Project # LI

Transcription

1 Boston Public Health Commission Request for Proposals (RFP) March 14, 2018 November 30, 2021 Lease of 1 Acre of organic farming land Long Island Campus Boston Harbor Islands Project # LI Prepared by B. Roman Property Management Revised March 1, 2018

2 BOSTON PUBLIC HEALTH COMMISSION PROPERTY MANAGEMENT DIVISION ADVERTISEMENT Lease of 1 Acre of Farming Land April INVITATION TO INTERESTED, RESPONSIBLE AND COMPETENT PERSONS, FIRMS OR ENTITES TO APPLY AND QUALIFY FOR AN USE OF LAND LEASE AGREEMENT WITH THE BOSTON PUBLIC HEALTH COMMISSION The Boston Public Health Commission, acting through its Property Management Division, invites competent persons, firms, or corporations to submit a Request For Proposals and thereafter, if selected, enter into an agreement for the performance of Food Production. Copies of the RFP application and related contact documents may be obtained via at: broman@bphc.org on or after March 9, APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED DIRECTLY TO: Via to: broman@bphc.org. Proposals must be converted to pdf documents prior to submission. Hard copies may be hand delivered or mailed to: Boston Public Health Commission, c/o Belkis Roman, 1010 Massachusetts Avenue, 2 nd floor, Boston MA RFP s must be submitted in a sealed envelope. The front of the envelope must be labeled 1 Acre of Farming Land Lease April 2018 April Application submissions will be accepted until 1:00 p.m. on March 23, 2018 whether via , mail, or hand-delivery. The Boston Public Health Commission (the Commission) will require attendance at an Information Session for all parties interested in participating in the RFP process. The informational session will be held on March 16, :00 A.M. at Mattapan Campus, 205 River Street, Mattapan, MA. Interested applicants will meet the Project Managers and ask questions about the RFP process as well as the site conditions. The Boston Public Health Commission and the Awarding Authority reserve the right to enter into an agreement with the most advantageous proposal to BPHC, its Programs and affiliates. Page 1 of 10

3 Table of Contents Advertisement 1. Summary 3 2. Conditions 3 3. Description of Available Assets 4 4. Required Components of Proposals 4 5. Submission 5 6. Transportation 5 7. Insurance Requirement 5 8. Evaluation Criteria and Scoring 6 9. Selection Process Award Questions Timeline Format for Proposals Supplemental Information 9 Page 2 of 10

4 1. Summary During the growing season, the City and a pilot licensee entered into a pilot partnership whereby the licensee used the Licensed Property to maintain a farm both for its own purposes and to provide a portion of the produce it grew to the Camp, and the Licensee also provided farming programs to campers of the Camp. Having determined that the pilot partnership for the use of the farm parcel was successful during the growing season, the BPHC issues this RFP to select a partner that will enter into a Memorandum of Understanding and License Agreement for longer term use of the farm parcel for organic farming use. The awarded proposer will enter into an agreement with BPHC for an initial period of three (3) calendar years, with option for renewal, at the discretion of the Commission. The Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) hereby requests proposals for the lease of one (1) acre of farming land (43,560 sq. ft.) and additional auxiliary land (11,740 sq. ft.) of property commonly known as the the organic farm located at Long Island, Long Island Harbor, Boston, MA. The total area consists of approximately 55,300 square feet of land. The primary and allowed activity to be performed on the organic farm shall be the cultivation of plants; other activities are subject to approval or permitting by the Boston Public Health Commission. Chicken coops must meet BPHC approval and obtain proper permits by ISD Health. It is the sole responsibility of the respondents to visit, inspect, identify and understand the area sought to be leased and such efforts must be coordinated with BPHC as necessary. It is the sole responsibility of the respondents to attend the mandatory site visit scheduled for March 16, 2018 at 10:00 AM. The initial term of the lease will be for three years, with a renewal options at the discretion of the BPHC. It is expected that the proposals that are submitted will vary in scope and interest. The following shall be considered in scoring the proposals: the ability, capacity, and skill of the bidder to perform in accordance with the terms of the lease; the character, integrity, reputation, judgment, experience, and efficiency of the bidder; the quality of the performance in previous or existing organic farm operations; the financial resources of the bidder. The BPHC reserves the right to waive any and all formalities and to reject any or all bids in their sole discretion. 2. Conditions It is the BPHC s goal to partner with an entity that will use the area referenced for organic farming practices and share the produce with the summer camp, Camp Harbor View (Camp). At least 75% of the produce grown on the farm must be donated to the Camp (or, after the Camp closes, to a mutually agreed upon beneficiary). The offeror must also partner with the Camp on an educational program involving the following: organic farming practices, composting, science, nutrition, economics, and fresh food access in urban settings. Such programs should be integrated in to the Page 3 of 10

