Retention of Engineering Firms [30 Pa.B. 4394] Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties
Project Reference No. 08430AG2594The Department will retain an engineering firm for an Open-End Contract for various design review services on projects located in Engineering District 6-0, that is Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia 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 final ranking will be established directly from the letters of interest. Technical proposals will not be requested prior to the establishment of the final 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) Past record of performance with respect to cost control, work quality, ability to meet schedules, and previous experience on Open-end Contracts. The specific experience of individuals employed by the firm shall be considered.
b) Available staffing for this assignment and the ability to meet the Department's needs.
c) Specialized experience and technical competence of firm.
d) Geographic location of Consultant with respect to Engineering District 6-0.
The work and services required under this Contract may encompass a wide range of design review 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 selected firm will be required to provide engineering review services during the design phase of projects. Tasks that are required include, but are not limited to, review of: design submissions, hydraulic reports, type, size and location submissions, final bridge plans and computations, geotechnical reports and submissions, design drawings, special provisions, specifications and estimates. The selected firm will conduct design review meetings and plan checks; review design items of work; coordinate required permit applications; standardize design details; evaluate value engineering submissions and make recommendations to the District Administrator. Tasks also include public involvement, environmental and bridge occupancy permit review and tracking, responding to public inquiries both through written and e-mail correspondence.
The engineering services 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.
This project reference assignment is considered non-complex to moderately 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. Andrew L. Warren, District Administrator
7000 Geerdes Boulevard
King of Prussia PA 19406-15-25
Attn: Charles H. Davies, P.E.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 twentieth (20th) day following the date of this Notice.
Any technical questions concerning the requirements for this project should be directed to Charles H. Davies, P.E., phone number (610) 205-6649, fax number (610) 205-6911.
York County
Project Reference No. 08430AG2595The Department will retain an engineering firm to provide environmental studies, preliminary engineering, final design, including preparation of bridge and roadway plans, specifications and estimates; construction consultation and viewers plans for:
S. R. 0194 Section 005, Segment 0190 Offset 0500 to Segment 0250 Offset 0500 in Washington Township, York County. Work will involve structure and roadway approach work with the S. R.4012 (Creek Rd.) intersection. There is the potential for structure work and Level 2 environmental clearances.
The required services will include, but not limited to; preparation of intent to enter notices, field surveys, plotting of topography, cultural resources, Categorical Exclusion Evaluation, wetlands, preliminary area reconnaissance, utility investigation, safety review meeting, hydrologic and hydraulic report, type, size and location submission, agency coordination, Step 9 submission, preparation of a joint permit application, development of a soils and foundation engineering report, erosion and sediment control plan and narrative, field view, right-of-way plans, utility engineering, structure plans, value engineering, maintenance and protection of traffic plan and narrative, preparation of construction plans, specifications and estimates, construction consultation, shop drawing review, project management, and viewers plans.
* The design of the project will be developed using English units.
* The Department will use Welcom's Open Plan software for project management and tracking.
* A project specific Quality Development Plan will be developed.
The Department is seeking a multi-disciplined team with environmental, geotechnical, highway design and structure design experience.
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) Specialized experience and technical competence with the replacement and rehabilitation bridge projects and their ability to provide innovative solutions to complex technical problems.
b) Experience in environmental, highway design, structure design, geotechnical design, and hydrologic/hydraulic analysis and design.
c) Past record with respect to cost control (design and construction), work quality, and ability to meet schedules.
The goal for the 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).
This project reference assignment is considered complex. The letter of interest shall be limited to a maximum of five (5) 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 for additional requirements for the Letter of Interest).
The Letter of Interest submission shall be sent to:
Mr. Barry G. Hoffman, P.E., District Engineer
Engineering District 8-0
2140 Herr Street
Harrisburg, PA 17103
Attention: Mr. Gregory J. VaughnThe 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 twentieth (20th) day following the date of this Notice.
Any technical questions concerning the requirements for this project should be directed to: Mr. Gregory J. Vaughn, District 8-0, at (717) 783-5149.
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.
For District 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 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 Central Office, Bureau of Design by the deadline stipulated in the individual advertisements.
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.
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.
The letter of interest must include full disclosure of any potential conflict of interest by the prime or any subconsultant based on Engineering Involvement Restrictions Guidelines as established in Strike-off Letter No. 433-00-02 published March 27, 2000. If there are no potential conflicts you shall include the following statement: ''I have reviewed Strike-off Letter No. 433-00-02 and determine that there are no potential conflicts of interest for anyone on this project team.''
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).
Proposed 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.
Letters of Interest for will be considered non-responsive and eliminated from further consideration for any of the following reasons:
1. Letters of Interest not received on time.
2. Project of interest is not identified.
3. An Annual Qualification Package for the prime consultant and all subconsultants is not on file with the organization receiving the Letter of Interest.
4. Conflict of Interest evaluation statement is not included.
5. A Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) participation goal is established for the Project Reference Number but no DBE/WBE is identified and no good faith effort is included.
6. Firm submitted a Letter of Interest on more than one (1) Joint Venture or a firm submitted a Letter of Interest as a prime and was also included as a subconsultant, to another firm. Multiple responses under any of the foregoing situations will cause the rejection of all responses of the firm, or firms, involved.
In addition to the above reasons, a Letter of Interest for Construction Inspection Services will be considered non-responsive for any of the following reasons:
1. Prime consultant or any subconsultant does not have a Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Audit Field Overhead Rate on file with the Department.
2. Using an individual's resume without including a letter granting the individual's approval for TCIS and higher positions.
3. Exceeding the maximum number of resumes in a payroll classification.
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. 00-1432. Filed for public inspection August 18, 2000, 9:00 a.m.]
