1719 Retention of engineering firms

Retention of Engineering Firms

[28 Pa.B. 5294]

Armstrong, Butler, Clarion, Indiana and Jefferson Counties

Project Reference No. 08430AG2253

   The Department of Transportation will retain an engineering firm for an Open-End Contract for various engineering and/or environmental services on various projects located in Engineering District 10-0, that is Armstrong, Butler, Clarion, Indiana and Jefferson Counties. The Contract will be for a sixty (60) month period with projects assigned on an as-needed basis. The maximum amount of the Open-End Contract will be $1.0 million.

   The Department will establish an order of ranking of a minimum of three (3) firms for the purpose of negotiating an Open-End Contract based on the Department's evaluation of the 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.  Preference will be given to a small business as described on Standard Form 254.

   c.  Past record of performance with respect to cost control, work quality, ability to meet schedules and previous experience on Open-End Contracts.

   d.  The specific experience of individuals who constitute the firm.

   e.  Available staffing for this assignment related to workload.

   f.  Location of consultant in respect to the District.

   The work and services required under this Contract may encompass a wide range of environmental studies and engineering efforts with the possibility of several different types of projects with short completion schedules being assigned concurrently. The anticipated types of projects include, but not limited to, bridge replacements or bridge rehabilitation with minor approach work, environmental studies, roadway betterments (3R type,) minor capital improvement projects (bridges or roadway), railroad grade crossing projects, and minor location studies, etc.

   The engineering work and services which may be required under this Contract include, but are not limited to, perform field surveys; plot topography and cross sections; prepare submission for utility verification and relocations engineering; prepare all pertinent submissions and materials necessary for the Department to prepare the application to PUC and for the PUC field conference; attend and supply any required information for all PUC meetings and hearings during the design of the project; develop erosion control details and narrative; prepare right of way plans; complete structure designs including type, size and location reports, core boring layouts and foundation designs and reports; develop traffic control plans with narratives; conduct soils investigations and prepare soils reports; investigate utility involvement on projects; provide material for and participate in value engineering reviews; coordinate contacts with railroad officials and procure railroad related costs, permits, and insurance; collect signal timing, accident data and other traffic flow data; document engineering study findings and activities; alternative analysis to assess impacts and mitigation; and prepare construction plans, specifications, and estimates.

   The areas of environmental study required under the Contract may include, but are not limited to: air quality; noise; energy; vibration; hazardous waste; surface water and ground water quality; surface water and ground water hydrology; terrestrial ecology including threatened and endangered species; wetlands; soils; geology; farmlands; visual quality; socio-economic resources; cultural resources; Section 4(f) Evaluations; early coordination and; scoping correspondence; meeting minutes; public meeting and hearing presentations; visualization materials, handouts and displays; technical basis reports (TBRs) and/or technical files; NEPA environmental documents; Section 106 documents; mitigation plans and reports; wetland and floodplain findings; and preliminary engineering plans, and remote sensing/mapping innovations. The format and content of all documents will be consistent with applicable State and Federal regulations, policies and guidelines.

   The engineering services and environmental studies identified above are the general work activities that can be expected under this Open-End Contract. A more specific and project-related Scope of Work will be outlined for each individual Work Order developed under this Open-End Contract.

   The second copy of the letter of interest and required forms (see ''General Requirements and Information'' section) shall be sent to: Mr. Richard H. Hogg, P.E., District Engineer, District 10-0, P. O. Box 429, Route 286 South, Indiana, PA 15701.

   Any technical questions concerning the requirements for this project should be directed to: Mr. Craig Chelednik, P.E., District 10-0, at [phone].

   Any questions concerning the submittal of the letter of interest for this Open-End Contract can be directed to the Consultant Agreement Division at [phone].

Fayette, Greene, Washington and Westmoreland Counties
Project Reference No. 08430AG2254

   The Department of Transportation will retain an engineering firm for an Open-End Contract to provide supplementary construction inspection staff, under the Department's Inspector(s)-in-Charge to perform construction inspection services on various projects in Engineering District 12-0, that is Fayette, Greene, Washington and Westmoreland Counties. The Contract will include roadway and bridge construction projects, and material plant inspection. The Contract will be for a period of sixty (60) months, with a maximum cost $750 thousand dollars.