5 Camp activities for a minimum of two days per week. Greater involvement will be positively considered as will commitments to donate more than 75% of the harvest. The BPHC will negotiate final lease terms upon selection. The posting of this RFP in no way creates any obligations on the part of BPHC to finalize an MOA if, in the sole discretion of the BPHC, the proposals fail to meet the expectations of the awarding authority or the criteria within this RFP. 3. Description of Available Assets Plot available to be leased: Approximately 55,300 square feet located at the organic farm. Miscellaneous: The plot has access to water and/or irrigation. Selected candidate shall be responsible for all costs associated with water consumption. There is a wooden shed and a limited amount of farming tools. The lease includes the use of an existing tractor; however, BPHC will not be responsible for the maintenance, upkeep, or fuel related to the tractor use. 4. Required Components of the Proposals Each bid shall include, but not limited to, the following: 1) Offeror shall provide, in as much detail as necessary, an estimate of the quantity of crops to be delivered to the Camp (in total for each growing season and for each delivery), a timeline of the periodic deliveries, and a narrative and timeline for the specific educational opportunities and the gardening and urban farming programs that the Licensee will provide to the Camp. 2) Offeror shall describe how it will use produce it grows and harvests for its own purposes, understanding that no more than 25% of the crops grown and harvested can be used for Offeror s own purposes. 3) A management plan which defines: a. The proposed agricultural use; b. Field operations, including the policies and practices regarding soil conservation, water use, nutrient management and manure use, pest management, and storage; c. Offeror shall describe the use plan for the site, describing the gardening and or farming tools and methods that it will use on the farm parcel. 4) The length of time anticipated to begin operations at full capacity as proposed once the lease agreement is executed; 5) A description of qualifications, which shall include but not be limited to: a. A personal profile that identifies the length of time in business and locations of prior or current operations that are similar in nature; b. A description of your current farming operations (if any), including number of total acres or square footages managed, purpose of operations (e.g. vegetables, herbs, other) c. A description of your experience (if any) as lessee and/or operator of land for any type of farming operation, and if applicable, current reference information from your lessor(s). Page 4 of 10

6 5. Submission 6) A current financial statement; 7) A statement regarding your interest, if any, in a lease term beyond the initial term of three years, and if applicable, a description of the long-term goal(s) over the proposed operations. Proposals must be submitted on or before 1:00 PM, March 23, 2018 to be considered. Proposals may be submitted via to: broman@bphc.org. Proposals must be converted to pdf documents prior to submission. Hard copies may be hand delivered or mailed to: Boston Public Health Commission, c/o Belkis Roman, 1010 Massachusetts Avenue, 2 nd floor, Boston MA Transportation Interested candidates shall be fully responsible for the transportation of personnel, materials, and/or produce on to and off of the Island. 7. Insurance Requirements Candidate shall maintain at a minimum General Liability, Property Damage, Employers Liability, Worker s Compensation and Motor Vehicle Liability (personal Injury and Property Damage) and such other liability insurance coverage as may be required hereunder sufficient to protect Contractor and BPHC from any risks or claims which may be associated with this Contract and as are customary in Contractor s business and shall provide BPHC with evidence of such coverage. For general liability insurance, coverage will be at least $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 in the aggregate. In the event any changes occur in such liability coverage during the period of performance, Contractor shall notify BPHC of such changes and shall provide BPHC with new evidence of coverage. For this lease agreement, BPHC will require that BPHC be named as an Additional Insured on any applicable policies. Page 5 of 10

