38 Retention of engineering firms

Retention of Engineering Firms

[28 Pa.B. 109]

Erie County
Project Reference No. 08430AG2148

   The Department of Transportation will retain an engineering firm to provide preliminary engineering and perform an Environmental Assessment for S. R. 9900, Section 000, the realignment of West 38th Street in the City of Erie. Included is the replacement of the structure carrying 38th Street over Mill Creek and realignment of West 38th Street.

   The selected firm will be required to provide the following services: field survey; right-of-way investigations; utility coordination; preliminary typical section and cross-section preparation; soils investigations; drainage studies; alternatives analysis; and preparation of an Environmental Assessment. Public and agency coordination will also be needed.

   Firms that are under contract, or are being considered, to provide engineering services to a land developer for a site that is along the project corridor, will not be considered for this assignment. Firms are to state in the transmittal letter of their letter of interest that they are not under contract nor are being considered for a contract with a land developer with interests in the project area.

   The following factors, listed in order of importance, will be considered by the Department during the evaluation of the firms submitting letters of interest:

   1.  Ability to package and present the letter of interest in accordance with the ''General Requirements and Information'' section.

   2.  Proven ability to meet project schedules and control costs.

   3.  Experience and competence of project manager and key personnel.

   4.  Innovations and flexibility in thinking, particularly with respect to the needs of the local community.

   5.  Past performance record on similar projects.

   6.  Past performance record of listed sub-consultants.

   7.  Availability of listed staff.

   8.  Current workload.

   Limits to the letters of interest submittals, in addition to those mentioned in the General Requirements and Information section following the advertised project(s), are as follows:

   1.  Resumes--No more than five (5) total pages of resumes, one sided.

   2.  Standard Form 255--No more than five (5) project descriptions are to be included under Item No. 8.

   Engineering District 1-0 will announce the firms that have been shortlisted at an open, public meeting to be held in the District Office. All firms that have submitted a letter of interest will be notified of the time and date. Specify two (2) contact persons in the letter of interest.

   The goal for Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) participation in this Agreement shall be fifteen (15%) percent of the total contract price. Additional information concerning DBE participation in this Agreement is contained in the General Requirements and Information section after the advertised project(s).

   The second copy of the letter of interest and required forms (see General Requirements and Information section) shall be sent to: Mr. John L. Baker, P.E., District Engineer, Engineering District 1-0, 1140 Liberty Street, Franklin, PA 16323, Attention: Mr. Michael L. McMullen, P.E.

   Any technical questions concerning the requirements for this project should be directed to Mr. Michael L. McMullen, P.E., District 1-0, at [phone].

   Any questions concerning the submittal of the letter of interest can be directed to the Consultant Agreement Division at [phone].

Erie County
Project Reference No. 08430AG2149

   The Department of Transportation will retain an engineering firm to provide supplementary construction inspection staff of approximately thirty-one (31) inspectors, under the Department's Inspector-in-Charge, for construction inspection and documentation services on the following projects:

   1.  S. R. 0005, Section 10M, Erie County
Local Name: Streambed Paving
This project involves Elk Creek Arch Culvert

   2.  S. R. 0005, Section 210, Erie County
Local Name: 12th Street
This project involves resurface 12th Street, Greengarden to French Street

   3.  S. R. 0019, Section 209, Erie County
Local Name: Peach Street
This project involves resurface Peach Street, Oliver Road to Hershey Road

   4.  S. R. 0019, Section A03, Erie County
Local Name: Peach Street
This project involves widen and resurface Peach Street, Grandview to 38th Street.

   5.  S. R. 4017, Section 212, Erie County
Local Name: Pittsburgh Avenue
This project involves resurface Pittsburgh Avenue, 38th Street to 8th Street.

   6.  S. R. 4034, Section A50, Erie County
Local Name: East Side Access
This project involves the construction of a new four (4) lane limited access road.

