Request for Proposals

Urban Planner / Desi= gn Consultant for Concept Design and Planning Services - 14^th Ave NW Visioning Project

Introduction and Background

The 14^th Ave NW Visioning Committee has received a grant from = the Department of Neighborhoods (DON) of the City of Seattle to hire an Urban Planner / Design Consultant t= hat will lead the community in identifying issues and opportunities relating to= the project area (14^th Ave NW between the Lake Washington Ship Canal= and NW 65^th St.). The process will involve a series of workshops and community meetings involving= all stakeholders related to the project. In addition the consultant will work closely with the Technical Advi= sory Sub Committee of the 14^th Ave NW Steering Committee to develop a concept design= for the project. The final delive= rable from the consultant will be an Action Plan that documents the various discussions and options with community stakeholders and presents a plan and concept design that the community could bring forward to various public and= or private funding sources. A ro= ugh order of magnitude cost estimate, including both hard and soft costs, shall= be included as part of this plan. The plan should also incorporate a phased approach in the event that funding for the entire plan cannot be secured at one time.

The original communi= ty proposal that details the purpose of the project, the desired scope of work, budget, schedule and deliverables, is attached to this document. The Steering Committee, composed o= f East Ballard citizens and representatives of various groups, has been formed, has met and is ready to proceed with selection of the design consultant. The purpose of this RFP is to sele= ct this consultant.

Project Funding
The stipulated fee f= or the professional services outline in the proposal is $13,500. There is a community match by East Ballard residents and businesses as well as resident design professionals.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> In addition, students from Ballard= High will participate to achieve their required community service hours. The Department of Planning and Development will provide the relevant GIS data for the study. The volunteers under the direction= of the selected consultant will conduct necessary field work and visual and la= nd use surveys. The resident professionals are organized into a technical advi= sory committee (TAC) and will meet the design consultant after the inventory pha= se in a workshop setting to exchange design ideas relating to the issues surrounding 14^th Ave NW.

Design Goals, Scope of Work and Sche= dule

These elements are d= etailed in the attached proposal. To facilitate the work and support the consultants’ effort the volunteer community project manager will provide a point of contact and coordination between the community volunteers and the consultant.

Selection Criteria

1. Recent relevant experience of firm and/or key s= taff (70 points)

a. Experience in designing urban streetscapes in u= rban / semi urban residential and semi industrial neighborhoods<= /p>

b. Experience in working with volunteer groups (20 points)

c. Specific similar projects (20 points)

2. Project Approach (30 points)<= /p>

a. Written response on how consultant would meet t= he project goals

Submittals will be s= cored in accordance with the criteria listed above.= The top two or three firms will be interviewed. Final selection will be based on t= he results of the interview and the ability to meet the community needs within= the budget.

RFP Submittal

Submittal shall cont= ain the following information as indicated below:

A one-page letter of interest and synopsis= of the firm: including size, experience and number of years in business.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> Please indicate who the proje= ct designer and primary contact for the firm will be if other than a principal. Include a sum= mary of resumes of key staff or principals who would be involved in the pro= ject.
Provide descriptions and addresses for the= three most recent projects of a similar nature to the subject project perfor= med by the firm and/or the project designer. Include references (address a= nd phone number) and year completed for the identified projects.
A narrative describing the approach to the project concentrating on the role and design of streets in the context= of East Ballard and Seattle and how the consultant proposes to work with = the community within the constraints of the budget and schedule.

The submittal shall = be limited to a total of 12 pages including text, graphics and cover letter. Prior to the bid closing their wil= l be a bidders conference where questions can be asked by all interested parties (= see attached schedule for dates and times). Following the receipt of bids a ser= ies of interviews will be held and will provide an opportunity to present additional information for selected firms.= Any questions will be directed to Peter Locke, the community project manager, at 206 290 1704 or agreen= guy@hotmail.com.

Responses Due

Submittals must be r= eceived no later than 5:00pm PST on <= /span>Mond= ay, February 13^th, 2006.= Please submit 5 copies to 14^t=
h Ave Visioning Project, Peter Locke – Project Manager, c/o Ballard Neighborhood Service Center, Ballard Library, 5604 22nd Ave NW 98107-4027. See below for dates of other bidding activities.

Step/Activity	Respons= ible Person/Group	Date Do= ne
RFP for Urban Planner / Design Consultant	Steering Committee – Technical Advisory Group	J= anuary 31, 2006 BNSC* 3= -5PM
Applicants conference	Steering Committee – Technical Advisory Group	F= ebruary 3, 2006
RFP response due to Steering Committee	Applicants	F= ebruary 13, 2006
Interview applicants	Steering Committee – Technical Advisory Group	F= ebruary 17, 2006 BNSC 2= -5PM
Award Contract	Steering Committee– Technical Advisory Group	F= ebruary 24, 2006

*BNSC =3D Ballard Neighborhood Service Center

City of Seattle contracting and prevailing wage requirements a= pply.

Women and Minority B= usinesses are encouraged to apply

Attachments:

Full Project Descrip= tion and Overview

Project Participants= and Stakeholders

Schedule for Project=

List of available professional volunteers and committed volunteer hours

Request for Proposals

Introduction and Background

Design Goals, Scope of Work and Sche= dule

RFP Submittal

Responses Due

Step/Activity