STUDY AND ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN SERVICES

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS For a FEASIBILITY STUDY AND ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN SERVICES For the Smugglers Notch Scenic Highway Corridor s Barnes Camp Visitor Center on VT Route 108 in Stowe, VT EA #: EH02030 Contract #: 30EH02 Date Issued: Wednesday, May 27, 2009 Mandatory Site Visit: Wednesday, June 3, 2009, 10:00 a.m. Questions In Writing: Friday, June 5, 2009 Responses To Questions: Wednesday, June 10, 2009 Proposal Deadline: Wednesday, June 17, 2009, noon eastern time (Facsimiles will not be accepted) Date of Selection: Wednesday, June 24, 2009 Contact: Bill Rossmassler, Lamoille County Planning Commission Send Proposals To: Bill Rossmassler, Special Projects Manager Lamoille County Planning Commission 632 LaPorte Road Morrisville, VT 05661-1009 (802) 888-4548 I. INTRODUCTION AND SCOPE OF WORK On behalf of the Smugglers Notch State Park Partners Group (the Partners), the Lamoille County Planning Commission (LCPC) is requesting proposal submittals from architectural firms that have experience working with historic structures. LCPC is requesting proposals for a feasibility study and design services for the Barnes Camp Visitor Center at the Southern Gateway of the Smugglers Notch Scenic Highway Corridor on VT Route 108 in Stowe, Vermont. The main objective of the Scenic Highway is to protect the fragile natural resources throughout the Notch by providing educational information and public facilities for a variety of recreational activities in dispersed locations throughout the Corridor and beyond. The Southern Gateway is one such facility, marking a dramatic transition from the built, ski resort environment to the geologically rich natural environment of the Notch. In addition to the Barnes Camp Visitor Center, other amenities planned for development at the Southern Gateway include the development of an interpretive facility for the adjacent wetlands complex, access to the new Long Trail trailhead across the state highway and a roundabout. Already developed at the Southern Gateway is the enhanced parking facility with an informational kiosk. Once built out, collectively, these facilities are intended to alert the travelling public that they are passing through this

transition zone, calming their speed and enticing them to take advantage of some of the available facilities and to learn about the wondrous area they are about to encounter. The Barnes Camp Visitor Center is intended to be the primary information center for not just the Southern Gateway facility, but the entire Scenic Highway Corridor as a whole. A structure that has had as many different uses as it has had facades, Barnes Camp hasn t been used since the late 1990 s. It s frail frame continues to weather every winter s threatening snow loads, but most consider the building s time short at this point. The purpose of the project is two-fold. First, to determine the feasibility of using Barnes Camp as a Visitor and Environmental Education Center. Second, if feasible, to develop conceptual and preliminary designs for the facility. Specifically, LCPC is requesting assistance with the following services: Phase 1 General A. To meet no more than three (3) times with the Project Steering Committee at strategic points in the project s process: introductory meeting to clarify the project s scope and expectations; intermediate meeting to determine (confirm) feasibility and hone conceptual design elements; review meeting to comment on conceptual designs (comments received will then be incorporated into the preliminary designs. Step 1 Constraints Analysis and Feasibility Study B. The design consultant will conduct a thorough building inspection / conditions assessment, including a structural analysis, to determine what parts of the building would need to be removed and what parts of the building could be saved. C. Based on the information received from the building inspection / conditions assessment and review of the Historic Resources Study, in consultation with the Vermont Agency of Transportation s (Vtrans) Historic Preservation Officer, the design consultant will recommend to the Project Steering Committee what building footprint to use for the designs and which parts of the building will be able to be kept as is, salvaged for other uses, and discarded altogether. D. The Project Steering Committee will direct the design consultant as to what building footprint to use, which the design consultant will then take to the appropriate regulatory agencies to determine what, if any, constraints the proposed footprint may encounter from the respective regulatory jurisdictions. (see Appendix A Lease Area Map) 1. Designs must be in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act design guidelines and applicable Town, State and Federal regulations, standards or guidelines and should consider the feasibility of lift access. Based on the information received in Step 1, the Project Steering Committee will determine whether or not the project is still feasible. If the Committee determine s the project to be feasible, the Committee will instruct the design consultant to proceed with Step 2.

Step 2 Conceptual Designs E. If determined to be feasible, based on the information received from the regulatory agencies, the design consultant will make any necessary adjustments to the building footprint, including accounting for any special site characteristics that may influence the orientation of the building. F. The design consultant will develop conceptual designs for a two story building that consider the following elements: 1. Seasonal and year-round uses 2. Space for public rest / changing rooms 3. Space for a staff office(s) 4. Space for a meeting room(s) 5. Space for informational displays 6. Space for concessions 7. Space for storage 8. Access to utilities and services, including an analysis of the needs and options for all utilities. G. The design consultant will present the conceptual designs, no less than three (3) alternatives, to the Project Steering Committee for comments. Based on the information received in Step 2, the Project Steering Committee will determine whether or not the project is still feasible. If the Committee determine s the project to be feasible, the Committee will instruct the design consultant to proceed with Step 3. Step 3 Preliminary Designs H. If determined to be feasible, based on the comments received on the conceptual designs, the design consultant will develop preliminary designs, including a site plan, floor plans, and elevations. 1. The designs should make every effort to conserve and reuse as much of the existing historic structure as is realistically possible. As such, the Project Steering Committee will be seeking guidance from the Vtrans Historic Preservation Officer, the Stowe Historical Society, the Stowe Historic Preservation Commission, among other historic experts. In addition to having experience with historic structures, the design consultant should have experience with timber frame construction. 2. The designs should also make every effort to use green building techniques that would be realistically possible for this site. As such, the Project Steering Committee will be seeking guidance from green building experts, such as Efficiency Vermont and others.