   7.  S. R. 4036, Section A00, Erie County
Local Name: Bush Industries Road
This project involves the construction of a new two (2) lane facility. Additional work includes new signals, drainage, guiderail, and signing and pavement markings.

   The Department will establish an order of ranking of a minimum of three (3) firms for the purpose of negotiating an Engineering Agreement based on the Department's evaluation of the acceptable letters of interest received in response to this solicitation. The ranking will be established directly from the letters of interest. Technical proposals will not be requested prior to the establishment of the ranking.

   The following factors, listed in order of importance, will be considered by the Department during the evaluation of the firms submitting letters of interest:

   a.  Ability to package and present the letter of interest in accordance with the ''General Requirements and Information'' section.

   b.  Construction inspection capabilities and experience.

   c.  NICET, or other, certifications/training.

   d.  Understanding Department procedures and policies.

   e.  Past Performance.

   f.  Workload.

   g.  Number of available inspectors in each classification.

   The qualifications and experience required of the firm's inspectors will be established by the Department, and the qualifications of the firm's proposed employees will be reviewed and approved by the Department.

   It is anticipated that the supplementary construction inspection staff for this assignment will consist of the following number of inspectors who meet the requirements for the following inspection classifications:

	No. of
Classification	Inspectors
Transportation Construction Manager 1 (TCM-1) (NICET Highway Construction Level 4 or equivalent)	1 (1)
Transportation Construction Insp. Super. (TCIS) (NICET Highway Construction Level 3 or equivalent)	9 (6)
Transportation Construction Inspector (TCI) (NICET Highway Construction Level 2 or equivalent)	20 (12)*
Technical Assistant (TA) (NICET Highway Construction Level 1 or equivalent)	1 (0)

*At least two (2) TCI's must be licensed nuclear gage operators.

   The number(s) in parenthesis above indicate the number of inspectors in each Classification that must meet at least one of the following requirements:

   1.  Be certified by the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET) in the field of Transportation Engineering Technology, subfield of Highway Construction, or subfield of Highway Materials, at the Level required for the Inspection Classification.

   2.  Be registered as a Professional Engineer by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania with the required highway experience specified for the Inspection Classification.

   3.  Be certified as an Engineer-in-Training by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania with the required highway experience specified for the Inspection Classification.

   4.  Hold a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering or a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering Technology with the required highway experience specified for the Inspection Classification.

   5.  Hold an Associate Degree in Civil Engineering Technology with the required highway experience specified for the Inspection Classification.

   The maximum reimbursement per hour of inspection for each Department Payroll Classification for calendar year of 1998:

Payroll Classification	Maximum Straight Time
	Reimbursement
	Per Hour of Inspection
(TCM-1)	$44.93
(TCIS)	$39.36
(TCI)	$34.43
(TA)	$23.67

   The maximum reimbursement per hour of inspection includes all costs for providing construction inspection services at the project site during the normal work week.

   Maximum reimbursement per hour of inspection for subsequent calendar years, if applicable, will be established at the scope of work meeting.

   The firm selected may be required to attend a pre-construction conference with the Department and the construction contractor for this project. Under the supervision and direction of the Department, the selected firm will be required to keep records and document the construction work; prepare current and final estimates for payment to the construction contractor; assist the Department in obtaining compliance with the labor standards, safety and accident prevention, and equal opportunity provisions of the contract item; and perform other duties as may be required. Firms applying must have qualified personnel capable of climbing structures during painting, rehabilitation, or construction.

   The firm selected will be required to supply the following equipment at no direct cost to the Department:

   2   Nuclear Densometer Gauges/License
2   Vehicles for the Transportation of Nuclear Gauges
1   Cellular Phone
2   Survey equipment (rod, level, tapes, etc.)
      (other equipment required by the District)

   The goal for Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) participation in this Agreement shall be fifteen percent (15%) of the total contract price. Additional information concerning DBE participation in this Agreement is contained in the General Requirements and Information Section after the advertised project(s).

