Downtown Partners Sioux City Page 1 of 7 REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS DOWNTOWN WAYFINDING CONSULTING AND DESIGN I. PURPOSE Downtown Partners Sioux City is hereby soliciting consultant qualifications for professional services to prepare a Downtown Wayfinding Signage Program, including design and specifications of all types of wayfinding signage for the downtown area of the city. This request invites qualified consultants to submit qualifications for accomplishments of the items of work described below under Scope of Services. Information shall be prepared and submitted in accordance with the requirements described in this Request for Qualifications (RFQ). Once the firm is selected, a contract will be negotiated based on a mutually agreed upon scope of services. II. PROJECT DESCRIPTION Firm qualifications are being requested to prepare a downtown wayfinding signage program for Downtown Sioux City that: 1. Welcomes and guides travelers from major entrance points into the city and pedestrians within the city to downtown community facilities (parks, arts and entertainment amenities, points of historical or cultural interest, parking areas, government buildings, hospitals, etc.). Maps of the downtown district are available at www.downtownsiouxcity.com; 2. Builds on existing vehicular signage and adds pedestrian signage within downtown; 3. Establishes design standards for downtown wayfinding signage that is reflective of Sioux City s identity. Consultant services will be funded jointly by the City of Sioux City under Capital Improvement Program (CIP) project number 663-222, and designated funding from Downtown Partners. III. PROPOSAL SUBMISSION Responses to the RFQ must be received by Downtown Partners as follows: Due Date: Thursday, October 5, 2017 Time: Prior to 4:00 p.m. CST Deliver to: Ragen Cote, Executive Director Downtown Partners 418 Pierce Street Sioux City, IA 51101 Number of copies: 7 hard copies, 1 electronic (pdf) copy IV. PROPOSAL CONTENT To standardize responses and simplify the comparison and evaluation of responses, all statements must be organized in the manner set forth below, separated into sections, and appropriately labeled. All information and materials requested shall be provided in the proposal under a single cover. The proposal length shall be limited to a maximum of 25 single-sided pages, not including dividers and covers. Minimum font size shall be ten (10) point.
Downtown Partners Sioux City Page 2 of 7 Business Organization The full name and address of the firm s organization and the branch office that will perform the services described herein shall be stated. The Principal-in-Charge of the branch office shall be identified. Please include a cover letter summarizing your firm s background, resources, and relevant experience. Technical Approach and Scope of Work The responding firm shall state its understanding of the project as outlined in the Scope of Services. The approach in rendering the services required, including the use of subconsultants, shall be detailed in a proposed Scope of Services. Related Technical Experience Descriptions of a minimum of two (2) and a maximum of five (5) projects of similar size and nature shall be submitted. The project description must contain the scope of services performed, location and references. Project Staffing and Organization Qualifications of the project manager and personnel, including anticipated sub-consultants, with specialized skills shall be highlighted. A list of sub-consultants that will be used and the work they will perform. Resumes for all key personnel listed shall be included and show the following: Name, specialty, and job title Years of relevant experience with firm (and previous employers) Academic degree(s), discipline, and year degree(s) received Professional registrations Office location where employed A synopsis of experience, training or other qualities that reflect the individual s related experience and expected contribution to the project. A brief history of professional certifications, registrations, and licenses that your firm / individuals hold that pertain to this project. If the firm or personnel have had their professional certification, registration, and / or license revoked, suspended, sanctioned please provide the dates and circumstances as a part of this response. Consultant and sub-consultants shall identify any group, individual or organization that they may have worked for, or currently work for, that has had ownership, lease, development, related or similar interest in the City of Sioux City. Downtown Partners and the City of Sioux City reserve the right to reject any response or responder who it feels has a conflict of interest. Timely Completion of the Project Discuss the consultant s and anticipated sub-consultant s current workload and its ability to complete the project in a timely manner. Additional Information Provide any additional information regarding the firm s experience and capabilities that would be important to the success of the project. V. SCOPE OF SERVICES A proposed Scope of Services is included as Attachment 2. The proposed Scope of Services is not intended to be a detailed scope of work that will be required as part of the final consultant services agreement, but is intended to provide general information to firms wishing to submit qualifications. It is the intent of Downtown Partners to draw upon the expertise and experience of firms submitting qualifications as to their recommendations as to exact tasks of work to accomplish our downtown goals. Downtown Partners will negotiate the detailed Scope of Services with the successful firm should the organization elect to proceed with the project.
