Retention of Engineering Firms [29 Pa.B. 6289] Northampton County
Project Reference No. 08430AG2461The Department will retain an engineering firm to provide supplementary construction inspection staff of approximately nine (9) inspectors, under the Department's Inspector(s)-in-Charge for construction inspection and documentation services on S.R. 0033, Section 001, Northampton County, PA 33 Extension South--with Lehigh River Bridge. This project involves new construction of the Southern section of State Route 0033, including a bridge over the Lehigh River. The estimated construction cost is $33 million.
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 acceptable 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. Review of inspectors' resumes with emphasis on construction inspection capabilities and specialized experience in the Maintenance and Protection of Traffic, soils, structures, concrete, asphalt paving, and drainage. The TCM-1's listed must have extensive steel and concrete bridge inspection experience. The TCI-M must be NICET Level II Highway Materials Certified and Nuclear Gauge Certified. The CDS operator will be a full time TCI who is PennDOT CDS certified.
b. Understanding of Department's requirements, policies, and specifications.
c. Past Performance.
d. Ability to provide CDS operator.
e. Number of NICET certified inspectors in each payroll classification.
f. Number of available inspectors in each payroll classification.
g. Ability to provide CPM scheduling.
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 Ins. Super. (TCIS)
(NICET Highway Construction Level 3 or equivalent)2 (2) Transportation Construction Inspector--
Materials (TCI-Materials)
(NICET Highway Materials Level 2 or equivalent)1 (1) Transportation Construction Inspector (TCI)
(NICET Highway Construction Level 2 or equivalent)3 (2) Technical Assistant (TA)
(NICET Highway Construction Level 1 or equivalent)2 (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 1999:
Maximum Straight Time Reimbursement Per Hour Payroll Classification Of Inspection (TCM-1) $46.27 (TCIS) $40.54 (TCI-Materials) $36.55 (TCI) $35.47 (TA) $24.39 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:
1 Nuclear Densometer Gauge/License
(at point of need when required)1 Paint Test Kit 1 Base Radio Station 10 Two-Way Radios 1 Two-Way Radio Repeater Station 1 Camera (type 35mm) 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 reference number 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 Technical Assistant(s) do not need to be identified in the Letter of Interest.
The maximum number of resumes to be included in the letter of interest shall be as follows:
Classification No. of Resumes
ClassificationTCM-1 2 TCIS 3 TCI-M 2 TCI 4 No resumes are required for the TA Classification.
This project reference assignment is considered non-complex. The letter of interest shall be limited to a maximum of three (3) pages, 8 1/2" x 11", one sided, plus an organizational chart (up to 11" x 17" size), and additional resumes, if applicable. (See the General Requirements and Information Section).
The Letter of Interest submission shall be sent to: Mr. Walter E. Bortree, P.E., District Engineer, Engineering District 5-0, 2460 Parkwood Drive, Allentown, PA 18103 Attention: Mr. Brian H. Graver.
The Letter of Interest submission for this project reference number must be received at the address listed above by 4:30 P.M. prevailing time on the sixth (6th) day following the date of this Notice.
Any technical questions concerning the requirements for this project should be directed to: Mr. Brian H. Graver, District 5-0, at (610) 791-6022 or Mr. Kevin E. Milnes, P.E., District 5-0, at (610) 791-6036.
General Requirements and Information Firms interested in providing the above work and services are invited to submit a Letter of Interest with the required information for each Project Reference Number for which the applicant wishes to be considered.
The Letter of Interest and required information must be submitted to the person designated in the individual advertisement.
The Letter of Interest and required information must be received by the Deadline indicated in the individual advertisement.
All consultants, both prime consultants and subconsultants, who desire to be included in a Letter of Interest must have an Annual Qualification Package on file with the appropriate District Office, by the deadline stipulated in the individual advertisements.
For Statewide projects, all consultants, both prime consultants and subconsultants, who desire to be included in a Letter of Interest must have an Annual Qualification Package on file with the Central Office, Bureau of Design by the deadline stipulated in the individual advertisements.
By submitting a letter of interest for the projects that request engineering services, the consulting firm is certifying that the firm is qualified to perform engineering services in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. A firm not conforming to this requirement may submit a letter of interest as a part of a joint venture with an individual, firm or corporation which is permitted under State law to engage in the practice of engineering.
Information concerning the Annual Qualification Package can be found in Strike-off Letter No. 433-99-04 or under the Notice to all Consultants published in the February 27, 1999 issue of the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
The requirements for Letters of Interest, in addition to the requirements stipulated in the individual advertisement, are as follows:
1. The Letter of Interest must include the project reference number, the firm's legal name, and the firm's federal identification number.
2. Identify the project manager.
3. Identify subconsultants, if any, including DBE/WBE, if required.
4. Identify key project staff.
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 a Letter of Interest 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 Transportation Equity Act for the 21st century (TEA-21) and currently certified by the Department of Transportation shall have the opportunity to participate in any subcontracting or furnishing supplies or services approved under Form 442, Section 1.10(a). The TEA-21 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 are 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.
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. 99-2097. Filed for public inspection December 10, 1999, 9:00 a.m.]
