1-GSL MSD Master Parks Plan SOQ Final 09112025.pdf

Greater Salt Lake Municipal Services District

Request for Statements of Qualifications: Parks Master Plan

Serving Brighton, Copperton, Emigration Canyon, Kearns, Magna, White City, Unincorporated Salt Lake County

Date Issued: September 15, 2025

Deadline: October 15, 2025 at 4:00 pm MST

Statements of Qualifications that are received after the due date and time will not be considered.

Respondents should submit a complete response, clearly marked on the Subject line as: “Request for Statements of Qualifications: Parks Master Plan”

Daniele Benigni

Greater Salt Lake Municipal Services District | 860 Levoy Drive, Suite 300, Taylorville, UT 84123 | Office: 385-377-3765 | | email: dbenigni@msd.utah.gov mailto:dbenigni@msd.utah.gov

Greater Salt Lake Municipal Services District Request for Statements of Qualifications: Parks Master Plan

Contents

1. INTRODUCTION

2. CONTACT

3. BACKGROUND

4. SCOPE OF WORK

5. RESPONDING TO THE SOQ

6. SOQ TIMELINE

7. SOQ EVALUATION

8. SOQ RESPONSE PROCESS

9. SUBMISSION

10. Reservation of Rights:

11. GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1. INTRODUCTION

The Greater Salt Lake Municipal Services District (the “MSD”) is soliciting Statements of

Qualifications (each a “SOQ”) from qualified firms to assist in creating a Parks Master Plan for the

District, as well as individual Park Master Plans for specific parks as detailed within this SOQ. The contract may be canceled without penalty if the MSD determines, in its sole discretion, the services to be unsatisfactory or unnecessary for any reason.

There is no expressed or implied obligation for the MSD to reimburse responding firms for any expenses incurred in preparing a SOQ in response to this Request for Statements of Qualifications

(“SOQ”). Materials submitted by respondents are subject to public inspection under the

Government Records Access and Management Act, Title 63G, Chapter 2 of the Utah Code, unless exempt. Additionally, MSD reserves the right to reject any or all SOQs that are submitted.

Submission of an SOQ indicates acceptance by the submitting firm of the conditions contained in this SOQ, unless otherwise clearly and specifically noted in the SOQ submitted to the MSD and confirmed in a contract between the MSD and the selected firm.

The MSD intends to award a contract to one consultant to provide the services identified in Section

4, Scope of Work.

2. CONTACT

The MSD representative and contact for this SOQ is Daniele Benigni, Long-Range Planner. He can be reached at 385-377-3765. His Email address is dbenigni@msd.utah.gov.

3. BACKGROUND

The Greater Salt Lake Municipal Services District was established in 2015 and is located within Salt

Lake County, Utah. The District is a special district, created under the Municipal Services District

Act, Utah Code Ann. § 17B-2a-1101 et seq. The MSD is comprised of the Town of Copperton, the

Emigration Canyon, the City of Kearns, Magna City, White City, the Town of Brighton and unincorporated portions of Salt Lake County (the “Member Agencies”).

The MSD provides administrative and certain municipal-type services to the Member Agencies.

Many of those municipal-type services were formerly provided by a division of Salt Lake County

(Township Services). The District’s Member Agencies are located throughout Salt Lake County, including canyons to the east and south in Salt Lake County.

mailto:dbenigni@msd.utah.gov

The MSD operates under a governing Board of Trustees (the “Board”), comprised of elected mayors representing each City or Town, and one member of the Salt Lake County Council representing unincorporated areas of Salt Lake County. Policy making is vested in the Board, which is responsible, among other things, for adopting resolutions, adopting and periodically amending the annual budget, appointing committees, approving contracts and expenditures and establishing personnel and other MSD policies, rules and regulations. The General Manager carries out the policies of the Board and oversees the day-to-day operations of the MSD.