Downtown Partners Sioux City Page 3 of 7 VI. CONTACT PERSON Any questions concerning the Request for Qualifications should be directed to Ragen Cote, 418 Pierce Street, Sioux City, Iowa 51101, 712-252-0014, ragencote@downtownsiouxcity.com. VII. INQUIRIES AND CLARIFICATION OF REQUEST After issuance of an RFQ, persons or entities who intend to respond to such RFQ by submission of a competitive proposal, and who have questions regarding the RFQ, or who object to any term, provision, or requirement of the RFQ, or who desire clarification or interpretation of any term, provision, or requirement of the RFQ, may submit such questions, objections, or requests for clarification or interpretation to the Contact Person named above via email no later than five (5) calendar days prior to the proposal due date. Such questions, objections, requests for clarification or interpretation shall be submitted in writing and shall clearly identify the individual or entity submitting same, including the name, address, telephone number, and email address of such person or entity. Persons or entities shall not attempt to contact or communicate with, in writing, electronically, or orally, any City official or employee other than the designated contact person in an attempt to gather information which would be helpful in responding to the RFQ, or in an attempt to influence Downtown Partners consideration of its competing proposal. Downtown Partners may refuse to accept or may return the proposal of any person or entity determined to be in violation of this provision. Contacting other selection committee members will be considered inappropriate and may lead to a loss of Selection Criteria points or disqualification, at the discretion of the Project Manager(s). The Contact Person will respond in writing to all questions, objections, requests for clarification or interpretation presented to Downtown Partners as provided above. In addition to making a written response, Downtown Partners may issue an addendum amending the RFQ by changing, deleting, or adding terms, provisions, or requirements to the RFQ. In no case will verbal communications override written responses or requirements of this RFQ. VIII. EVALUATION AND SELECTION PROCESS Qualifications will be evaluated by a selection committee established by Downtown Partners using the Selection Criteria included in Attachment 3 to identify the firm or firms best qualified to meet downtown s needs on this project. The firm(s) deemed best qualified by the selection committee may be invited for additional presentation and interviews. However, Downtown Partners reserves the right to request interviews of any, all, or none of the consultants. IX. ACCEPTANCE / REJECTION OF RESPONSES Downtown Partners reserves the right to accept or reject any or all responses submitted, in whole or in part, and to waive any informalities or technicalities which at the organization s discretion are determined to be in the best interests of Downtown Sioux City. Further, Downtown Partners makes no representations that a contract will be awarded to any responder. Downtown Partners expressly reserves the right to reject any and all responses without indicating any reasons for such rejection(s). Downtown Partners reserves the right to negotiate with any responder it deems suitable to carry out this project. Downtown Partners reserves the right to postpone due dates for its own convenience and to withdraw this solicitation at any time without prior notice. X. SCHEDULE Responses are due by 4:00 p.m. CST on October 5, 2017. Responses should be mailed or hand delivered to Downtown Partners (418 Pierce Street). Listed below are estimated dates and times of actions related to this RFQ. These dates are for planning purposes only and represent Downtown Partners desired timeline for implementing this project. The timeline may be adjusted; however, as needs and circumstances dictate.
Downtown Partners Sioux City Page 4 of 7 DATE August 31, 2017 October 5, 2017 October 2017 November 2017/December 2017 January 2018 February 2018 March 2018/May 2018 EVENT RFQ Issue Date RFQ Due Consultant Interviews (if necessary) Contract Negotiations/Preparation Board Approval Council Approval/Notice to Proceed Duration of Project XI. COMPENSATION The payment terms of the contract for this project will include mutually agreed upon line items with a maximum cost not to exceed the fee negotiated with the successful consultant. Only those services rendered after approval of the agreement will be eligible for compensation. XII. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS All documents, graphics, maps and exhibits produced by the successful proposer as part of this project shall be provided to Downtown Partners, become the property of the Downtown Partners, and are to be available for use in any manner Downtown Partners deems appropriate. This RFQ does not commit Downtown Partners to award a contract, pay any costs incurred in preparation of these qualifications or participating in the interview process, or to procure or contract for any services.
