Request for Qualifications
Burlington Northern Santa Fe Depot Restoration
The City of Lawrence, Kansas
Purpose
The City of Lawrence seeks an historic preservation architect to develop a two-phase planThe first phase includes a current condition report that builds on existing reports and information, preliminary restoration drawings and specifications, cost projections, priority of work, coordination with AMTRAK engineers, phasing of work, and design cost estimate for phase twofor the rehabilitation of the historic BNSF depot. The deliverable for the first phase will be a report to the City that the City can utilize to apply for grants for the facility. The historic preservation architect will manage and administer the rehabilitation of the depot according to the Secretary of Interiors Standards for Rehabilitation of Historic Buildings. The architect will be required to complete a review of the depot, which is subject to review under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (NHPA). This act requires that all federal agencies take into account the affect of its actions on historic properties.
The architect will coordinate and monitor the first phase of the plan in conjunction with Amtrak, which will install a new boarding platform, which AMTRAK will be placing around the station, and who will undertake design changes in the station to make it conform to ADA Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities (ADAAG). At this point, the exact scope of the Amtrak improvements are unclear and this will impact the ultimate improvements that will need to be undertaken by the City.
In the second phase the historic preservation architect will prepare detailed restoration drawings and plans and oversee and manage the full rehabilitation of this depot which was built in 1955 and is eligible for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places. This second phase would require authorization by the City to proceed.
With this request for qualifications the City of Lawrence is seeking Statements of Qualifications from interested architects with experience in rehabilitating historic passenger depots who are interested in providing planning, design, and administrative services for the rehabilitation of the historic BNSF depot in Lawrence.
Invitation to Submit
The City is seeking Statements of Qualifications from architectural firms interested in providing design and administration services for the rehabilitation of the historic BNSF depot. The architect must be licensed to practice in the State of Kansas, be able to demonstrate a proficiency for the project type, have experience with municipal clients, and available to commence work immediately.
The project team shall have a single lead architecture firm who will be the prime consultant selected to direct and coordinate the work of others, be responsible for the schedule, and for submitting deliverables to the City. Consultant participation is subject to the following strictures:
Prime-Consultant: The architect who is the prime consultant may only submit one statement of qualifications and may not participate as a sub-consultant on any other team.
Sub-Consultants: Regardless of discipline, firms that participate only as sub-consultants may do so with as many teams as desirable.
Submittal Requirements
Prime consultants are asked to submit a Statement of Qualifications on behalf of their design and management team for the rehabilitation of the BNSF depot. The composition of the team should be able to deliver on a scope of services required to fulfill Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the total project. Consultants are asked to provide the following:
1. Provide background information on your practice. Indicate how long the firm has been in professional practice, approximately how large the professional staff is, and what areas of expertise the firm offers. Indicate if your practice is multi-disciplinary or single disciplinary. Identify the project manager and other key personnel who will work on the project.
2. Explain your approach to historic preservation projects and project management. How is your internal staff selected? How will you select the consultants you will employ? What is your method for coordinating various design professionals who will assist your team? How do you interact with the client and keep them on task and the project on schedule?
3. Identify sub-consultants who will be participating on your team. Indicate what their role will be and provide information regarding the key staff members from each firm and who will be responsible for their services.
4. Provide contact references from other municipal clients starting with the most recent project first. Provide a brief description of the projects executed for each of these clients.
5. Indicate your experience with the rehabilitation of historic building and specifically with the rehabilitation of historic railroad passenger depots. Provide specific project examples in the form of written project briefs that should include photographs. Indicate which of the consultants worked on which project and their roles.
6. Provide a cost proposal for the completion of the report for phase one and provide general billing rates that will be applicable for the second phase of the project.
7. Indicate ability to meet project schedule, specifically ability to complete the phase one report during September-October 2009 with a due date of approximately November 1, 2009.
Consultation Clarification
Consultants are asked to direct all questions regarding this RFQ to Diane Stoddard, Assistant City Manager, the City of Lawrence at dstoddard@ci.lawrence.ks.us, or 785-832-3413. Based on the nature of the questions the City may elect to issue an addendum to all consultants on the distribution list.
Selection Process
A Selection Committee involving representatives from the City of Lawrence, members of Depot Redux and other stakeholders will review the submittals and make a recommendation to the City Commission of the best firm to complete the project. The recommendation will be based upon relevant project experience, approach to the project, and the cost of proposal to complete the phase one report. The City Commission will make the final selection and approve the agreement with the successful consultant.
Interviews
The City will conduct interviews with the shortlisted firms involving key project staff from the primary firm and their consultants. Team members should be prepared to discuss, among other things, their approaches to maintaining a schedule, communicating with clients, coordinating project responsibilities, and identifying project risks which require the attention of the design team and the client. Each interview will be limited to two hours in which the architectural team will make an introductory presentation of their teams experience and strengths. The balance of the time will be devoted to questions, answers, and discussion.
Submittal Schedule*
Invitation to Submit July 8, 2009
Invitations will be distributed electronically by the City of Lawrence to selected consultants. Others may request a copy of the RFQ at any time prior to the submission date.
Deadline for Questions ..July 17, 2009
No clarification questions will be accepted after this date so that an addendum, if required, may be distributed with sufficient time for consultants to review prior to submission.
Submission Deadline ..July 31, 2009
Submit five copies of your Statement of Qualifications to Diane Stoddard at the Lawrence City Hall by 4:00 p.m.
City of Lawrence, Kansas
Diane Stoddard, Assistant City Manager
6 E. 6th Street
Lawrence, Kansas 66044
Shortlist Notified August 6, 2009
The City will notify selected firms by phone to schedule interviews. All unsuccessful firms will be notified by email.
Interviews ..August 10-12, 2009
Recommendation to City Commission of Top Ranked Firm ..August 18, 2009
Agreement with Firm to the City Commission ..September 1, 2009
Phase One Deliverable Due Approx. November 1, 2009
*Schedule is subject to change.