4. SCOPE OF WORK

The following scope of services is presented for your consideration. Some elements identified below may be eliminated or modified for this project. Final elements will be determined following the selection of the consultant.

The cost to prepare the SOQ and travel to project interviews shall be the full responsibility of the respondent.

It is expected that the consultant will view their work on the Parks Plan as a “team” approach in producing this study. The MSD recognizes that a high level of commitment will be necessary between the consultant, City Staff, Elected Leaders, and community champions to energize the Parks Plan after the consultant has finished their work.

The MSD aspires for all of the District’s residents to have adequate access to high-quality, clean and safe park and recreation facilities. Parks, open spaces, trails, and recreation facilities contribute to the health of the community's residents and attract visitors to these communities.

The master planning process is designed to ensure that the MSD Member Communities legacy of parks and open spaces will continue and that community resources will be dedicated to programs and facilities that are designed by and will be utilized by the public.

It is expected that the consultant will:

1. Use the recommended standards of the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA);

2. Be prepared to adapt these standards to the needs and expectations of MSD residents and

City Staff and Elected Officials.

Tasks

The SOQ Scope of Services is organized into the following tasks:

Task 1: Project Kick-Off Meeting, Existing Conditions, Inventory, and Analysis Task 2: Review of Plans and Documents Task 3: Development of Supply/Demand & Demographics/Trend Analysis Task 4: Needs Assessment; Development of Vision, Design Guidelines and

Implementation Strategy, Capital Improvements Plan Task 5: Individual Park Master Plans: Development and Deliverables

Task 6: Capital Planning and Financial Analysis

It is the intent of the MSD to present an MSD Parks Master Plan separate from any individual Park Master Plan.

Task 1: Project Kick-Off Meeting, Existing Conditions, Inventory, and Analysis

Project Kick-Off Meeting

The consultant will facilitate a kick-off meeting with key Staff and Elected Officials to receive available information related to the project, identify and discuss any technical and policy issues, coordinate staff/consultant responsibilities, and refine the project schedule. The consultant should be prepared to:

1. Prepare a report that identifies and summarizes concerns and opportunities specific to the Greater Salt Lake Municipal Services District.

Inventory

With the data collected from MSD staff, organize a comprehensive inventory of the Greater Salt Lake City’s existing parks and recreation facilities. This will include the following:

1. Verify the provided inventory of all park and recreational space including:

a. Parks and Recreational Facilities within the MSD

b. Golf Courses

c. Canyons and Granite School Districts, and Open Spaces

d. Emigration Canyon

i. Bathroom facility

e. City of Kearns Parks

f. Magna City Parks

g. White City Parks

h. Municipally owned Cemeteries

i. Pleasant Green Cemetery, Magna

ii. Copperton Cemetery, Copperton

i. Recreation Facilities (available to the public)

i. Magna Recreational Center

ii. Magna Regional Park

iii. Kearns Regional Park

iv. Identify more county regional parks & private rec centers in MSD

j. Churches within GSL MSD with recreational facilities and land

Task 2: Review of Plans and Documents

This task includes a review of plans and documents (as provided) that are relevant to the development of the Parks Master Plan. This review includes, but is not limited to the following:

1. Copperton General Plan 2020

2. Kearns General Plan 2020

3. Magna General Plan 2021

4. White City General Plan 2022

5. SLCo Parks and Recreation Facilities Master Plan 2015

6. Oquirrh Recreation and Parks District Master Plan 2020

7. Copperton Active Transportation Plan 2024

8. White City Pedestrian Infrastructure Plan 2022

9. Magna Transportation Master Plan 2020

10. Copperton Annexation Policy Plan 2022

11. Kearns Town Center Master Plan 2019

This task includes a review of plans and documents that are relevant to the development of the Parks Master Plan.