   Letters of interest for this project must include a letter, signed by the individuals you propose for all TCM-1 and TCIS positions, giving their approval to use their name in your letter of interest for this specific project.

   The maximum number of resumes to be included in the letter of interest shall be as follows:

Classification	No. of Resumes
TCM-1	2
TCIS	11
TCI	24

   No resumes are required for the TA Classification.

   The second copy of the letter of interest and required forms, (see general requirements and information section) shall be sent to: Mr. John L. Baker, P.E., District Engineer, District 1-0, 1140 Liberty Street, Franklin, PA 16323.

   Any technical questions concerning the requirements for this project should be directed to Mr. David W. Ruhlman, P.E., District 1-0, at [phone].

   Any questions concerning the submittal of the letter of interest can be directed to the Consultant Agreement Division at [phone].

General Requirements and Information

   Firms interested in providing the above work and services are invited to submit two copies of a Letter of Interest and required information for each Project Reference Number for which the applicant wishes to be considered.

   The first copy of the Letter of Interest and required information must be submitted to Charles W. Allwein, P.E., Chief, Consultant Selection Committee, 7th Floor, Forum Place, 555 Walnut Street, P. O. Box 3060, Harrisburg, PA 17105-3060.

   Note: The Zip code for Express Mailing is 17101-1900.

   The Letter of Interest and required information must be received within thirteen (13) calendar days of this Notice. The Deadline for receipt of a Letter of Interest at the above address is 4:30 p.m. prevailing time of the thirteenth day.

   The second copy of the Letter of Interest and required information must be submitted to the appropriate District Engineer/Administrator or the Bureau Director as indicated in the individual advertisement. This copy must be postmarked or delivered on or before the deadline indicated above.

   If an individual, firm, or corporation not authorized to engage in the practice of engineering desires to submit a Letter of Interest, said individual, firm or corporation may do so as part of a Joint Venture with an individual, firm or corporation which is permitted under the state law to engage in the practice of engineering.

   If a Joint Venture responds to a project advertisement, the Department of Transportation will not accept separate Letters of Interest from the Joint Venture constituents. A firm will not be permitted to submit on more than one (1) Joint Venture for the same Project Reference Number. Also a firm that responds to a project as a prime may not be included as a designated subcontractor to another firm that responds as a prime to the project. Multiple responses under any of the foregoing situations will cause the rejection of all responses of the firm or firms involved. The above does not preclude a firm from being set forth as a designated subcontractor to more than one (1) prime responding to the project advertisement.

   If a goal for Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) participation is established for an advertised project, firms expressing interest in the project must agree to ensure that Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) firms as defined in the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 and currently certified by the Department of Transportation shall have the maximum opportunity to participate in any subcontracting or furnishing supplies or services approved under Form 442, Section 1.10(a). The Act requires that firms owned and controlled by women (WBEs) be included, as a presumptive group, within the definition of Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE). The goal for DBE participation shall be as stated in the individual project advertisement. Responding firms shall make good faith efforts to meet the DBE goal using DBEs (as they were defined prior to the act), WBEs or combinations thereof.

   Proposing DBE firms must be certified at the time of submission of the Letter of Interest. If the selected firm fails to meet the established DBE participation goal, it shall be required to demonstrate its good faith efforts to attain the goal.

   Responses are encouraged by small firms, Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) firms, and other firms who have not previously performed work for the Department of Transportation.

   Each Letter of Interest must include the following information and the information must be packaged and presented in the following order:

   1.  Transmittal Letter (Maximum of two typed pages, one side)

   The subject heading of the transmittal letter must include the project reference number for which the applicant wishes to be considered, the firm's legal name, fictitious name (if applicable), and the firm's federal identification number. If the project advertisement indicated the Department will retain an engineering firm for the project, the applicant must indicate in the body of their transmittal letter the names and Professional Engineer License Number of individuals who are directing heads or employes of the firm who have responsible charge of the firm's engineering activities, and whose names and seals shall be stamped on all plans, specifications, plats, and reports issued by the firm.

