Etna Riverfront Park and Trail: Design and Engineering RFP Section I - Etna, PA Etna Borough is a resilient community of approximately 3,451 people and a.8 sq. mile footprint. The Borough has taken a pro-active and creative approach to operations and community improvement in recent years. In particular, Etna is in the process of installing various stormwater management infrastructure tools and completing a green streetscape project in the downtown business district. Etna participates in various multi-municipal planning efforts and projects; and routinely partners with non-profit and government partners. Etna Borough, Allegheny River Towns Enterprise Zone, Friends of the Riverfront, Allegheny County, and Pennsylvania Environmental Council are partnering to develop community riverfront access at the Etna Riverfront Park. The park will be along a section of the Three Rivers Heritage Trail connection through an important Allegheny River corridor. Section II - Project Summary Etna Riverfront Park project will assemble roughly 1.5 acres of brownfield for the development of a passive park. The park site is located approximately 25 feet above the water s edge and will be ideal for scenic vistas up- and downstream, including siting peregrine falcons and hawks that have been known to nest on the 62nd Street Bridge, next to the park site. The property was acquired by Friends of the Riverfront for trail banking and was transitioned to Etna Borough ownership for development. Etna Borough also owns an abutting downstream parcel (see appendix) that originally housed water wells. The Borough is working with ARTEZ, Friends of the Riverfront, Allegheny County s Office of the County Executive, and the Pennsylvania Environmental Council to shape the development strategy and drive the effort. The park has the opportunity to offer amenities unique among the Pittsburgh area s riverfronts. Things like passive green space, natural wildlife habitat, perennial beds, and green infrastructure are being considered. If financially feasible, the park will also attempt to implement passive energy features including incinerating toilets, greywater collection, and alternative energy production provided by a local wind energy provider. Please note: schematic design process to include various amenities. Engineering and bid docs should be for construction of preliminary site access and base infrastructure for future amenities development. This park will be a crucial link in the development of the Three Rivers Heritage Trail (a National Recreation Trail) which feeds into the Erie to Pittsburgh Trail Alliance and the Harrisburg to Pittsburgh Mainline Canal Greenway. The extension of the Three Rivers Heritage Trail up the Allegheny River is part of a regional, statewide and national initiative. ARTEZ, Etna, and other partners are working on up- and downstream trail development simultaneously with the riverfront project. Section III - Submission Requirements: Due Date: June 23 Delivery: Borough of Etna, 437 Butler Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15223 Deliverable: Technical Qualifications: 1 electronic copy and 4 hard copies Sealed Proposal Price - 1 hard copy
Inquiries or questions should be directed to director@artez.org or faxed to 412-782-5302. No phone calls will be answered. ARTEZ reserves the right to reject any or all proposals submitted. ARTEZ further reserves the right to retain all proposals submitted and to use any ideas in a proposal regardless of whether that proposal is selected. Submission of a proposal indicates a firm s acceptance of the conditions contained in this request for proposals, unless clearly and specifically noted in the proposal submitted and confirmed in the final contract between ARTEZ and the firm selected. There is no implied or expressed obligation for ARTEZ to reimburse firms for any expenses incurred in preparing proposals in response to this request. Section IV - Basic Qualifications ARTEZ and Etna Borough seek a qualified firm(s) to provide comprehensive design and engineering services for the development of a riverfront park and trail connection at the Etna Riverfront Park Site. Details regarding the site are included in the Appendix of this proposal. Requested qualifications of team/firm submitting a response to the RFP: Demonstrated landscape architecture expertise and successful execution of projects of a similar scope and scale, including attractive passive parks and riverfront overlook design. Firms should demonstrate understanding of safety and aesthetic considerations in park development Experience and ability to suggest cost-containing strategies for sustainable landscape design and water system management Community meeting facilitation skills Expertise with bike transportation engineering & trail development. Past riverfront recreation area design, engineering, and development successes. Section V - Services Required and Scope of Work Preliminary Design For Build Out (including amenities & sustainable features) One draft Schematic Design and Up to 2 Revisions of Design Docs Final Design For Base Engineering Renderings, Scaled Drawings, Base Engineering for Site Access Bid-Ready Documents Up to 3 Community Design/Public Meetings Preparation of Bid Documents Bid Services Add-Alternate 1: Construction Administration/Management Add-Alternate 2: Inspection Services Section VI - Proposal Requirements General Requirements Submission of Proposals
For a proposing firm to be considered, four hard copies and one electronic copy (preferably PDF) of the Technical Proposal is required to be received by Monday, June 23 (delivery instructions above). Note that the proposal should follow the order set forth in this section. Each submission should include a preliminary section which includes the following: 1. Title page - include the firm's name, contact person and contact information for the firm and contact person 2. Table of Contents 3. Transmittal Letter - include the following: a. Signed statement regarding the proposer's understanding of the work to be done, b. Commitment to perform the work within the time period, c. Statement attesting that the firm will perform the work according to the standards required herein, and d. Irrevocable offer for 60 days. Section VII - Technical Proposal 1. The purpose of the technical proposal is to demonstrate the qualifications, competence, and capacity of the firms seeking to undertake the services in conformity with the requirements of this request for proposals. This proposal should demonstrate the qualifications of the firm and the particular staff to be assigned to this engagement. THERE SHOULD BE NO DOLLAR UNITS OR TOTAL COSTS INCLUDED IN THE TECHNICAL PROPOSAL DOCUMENT. The technical proposal should address all the points outlined in the request for proposals (excluding any cost information which should only be included in the sealed dollar cost bid). The proposal should be prepared simply and economically, providing a straightforward, concise description of the proposer's capabilities to satisfy the requirements of the request for proposals. While additional data may be presented, the following subjects, items No. 2 through 6, must be included. They represent the criteria against which the proposal will be evaluated. 2. Firm Qualifications and Experience The proposal should state the size of the firm and the size of the local office (if applicable), the location of the office from which the work on this engagement is to be performed, the number and nature of the processional staff to be employed in this engagement on a full-time basis, and the number and nature of the staff to be so employed on a part-time basis. If the proposer is a joint venture or consortium, the qualifications of each firm comprising the joint venture or consortium should be separately identified and the firm that is to serve as the principal firm should be noted, if applicable.