7 8. Evaluation Criteria and Scoring Proposals that meet the requirements, as stated herein, will be evaluated with the following criteria: 15 pts. Suitability of the Proposal The proposed lease agreement meets the needs and criteria set forth in the RFP. 15 pts. Alignment to current BPHC programs ability of the candidate to donate ¾ or more of produce to the Camp as well as to foster education programs among teenagers. 15 pts. Management Practices The successful applicant shall demonstrate a commitment to sound land stewardship by following accepted practices that protect soil, water, and other resources. 10 pts. Candidate Profile and Experience Candidate has successfully managed similar operations and has the qualifications necessary to conduct the intended activities. The character, integrity, reputation, and judgment of the candidate shall also be considered. 10 pts. Capacity Candidate has appropriate staff to successfully manage operation. Candidates have adequate financial resources to successfully start-up and sustain the operation. 10 pts. Public Value Adding Value to the greater community will be viewed favorably. Examples may include farming operations providing a meaningful contribution to the Camp and other educational tools; a positive and meaningful contribution to the local economy and/or contribution to local food security. 15 pts. Long-term Goals / Plans A clear articulation of a viable goal which continues to demonstrate sensitivity to the stewardship of the land, social justice through food security, etc. The soundness and completeness of the submission, regarding the candidate s long-term plans as described in Section 4, Required Components of the Proposals. 10 pts. Proposal / Presentation The information is presented in a clear, logical manner and is well organized. Total Points Page 6 of 10

8 9. Selection Process The designated awarding authority will review all proposals, evaluate and score proposals based on Section 8 Evaluation Criteria and Scoring. The three highest scores will be shortlisted. The awarding authority may conduct interviews and will make recommendations on which proposal to accept for purposes of lease negotiations. 10. Award The lease agreement will be offered to the most advantageous proposal, taking into consideration all evaluation criteria. The BPHC will notify the successful bidder in writing within a reasonable time and will receive BPHC s lease agreement within five (5) working days after notification. The BPHC reserves the right to waive any and all formalities and accept or reject any and all bids at its sole discretion. 11. Questions Prospective applicants may contact Belkis Roman at broman@bphc.org or with requests for clarifications or questions. Responses to all requests for clarifications and questions will be distributed via to all RFP form recipients. All clarifications and questions are due by March 19, Timeline March 9, 2018 Release and distribution of RFP March 16, 10:00 AM Compulsory site visit for all interested parties. March 19, 2018 Deadline for all questions related to the RFP March 23, 1:00 PM Proposals Due. (no proposals will be accepted after this time, no exceptions.) March 30, 2018 Evaluation and scoring will be completed. Notifications to be issued. Timeframe subject to change. Page 7 of 10

9 13. Proposal Format Please use the following as a guideline to format your proposal: Document format All digital submissions must be pdf documents. Length and font size - Please use fonts no smaller than 12 points. There is no limit to the maximum proposal length. Proposal shall be inclusive of all line items included in Section 4: Required Components of the Proposals and, Section 6: Evaluation Criteria and Scoring. Title Page Boston Public Health Commission Long Island Organic Farm: Project No. LI ; your company name; Address; Web site address; Telephone number; Fax number; address and primary person. Cover Letter Signed by the person or persons authorized to sign on behalf of the organization. Proposal Discuss your proposed lease agreement and provide all the information outlined in Section 4: Required Components of the Proposals and, Section 6: Evaluation Criteria and Scoring. Attachment Include references along with any other supplemental information as necessary. Page 8 of 10

10 14. Supplemental Information Below a Bird s Eye view of the plot of land. End of Document Page 9 of 10