1571 Retention of engineering firms

Retention of Engineering Firms

[28 Pa.B. 4837]

Franklin County
Project Reference No. 08430AG2244

   The Department of Transportation will retain a consultant firm to provide right-of-way acquisition assistance services for S. R. 0030, Section 016. The project is located in Franklin County, in the Borough of Chambersburg and in Guilford Township on U.S. Route 30 from Chambersburg Borough to Fayetteville, from Segment 0410 offset 1410 to Segment 0490 offset 0600, an approximate length of 3.2 miles. This portion of U.S. 30 is known locally as Lincoln Way East. The project consists of approximately 107 claims including 72 commercial, 29 residential and 6 relocations.

   The selected firm will be required to provide the professional right-of-way acquisition assistance services necessary to clear the right-of-way for this project. The required services include, but are not limited to, title searches, negotiations, relocation assistance, declaration of taking, title settlement services, property management and coordination with appraisers selected by the Department. The firm should be large enough and have sufficient personnel to perform these tasks.

   The Department will establish an order of ranking of a minimum of three (3) firms for the purpose of negotiating this agreement 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 selected firm will be required to coordinate all work through the Department's designated representative. All acquisition will be accomplished in compliance with Federal and State regulations, including but not limited to the Pennsylvania Eminent Domain Code, the State Highway Law and Pennsylvania Real Estate Law, the Housing Replacement Authorization Act, and the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act.

   The majority of the work and services will be required within eighteen (18) months from the notice to proceed.

   The consultant will be required to provide on-site office space. Lodging for individuals assigned to this project for sixty (60) days or more will be limited to $790 per month. The allowance could include living space rental, furnishings, basic telephone service and utilities. No subsistence or to/from job mileage will be reimbursed for these individuals. Normal Department mileage/subsistence/ lodging rates will apply to individuals assigned to this project for less than sixty (60) days.

   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.  Staff experience on similar assignments.

   c.  Past performance on similar assignments.

   d.  Familiarity with Pennsylvania right-of-way regulations.

   e.  Number of staff/titles available to work on project.

   f.  Other factors necessary to provide the required services.

   The District's copy of the Letter of Interest and required forms (see general requirements and information section) shall be sent to: Mr. Barry G. Hoffman, P.E., District Engineer, District 8-0, 2140 Herr Street, Harrisburg, PA 17103-1699.

   Any technical questions concerning the requirements for this project should be directed to: Mr. Marlin N. Brownawell, District 8-0, at [phone].

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

Dauphin County
Project Reference No. 08430AG2245

   The Department of Transportation will retain an engineering firm to perform preliminary engineering, environmental studies, and final design, for S. R. 3020, Section 001, Union Deposit Road in Lower Paxton Township, Dauphin County. This project includes realignment of an intersection, replacement of an existing structure and safety improvements to approximately 2.3 miles of S. R. 3020 from S. R. 3017 (Rutherford Road) to S. R. 2099 (Nye's Road). The estimated cost of construction is $1.4 million.

   The required services will include: field surveys; plotting of topography and cross-sections; pavement and drainage design; alignment studies; field views; safety review, Step 9 and value engineering submissions and meetings; traffic control plans; foundation design; structure design; erosion and sedimentation pollution control plans and narrative; utility and property involvement investigations; right-of-way plans, including preparations of viewers plans; preparation of environmental studies and documentation; interagency permits; wetland mitigation plans; construction plans, specifications and estimates; a project management plan; quality control plan; and transfer of electronic files.

   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.  Use of micro-station CADD.

   c.  Specialized experience with Department criteria and technical competence of firm.

   d.  Development of a Quality Control Plan for this particular project to be submitted to the Department for approval.

   e.  Other factors, if any, specific to the project.

   The District will announce the three (3) firms that have been shortlisted for further consideration at an open public meeting to be held at Engineering District 8-0, 2140 Herr Street, Harrisburg, PA 17103-1699, at 1:30 P.M. on November 10, 1998, Conference Room ''A''. Please specify a contact person, phone number and address in your 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 District's copy of the Letter of Interest and required forms (see general requirements and information section) shall be sent to: Mr. Barry G. Hoffman, P.E., District Engineer, District 8-0, 2140 Herr Street, Harrisburg, PA 17103-1699, Attention: Michael C. Lapano, Project Manager.

   Any technical questions concerning the requirements for this project should be directed to: Mr. Michael Lapano, District 8-0, 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. 08430AG2246

   The Department of Transportation will retain an engineering firm to perform final design and provide consultation during construction for S. R. 4034, Section A90 in Harborcreek Township and the City of Erie, Erie County. This project involves the construction of a new four lane, controlled access highway between Interstate 90 and McClelland Avenue a distance of approximately 4,800m. Also included will be the relocation and construction of several existing roads in the project area affected by the new highway. This project is a part of the East Side Access corridor for which the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) was approved on March 3, 1997. The estimated project construction cost is $23.0 million.

