Request for Qualifications for Architectural Services Tacoma Community Redevelopment Authority (TCRA) Valhalla Hall (23 Residential Units and 2 Street-facing Retail Spaces) July 27, 2015
Tacoma Community Redevelopment Authority (TCRA) Valhalla Hall Housing Request for Qualifications: Tacoma Community Redevelopment Authority (TCRA) and Bellwether Housing invite you to submit your qualifications to provide architectural services. Three (3) copies of your Statement of Qualifications must be received no later than Monday, August 17, 2015, 3:00 P.M. at the offices of Bellwether Housing located at 1651 Bellevue Ave., Seattle, WA 98122; an electronic copy may be submitted by email to: lfoss@bellwetherhousing.org Lachlan Foss, Construction Manager TCRA c/o Bellwether Housing 206-588-4792 The facility will be made available for a walkthrough on Monday, August 10, 2015 at 11 A.M; interested firms are strongly urged to attend, if at all possible. TCRA will schedule interviews with three firms whose qualifications best meet the standards set forth in this RFQ. Interviews will be scheduled following a review of the Statement of Qualifications and will be held in Tacoma Tuesday, August 25, 2015. TCRA's intent is to select an architect by end of day, Thursday, August 27, 2015. Goal: The project has multiple goals: To demonstrate the value of redeveloping, rather than tearing down, many of the historic and heritage buildings in and around Tacoma; To provide housing which is affordable to low income household; To preserve the diversity of the Hilltop Neighborhood; To encourage and build public/private partnerships. Project Description: Scope of work includes demolition of a portion of the approximately 15,500 sq. ft. existing structure, originally built in 1906, to create a courtyard and allow fire access to the proposed dwelling units. Rehabilitation of the remaining structure and new construction, necessitated by the demolition, will result in two commercial spaces totaling approximately 1,500 sq. ft. with attractive storefronts fronting on Martin Luther King Jr Way, plus four loft apartments and one work-live housing unit on the ground floor. On both the second and third floor there will be two one-bedroom and seven studio apartments. The total unit count will be 23 apartments and two commercial spaces. The intent for the front facade on Martin Luther King Jr Way is to have it retain its heritage appearance while upgraded and beautified. Tacoma Community Redevelopment Authority Valhalla Hall Page 2
Site Description: The 6,500 SF site is located in the Hilltop Neighborhood, at 1216 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Tacoma, WA 98405 (parcel #2012220040). Parcel is zoned NCX (Neighborhood Commercial Mixed-use). Lot dimensions are approximately 50 x 130. No on-site building parking is proposed. Building s main entrance is on Martin Luther King Jr. Way. Building utilities are currently served by Tacoma Public Utilities (TPU). The site is currently owned by TCRA. Site is improved with a three story building, formerly serving as a social hall for the Swedish Order of Valhalla. Building is currently vacant. Site is well-served with urban infrastructure, though upgrades to the existing utilities to accommodate change and increase in usage will certainly be necessary. Background Information: Tacoma Community Redevelopment Authority was created as a public corporation organized pursuant to the ordinances of the City of Tacoma, pursuant to the Revised Code of Washington. The purpose of the Authority is to provide an independent means of carrying out and administering federal grants or programs pursuant to the provisions of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974. The Authority is intended to provide increased flexibility and efficiency in administering federal grants, such as Community Development Block Grant and HOME Investment Partnership Grants, and the projects and activities financed from funds derived from such programs. Scope of Work: The Valhalla Hall Housing project is in the schematic design stage. TCRA owns the site and has engaged Bellwether Housing to assist with development. The requested scope for this project will be comprised of full architectural services (Basic Services as defined in the AIA Contract between Owner and Architect) including advancing current schematic design phase (to the point where preliminary cost estimates can be generated by a General Contractor, as selected for pre-construction and/or construction services), Design Development to produce permit documents, Construction Documents, Construction Contract Administration, and Post Construction Services. Additional Services will be negotiated between TCRA and the selected architectural firm on an as-needed basis. Special Considerations: 1. In order to fast track the project, TCRA has opted to directly fund the development cost with a combination of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Urban Development Action Grant (UDAG) funds. Development of the proposed project will be subject to program requirements imposed by these sources. 2. The selected architectural firm will work closely with an oversight committee comprised of TCRA Housing Division Manager and Staff, TCRA Board members, and Bellwether Housing. Tacoma Community Redevelopment Authority Valhalla Hall Page 3
3. TCRA is committed to providing affordable housing and facility space in an efficient and effective manner and takes seriously its role as a trustee of public funds. TCRA and Bellwether Housing will expect the same commitment from the selected architectural firm. 4. TCRA intends to use the Washington State Guidelines for A/E contracts as a basis for determining the fee for basic architectural services for this project. Selection Process: 1. It is the intent of TCRA to select a preferred firm based on Statement of Qualifications and to negotiate a not to exceed price contract. Should contract negotiations be unsuccessful in achieving the desired scope and price, TCRA reserves the right to select an alternative firm with which to negotiate. TCRA reserves the right not to issue a contract to any respondent. 2. TCRA and Bellwether Housing will review submittals for conformance to minimum qualifications. All Statement of Qualifications that are deemed to be out of conformance to the minimum qualifications will be disqualified. 