RFP: Engineering and Landscape Design Services

Land and Water Conservation Fund GrantDr. Lawless International Dark Sky Park Renovation ProjectDr. Lawless International Dark Sky Park15122 Monkey Run St.Vandalia, MI 49095Prepared byCass County Parks and Recreation Department120 N. Broadway St.Suite 111Cassopolis, MI 49031General Information and Requirements PurposeThe purpose of this Request for Proposals (RFP) is to solicit professional engineering/landscape architectural firms (hereinafter called “Prime Professionals”) for detailed proposals explaining their ability to best perform expected duties outlined on this RFP. Specifically, the Cass County Parks and Recreation Department is currently seeking Prime Professionals to provide all preliminary design and construction design planning and oversight necessary for the completion of the Dr. Lawless International Dark Sky Park Renovation Project funded by a Land and Water Conservation Fund grant, and the County of Cass. The Land and Water Conservation Fund grant is a federal grant administered by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Prime Professionals are required to be licensed by the State of Michigan and will be required to certify that all work was completed satisfactorily. Their responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, site surveys and analysis, pre-design/design and design calculations, construction drawings, plans, and technical specifications, bid and contract documents, construction stake out, inspection and contract administration and final onsite inspection. They will also be required to follow the Build America, Buy America (BABA) requirements, as required by Section 70914 of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. All iron, steel, manufactured products, and construction materials used in project must be produced in the United States based on (BABA) guidelines.   This RFP is intended to aid in the selection of professional design services that are best suited to meet grant requirements for the Dr. Lawless International Dark Sky Park Renovation Project. Those responses will be evaluated by a committee comprised of the Cass County Administrator, Cass County Finance Director, and Cass County Parks and Recreation Director. The Cass County Parks and Recreation Commission and Cass County Projects Committee will review proposals and provide recommendations to the Board of Commissioners. Final approval will then be given by the Cass County Board of Commissioners. A presentation may be required before a final recommendation is made. One (1) original, four (4) 8 ½ x 11 copies and one (1) digital copy of the final proposal must be sealed and sent to the Cass County Parks and Recreation Department, located at 120 N. Broadway St., Suite 111, Cassopolis, MI. 49031 or delivered to the Cass County Parks and Recreation Department located at 120 N. Broadway St., Suite 111, Cassopolis, MI. 49031. The County of Cass is not required to accept the lowest quote but is committed to determining the best option for successful completion of this project. Furthermore, the County of Cass operates under the Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Policy which encourages responses of all types, as well as quotes from companies also operating under the Equal Opportunity Policy. Sealed Proposals Are Due By: Monday, July 29, 2024, at 4:00 PMParks MissionTo preserve and protect natural resources and open spaces while meeting recreational needs for all segments of our population. We strive to enhance the quality of life for county residents and park visitors through active citizen involvement, planned growth, and professional stewardship of the land, water and sky within our Cass County parks.Introduction and BackgroundPurchased from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources more than forty (40) years ago, Dr. Lawless Park is named after Theador Kenneth Lawless, an African American dermatologist from Chicago, Illinois who originally owned the property. Dr. Lawless Park is an 860-acre nature lovers paradise located in eastern Cass County. It is the largest county park within Cass County, and it boasts a broad range of year-round recreational activities including but not limited to, mountain biking, fishing, hunting, disc golf, cross-country skiing, innertube sledding, and more than seven (7) miles of hiking trails. Dr. Lawless Park is consistently the most visited county park with more than twenty (20) picnic shelter reservations annually. It also hosts several special events annually. Some of those events include Dark Sky star gazing, Easter Egg hunt, harvest festival, mountain bike race, 1/2 marathon running race, concerts, and Discover Winter Nights. In addition, within the last three years Dr. Lawless Park has been officially recognized by the International Dark Sky Association as an official International Dark Sky Park. It was also recognized by the State of Michigan as Dark Sky Preserve and is the headwaters of the Donnel Lake watershed.Project DescriptionBased on projects within the Dr. Lawless Park Master Plan, the Dr. Lawless International Dark Sky Renovation Project is a grant assisted project funded through the Land and Water Conservation Fund. This federally funded grant is administered by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources grants division. All scope items were designed to support the development of Dr. Lawless Park with a specific emphasis on the enhancement of our visitor experience, improve accessibility, and to renovate aging infrastructure in support of future camping initiatives. All scope items will meet or exceed ADA standards with some meeting Universal Access Design standards. Preliminary concept drawings also include sustainable design elements including the use of native