RFQ-DC-10-00238, Greening America's Capitals--Boston

Posted Date: September 17, 2010

Procurement Office : U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Headquarters Procurement Operations Division, (3803R)

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6, and Subpart 13.106, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. The solicitation number is RFQ-DC-10-00238 and is being issued as a Request for Quotations (RFQ). The solicitation document and incorporated provisions are those in effect through FAC 2005-45. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), Office of Policy, Economics, and Innovation (OPEI), is seeking a contractor to assist state capitals in developing an innovative and implementable vision of distinctive, environmentally friendly neighborhoods incorporating green building and green infrastructure systems. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541320. The Small Business Size Standard is $7.0M. This requirement is a total set-aside for small businesses. Contractors shall indicate in its response how it meets the small business size standard to qualify for award.

EPA anticipates awarding a fixed-rate purchase order with a ceiling established based on an estimated level of effort (LOE) of 500-550 hours . The period of performance will be nine (9) months from the date of award. Proposals shall address all aspects of the SOW and are limited to 25 pages in length, inclusive of all documents. Offerors shall provide separate cost and technical volumes. Offerors shall submit a cost proposal utilizing fixed rates and any anticipated other direct cost estimates to develop a proposed overall ceiling price based on the Statement of Work (SOW) below.

Questions regarding this solicitation shall be submitted to Kelly Easterling, Contract Specialist, at easterling.kelly@epa.gov by 2:00 p.m. EST on Thursday, September 23, 2010.

Quotes shall be submitted electronically in Word or Adobe to Kelly Easterling, Contract Specialist, easterling.kelly@epa.gov by 10:00 a.m. EST on Friday, October 1, 2010.

The following provisions and clauses apply to this acquisition: 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors—Commercial Items; 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications—Commercial Items; 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions—Commercial Items. The clause at FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders—Commercial Items, applies to this solicitation. Specifically, the following clauses cited are applicable to this solicitation: FAR 52.222-3, FAR 52.222-19, FAR 52.222-21, FAR 52.222-26, FAR 52.222-35, FAR 52.222-36, FAR 52.222-37, FAR 52.222-39, FAR 52.232-33, FAR 52.222-41 and FAR 52.222-42. Interested parties may submit their ORCA information (http://orca.bpn.gov) in lieu of the representations and certifications requested above.

Prospective sources are reminded that an award can only be made to a Contractor who is registered in the Central Contractor Registration Database, IAW FAR 4.11. Contractors may obtain information on registration and annual confirmation requirements by calling 1-866-606-8220 or via online at http://www.ccr.gov .

Evaluation Factors : Quotes submitted in response to this solicitation will be evaluated on a best value basis. Quotes will be evaluated on the ability to meet the requirements listed in the SOW below to include technical competence, personnel and relevant past performance.

• Technical Competence

• Knowledge of and demonstrated work (required) that considers the local ecoregion for Boston, Massachusetts, including geology, physiography, vegetation, climate, soils, land use, wildlife, and hydrology.

• Northeast Ecoregion : Defined by cold, snowy winters and warm to hot humid summers. Can receive up to 50 inches of annual rainfall in coastal areas.

• Expertise creating high-quality design drawings and site plans, either freehand or digitally, during an on-site workshop, especially related to smart growth, specifically the creation of compact, walkable neighborhoods.

• Experience developing design solutions for public spaces that include consideration of environmental performance through natural systems as well as community benefit and aesthetics, such as for streets, parks, plazas, and civic centers that reflect sense of place and local goals, as evidenced by awards received, publications, presentations at national conferences, etc.

• Knowledge of and demonstrated design work with green infrastructure solutions, including for minimizing impervious surfaces and managing stormwater runoff, which can achieve multiple benefits. Knowledge of and demonstrated work on green building techniques for private development, e.g., energy and water efficiency, waste reduction, and sustainable landscape design.

• Understanding and experience analyzing and/or developing public policies that are used to support sustainable design strategies, as well as engaging different levels of government and external stakeholders (public, NGOs, developers) to consider design implementation and policy adoption.

• Personnel

• Professional qualifications including education, relevant experience, certifications and capabilities.

• Past Performance

• Offerors should provide a list of previous work, similar in scope to the statement of work , performed in the past five years .

TECHNICAL DIRECTION

EPA will provide technical direction on each request for support with specifics for translation, interpretation, equipment, location, hours, number of pages to be translated, etc.

