123461-4327.pdf

CITY OF NEW ORLEANS

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

FOR

CIVIL ENGINEERING DESIGN & MANAGEMENT

SERVICES

RFQ NO. 4327

RELEASE DATE: APRIL 4, 2025

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: APRIL 29, 2025 @ 4:00PM

RFQ No: 4327

RFQ Title: Civil Engineering Design & Management Services

KEY REMINDERS TO PROSPECTIVE RESPONDENTS

1. READ THE SOLICITATION IN ITS ENTIRETY.

2. CONTACT THE DESIGNATED PURCHASING OFFICIAL ONLY.

3. CHECK THE SUPPLIER PORTAL PERIODICALLY.

4. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE QUESTION AND ANSWER PERIOD.

5. PROVIDE COMPLETE ANSWERS AND DESCRIPTIONS.

6. REVIEW THE RFQ AND YOUR RESPONSE BEFORE SUBMITTING.

7. SUBMIT YOUR PROPOSAL ON TIME.

RFQ Title: Civil Engineering Design & Management Services

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Section 1 - Definition

Section 2 - Overview

Section 3 - DBE

Section 4 – Anticipated Timetable

Section 5 – Responsiveness and Selection Committee

Section 6 – Evaluation

Section 7 – Notification and Contract

Section 8 – Submission

Section 9 – General Information

Section 10 – Statement of No Response

Section 11 – Attachments

RFQ Title: Civil Engineering Design & Management Services

SECTION 1 – DEFINITIONS

“BRASS” means Budget, Requisition, and Accounting Services System.

“City” means the City of New Orleans.

“Close Event” means the date and time at which BRASS prohibits Respondents from submitting a response to the solicitation.

“DBE” means Disadvantage Business Enterprise.

“Event” means the solicitation (RFQ, RFP, ITB, ITQ) that the Bureau of Purchasing created to release it on the Supplier Portal of BRASS.

“OSD” means the City’s Office of Supplier Diversity.

“Open Event” means the date and time at which the Event is released to the public in the Supplier Portal of BRASS.

“Purchasing Conference Room” means the room adjacent to the Bureau of Purchasing located on the 4th floor of City Hall at 1300 Perdido Street, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112.

“Respondent”, “Respondents” or “a respondent” means a person or entity who responds to the RFQ.

“RFQ” means the present request for qualification.

“SBE” means Small Business s Enterprise as defined by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

“SLDBE” means State and Local Disadvantage Business Enterprise.

SECTION 2 – OVERVIEW

2.1 Introduction

The Department of Public Works’ mission is to construct and maintain the highest quality of safe and sustainable transportation facilities for users of vehicular, bicycle, pedestrian and rail transportation, in order to improve the quality of life and create opportunities for economic development for all New Orleanians.

The Department of Public Works is composed of 5 divisions (maintenance, parking, traffic, engineering and streetlights) responsible for maintaining approximately 1,547 miles of streets (21,000,000 square yards of pavement) and 149 bridges in the City.

2.2 Background

The City of New Orleans Department of Public Works (DPW) implements various construction projects throughout the City during the course of a given year. These projects range in size and duration and can be categorized by assets such as streetlights, pavement, bike paths, signage, bridges, signals, etc.

RFQ Title: Civil Engineering Design & Management Services

2.3 Purpose

The City’s Department of Public Works (“DPW”) seeks to identify and select qualified firms to support the delivery of projects to assess, design, build and/or repair streets, sidewalks, bikeways, bridges, utilities, and other public works infrastructure features city- wide, as further described in the RFQ.

2.4 Statement of Needs

You must refer to Attachment A.

2.5 Performance Evaluation

The City will memorialize performance evaluation criteria in the executed contract.

SECTION 3 – DBE

3.1 In General

The requirements of the City’s DBE Program apply to the RFQ.

See section of the RFQ on Attachments for more information and the applicable form(s).

3.2 DBE Goal

A DBE contract goal of 35 percent has been established for this RFQ.

3.3 DBE Interest

The Bureau of Purchasing and OSD seek to offer the opportunity to DBE and SLDBE, SBEs, and other certified minority, women, disabled veteran owned businesses to submit their interest in participating to the RFQ as a prospective subcontractor to a respondent or to jointly propose as a prospective partner with a respondent, or both.

