Houston, Texas (713) RFQ Cover Sheet. Date: April 8, 2016

Transcription

1 H A R R I S C O U N T Y OFFICE OF THE COUNTY ENGNEER 1001 Preston, 7 th Floor Houston, Texas (713) RFQ Cover Sheet Date: April 8, 2016 Re: Request for Qualifications (RFQ) seeking engineering firm, or team of firms, to provide complete traffic engineering and other consulting services necessary to develop, implement, and fine-tune coordinated arterial traffic signal timing plans on major thoroughfares in Harris County. DUE NO LATER THAN Monday, April 25, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. Responses received later than the date and time indicated will not be considered. Dear Sir or Madame: The submission requirements for this proposal are included on the attached Request for Qualifications. Submittals will be reviewed by an Evaluation Committee. The deadline for submission of qualifications is Monday, April 25, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. Harris County reserves the right to negotiate with any and all persons or firms submitting qualifications, per the Texas Professional Services Procurement Act and the Uniform Grant and Contract Management Standards. Carefully read all instructions and requirements. Fill out all forms properly and completely. Submit your RFQ with all appropriate documentation. Please return the RFQ in an appropriately sized envelope or box. Package must be labeled: Sealed Request for Qualifications for Engineering Services Harris County Engineering Arterial Traffic Signal Coordination Timing. A Pre-Submittal Meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 18, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. Central Time at 1001 Preston, 7 th Floor, Houston, Texas All questions and requests for information must be submitted in writing to Mr. Ron Jenson, P.E. by Tuesday, April 19, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. via ron.jenson@hcpid.org Cover Sheet continued on following page. Both Cover Sheet pages must be submitted. Page 1 of 11

2 Request for Qualifications (RFQ) seeking an engineering firm, or team of firms, to provide complete traffic engineering and other consulting services necessary to develop, implement, and fine-tune coordinated arterial traffic signal timing plans on major thoroughfares in Harris County. Return to: ATTN: John R. Blount, P. E., County Engineer Harris County Engineering Department 1001 Preston St., 7 th Floor Houston, TX (713) Please sign in blue or black ink, failure to sign WILL disqualify the offer. Company Name: Company Address: City, State, Zip Code: Taxpayer Identification Number (T.I.N.): Telephone No.: Fax No.: Printed Name:_ Signature: Date: Page 2 of 11

3 Table of Contents Items below represent components which comprise this request for qualifications package. Respondents are asked to review the package to be sure that all applicable parts are included. It is the Respondent s responsibility to be thoroughly familiar with all Requirements pertaining to this RFQ. Be sure you understand the following before you return your submittal. 1. Cover Sheet Both pages must be submitted. Your company name, address, and your signature (IN INK) should appear on page two of the Cover Sheet. 2. Table of Contents 3. Scope of Work and Qualification Requirements 4. Evaluation Criteria and Process 5. Special Instructions and Deadline for Submission 6. Submittal Requirements 7. Attachment A: Residence Certification/Tax Form Be sure to complete all forms and return with packet Page 3 of 11

4 Scope of Work and Qualifications Requirements DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT Harris County has applied to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) for grant funding from the Local Initiative Projects (LIP) program. The overall goal of this program is to reduce vehicular emissions through a variety of measures. One of the available uses of this funding is Traffic Light Synchronization. Harris County has not comprehensively updated arterial coordination timing plans in several years, during which time significant population growth has created increased traffic demand. Because of this, arterial timing plans on several major thoroughfares have become outdated and are in need of re-evaluation and updating. The purpose of this Request for Qualifications is to identify firm(s) which are capable of data collection, arterial timing analysis, timing plan development, implementation, field fine-tuning, and documentation using LIP grant funds. Harris County anticipates the award of multiple contracts based on this solicitation. Contracts will be structured as on-call hourly rate contracts, with multiple work authorizations issued over the contract term. QUALIFICATIONS The firm, or team of firms, shall include the following capabilities: The Traffic Engineering firm must be registered with the State of Texas, be able to provide general traffic engineering services, and capable of sealing analysis reports, plans, specifications, and estimates for bidding purposes. The consultant shall be responsible for ensuring that a Health and Safety Plan has been provided to, and implemented by all field personnel. The firm must be creative in researching and finding solutions, able to develop quantitative methods for analyzing data and proposed recommendations must tie back to measurable data. Services the firm or team of firms must be able to provide, including, but not limited to: 1. Field Data Collection Services: The firm must employ or be able to subcontract with a firm that can collect intersection turning movement counts via either manual or automated means at approximately 50 signalized intersections. This data will be used for the development of coordinated traffic signal timing plans. The data will also be delivered to the County in both electronic and hard copy format. 2. Traffic Engineering Services: The firm must employ or be able to subcontract with a Traffic Engineering firm capable of developing, implementing, and field fine-tuning coordinated arterial traffic signal timing plans. The Traffic Engineer must be a professional engineer licensed with the State of Texas and capable of sealing engineering analysis reports, as well as plans and specifications for bidding purposes. REQUESTED SERVICES Page 4 of 11