   It is anticipated that a maximum supplementary construction inspection staff of twenty (20) inspectors will be required for this assignment.

   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 acceptable letters of interest:

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

   b.  Number of available inspectors in each payroll classification.

   c.  Number of NICET certified inspectors in each payroll classification.

   d.  Previous experience.

   e.  Understanding of Department's requirements, policies and specifications.

   f.  Ability to provide CDS operators.

   g.  Past performance.

   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 Construc   tion Level 4 or equivalent)	1 (1)
Transportation Construction Ins. Super.    (TCIS) (NICET Highway Construction    Level 3 or equivalent)	3 (3)
Transportation Construction Inspector    (TCI) (NICET Highway Construction    Level 2 or equivalent)	12 (8)
Technical Assistant (TA)    (NICET Highway Construction Level 1    or equivalent)	4 (0)

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

Classification	No. of Resumes
TCM-1	2
TCIS	4
TCI	15

   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. Michael H. Dufalla, P.E., District Engineer, District 12-0, P. O. Box 459, Uniontown, PA 15401, Attention: Mr. Anthony M. Dzurko, P.E.

   Any technical questions concerning the requirements for this project should be directed to: Mr. Anthony M. Dzurko, P.E., District 12-0, 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 are 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:

            Mr. Charles W. Allwein, P.E., Chief
            Consultant Selection Committee
            7th Floor, Forum Place
            555 Walnut Street
            P. O. Box 3060
            Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17105-3060

   Note: The Zip Code for express Mailing is 17101-1900

   The Letter of Interest and required information must be received within twenty (20) 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 twentieth 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 corporate 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, WEBs 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.

   The Department requests that each Letter of Interest include the following information and that the information be packaged and presented in the order indicated below to facilitate the Department's review and evaluation.

   The firm's ability and willingness to package and present the requested information in the above order to facilitate the Department's review and evaluation will be the first factor considered in the evaluation process.

   1.  Transmittal Letter (Maximum of two (2) 8 1/2" x 11" typed pages, one side)

   2.  A fact sheet that includes 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 should indicate on this fact sheet the names and Professional Engineer License Number of individuals who are directing heads or employees 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. If the project advertisement indicated the Department will retain an Land Surveying firm for the project, the applicant should indicate on this fact sheet the names and Professional Land Surveyor Registration Number of individuals who are directing heads or employees of the firm who have responsible charge of the firm's land surveying activities, and whose names and seals shall be stamped on all plans, plats, and reports issued by the firm.

   3.  Project Organizational Chart (one page, one side, maximum size 11" x 17")

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

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

   The Standard Form 255 should 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 specify only the number of subconsultant personnel and Column B should specify only the number of prime consultant personnel to be assigned to work on this project reference number. Do not include the total personnel for either the subconsultant or prime consultant under Item 4 unless the total personnel are necessary to provide the required work and services.

   The prime and each subconsultant should not include 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.

   5.  Standard Form 254, ''Architect-Engineer for Related Services Questionnaire'' A Standard Form 254, not more than one (1) year old as of the date of this advertisement, should 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.

   These Forms should 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 Standard Form 255.

   6.   Authorization Letters (if required)

   If the advertisement requires a letter signed by individuals giving their approval to use their name in the Letter of Interest, the letters from proposed prime employees should be first, followed by subconsultant employees, in the same order as shown in Item 6 of Standard 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 should 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 Accountant 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 8 1/2" x 11" pages or five (5) double sided 8 1/2" x 11" pages may be included at the discretion of the submitting firm.

   Letters of Interest will be rejected for the following reasons:

   1.  Received after the cut-off time and date specified above.

   2.  Failure to identify a Department Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) if a DBE participation goal is identified in the advertised project.

   3.  Failure to include a copy of the registration to do business in the Commonwealth, if applicable.

   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. 98-1719. Filed for public inspection October 16, 1998, 9:00 a.m.]