24-93 Cons Eng Svcs for: Whatcom Co Fish Passage Restoration, Portfolio Development

WHATCOM COUNTY NOTICE TO CONSULTANTS FOR:WHATCOM COUNTY FISH PASSAGE RESTORATION, PORTFOLIO DEVELOPMENTCRP NO. 924006, FEDERAL AID NO. CAOP-2037(123)RFQ #24-93Whatcom County (County) solicits interest from consulting firms with expertise in Civil and Structural Engineering design, stream hydrology and hydraulics, and cultural resources. This agreement will be for approximately 26 months in duration with the option for the County to extend it for additional time and money if necessary. Consultants will be considered for the following project.The County reserves the right to amend terms of this “Request for Qualifications” (RFQ) to circulate various addenda, or to withdraw the RFQ at any time, regardless of how much time and effort consultants have spent on their responses.Project DescriptionThe work being performed by the CONSULTANT consists of assessment and preliminary design of 11 fish barrier culverts throughout Whatcom County. The alternatives analysis should consider applicable roadway and/or bridge design standards, Right-of-Way, stormwater, environmental, and fish passage requirements. This project has a 16% Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) goal. The major features of the project are as follows:Pre-design work including field investigations/researchGeotechnical investigationHydrologic and hydraulic analysis and designStormwater/drainage analysisEnvironmental permitting analysisPreliminary EngineeringCoordination of design with utility relocationCultural resources surveyFeasibility and Alternatives Analysis ReportPrepare 30% design plans, specifications, and cost estimatesConsultants shall have expertise in the following:Fish barrier removal projectsStructural design for culverts and bridgesWA Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Water Crossing Design GuidelinesWSDOT Local Programs requirements for Federally Funded projects including the Local Agency Guidelines (LAG) ManualDBE approach and commitmentCounty, State, and Federal standardsEnvironmental permitting requirements and thresholds of similar projects at the local, state, and federal levelsCultural resource complianceThe County reserves the right to retain the services of the successful firm(s) for any subsequent phases including but not limited to detailed design including bid-ready plans, design reports, specifications, estimates, environmental/archaeological permitting, and Right-of-Way as well as construction engineering services associated with this project.Evaluation CriteriaSubmittals will be evaluated and ranked based on the following criteria (100% total):Qualification of proposed Project Manager and key personnel; 15%Qualifications/expertise of firm; 15%Experience with fish barrier removal projects and standards; 15%Ability to meet schedule; 10%Approach to project; 20%Familiarity with WSDOT/FHWA standards; 10%Past performance/references; 5%Approach to meet the DBE goal (DBE Participation Plan); 10%SubmittalSubmittals should include the following information: Firm name, phone, and fax numbers; Name of Principal-in-Charge and Project Manager; and Number of employees in each firm proposed to project. Additional project information is included in the supplemental information which can be downloaded for no charge at https://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/Bids.aspx. The total length of the RFQ shall not exceed 16 pages (16 single-sided or 8 (eight) pages double-sided), not including a cover page, table of contents page, resumes (limited to 1 (one) page per individual), and firm information forms attached as an appendix. Example Submittal Information Forms to obtain consultant qualifications for Prime and Subconsultants are WSDOT form 140-565 and Form 140-566, respectively.Please submit one unbound paper copy of your Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) to: Attn: Sara Winger, Senior Purchasing Coordinator, Whatcom County AS-Finance/Purchasing, 311 Grand Ave., Suite #503, Bellingham, WA 98225 no later than 2:30 PM on December 10, 2024. Submittals will not be accepted after that time and date. Any questions regarding this project should be directed in writing via email to Annika Fain at document.write('afain'+'@'+'co.whatcom.wa.us')For security reasons, you must enable JavaScript to view this E-mail address..Contract TypeContract type (method of payment) will be Negotiated Hourly Rate utilizing WSDOT’s Local Agency A&E Professional Services Negotiated Hourly Rate Consultant Agreement. Submission of cost proposal or elements of cost shall not be submitted until selection of the most qualified consultant has concluded.Estimated Procurement ScheduleAdvertise RFQ                                                                  November 6 and 13, 2024Deadline for questions                                                   December 3, 2024Receive SOQs                                                                   December 10, 2024Review and Rank SOQs                                                  December 2024Consultant Selection Interviews                                   January 2025Consultant Selection/Award                                         January 2025Scoping and Contract                                                     January 2025Begin Work                                                                      February 2025Complete Work/End Contract                                      April 2027Equal Opportunity EmploymentAll prospective consultants will be held to Federal Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) requirements. The successful consultant shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, or sex in the performance of this contract. The consultant shall carry out applicable requirements of 49 CFR Part 26 in the award and administration of USDOT-assisted contracts.Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) InformationWhatcom County in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (Section 504) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), commits to nondiscrimination on the basis of disability, in all of its programs and activities. This material can be made available in an alternate format by emailing Purchasing at document.write('FN Purchasing'+'@'+'co.whatcom.wa.us')For security reasons, you must enable JavaScript to view this E-mail address. or by calling collect +1 (555) 000-0000.Title VI StatementWhatcom County, in accordance with the provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (78 Stat. 252, 42 U.S.C. 2000d to 2000d-4) and the Regulations, hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively ensure that in any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged business enterprises will be afforded full and fair opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, or national origin in consideration for an award.”Dates of PublicationDates of publication in the Bellingham Herald, Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce, and Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises (OMWBE): November 6 and 13, 2024.