5 The firm, or team of firms, selected through the RFQ process will then be required to provide the following documents or services: 1. Data collection phase: a. Analysis of turning movement counts and development of coordinated arterial signal timing plans to improve traffic flow, air quality, and safety. These timing plans may be developed by using Synchro or other modeling software. All models must be calibrated such that all settings accurately reflect the conditions in the field. 2. Analysis Phase: a. Provide recommendations on the corridor time of day plan as part of the analysis, including whether or not a signal should operate in free mode, rather than coordinated mode and the times of the day various plans are to be implemented. A minimum of four time-of day-arterial timing plans are to be developed, with consideration given to coordination with crossing arterial signal operations. Harris County typically operates five (5) time of day plans of varying cycle lengths, including free operation for nighttime operation. b. Translate cycle, split, offset, and schedule model output into intersection controller parameters. The Traffic Engineer must be familiar with several types of controller software packages. The itiming plans must then be translated into intersection traffic signal controller programming datasets for implementation into several types of traffic signal controllers and/or software packages. Currently, Harris County uses Siemens NextPhase and Fourth Dimension D4 software on ITS controllers, along with a relatively small number of NEMA TS1 and TS2 controllers of various manufacture. 3. Implementation Phase a. Field implementation and fine tuning the newly-developed coordinated traffic signal timing plans. All timing plans at each intersection must be field fine-tuned to maximize operational efficiency. Corridor field analysis will be required to maximize green bands via offsets and left turn signal phasing sequence. b. Collecting field equipment inventory including cabinet type, controller type, software version, etc. c. Reporting trouble and maintenance issues to the Signal Maintenance group for repair when they are observed in the field. d. Documentation: Upon completion of field fine-tuning, all traffic signal controller databases shall be uploaded to a field computers. Both electronic and hard copies are to be provided to Harris County as a final deliverable. 4. Post-Implementation Phase a. If required, additional analysis of measures of effectiveness (MOE) may be required to verify goals of this effort have been accomplished. This would typically be analyzed by comparing various MOEs before and after implementation of optimized arterial timing plans. b. Recommendations for intersection turn lane capacity improvements where applicable. c. Recommendations for alternative left turn signal phasing such as flashing yellow arrow operation. Page 5 of 11

6 RFQ SUBMITTAL PACKAGE The firm, or team of firms, should provide within the RFQ submittal package the following. No hourly rates of man hour estimates are to be provided: Letter of Interest (1 page); Completed Standard Form SF-330 (standard pages); (The following items are not to exceed 5 pages combined) Qualifications of Firm, or Team of Firms: Identify the specific team members who will be assigned project responsibilities. Provide documentation of their qualifications, including their professional certifications and licenses, and experience on projects similar in size, scope and type to the one described herein. The firm or team of firms shall provide their understanding and approach to addressing the previously mentioned requirements of the project in accordance with HCED, State, and other applicable standards and requirements. Organization and Project Methodology: Description of how services will be provided and how they will be supported. Describe the approach that the project manager will take for the collaboration, scheduling, and coordination required for this project. One of the corridors that will be included in this effort will be TC Jester Boulevard between FM 1960 and FM 2920; consisting of twelve (12) Harris County-maintained signals, two (2) TxDOT-maintained signals and two (2) intersections with coordinated corridors at Cypresswood Drive and Louetta Road. The approach description may use this corridor as an example. List of projects completed in Harris County over the last five years. Provide the name and location of each project, a summary, the client, a contact person and current phone number. List of projects similar in scope and nature completed within the last five years. Provide the name and location of each project, a summary, the client, a contact person and current phone number. Page 6 of 11