The following clause, EPAAR 1552.237-71 Technical Direction , will be applicable to this requirement. It is hereby included as part of this synopsis/solicitation and provided in full text below.

1552.237-71 Technical direction.

Technical Direction (APR 1984)

(a) The Project Officer will provide technical direction on contract performance. Technical direction includes:

(1) Direction to the Contractor which assists him in accomplishing the Statement of Work.

(2) Comments on and approval of reports or other deliverables.

(b) Technical direction must be within the contract Statement of Work. The Project Officer does not have the authority to issue technical direction which (1) institutes additional work outside the scope of the contract; (2) constitutes a change as defined in the “Changes” clause; (3) causes an increase or decrease in the estimated cost of the contract; (4) alters the period of performance; or (5) changes any of the other express terms or conditions of the contract.

(c) Technical direction will be issued in writing by the Project Officer or confirmed by him in writing within five (5) calendar days after verbal issuance.

(End of clause)

Statement of Work

Greening America 's Capitals – Boston , Massachusetts

City Hall Plaza Redesign and Implementation Plan

Background and Purpose

Greening America 's Capitals is a new project of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) - U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Partnership for Sustainable Communities to help state capitals develop an innovative and implementable vision of distinctive, environmentally friendly neighborhoods that incorporate innovative green building and green infrastructure systems. Greening America 's Capitals will work with city staff of state capitals to foster a strong sense of place by incorporating sustainable design techniques into the streets, parks, waterfronts, town squares, and civic buildings. Sustainable design techniques might include, but are not limited to:

• Integrated, community-appropriate uses for the redevelopment of infill areas and underutilized parking lots;

• Aesthetically and functionally valuable landscape architecture designs for green infrastructure and green streets retrofits for minimizing and managing stormwater runoff and adding community aesthetic value;

• Complete streets designs and public open space designs that serve all modes of transportation safely and effectively, including automobiles, pedestrians, bikes, and public transportation;

• Reduced energy and infrastructure costs, including water and transportation infrastructure, through better green building designs that meet multiple objectives; and

• Well-designed public art and civic design strategies that highlight the importance of these shared spaces for community identity.

This place-based design assistance will help selected state capitals envision ways to clean-up and recycle vacant lands, provide greater housing and transportation choices, reduce infrastructure and energy costs, and build civic pride in neighborhoods and the city as a whole.

EPA will fund a Contractor team to visit Boston , Massachusetts for up to three days to produce schematic designs and before and after illustrations intended to catalyze, or complement, a larger planning process for City Hall Plaza and the Government Center area. The charrette will be an opportunity to develop detailed visuals and graphics to create more green spaces in the heart of the city, Government Center , and transform it into an exemplary sustainable civic space. This focus area will serve as a place-based pilot for larger, city-wide actions such as changes to local codes and ordinances to better support sustainable growth and green building. EPA's Greening America's Capitals work will take into account past design efforts for City Hall Plaza and adjacent buildings as the team develops new, small interventions in a phased re-design approach.

EPA is providing this design assistance to help create stronger communities that protect the environment. Greening America 's Capitals will help communities consider ways to incorporate the ten principles of smart growth, in particular the principle to “foster distinctive, attractive communities with a strong sense of place,” and similarly, one of the six livability principles of the EPA-HUD-DOT Partnership to “support existing communities.” Furthermore, effective strategies for creating a strong sense of place, such as street and public space design using innovative stormwater practices, and sustainable green building techniques, can also address a community's environmental concerns and help revitalize neighborhoods, spurring additional economic and social benefits.

The study area is centered on City Hall Plaza , a seven-acre expanse of brick located directly in front of Boston City Hall . The larger Government Center study area is bounded roughly by the Sears Crescent buildings to the south, Staniford Street to the north, the street edge of state-owned buildings to the west of Cambridge Street , and Congress and Merrimac Streets to the east. Within this area is a mix of City, State and Federal buildings, and private developments. The area also includes open space and civic destinations such as the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway, City Hall Plaza, and Faneuil Hall Marketplace. Government Center is a hub for public transportation including four subway stations: Bowdoin Street , State Street , Government Center and Haymarket Square .

The purpose of this work assignment is to provide a set of illustrations depicting a sustainable civic vision for City Hall Plaza and to provide specific next steps for policy changes and funding options that the city can use to either kick-start a public involvement and planning process, or complement a process currently underway.