The firm shall provide information on the circumstances and status of any disciplinary action taken or pending against the firm during the past three years with state regulatory bodies or professional organizations, any outstanding taxes due to the municipalities, and any known relationships with members of municipal staff or Council members, ARTEZ Board of Directors, or other agencies that may create a conflict of interest. 3. Partner, Supervisory, and Staff Qualifications and Experience The firm should identify the principal supervisory and management staff, including engagement partners, managers, other supervisors and specialists, who would be assigned to the engagement. The firm also should provide information on the professional experience of each staff person, especially as it may relate to the community of Etna and its riverfront park.
The firm should provide as much information as possible regarding the number, qualifications, experience and training of the specific staff to be assigned to this engagement. The firm also should indicate how the quality of staff over the term of the agreement will be assured. ARTEZ retains the right to approve or reject replacements of engagement partners, managers, other supervisory staff and specialists. Other personnel may be changed at the discretion of the proposer provided that the replacements have substantially the same or better qualifications or experience. 4. Engagement with Other Similar Entities For the firm's office that will be assigned responsibility for the services in the proposal, list the most significant engagements performed in the last five years that are similar to the engagement described in this request for proposals. These engagements would include (1) entities receiving Federal, State and/or Local assistance, (2) municipalities, (3) authorities, (4) other governments, and (5) other relevant engagements, particularly those who have included revenue bonds, tax increment financing bonds, general obligation bonds, Community Development Block Grants, etc. Indicate the scope of work, date, engagement partners, total hours, and the name and telephone number of the principal client contact. 5. Specific Approach The proposal should set forth a work plan, including an explanation of the methodology to be followed, to perform the services required in Section V of this request for proposals. 6. MBE/WBE Participation and Subcontracting a. Ownership/Partnership of firm b. Employment levels of minorities and/or women in the firm c. Use of minorities and/or women on this particular engagement d. Firm's use of minority and/or women-owned businesses as vendors for legal, printing, office supplies, travel, etc. e. Subcontracting with other firms owned and controlled by minorities and/or women. If this is to be done, that fact, and the name of the proposed subcontracting firms, must be clearly identified in the proposal. Please provide breakdowns for (a) through (d) above and plans, if any, for Subcontracting to other MBE/WBE firms. Section VIII Sealed Dollar Cost Bid 1. Total All-inclusive Maximum Price The sealed dollar cost bid should contain all pricing information relative to performing the engagement as described in this request for proposals.
All-inclusive maximum price to be bid is to contain all direct and indirect costs including all out-of-pocket expenses. The first page of the sealed dollar cost bid should include the following information: Name of Firm Certification that the person signing the proposal and dollar cost bid is entitled to represent the firm, empowered to submit the bid, and authorized to sign a contract with ARTEZ. A total all-inclusive maximum price for the engagement. Rates by Partner, Specialist, Supervisory, and Staff Level Times House Anticipated for Each Level The second page of the sealed dollar cost bid should include a schedule of professional fees and expenses that support the total all-inclusive maximum price. 2. Rates for Additional Professional Services If it should become necessary for ARTEZ to request the firm to render any additional services, additional work shall be performed only if set forth in an addendum to the contract between ARTEZ and the firm. This includes both work that either supplements the services requested in this request for proposals and all additional work that may be performed as a result of the specific recommendations included in any report issued on this engagement. Any such additional work agreed to between ARTEZ and the Firm shall be performed at the same rates set forth in the schedule of fees and expenses included in the sealed dollar cost bid. 3. Manner of Payment Progress payments will be made on the basis of hours of work completed during the course of the engagement and out-of-pocket expenses incurred in accordance with the firm's dollar cost bid proposal. Interim billings shall cover a period of not less than a calendar month. Ten percent (10%) will be withheld pending delivery of the firm's final product. Section IX Oral Presentations During the evaluation process, Etna Borough and ARTEZ will, at its discretion, request any one or all firms to make oral presentations. If requested to present, the presentation is a requirement for final selection. The presentation and Q&A with the selection committee will last approximately 30 minutes. Such presentations will provide firms an opportunity to answer any questions the committee may have on a firm's proposal. Not all firms may be asked to make such oral presentations.
Appendix: Project Location