2. Three firms that submit responsive qualification statements and exhibit exceptional qualifications as per the criteria defined below will be interviewed. 3. Responsive firms will be interviewed for one hour on Tuesday, August 25, 2015. The interviews will have two components. The first component will consist of up to a 30 minute presentation that addresses: a. Design ability and design considerations that address: i. Your understanding of the proposal ii. How you will work with TCRA to effectively and efficiently create a welldesigned mixed-use project. iii. Your understanding of Accessible and Universal Design principals iv. Efficient and Effective Use of Public Funds b. Problem solving skills c. Communication abilities particularly between architect and sponsoring agency d. Experience in producing a successful design within a fixed budget as well as experience in reducing construction costs when over budget. e. Philosophy about the design features unique to this site and project The second component will be a question and answer period. 4. Architectural firms will be evaluated on the basis of their written and oral presentations based upon the following unprioritized criteria: a. Knowledge of Job b. Proposed Project Team and Ability to Manage Project Team c. Unique Qualifications d. Past Performance/Examples/Design Quality e. Statement of Interest f. Experience Working with Nonprofit Organizations and/or Community groups. g. Experience Working with Publicly Funded Projects Tacoma Community Redevelopment Authority Valhalla Hall Page 4
h. Availability i. References j. Demonstrated Cost Control Minimum Required Qualifications: 1. Licensed architect in the State of Washington 2. Successful completion of at least three multi-family projects (including one mixed-use project and at least one new construction project) with the total construction cost in excess of $2,000,000 where the principal architect or project architect (if different) provided architectural services from site feasibility through post construction services. 3. Ability for principal architect and project architect (if different) to begin working on this project immediately. Preferred Qualifications: 1. Previous experience with projects financed in part or in full through local and federal government agencies, especially CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) and UDAG (Urban Development Action Grant) funds. 2. Successful completion of at least one project with total construction cost in excess of $2,000,000 with a nonprofit or government entity as the owner/sponsor of the project where the principal architect or project architect (if different) provided architectural services from site feasibility through post construction services. 3. Previous experience with City of Tacoma. 4. Women and Minority-owned Business Enterprises: All applicants are strongly encouraged to directly solicit W/MBE firms in creating their development team. 5. Approach and engage local consultants, to maximum extent possible. Architect Selection Schedule: July 27, 2015 August 10, 2015, 11 A.M. August 17, 2015, 3 P.M. August 25, 2015 August 27, 2015 RFQ's Made Available Recommended Facility Walkthrough Deadline for Submission of Statement of Qualifications Interviews Selection of Architect Tacoma Community Redevelopment Authority Valhalla Hall Page 5
Project Schedule: September 4, 2015 Execute Owner/Architect Contract (B101 207) November 2015 Complete Schematic Design December 2015 Complete Design Development February 2016 Complete Construction Documents March 2016 Complete Bidding March/April 2016 Receive Building Permit April 2016 Start Construction - Notice to proceed December 2016 Construction Completed December 2016 Occupancy February/March 2017 Close out Required Submittals: Please provide three (3) copies of your Statement of Qualifications must be received no later than Monday, August 17, 2015, 3:00 P.M. at the offices of Bellwether Housing located at 1651 Bellevue Ave., Seattle, WA 98122, and/or an electronic copy may be submitted by email to: lfoss@bellwetherhousing.org Lachlan Foss, Construction Manager TCRA c/o Bellwether Housing 206-588-4792 Your statement of qualifications must include a completed AIA Form B305 1993 Edition with modifications as follows: 4. RELATED PROFESSIONAL SERVICES Specify all additional consultants with whom you will subcontract on this project and include their address and telephone number. Please indicate if these firms are certified WBE or MBE firms. 5. PROJECTS 5.1 List the principal architect and project architect (if different) who will be assigned to this project. Please discuss their availability and the proposed division of labor for this project. 5.2 List at least three housing projects, with total construction cost in excess of $2,000,000 (including one mixed-use project and one new construction project) where the proposed project architect provided architectural services from site feasibility through post construction services. Specify whether or not these projects were financed and monitored by public agencies. 5.3 If applicable, list successfully completed projects with the owner/sponsor being a nonprofit organization or government entity where the principal architect or project architect (if different) provided architectural services from site feasibility through post construction services. Tacoma Community Redevelopment Authority Valhalla Hall Page 6
6. REFERENCES 6.1 List three project references each for the principal architect and project architect (if different). Include project address, contract amount, owner and owner's telephone number, general contractor and general contractor's telephone number. 8. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 8.1 Please describe your understanding of the proposal and how you will work with TCRA to effectively and efficiently create a well-designed mixed-use project. Contacts: Carey Jenkins Lachlan Foss TCRA, Housing Division Manager Bellwether Housing, Construction Manager cjenkins@cityoftacoma.org lfoss@bellwetherhousing.org (253) 591-5238 (206) 588-4792 Jovan Ludovice Bellwether Housing, Senior Housing Developer jludovice@bellwetherhousing.org (206) 588-4796 Please Note: TCRA intends to select the most qualified responsive architectural firm and reserves the right to reject any and all qualification statements and the right to waive all irregularities. Tacoma Community Redevelopment Authority Valhalla Hall Page 7