Task 3: Development of Supply/Demand & Demographics/Trend Analysis

The consultant will evaluate the nature in which existing parks, facilities and recreation programming meet, or do not meet, user demands and expectations and prepare recommendations that include or address the following:

1. Analyze current and future demographic trends

2. Analyze parks and related finances

a. Review and update the ratio of parks and open space per resident

b. Assist in the development of a Capital Improvement Plan

c. Identify possible funding sources including private, state and federal grants

3. Identify Level of Service for parks with the following standards:

a. What public and private recreation activities will be offered and what facilities will be needed.

b. Open space standards.

c. Individual Level of Service (LOS) for each park class.

4. Consistent with the LOS and demographic trends for the MSD, identify minimum and preferred park standards for developers to set aside land for parks and trails as new development occurs.

i. Conduct a Recreational Sports Trend Analysis

ii. Identify national and regional trends in recreational amenities

iii. Identify National Trends in “Community Wellness”

iv. Recreation as Economic Development

5. Development Policy and Standards

a. Define preferred park standards and land dedication requirements for new development

b. Align Park planning with growth patterns and demographic trends

c. Establish open space size standards by park classification

d. Develop minimum and preferred development guidelines for parks and trails

Task 4: Needs Assessment; Development of Vision

The consultant must identify the assets and constraints of the existing system, identify standards for future development and assess the current and future needs and priorities of the parks system.

The consultant may be asked to provide a facility assessment for amenities in Magna City and Copperton. This assessment may require a professional evaluation of structural components such as field light poles, park buildings, etc.

The consultant will involve Staff and Elected Officials as well as key community members in developing a Vision.

Task 5: Individual Park Master Plans: Development and Deliverables

For each community a concept-level or schematic design “master plan” will be developed for the following parks:

1. Copperton

a. Copperton Park

b. Bingham Cemetery

2. Magna

a. Copper Park

b. Magna Neighborhood Park

3. White City

a. Big Bear Park

b. Canal Trail Linear Park

Task 6: Capital Planning and Financial Analysis

1. Analyze current and projected parks-related finances

a. Operational funds

2. Develop a Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)

a. 20 years

3. Identify and evaluate potential funding sources:

a. Local funds

b. State and federal grants

c. Private sector contributions

5. RESPONDING TO THE SOQ

The MSD welcomes all respondents (including firms and individuals, and references in this SOQ to a “firm”, a “respondent” or a “consultant” includes qualified individuals as well as firms) and encourages them to share their expertise that can advance our organization. Tell us why you are right for this work. We will assess the responses based upon the respondent’s qualifications and experience and how well the responses address the scope of work and other matters mentioned in this SOQ. Failure to provide a written response to an item indicated in this SOQ may be interpreted by the MSD as an inability of the consultant to provide the requested service. We request the following specific information from respondents:

a) Cover letter: Please include the firm name, the address of the nearest local office, the contact name for a response and that person’s contact information, and a statement of positive commitment to perform the services within the time period specified.

Please keep the cover letter to one page. The cover letter is to be signed by an officer of the respondent who is authorized to bind the respondent firm.

b) Experience: Provide a statement of experience and qualifications discussing past performance (including dates), capabilities and qualifications, with an emphasis on plan reviews performed for local government units in Utah. Identify other similar projects and services with which your firm has been involved. Explain how and why your firm is suitable for the described scope of work.

Please disclose if there are any services performed by your firm that may conflict with the ability to provide timely engineering, plan review, and inspection services to the MSD. Indicate that you are licensed and/or certified to practice in Utah and provide specific licensure information, including a copy of any licenses and/or certifications to operate in Salt Lake County. State the size of the firm, the location of the office from which the work on this engagement is to be performed, and the number and nature of the professional staff to be employed in this engagement on a full-time basis and the number and nature of the staff that may be so employed on a part-time basis.

In addition, provide information on the circumstances and status of any disciplinary action taken or pending against the firm and/or anyone employed by or affiliated with the firm during the past three (3) years with state regulatory bodies or professional organizations.