Step 4 Cost Estimates I. The design consultant will develop permitting, final design, demolition / salvage and construction cost estimates, including identifying which permits will be required for the reconstruction project. J. Digital and hard copies of all final products will be made available to each Project Steering Committee member. Phase 2 Permitting, Final Designs, Bid Package (not part of this Scope of Work) Following the completion of the Feasibility Study and Preliminary Designs, the next phase will be to procure additional design services to secure the necessary permits, to develop final designs and to assemble a bid package. It is possible, though not guaranteed, that the contract for these subsequent services may be awarded to the design consultant selected for this Phase 1 project via a contract amendment. II. PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS AND RESPONSE FORMAT Responses to this RFP should consist of the following: A. A technical proposal consisting of: 1. A cover letter expressing the firm s interest in working with the LCPC including an identification of the principal individuals that will provide the requested services. 2. A description of the general approach to be taken toward completion of the project and an explanation of any variances to the proposed scope of work as outlined in the RFP. 3. A scope of work that includes detailed steps to be taken, any products or deliverables resulting from each task, a summary of estimated labor hours by task, and an estimated timeline for each task, including meetings. 4. A list of individuals that will be committed to this project and their professional qualifications. The names and qualifications of any sub-consultants shall be included in this list. 5. Demonstration of success on similar projects, including a brief project description and a contact name, address and phone number for reference. B. A cost proposal consisting of a composite schedule by Step and by Task of direct labor hours, direct labor cost per class of labor, overhead rate, and fee for the project. If the use of sub-consultants is proposed, a separate schedule must be provided for each.

1. All consultants should be listed on the VTrans Qualified Consultant List. In order to be added to this list, consultants need to go to: http://www.aot.state.vt.us/conadmin/personalfaq.htm and complete Standard Form 330 2. All consultants should also fill out form AF38 - Consultant Financial Background Questionnaire and submit it to the Vtrans Audit Section. 3. Requests for reimbursements must be in accordance with the Vtrans Specifications for Consultant Services. III. CONSULTANT SELECTION AND CRITERIA The consultant selection will be made by a committee that includes LCPC staff, Vtrans Project Supervisors, VANR DFPR Project Supervisors, and local representatives for both the property owner the Mount Mansfield Corporation and the historical community. The selection committee will review and evaluate all proposals based on the following criteria: 1. Quality of proposal and written presentation (i.e. clarity, creativity, thoroughness in addressing the scope of work, etc.). (25 Points) 2. Overall cost and total hours available, including availability and accessibility. (25 points) 3. Qualifications of the consultant(s) and the personnel to be assigned to this project, including working together as a team (i.e. previous experience, other similar projects, special expertise, etc.). (25 Points) 4. Understanding of the area and project. (25 Points) Once the technical proposal is discussed and ranked, the cost proposal will be reviewed in relation to the technical proposal. The Selection Committee may elect to interview consultants prior to final selection. The LCPC reserves the right to seek clarification of any proposal submitted and to select the proposal considered to best promote the public interest. The LCPC reserves the right to reject any and all proposals and to negotiate with a qualified source. This Request for Proposals in no way obligates the LCPC to award a contract. The committee will select the consultant team on or about June 24, 2009 and a contract will be awarded soon thereafter. The selected consultant(s) will not be allowed to invoice for services until the contract has been authorized. The costs of preparing proposals lie solely with the consultant(s); the LCPC assumes no responsibility for those costs. The consultant awarded this contract shall, upon notification of award, apply for registration with the Vermont Secretary of State s Office to do business in the State of Vermont, if not already so registered. The registration form may be obtained from the Vermont Secretary of State s Office in Montpelier, VT. The LCPC will not execute the contract until the consultant is registered with the Secretary of State s Office. While the consultant will be contracting with LCPC, State and Federal regulations will need to be followed.

VI. SUBMISSIONS Consultants interested in this project should submit seven (7) copies of their technical and cost proposals to: Bill Rossmassler Special Projects Manager Lamoille County Planning Commission 632 LaPorte Road Morrisville, VT 05661 Technical and cost proposals must be submitted in separate, sealed envelopes or packages with the following information clearly printed on the outside: 1. Name and address of prime consultant 2. Due date and time 3. Envelope contents (technical or cost proposal) 4. Project name and number Proposals should be double-sided and use recycled paper, if possible. Proposals should not include plastic covers or plastic bindings. VII. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The consultant s attention is directed to the Vtrans Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE) Policy Requirements and the Women Business Enterprise (WBE) Policy Requirements. These requirements outline the State s and the consultant s responsibility with regard to the utilization of DBE/WBEs for the work covered in the RFP. It is expected that all consultants will make good faith efforts to solicit DBE/WBE sub-consultants. Qualified Disadvantaged and Women Business Enterprises and locallyowned design companies are encouraged to apply. The Lamoille County Planning Commission is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Ownership of all data and deliverables for this project will reside with LCPC and Vtrans. Funding for the project is provided through the Vtrans Local Transportation Facilities Program using Federal Transportation Enhancement Funds. The budgeted amount for this project is approximately $22,500.