Personnel

It is expected that the following skills will be required to carry out this technical assistance:

• Northeast Ecoregion : Defined by cold, snowy winters and warm to hot humid summers. Can receive up to 50 inches of annual rainfall in coastal areas.

Tasks and Deliverables

Task 1 – Conduct pre-charrette assessment

Purpose: The purpose of this task is to establish baseline conditions for City Hall Plaza and develop initial design responses that address the needs of the community and are appropriate for the specific site conditions. The discussions between the Contractor and Boston and EPA staff regarding the initial design responses will form the basis for an on-site charrette.

The Contractor shall participate in preliminary calls with Boston staff and stakeholders to determine physical area of focus and sustainability challenges to address within approximately two week of contract being awarded. Upon determination of the study area boundaries, the Contractor shall develop appropriate base maps illustrating larger site context (e.g., connections to adjacent neighborhoods) and a map at a larger scale illustrating the specific study area(s) using contextual maps, aerials, GIS data and site plans received from city staff. Upon completion of the base map and approval by EPA and city staff, the Contractor shall develop an Existing Conditions map that effectively illustrates site conditions such as floodplain boundaries, vegetation cover, location of confirmed or suspected brownfield contamination, existing bike/ped connections, etc.).

To prepare city staff, stakeholders, and EPA for the charrette, the Contractor shall develop and deliver a set of materials that can include, but is not limited to:

• base maps, larger scale maps, and existing conditions maps

• a selection of six to eight initial design schematics

• a PowerPoint presentation no longer than 20 minutes that defines public realm, green streets, and neighborhood sustainability principles and the applicability to City Hall Plaza and surrounding Government Center area. All examples used must be regionally relevant and reflect similar environmental conditions to those of the community.

Task 1 Deliverables and Timeline:

1a. Participate in approximately three conference calls with Boston staff and stakeholders within two weeks of project kick off call.

1b. Base maps and existing conditions maps for review by EPA and Boston staff three weeks prior to charrette.

1c. If necessary, respond to EPA comments within one week of receiving comments.

1d. Six to eight initial design schematics to be reviewed by Boston and EPA staff two weeks prior to charrette.

1e. If necessary, respond to EPA comments within one week of receiving comments.

1f. PowerPoint presentation no longer than 20 minutes that defines public realm, green streets, and neighborhood sustainability principles and the applicability to City Hall and Government Center area one week prior to the on-site charrette.

1g. If necessary, respond to EPA comments within one week of receiving comments.

Task 2 – Participate in on-site design charrette

Purpose: The purpose of this task is to describe the primary focus for this scope of work. The Contractor shall participate on site in a minimum three day charrette and all associated activities. During the workshop, the Contractor shall create design illustrations with a focus on in-situ, ground-level sketches of City Hall Plaza that effectively communicate to the viewer what it would be like to be in the space.

Throughout the minimum three day on-site charrette, the Contractor shall develop six to eight designs (based on schematics developed in Task 1) for public plaza improvements that add vegetation to manage stormwater and add community benefits, as well as develop designs for inviting and environmentally sustainable civic open spaces. The Contractor shall consider re-design options that will create a focus for the plaza, define edges and entrances, connect the plaza to existing streets, and consider plaza uses that will populate the space at different hours. Designs should focus primarily on the City Hall Plaza open space, adjacent buildings, and entrances into the space. Green infrastructure and other physical greening options, such as tree plantings and new vegetation, should work to better manage stormwater through natural systems, as well as improve the pedestrian environment and the aesthetic character of City Hall Plaza to encourage more effective use by visitors. The Contractor shall also provide design options that improve existing parking facilities with stormwater management features, alternative mode accommodation (bikes), and charging stations for electric vehicles. Public realm green spaces should complement ongoing efforts to link public art and cultural assets throughout the Government Center and should strive for improved connectivity, increased safety, improved transit utilization, and increased usage of City Hall Plaza as a public space. In addition, the Contractor shall prepare designs that consider the relationship of the plaza to nearby buildings, in particular Boston City Hall and the John F. Kennedy Federal Building , and the potential for green building retrofits at these sites.