Indicate the name of the person who will be authorized to answer questions and to bind the firm and that person’s title, physical address, email address and telephone number.

c) Key personnel: Identify key personnel who would be assigned to the MSD, including education, qualifications, experience and background for each, and provide a list of professional licensure certifications for each professional who will provide services to the MSD and/or the Member Agencies.

d) Additional information: Provide any additional information that will help us evaluate whether your firm is fit for the scope of work. Please note, you may only include information that directly responds to the SOQ, please do not include any promotional material or firm brochures.

e) References: Provide at least three references, including contact information, with an emphasis on Utah special districts, special service districts and municipalities.

f) No Conflict Statement: Provide a statement that no conflict of interest issues exist between the firm and the MSD, the Cities of Keans, Magna and White City, or the Towns of Brighton and Copperton, or Salt Lake County at the time of submission of the SOQ, signed by an officer who is authorized to bind the respondent firm. This statement may be included in the cover letter.

g) Contract Form: If your firm has a standard contract form for the MSD to review and consider, please include the form with your submission. The contract will not count against the page limitation that otherwise applies to the SOQ.

Please keep the response to no more than 10 pages total (including cover page).

6. SOQ TIMELINE

The following schedule is the anticipated timeline of this solicitation.

• SOQ advertised on or before September 15, 2025

• Questions due by email on or before October 8, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. All questions and responses will be shared with interested parties to the extent known to the

MSD.

• SOQs are due by October 15, 2025 at 4:00 p.m.

• Evaluation and ranking of firms on or before October 9, 2025, after which negotiations will be conducted as stated in Subsection 7.6 below.

• Presentation of contract for MSD Board approval at the October 22 or November

12, 2025 Board meeting.

7. SOQ EVALUATION

The SOQs will be evaluated on the following criteria and approach:

a) Scoring Methodology:

i. Five Points (Excellent)

ii. Four Points (Very Good)

iii. Three Points (Good)

iv. Two Points (Fair)

v. One Point (Poor)

b) Multiplication Factors or Weighting: Each scored line item will be multiplied by a weighted importance factor as shown. The scoring will be multiplied by the weighted importance factor to give the total points for that line item.

c) Pass/Fail: Some items require no scoring, but are required as an essential part of the SOQ. These items may be scored on a pass/fail basis. Failure to include any pass/fail item (see Section 5 above, “Responding to the SOQ”) may result in the rejection of the

SOQ.

d) SOQ Evaluation Scoring:

Possible Points

Weighted Factor

Maximum Possible Points

Criteria

5 5 25 Qualifications: Including the demonstrated qualification and competence of the firm;

history of the firm and resume, including education, of key personnel.

5 4 20 Experience: Demonstrated breadth of experience; and level of success and performance of the services of a similar type, scope, and complexity.

5 5 25 Service Approach: Includes the demonstrated strength of proposed key personnel; the ability to meet a demanding schedule, maintain quality, and work with MSD team, including officials and staff.

5 3 15 Scope, quality and creativity of services proposed

5 3 15 References 100 Total Points Possible

e) Committee Evaluation of SOQs: Each SOQ will be evaluated by the MSD’s

Selection Committee. The SOQs will be scored on the basis of the submittals outlined in Section 5. Non-responsive SOQs (those not conforming to the SOQ requirements) may be eliminated. The respondent bears sole responsibility for the items and information included, or not included, in the SOQ submitted by that respondent. The MSD reserves the right to disqualify any SOQ that includes significant deviations or exceptions to the terms, conditions and/or specifications in this SOQ. Upon completion of the initial scoring, the MSD may elect to have further discussions with responsible firms that submit SOQs for the purpose of assuring a full understanding of, and responsiveness to, the requirements of this SOQ. Final recommendations of the highest ranked firm(s) will be made by the MSD’s Selection Committee. Final approval of a contract or contracts will be by motion of the MSD Board of Trustees.