   2.  Project Organization Chart (one 8 1/2" x 11" page, one side)

   This Chart should show key staff from the prime and each subconsultant and their area of responsibility.

   3.  Standard Form 255, ''Architect-Engineer and Related Services Questionnaire for Specific Project'' (one Form 255 for the project team).

   The Standard Form 255 must be signed, dated and filled out in its entirety, including Item No. 6 listing the proposed subconsultants and the type of work or service they will perform on the project. Under Item 4 of this form, Column A must include the number of subconsultant personnel and Column B must include the number of prime consultant personnel to be assigned to work on this project reference number. The prime and each subconsultant may include no more than one page each for Items 10 and 11.

   If a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) goal is specified for the project, the DBE must be currently certified by the Department of Transportation, and the name of the DBE and the work to be performed must be indicated in Item No. 6. If a Woman Business Enterprise (WBE) firm is substituted for the DBE, the WBE firm must also be presently certified by the Department of Transportation and indicated in Item 6.

   4.  Standard Form 254, ''Architect-Engineer for Related Services Questionnaire''

   A Standard Form 254, not more than 1 year old as of the date of this advertisement, must accompany each Letter of Interest for the firm, each party to a Joint Venture, and for each subconsultant the firm or Joint Venture is proposing to use for the performance of professional services regardless of whether the subconsultant is an individual, a college professor, or a Company, unless an acceptable Standard Form 254 for the prime and each subconsultant/subcontractor is on file in both the Bureau of Design and the Engineering District Office or Central Office Bureau identified in the individual project advertisement.

   If the Standard Form 254 is not submitted with the Letter of Interest, the transmittal letter shall indicate the dates that the Standard Forms 254 were submitted to the Bureau of Design and appropriate Engineering District/Central Office Bureau.

   These Forms must be assembled with the prime's form first, followed by the form for each subconsultant in the same order as the subconsultants appear in Item 6 of Form 255.

   5.  Workload Projection Graph (Not required for Construction Inspection Services)

   Separate Workload Projection Graphs for the prime and each subconsultant shown in Item 6 of the Form 255 must be included and must indicate the firm's current and anticipated workload compared to the anticipated capacity available for the next two-year time frame. The Workload Projection Graphs must be submitted for the office(s) where the work would be performed and must only include the personnel classifications required for providing the advertised services and work.

   6.  Authorization Letters (if required)

   If the advertisement requires a letter signed by individuals giving their approval to use their names in the Letter of Interest, the letters from proposed prime employes should be first, followed by subconsultant employes, in the same order as shown in Item 6 of Form 255.

   7.  Registration To Do Business

   Firms with out-of-state headquarters or corporations not incorporated in Pennsylvania must include, with each Letter of Interest, a copy of their registration to do business in the Commonwealth as provided by the Department of State. Firms who are not registered to do business in Pennsylvania at the time of this advertisement must document that they have applied for registration to the Department of State, Corporation Bureau. The telephone number for the Corporation Bureau is [phone] or [phone].

   8.  Overhead Rates (one page)

   A single page summary must indicate the latest audited overhead rate developed in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) for the prime consultant and each subconsultant. If a FAR rate is not available, the latest rate available from a Certified Public Account must be indicated. New firms should indicate how long the firm has been in existence and when an audited overhead rate would be available.

   9.  Additional Information

   Additional information, not to exceed ten (10) one sided pages or five (5) double sided 8 1/2" x 11" pages may be included at the discretion of the submitting firm.

   The assignment of the agreement/contract for the above advertisement(s) will be made to one of the firms who submitted an acceptable Letter of Interest in response to the project advertisement. The assignment will be made based on the Department's evaluation of the firm's qualification and capabilities. The Department reserves the right to reject all letters submitted, to cancel the solicitations requested under this Notice and/or to readvertise solicitation for the work and services.

BRADLEY L. MALLORY,   
Secretary

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 98-38. Filed for public inspection January 2, 1998, 9:00 a.m.]