Downtown Partners Sioux City Page 5 of 7 ATTACHMENT 2 SCOPE OF SERVICES DOWNTOWN PARTNERS SIOUX CITY, IOWA DOWNTOWN WAYFINDING SIGNAGE PROGRAM This proposed Scope of Services is not intended to be a detailed scope of work that will be required as a part of the final consultant services agreement, but is intended to provide general information to firms wishing to submit qualifications. Downtown Partners is a not-for-profit, 501(c)(4) organization representing the interests of businesses and downtown entities that share the vision of a thriving, livable and vibrant Downtown Sioux City. With a board of directors comprised of representatives from major employers, small retailers and property owners invested in growing the vitality of downtown, Downtown Partners is funded through a community self-supported municipal improvement district within which private property owners pay a special levy on property tax assessments. Downtown Partners is committed to a downtown that is a central place for the diverse community and all of downtown's property/business owners, employees, residents and visitors. The goal of this project is to ensure connectivity to downtown destinations for vehicles and pedestrians while taking into consideration interstate access improvements, riverfront redevelopment and revitalization efforts. Scope of Services Requested The scope of work will be finalized once a consultant is selected. At minimum, the following scope of work/approach is required: In general, the downtown wayfinding signage program will create a coordinated group of signs and wayfinding tools that welcome people to downtown Sioux City and direct them to the places they want to go. Steps to fully accomplish this task include, but are not limited to, the following: Review and make recommendations regarding the existing downtown wayfinding signage for both vehicles and pedestrians; Identify appropriate locations for permanent entry signage into the downtown area; Identify other points of interest in the city that should be highlighted with downtown wayfinding signage; Establish design standards and specifications that take into account street-level visibility, safety, maintenance, and replacement costs for all wayfinding signage. Framework The selected, qualified firm will be retained to work with a task force consisting of Downtown Partners Environment Work Group members and city staff to develop a wayfinding program with the following overall work tasks: Task 1: Assess Existing Conditions and Needs 1.1 Conduct an assessment of current downtown wayfinding signage and downtown entry signage; 1.2 Identify user groups, their specific needs, and potential wayfinding difficulties, including schools, parks and recreation, trails, historic districts, community institutions, low vision areas and street configurations;
Downtown Partners Sioux City Page 6 of 7 1.3 Describe the process by which you would engage Downtown Partners Environment Work Group members, city staff, and the larger community in the defining needs and design preferences. Task 2: Develop Recommendations on Signage Types and Placement 2.1 Recommend entry and downtown wayfinding design types that should be added, replaced, or consolidated (i.e. direction markers, street signs, parking signage, public facility identification signage, interstate signage, gateway monuments, orientation kiosks, and markers to designate historic districts); 2.2 Using aerial imagery and/or GIS resources, create a map of recommended entry and downtown wayfinding signage locations for both pedestrian and vehicular traffic; 2.3 Identify opportunities for temporary or changeable special event/marketing signage; 2.4 Explore and recommend options for digital augmentation of the physical wayfinding system. Outline phone apps or digital interaction tools to create on-the-go solutions; 2.5 Develop a list of recommended terminology and/or design icons for various destinations (i.e. parks, hospitals, public facilities, historic districts); 2.6 Prepare a Statement of Probable Cost for the fabrication, installation, and maintenance of the system, including the number of various sign types and locations. Task 3: Design Signage Elements 3.1 Recommend design standards for wayfinding elements that are reflective of the downtown s identity and consistent in color, font, materials, architectural elements, and graphics; 3.2 Present three (3) schematic design concepts of signs, and/or other wayfinding elements for vehicles and pedestrians to be reviewed at a Downtown Partners Environment Work Group, City Council Study Session, and with select user groups identified in Task 1.3; 3.3 Upon selection of the preferred signage program by Downtown Partners and City Council, submit one (1) final design drawing to include exact dimensions, letter heights, materials, mounting details, color specifications, and material performance standards (including mounting poles), with written statements regarding rationale for design choices for both entrance and downtown wayfinding signs. We anticipate the final deliverable will be a downtown wayfinding signage program that contains written analysis and recommendations and designs developed in Tasks 1-3. In addition, the Consultant shall deliver a presentation on the downtown wayfinding signage program to the City Council and the Downtown Partners Board of Directors. Once a firm is selected, it is anticipated that this work will take no more than ninety (90) days to complete. Public Outreach The consultant is expected to take the lead in public outreach, visioning, and plan branding and promotion. The consultant, in collaboration with staff, shall plan and play a major role in community engagement to include formal and/or informal information sessions as needed. A broad-based participation plan or citizen engagement plan and publicity materials should be provided by the consultant to generate participation. Informational materials will be housed on sioux-city.org and downtownsiouxcity.com to publish plan updates and to allow the public to interactively comment on the planning process and provide feedback.
Downtown Partners Sioux City Page 7 of 7 ATTACHMENT 3 SELECTION CRITERIA CONSULTANT SERVICES EVALUATION FORM DOWNTOWN PARTNERS SIOUX CITY, IOWA DOWNTOWN WAYFINDING SIGNAGE PROGRAM Item 1 2 3 4 Rating Selection Criteria Ranges Experience, Qualifications and Expertise Firm's experience with similar projects, qualifications and expertise of key personnel and subconsultants (0-20) Capabilities and Resources Projects currently under contract involving equipment and key personnel that would also handle this project along with estimated time of completion. Availability and responsiveness of staff in local area. (0-20) Project Overview Convey your understanding of the project objectives. Identify major problems which you perceive at this time. Describe the overall approach you will use to overcome the problems and efficiently complete this project. (0-30) References Information on other organizations for which your firm has provided comparable consulting services. (0-5) 5 Quality and Thoroughness of a Proposal (0-15) 6 Geographic Location of your Firm (0-5) 7 Additional Factors Downtown Wayfinding Experience and other related information (0-5) TOTAL (100 pts max) ADDITIONAL COMMENTS