f) Consultant Selection and Compensation: Negotiations will be undertaken with the top respondent to formalize the scope of services and negotiate the fee structure. If negotiations are not successful with an initially selected firm, negotiations may be conducted with the next highest ranked respondent, and so on, until the MSD and the respondent reach an agreement on the hourly rates (if applicable), allowable costs, fixed fee (if applicable), and not to exceed fee (if applicable) for the respondent’s services, or the MSD cancels this SOQ. The negotiated hourly rates, allowable costs, fixed fee and/or not to exceed fee and the contract will be presented to the MSD Board of Trustees for final approval. STATEMENTS MADE BY MSD

PERSONNEL DURING THE SOQ PROCESS ARE NOT BINDING ON THE MSD BOARD

OR ON THE MSD AND MAY NOT BE RELIED UPON BY ANY RESPONDENT UNTIL THEY

HAVE BEEN CONFIRMED BY THE MSD BOARD.

8. SOQ RESPONSE PROCESS

Questions and requests for clarification related to this SOQ should be emailed to the contacts identified in Section 2 no later than 12:00 p.m. (MDT) on October 8, 2025. Questions and requests for clarification submitted later than that date and time may or may not be responded to by the MSD. The MSD will make a good faith effort to inform each respondent, of which the MSD is aware on or before 12:00 p.m. (MDT) on October 8, 2025, regarding answers to questions and responses to requests for clarification. Any submission of questions or requests relating to this SOQ shall include “Request for Statements of Qualifications: Parks Master Plan SOQ” in the email subject line and include the name of the person and firm submitting the question(s) and/or request(s) and a good e-mail address to which a response may be sent.

The MSD assumes no liability for assuring accurate/complete/on time e-mail or other transmission and receipt. The receipt of a response to this SOQ does not constitute an agreement between the MSD and the submitting respondent. Only a formal vote of acceptance by the MSD Board of Trustees is binding.

Your final SOQ submission shall include “Request for Statements of Qualifications: Parks Master Plan ” in the email subject line.

9. SUBMISSION

SOQ Submittal - To be considered, the respondent’s response to this SOQ must comply with the following:

• Three (3) responses are to be sealed in an envelope.

• The envelope shall state:

STATEMENTS OF QUALIFICATIONS

Request for Qualifications: Parks Master Plan

GREATER SALT LAKE MUNICIPAL SERVICES DISTRICT

860 W. Levoy Dr., Suite 300

Taylorsville, UT 84123

(If mailing the submittal, please send it to 860 W. Levoy Dr., Suite 300 Taylorsville, UT 84123)

Attention: Daniele Benigni

Long-Range Planner

Name of submitting consultant

• The submittal must arrive at the MSD, no later than 4:00 p.m. on October 15, 2025. Any SOQ received after the specified date and time will not be considered.

Consultants mailing their SOQs shall allow sufficient mail delivery time to assure timely receipt and shall solely bear the risk of the SOQ not being timely received by the MSD’s Associate General Manager.

10. Reservation of Rights:

The MSD reserves the right to:

a) Accept or reject any or all SOQs submitted pursuant to this SOQ.

b) Waive or modify any irregularities in the SOQ or any SOQ.

c) Request additional information or modifications to SOQs prior to award if such is in the best interest of the MSD.

d) Use any ideas and/or information submitted in any SOQ, unless covered by legal patent or recognized proprietary rights. Any claimed legal patent or proprietary right shall be clearly and plainly identified in a SOQ. If not adequately identified in the SOQ, the respondent shall irrevocably be deemed to have waived and relinquished any legal patent or proprietary right. Selection or rejection of a SOQ does not affect the MSD’s right to use submitted ideas and/or information.

e) In the event of unsuccessful contract negotiations or contract termination, enter into contract negotiations with other qualified firms that submitted acceptable SOQs.

f) Cancel or modify the terms of this SOQ and/or the Scope of Work at any time and for any or no reason prior to the execution of a contract.

11. GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

a) Award/Public Statement – When the selection of the respondent to perform services outlined in the Scope of Work is announced (which may not occur before negotiations are complete), a written statement identifying the approved respondent and the total score awarded by the Selection Committee to each respondent will be published on the MSD website. Without identifying the respondents that weren’t selected by name (i.e. Identified as “Offeror A”, “Offeror B” – etc.), the published list will state each Offeror’s total score.

b) GRAMA – As a governmental entity, the MSD is subject to the Government Records

Access and Management Act, Title 63G, Chapter 2 of the Utah Code (“GRAMA”), and cannot guarantee that information provided in a SOQ or otherwise will not be subject to disclosure under GRAMA.

c) Legal Requirements – The successful respondent will be required to satisfy all applicable governmental laws, ordinances, rules and regulations, including the requirements of Utah Code Ann. § 63G-12-302(3) respecting the verification of the status of the respondent’s new employees. The attached Certification of Compliance form must be signed by a representative or officer who is authorized to bind the firm and be included in the SOQ.

d) Contract – Each respondent selected, after a successful negotiation, to provide the services identified in the Scope of Work will be expected to enter into a contract that is reasonably acceptable to the MSD. Among other provisions, unless the MSD determines, in its sole discretion, that the law does not apply, the contract will include a provision that is similar to the following:

“________________________(Insert name of contracting party) certifies that it is not currently engaged in a boycott of the State of Israel or an economic boycott, as defined in Utah Code Ann. § 63G-27-102 and prohibited by Utah Code Ann. § 63G-27-201(1); and agrees not to engage in a boycott of the State of Israel for the duration of this contract. Furthermore, ___________________ (insert name) agrees to notify the District in writing if _____________________ (insert name) begins engaging in a prohibited economic boycott during the term of this contract. Activities which are not to be boycotted, absent an ordinary business purpose or unless the boycott is intended to comply with applicable state or federal law, include a boycott of companies that are engaged in fossil fuel-based energy, timber, mining, agriculture, or firearms; companies that do not meet or commit to meet environmental standards beyond applicable state and federal law requirements; or companies that do not facilitate or commit to facilitate access to abortion or sex characteristic surgical procedures. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary stated in this contract, pursuant to Utah Code Ann. § 63G-27-201(3), this provision does not apply to a contract with a total value of less than $100,000 or to a contract with an entity that has fewer than 10 full-time employees, nor prohibit the District from entering into a contract with an entity that engages in an otherwise prohibited economic boycott if there is no economically practicable alternative available “to (A) acquire or dispose of a good or service; or (B) meet…[the District’s] legal duties to issue, incur, or manage debt obligations, or deposit, keep custody of, manage, borrow, or invest funds” or if the purpose of the economic boycott is to comply with federal law.”

e) Insurance – The respondent with which the MSD contracts shall maintain insurance coverage in amounts that are reasonable for respondents providing similar services in Salt Lake County, Utah, including workers compensation insurance as required by law and professional and liability insurance. The successful respondent may be required to provide certificates of insurance for the MSD’s review and reasonable approval.

f) Rejection of SOQs – The MSD reserves the right to reject any and all of the SOQs received in response to this RFQ.

g) Incurred Costs – The MSD will not be liable for any cost incurred by any respondent for any work performed prior to the execution of a contract for professional services by the MSD and the respondent.

h) Addenda to the RFQ – In the event the MSD decides to revise any part of this RFQ, public notice will be provided and all known respondents will be notified by e-mail that a copy of the addenda is available. It is the responsibility of the respondents that intend to respond to the RFQ to insure that their contact information is given to the MSD and that it is correct. The final date for the issuance and notifying of an addenda to this RFQ will be five (5) days prior to the due date of the SOQ.

For more information regarding the MSD please visit our website at www.msd.gov.

http://www.msd.gov/