7 Evaluation Criteria and Process 1. Nature of Request for Qualifications (RFQ) This RFQ is governed by the procedures as contained in the Texas Government Code Therefore, award of contract(s) shall be made to the provider of the required services that is evaluated to be the most qualified on the basis of demonstrated competence and qualifications, and after negotiations, whose pricing is considered to be fair and reasonable. Harris County does not accept any financial responsibility incurred in order to respond to this RFQ. In addition, Harris County reserves the right to accept or reject any or all RFQs, or waive any and all formalities not considered advantageous to Harris County. 2. Evaluation/Selection An evaluation committee comprised of representatives from various Harris County departments will review and evaluate the statements of qualifications and will select the most highly qualified provider of the services requested. Thereafter, Harris County will attempt to negotiate a contract at a fair and reasonable price with that provider. If a satisfactory contract cannot be negotiated with the most qualified provider, Harris County will formally end negotiations, select the next most highly qualified provider, and attempt to negotiate a contract with that provider at a fair and reasonable price. It is Harris County s intent to continue the process described above until a contract is entered into. Preference will be given to a firm or team that can provide all applicable services. The following considerations will be utilized accordingly in evaluating the qualifications: Phase I Statements of Qualifications (100 pts) a. Experience 50 points Firms will be evaluated based on overall firm/team experience. b. Performance 30 points Firms will be evaluated based on schedule and budget performance in previous projects, understanding the unique requirements of public and federally funded projects, and relevance of previous projects presented in the submittal to services required by Harris County. Provide information regarding track record for each project in meeting deadlines, budget constraints, and producing accurate and complete deliverables. c. Capacity to Perform 20 points Firms will be evaluated on staff registration in Texas and availability of key personnel. Identify the key personnel (project team) available for this project. Phase II Interview Evaluation (30 pts) a. Interview 30 points If necessary, interviews will be held with the top offerors, selected solely on the basis of qualifications. Three categories will be evaluated during the interview process: Substance and Relevance of presentation, Quality of Presentation, Responses to questions and comments during Q & A session. Each category will be scored in an increment of 10. The resultant points (up to 30) will be added to the score generated from the above mentioned criteria. Page 7 of 11

8 This RFQ is the first of a two-part process, designed to result in the selection of an Engineer. In this phase of process, Harris County is soliciting a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) from sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations, or other legal entities with the experience, capabilities, and qualified available staff that can act as an Engineer for the efforts described herein. Selection of professional services candidates in the RFQ phase will be based on evaluation of submitted Statements of Qualifications (SOQs, also referred to herein as submittals ), as in regards to the criteria detailed in this request. No information regarding fees or prices is to be included with the SOQs. All SOQs must be delivered to the Engineering Department, 1001 Preston, 7 th Floor, Houston, Texas and received no later than Monday, April 25, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. in order to be considered. If the second phase of the process is necessary, Harris County will request respondents, selected solely on the basis of qualifications for follow up interviews with the evaluation committee. Each selected firm will be scheduled for an interview and will present the features of the project contemplated, the anticipated schedule, and why the firm should be selected for award. The goal is to select a qualified firm that has prepared a quality approach to the project. It is imperative that all projects be managed and executed with the utmost regard to cost, schedule and quality control by all participants. The integrity, reputation, skills and performance of the firm must be of the highest caliber to maintain confidence in the project team. Qualified parties must be able to demonstrate the expertise necessary to perform all portions of the work required by this RFQ and be familiar with the applicable statutes and regulations under which engineering services are provided to local governments in the State of Texas. Page 8 of 11

