REQUESTS FOR QUALIFICATION STATEMENTS FOR ALEXANDRIA ZOO MASTER PLAN UPDATE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA PUBLIC WORKS DAVID GILL PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR

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1 REQUESTS FOR QUALIFICATION STATEMENTS FOR ALEXANDRIA ZOO MASTER PLAN UPDATE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA PUBLIC WORKS DAVID GILL PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR ALEXANDRIA ZOOLOGICAL PARK 3016 MASONIC DRIVE ALEXANDRIA, LOUISIANA JUNE 26, 2017 RESPONSES DUE ON JULY 19, 2017 BY 3:00 P.M. RESPOND TO: JIM LIGON 2021 INDUSTRIAL PARK ROAD, BUILDING A ALEXANDRIA, LA jim.ligon@cityofalex.com Office Fax Page 1 of 6

2 REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATION STATEMENTS Strategic development of a Master Plan and Business Plan that will position the Alexandria Zoo for success. OVERVIEW The City of Alexandria is requesting proposals for professional services to help define the Alexandria Zoo s (herein after referred to as ZOO) mission in the 21 st century. The scope of services will create a ten-year strategic development plan encompassing the entire zoo property that includes a master plan, maintenance and operational sustainability plan, business plan and a competitive analysis of the Zoo s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threat (S.W.O.T.). Fundamental goals of the ZOO are the conservation, exhibition and interpretation of an exotic collection of wildlife that meet both current and future standards as measured by the community, United States Department of Agriculture, and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). These goals need to take into consideration the Zoo s service to the community, fiscal stability, operation and maintenance sustainability, market expansion and a preliminary analysis of funding partnerships for the redevelopment of the Zoo. The urban ZOO is approximately 22 acres surrounded on two sides by various city parks, baseball fields and green space. The third side is separated from a neighborhood by a jogging trail and bayou. The fourth side is an arterial thoroughfare separated by Parking. Assessments and plans need to be dependent on operational and maintenance sustainability. Page 2 of 6

3 SCOPE OF WORK This request for qualifications and proposals is an invitation to qualified and interested firms to submit qualification statements and proposals for this project. The ZOO is seeking a consultant planning team whose experience demonstrates an ability to perform this level of comprehensive analysis specific to a zoological facility of the nature described for Alexandria and other like institutions nationally. The selected consultant(s) may also need to procure the services of other qualified firms in completing the scope of work outlined in this request for proposals. Summary Analysis of Existing Facility 1 Current programs Animal care facilities Visitor amenities Visitation/visitor profile Attendance, traffic & parking 1 Existing building evaluation summary Existing utilities summary Existing infrastructure Impact of zoo on surrounding neighborhood Strategic Development Plan S.W.O.T. analysis Market analysis Economic impact analysis Attendance & operational projections Public/private funding partnerships Business plan Master Plan Concept development Exhibit plan/organizational theme Proposed animal list Education interpretive plan Visitor amenities & guest services Enhancements to landscaping/public pathways Facility support services Traffic, attendance & parking projections Visitor circulation plan Vehicular circulation plan 1 Zoo staff will provide historical attendance figures, visitor survey data, and complete site plan and blueprints of current zoo. Page 3 of 6

4 Service & operations plan Proposed utilities upgrade Statement of probable costs, including escalation BACKGROUND Alexandria Zoological Park was established in 1926 and is home to 500 animals representing approximately 160 species. The 23-acre facility, which includes the Zoo campus and adjacent parking areas, is located at 3016 Masonic Drive in Alexandria. Zoo attendance reached its peak in 1999 with over 200,000 visitors following the opening of the award-winning Louisiana Habitat Exhibit in October Even though small renovations and single exhibit additions occurred between , attendance steadily dipped. It was not until the completion of a large renovation of the South American section that the Zoo s attendance rebounded. The Zoo currently maintains an average yearly attendance of 165,000. The City of Alexandria owns the property and buildings that comprise the Zoo and all capital improvements to the Zoo become the property of the City. The Zoo is a department within the City and is operated under the Public Works Division. All existing structures were constructed post The large natatorium that remains from the WPA era is used for storage and maintenance. The Zoo is funded by a combination of self-generated revenue and public support dollars (taxes). The 2017 annual operating budget is $2.6 Million. The Zoo s support organization, Friends of the Alexandria Zoo, provides additional funding for projects, improvements, education, conservation, and staffing. SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS Ten copies of a written proposal and supporting material should be submitted. Proposal is due as indicated on page 1. The proposal must include the following information: 1. Proposed scope of services, including planning approach and research methods to be employed; 2. Qualifications of firm and personnel, and proposed subcontractors, including resumes of key personnel who will actually work on this project. An organizational chart of the planning team, including project responsibilities and key team members should be included; Page 4 of 6

5 3. List at least three (3) previously developed Zoo Master Plans produced in the last ten years. List Agencies and their current contact information for each client s project manager. 4. Demonstrated experience in related public, educational and exhibit-related projects of a similar nature, and references from clients from similar projects; 5. Project schedule, including review dates by client and dates that principal deliverables will be due; The ZOO is in its AZA accreditation review cycle and its application is due in September of Consideration will be given to those who will be able to demonstrate significant progress to the AZA site review committee visit subsequent to the submission of accreditation review application. (Typically in November or December) 6. A detailed breakdown of the total cost of the project including an itemized list of fees for each of the major project components and projected reimbursables. This must include all other associated expenses in completing the project; the client in addition to the direct fees will incur none. SELECTION CRITERIA AND GENERAL INFORMATION In determining the successful vendor, the City Staffed review team will evaluate the following criteria: The degree of creativity demonstrated in the proposal; The capacity to develop cost / benefit ratio analysis (value) of plan and its impact on revenue. Specificity of deliverables The credibility of the procedures and data proposed to accomplish the research process; The experience of the staff to be assigned to the work and the firm s experience in similar projects; The time required to complete the project; and, The proposed fee and expenses. All data, documents, databases and other products used or developed during the preparation of reports will belong to the ZOO upon the completion of the project. Page 5 of 6

6 The consulting firm shall provide to the ZOO 40 bound copies of the completed report as well as electronic versions in a suitable format approved by the ZOO. Selection process will be based upon the materials provided to the ZOO. A list submittals will be invited to an in-person presentation/interview at the Alexandria Zoo on a date to be determined by the ZOO. All expense associated with material development and presentation will be borne by the vendor candidate. CONTACT For additional information, or to have questions answered, contact: Jim Ligon, Supt of Public Buildings 2021 Industrial Park Road, Building A Alexandria, LA jim.ligon@cityofalex.com, , Page 6 of 6