   This section of the East Side Access corridor will span Four-mile Creek and Wintergreen Gorge. The design of the structure to span these natural features will not be a part of this assignment; however, the selected consultant will be required to effectively coordinate and share information as required with the structural designer. The Wintergreen Gorge structure design assignment will be advertised separately.

   The selected firm will be required to provide the following engineering and design services for final design; field surveys; right-of-way plan preparation; roadway design; traffic studies; traffic signal design; erosion and sedimentation pollution control plan preparation; wetland replacement sites; pavement marking and signing plan preparation; utility coordination; PUC and railroad coordination; traffic control plan preparation; coordination with environmental review agencies, the City of Erie, Harborcreek Township, Penn State Erie-The Behrend Campus, the area public and the Department; soils and geological investigations; noise studies and analysis and preparation of final construction drawings, specifications and cost estimates. All final designs must be in accordance with the mitigation summary that is a part of the FEIS.

   Consultation during construction will consist of alternate design review and shop drawing review.

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

   Letters of interest will be evaluated at the Engineering District 1-0 office with emphasis on the following factors:

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

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

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

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

   e.  Past performance record on similar projects.

   f.  Past performance record of listed subconsultants.

   g.  Availability of listed staff.

   h.  Current workload.

   In addition to the limits stated in the General Requirements and Information section following the advertised project(s), the following requirements shall apply to Letters of Interest submitted for this project reference number:

   1.  Standard Form 255, Item No. 7 - No more than ten (10) total pages of resumes, one-sided.

   2.  Standard Form 255, Item No. 8 - No more than eight (8) project descriptions are to be included.

   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 District's 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.

   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.

   Any technical questions concerning the requirements for this project should be directed to: Mr. William G. Petit, P.E., District 1-0, at [phone] or 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].

Union County
Project Reference No. 08430AG2247

   The Department of Transportation will retain an engineering firm to perform preliminary engineering, environmental studies, final design and engineering services during construction for S. R. 0204, Section 004, the replacement of the bridge over Penns Creek and roadway approaches, in the Village of New Berlin, in Union County.

   The project consists of the replacement of the existing 4-span open steel deck I-beam bridge at an existing length of 242 feet, with a new multi-span bridge structure. Construction will also include any needed approach work. Estimated construction cost is $2.7 million.

   The required services for this project will include field surveys; environmental studies to include wetlands, mitigation, groundwater resources investigation, determination of effects report, Par/Isa, CEE, agency coordination, archeology, historic survey and agricultural lands; utilities; horizontal and vertical geometry; geological studies; core borings; type size and location; drainage; preliminary field view; safety review; line, grade and typical section; erosion and sedimentation control plan; hydrologic and hydraulic report; waterway encroachment permit; preliminary right-of-way plan; maintenance and protection of traffic during construction plan; public involvement; Step 9; foundation design; and construction plans, specifications and estimate. Work also included will be construction consultation and shop drawing review. The project will be performed in metric units.

   The Department will establish an order of ranking of a minimum of three (3) firms. The following factors, listed in order of importance, will be considered 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.  How the required work tasks will be accomplished and how the required services will be performed.

   c.  Specialized experience, previous experience, technical competence of individuals who constitute the firm. Of particular importance are the key people assigned to the project and their ability to provide innovative solutions to complex problems.

   d.  Past record of performance with respect to cost control, work quality, ability to meet schedules and ability to work with accelerated schedules.

   e.  Current workload and capacity of firm to perform work.

   f.  Listing of subconsultants.

   g.  Location of office to perform work.

   The District will announce the firms that have been shortlisted at an open public meeting scheduled for November 13, 1998 at 10:00 A.M. at Engineering District 3-0, 715 Jordan Avenue, Montoursville, PA 17754. All candidates that submitted a letter of interest will be notified if the date is changed. Specify a contact person 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 District's copy of the Letter of Interest and required forms (see general requirements and information section) shall be sent to: Mr. Paul E. Heise, P.E., District Engineer, District 3-0, 715 Jordan Avenue, Montoursville, PA 17754.

   Any technical questions concerning the requirements for this project should be directed to: Mr. Wayne F. Frey, P.E., District 3-0, 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, 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 (2) 8 1/2" x 11" 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 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.

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

   This Chart must 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 specify only the number of subconsultant personnel and Column B must 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 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 one (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 (For Construction Inspections Services, 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 must be first, followed by subconsultant employees, 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 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.

   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. 98-1571. Filed for public inspection September 25, 1998, 9:00 a.m.]