plants for landscaping, permeable pavement, and lighting that meets or exceeds International Dark Sky Park standards. Scope items include a new entry gatehouse, pave the existing entrance drive and parking area with three (3) barrier-free and one universal accessible parking spaces included, construct accessible pathways to connect facilities, renovation of existing Schug Pavilion picnic shelter, and construction of a splash pad/get wet area. Submittal RequirementsOne (1) original, four (4) 8 ½ x 11 copies and one (1) digital copy of the proposal must be sealed and due to be submitted to the Cass County Parks and Recreation Department at 120 N. Broadway St., Suite 111, Cassopolis, MI 49031 by 4:00 p.m. on Monday, July 29, 2024. The sealed proposal must include the following information:Cover letter (name, address, and description of firm)Name of subcontractors and their scope of workPrior experience on at least two (2) state or federal grant funded projectsNames and qualifications of project team membersProposed timeline to complete preliminary design and construction drawingsLump sum price for scope of work requested. Not including reimbursableCost of construction inspection and engineeringA list of reimbursable with unit costs should be includedProject methodology Please limit submittals to no more than twenty pages (10 pages, double sided), including cover letter, covers and content. Selection CriteriaProposals will be reviewed by a committee made up of the Cass County Administrator, Cass County Finance Director, and the Director of Parks and the Cass County Parks and Recreation. The Cass County Parks & Recreation Commission and the Cass County Capital Projects Committee will make recommendations to the Board of Commissioners. Final approval will be made by the Cass County Board of Commissioners. The County of Cass is not required to accept the low bid but rather the bid that most effectively and efficiently addresses the project needs and objectives. Each proposal will be reviewed and evaluated based on the following:  Thoroughness and clarity of proposal Proposed feeProposed schedule Project methodologyFirm experience with similar projects (state or federal grant projects)Firm experience with federal grants specifically (land and water conservation fund grants)Firm experienced with MiGrants grants management systemProject team’s experience with similar projects (state and federal grant projects)Firm’s reputation for quality, integrity, ability to meet established budgets, deadlines, and meeting schedules.Demonstrating the ability to see a project through from the beginning stages through final inspection.Licensed in MichiganProject ObjectivesThe ultimate objective of the Dr. Lawless International Dark Sky Renovation Project is to enhance the visitor experience and access to Dr. Lawless Park through renovation and improvement of the main entrance, parking area, Schug picnic shelter and to create water-based recreation opportunities with the addition of the splash pad. As stewards of the land, water and sky, sustainable design features shall be used whenever possible as suggested in the preliminary concept designs approved by the MDNR grants division. It is our hope that when complete, this project will not only create a more desirable destination for visitors but will create additional revenue and begin to build the foundation for the introduction of camping within the park. Scope of WorkThe chosen consultant must be licensed by the State of Michigan and will be required to certify that all work was completed satisfactorily. They must work with the Director of Parks and county leadership throughout the project timeline. Based on Land and Water Conservation Fund guidelines, Prime Professional responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, site surveys and analysis, pre-design, design and design calculations, construction drawings, plans, and technical specifications, bid and contract documents, construction stake out, inspection and contract administration and final onsite inspection. Critical elements for this project include the following:New splash pad Addition of sustainable, natural, construction features whenever possible. Increase and improve accessibility within the project area.Renovation of the Schug picnic shelter New entrance boothRenovation of main entrance driveway / parking area Follow Buy America, Build America requirements of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law  Anticipated ScheduleJuly 22, 2024               - Site visit with Director of Parks at 2:00 p.m. (RSVP by July 19th,)July 29, 2024               - Sealed RFP due by 4:00 p.m.  July 30-31, 2024        - Selection Committee Review  Aug. 1-14, 2024          - Capital projects committee and parks board review, interviews if determined necessary  Aug. 15, 2024              - Recommendation to Board of Commissioners for approvalSept. 5, 2024               - Board of Commissioners approvalDeadline for QualificationsPlease submit one (1) original, four (4) proposal copies and one (1) digital copy by no later than 4:00 PM, Monday, July 29, 2024.Equal Opportunity PolicyThe Cass County Parks and Recreation Department and the County of Cass operates under the Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Policy and encourages responses from entities with diverse backgrounds, as well as responses from companies and firms also operating under the Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Policy.Project ContactScott Wyman, DirectorCass County Parks and Recreation Department120 N. Broadway St., Suite 111Cassopolis, Michigan 49031269-445-4456document.write('scottwy'+'@'+'cassco.org')For security reasons, you must enable JavaScript to view this E-mail address. Proposal FormPlease find the Proposal Form attached below.