9 Special Instructions and Deadline for Submission 1. Special Requirements: Carefully review the components of this RFQ as listed in the Table of Contents. Include with your response all required forms, completed and signed as necessary. Please return request for qualifications in an appropriately sized envelope or box. Package must be labeled Sealed Request for Qualifications for Engineering Services Harris County Engineering Arterial Traffic Signal Coordination Timing. Firms shall not contact any members or employees of the evaluation committee regarding this request for Statements of Qualifications (SOQ), evaluation, or selection process from the time the request for SOQ is issued until the time a notification of intent to award is announced, except if, such contact is in writing, with a copy of any written communication being forwarded to the Engineering Department. Contact discovered in any such manner, other than in writing and copied to the Engineering Department, would be considered as grounds for elimination. Any submitted qualification and subsequent proposal shall remain valid for six (6) months after the request for SOQ/proposal due date or until Harris County executes a contract, whichever is sooner. Harris County may, in the event the selected firm fails to perform and/or the contract is terminated within forty-five days of its initiation, request the firm submitting the next acceptable proposal to honor its proposal. Each SOQ must include ten (10) written copies. Copies must be bound in an 8.5 x 11 format. RFQs submissions shall contain all the information listed in the following section, titled Submission Requirements. The submission is to be no longer than five (5) pages in a standard readable print size not including the cover sheet, Form 330, and Tax Form. 2. Deadline for Submission: The proposals will be received no later than Monday, April 25, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at the following address: ATTN: John R. Blount, P.E., County Engineer Harris County Engineering Department 1001 Preston St., 7 th Floor Houston, TX (713) All questions and requests for information must be submitted in writing to Mr. Ron Jenson, P.E. by Tuesday, April 19, 2016 at 2:00p.m. via ron.jenson@hcpid.org Page 9 of 11

10 Submittal Requirements Each respondent must submit the following information/forms: 1. RFQ Cover Sheet (one original written copy signed by hand in ink, separate from and in addition to ten (10) written copies). The respondent must complete and include the RFQ Cover Sheet. The authorizing signature indicates the respondent's desire to provide the services as submitted in the applicable request for qualifications. 2. GSA Standard Form 330 Architecture-Engineer Qualifications (10 written copies). Each respondent must complete the referenced form and include it in the submitted response. 3. Residence Certification/Tax Form (10 written copies). Each respondent must complete the Attachment A., Residence Certification/Tax Form, to this RFQ and include it in the submitted response. 4. Contact Information (10 written copies). Each respondent should include telephone number(s), fax number(s) and address of a representative(s) that can be reached for the purpose of clarifying, verifying, and/or negotiating the contents of the submitted response. The format of this contact information list is left up to the discretion of the respondent. RESPONDENTS OWING TAXES Pursuant to TX Local Government Code , Harris County Commissioners Court has adopted a policy which requires that respondents taxes be current as of the date submissions are due. Respondents with delinquent taxes on the due date will not be eligible for award. Whether or not a respondent s taxes are delinquent will be determined by an independent review of the Tax Office records. Respondents who believe a delinquency is reflected in error must contact the Tax Office to correct any errors or discrepancies prior to submitting their bid in order to ensure that their bid will be considered. Tax records are available online at the Tax Office website Prior to submitting an RFQ, respondents are encouraged to visit the Tax Office website, set up a portfolio of their accounts and make their own initial determination of the status of their tax accounts. Furthermore, if, during the performance of this contract, a respondent s taxes become delinquent, Harris County reserves the right to provide notice to the Auditor or Treasurer pursuant to Texas Local Government Code This policy is effective for all bids due on or after May 1, Page 10 of 11

11 ATTACHMENT A - RESIDENCE CERTIFICATION/TAX FORM Pursuant to Texas Government Code et seq., as amended, Harris County requests Residence Certification et seq. of the Government Code provides some restrictions on the awarding of governmental contracts; pertinent provisions of are stated below: (3) "Nonresident engineer" refers to a person who is not a resident. (4) "Resident engineer" refers to a person whose principal place of business is in this state, including a firm whose ultimate parent company or majority owner has its principal place of business in this state. I certify that [Company Name] Government Code is a Resident Firm of Texas as defined in I certify that is a Nonresident Firm as defined in [Company Name] Government Code and our principal place of business is. [City, State] Taxpayer Identification Number (T. I. N.): Company Name submitting RFQ: Mailing Address: If you are an individual, list the names and addresses of any partnership of which you are a general partner: PROPERTY: List all taxable property owned by you or above partnerships in Harris County. Harris County Tax Acct. No.* Property address or location** * This is the property account identification number assigned by the Harris County Appraisal District. ** For real property, specify the property address or legal description. For business personal property, specify the address where the property is located. For example, office equipment will normally be at your office, but inventory may be stored at a warehouse or other location. Page 11 of 11