakeholders within two weeks of project kick off call. 1b. Base maps and existing conditions maps for review by EPA and Hartford staff three weeks prior to charrette. 1c. If necessary, respond to EPA comments within one week of receiving comments. 1d. Six to eight initial design schematics to be reviewed by Hartford and EPA staff two weeks prior to charrette. 1e. If necessary, respond to EPA comments within one week of receiving comments. 1f. PowerPoint presentation no longer than 20 minutes that defines public realm, green streets, and neighborhood sustainability principles and the applicability to the Capitol Avenue area and surrounding context one week prior to the on-site charrette.1g. If necessary, respond to EPA comments within one week of receiving comments. Task 2 ? Participate in on-site design charrettePurpose: The purpose of this task is to describe the primary focus for this scope of work. The Contractor shall participate on site in a three to four day charrette and all associated activities. During the workshop, the Contractor shall create design illustrations with a focus on in-situ, ground-level sketches of key locations along Capitol Avenue that effectively communicate to the viewer what it would be like to be in the space. Throughout the three to four day on-site charrette, the Contractor shall develop six to eight designs (based on schematics developed in Task 1) for green street improvements that manage stormwater and add community benefits, as well as develop designs for inviting and environmentally sustainable civic open spaces along Capitol Avenue. Designs should focus primarily on the street right-of-way and public open spaces, such as parks and state building grounds that between residential and business districts. Green street improvement designs should work to better manage stormwater through natural systems, as well as improve the pedestrian environment and the aesthetic character of Capitol Avenue to encourage future redevelopment. These public realm green spaces should complement ongoing efforts to link public art and cultural assets along Capitol Avenue and should strive for improved connectivity, increased safety, improved transit utilization, and increased usage of public space. In addition, the Contractor shall prepare designs that seek to transform vacant lots and parking lots into pedestrian scale mixed use developments in order to bring new retail, restaurant and residential opportunities to the area. Concurrent to the design activity EPA, HUD and DOT staff will be having stakeholder meetings with Hartford and other groups to discuss policy implications and implementation strategies for the designs that are developed on site. The expected outcomes of these meetings may include but are not limited to options for linking future funding of the proposed bus rapid transit line to the designs created in this charrette, options for using federal and state agency resources to implement project designs, and other ways the City of Hartford can encourage implementation of designs through local codes, ordinances, incentives, and other programs. The Contractor shall participate in one meeting, no longer than 90 minutes, with Hartford, EPA, HUD and DOT staff, and selected stakeholder to discuss policy implications of proposed design strategies based on past experiences of the Contractor in other communities. The Contractors shall participate in two public open house events that educate participants to the topic of sustainable, green infrastructure and to present the designs created. At the introductory open house, the Contractor shall present the PowerPoint show created in Task 1. The Contractor shall present design illustrat
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