Concurrent to the design activity EPA, HUD, DOT, and other Federal agency staff may hold stakeholder meetings with Boston and other groups to discuss policy implications and implementation strategies for the designs that are developed on site. The expected outcomes of these meetings may include but are not limited to options for linking this design work to ongoing climate change mitigation and adaptation, options for using federal and state agency resources to implement project designs, and other ways the City of Boston can encourage implementation of designs through local codes, ordinances, incentives, and other programs. The Contractor shall participate in one meeting, no longer than 90 minutes, with Boston , EPA, HUD, DOT, and other Federal agency staff, and selected stakeholder to discuss policy implications of proposed design strategies based on past experiences of the Contractor in other communities.

The Contractors shall participate in a minimum of two public open house events that educate participants to the topic of sustainable, green infrastructure and to present the designs created. At the introductory open house, the Contractor shall present the PowerPoint show created in Task 1. The Contractor shall present design illustrations at final public open house event and be able to answer any questions or comments from the public.

Task 2 Deliverables and Timeline:

All deliverables in Task 2 will be delivered and completed on-site during the approximately three-day design charrette in Boston .

2a. Present PowerPoint show created in Task 1 to Boston staff, selected stakeholders and/or the general public during an introductory open house event.

2b. Develop between six to eight designs for green infrastructure for stormwater management and other physical greening re-designs for City Hall Plaza and streetscape improvements that better connect the Plaza to adjacent streets.

2c. Develop design schemes to improve upon existing parking lots and provide better access for bicycles and pedestrians into and around City Hall Plaza.

2d. Participate in an interactive meeting no longer than 90 minutes with Boston and EPA staff and selected stakeholder to discuss implementation strategies and policy implications of proposed design strategies.

2e. Present design illustrations at final public open house event.

Task 3 – Visually-focused final report

Purpose: The purpose of this task is to provide Boston a set of design concepts that staff can use in future public events and for fundraising activities (grant applications, etc). In addition, the report will provide Boston a roadmap for implementation.

The Contractor shall provide EPA two comprehensive design options for the study area that refine and build on those designs created during on-site workshop in Task 2. Deliverables for each option should include a range of high-quality visuals and graphics, including, but not limited to:

• Five sets of before and after in-situ visuals (street-level perspectives)

• Schematic site plans

• Sections, where necessary

In cooperation with EPA staff, the Contractor shall produce a “next steps” memo, which provides suggested next steps for implementing the design and policy strategies discussed during the charrette. In addition, the memo should also include policy options suggested to support broader citywide implementation. Next steps options shall describe funding opportunities, key partners including federal and state agencies, as well as local partners, and a public outreach process moving forward. Supporting text should introduce Boston and Massachusetts state staff to a design vocabulary that can then be used with the public and other stakeholders to describe place-based sustainability concepts. This memo should be no more than five pages in length.

The Contractor shall develop three to five regionally-appropriate case studies no more than two pages each in length that provide examples of recommended design solutions. Case studies should include a mix of visuals (photos, designs, and plan drawings) and supporting text that explains policies that support sustainable designs in comparable contexts.
The Contractor shall create a draft PowerPoint presentation illustrating the design options and implementation strategies.

The Contractor shall prepare a final report including text from final memos, case studies, and final illustrations.

Task 3 Deliverables and Timeline:

For the following deliverables, the Contractor shall provide draft versions within six weeks of conclusion of charrette, and final versions shall be due four weeks following final EPA comments:

3a. Two comprehensive draft design options for the study area to EPA staff within six weeks of the conclusion of the charrette.

3b. Final design options within four weeks of receipt of EPA comments.

3c. A draft “next steps” memo no more than five pages in length to EPA staff within six weeks of the conclusion of the charrette.

3d. A final “next steps” memo within four weeks of receipt of EPA comments.

3e. Drafts of three to five regionally-appropriate case studies of no more than two pages in length each to EPA staff within six weeks of the conclusion of the charrette

3f. Final set of case studies within four weeks of receipt of EPA comments.

3g. Draft PowerPoint presentation to EPA within six weeks of the conclusion of the charrette

3h. Final PowerPoint presentation within four weeks of receipt of EPA comments.

3i. High resolution JPG or TIF image files for all final illustrations.

3j. Final report that compiles previous memos, case studies, and final illustrations, and that is compliant with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, which requires that Federal agencies' electronic and information technology be accessible to people with disabilities ( http://www.section508.gov/ ).

The point of contact for this procurement is Kelly Easterling at easterling.kelly@epa.gov

RFQ-DC-10-00238, Greening America's Capitals--Boston

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