DBE and other certified diversity entities must complete a questionnaire to express their interest. Follow the below link to submit your interest:

• https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=hfTLCLccAkqaIQ3ZtFuf9 0s12RkxNB5KnaGW8hYN33NUQlo4WkhHWE5YQ1lCQjZHUUZBOEhMMzg1U C4u

If a pre-submittal conference is scheduled, OSD will present the results of the questionnaire for the RFQ during the conference.

IMPORTANT: Submit your interest on or before the deadline identified under Section 4.1.

Otherwise, OSD will not be able to present it during the pre-submittal conference.

The Bureau of Purchasing will post said results via an addendum to the RFQ following the said conference or, in the absence of a conference, several days after the deadline identified under Section 4.1.

3.4 DBE Opportunities

The City expects Respondents to ensure that every effort is made to meet DBE utilization goals.

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=hfTLCLccAkqaIQ3ZtFuf90s12RkxNB5KnaGW8hYN33NUQlo4WkhHWE5YQ1lCQjZHUUZBOEhMMzg1UC4u https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=hfTLCLccAkqaIQ3ZtFuf90s12RkxNB5KnaGW8hYN33NUQlo4WkhHWE5YQ1lCQjZHUUZBOEhMMzg1UC4u https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=hfTLCLccAkqaIQ3ZtFuf90s12RkxNB5KnaGW8hYN33NUQlo4WkhHWE5YQ1lCQjZHUUZBOEhMMzg1UC4u

RFQ Title: Civil Engineering Design & Management Services

OSD offers the opportunity to Respondents to submit subcontracting opportunities on its DBE Opportunities Page. Said page can be found at:

• https://www.nola.gov/economic-development/supplier-diversity/opportunities/

3.5 Point of Contact

You shall direct questions related to DBE compliance prior to the Submission Deadline to:

• By email: Supplierdiversity@nola.gov

• In writing or in-person: Office of Supplier Diversity

1340 Poydras Street, Suite 1800, New Orleans, LA 70112

SECTION 4 – ANTICIPATED TIMETABLE

4.1 Dates

Release/Open Event (Cone of Silence Begins) April 4, 2025

Deadline for DBE Interest April 14, 2025

Pre-Submittal Conference April 15, 2025 @ 10:30A.M.

Deadline for Submitting Questions April 16, 2025 @ 2:00P.M.

Submission Deadline/Close Event April 29, 2025@ 4:00P.M. CST]

Evaluation by Selection Committee On or about May 9, 2025

Notification Within 1 to 2 business days from the date of the evaluation

4.2 Meetings

The pre-submittal conference meeting and the selection committee meeting are public meetings. The Bureau of Purchasing encourages Respondents to attend said meetings.

The pre-submittal conference will be held via teleconference call. The Designated

Purchasing Official will post the dial in information via the Event in BRASS under

“Meetings.”

4.3 City Calendar

The Bureau of Purchasing posts the dates and times of the public meetings connected to the RFQ on the calendar of the City.

The Bureau of Purchasing encourages Respondents to subscribe to the calendar.

The City calendar can be found at:

• Calendar - City of New Orleans (nola.gov) .

4.4 Selection Committee Meeting

The Bureau of Purchasing makes every effort to maintain the above date of the selection committee meeting.

https://www.nola.gov/economic-development/supplier-diversity/opportunities/ mailto:Supplierdiversity@nola.gov https://www.nola.gov/calendar/

RFQ Title: Civil Engineering Design & Management Services

However, from time to time, the Bureau of Purchasing may need to reschedule the said meeting for reasons which include, but not limited to, request(s) from committee member(s) to have additional time for review, an unexpected calendar conflict of one or more committee member, an unforeseen emergency, etc.

4.5 Questions

You must submit substantive questions to the Designated Purchasing Official via the “Q & A Forum” in the Event no later than the deadline set forth in Section 4.1.

The Bureau of Purchasing does not guarantee that your question(s) submitted via email to the Designated Purchasing Official will be answered.

The Designated Purchasing Official will issue a response to questions by written addendum to the RFQ.

Your question(s) submitted after the deadline may not be reviewed for inclusion in an addendum to the RFQ.

The Designated Purchasing Official will not respond to substantive questions submitted verbally either by telephone or in person or both outside of the scheduled meetings.

4.6 Cone of Silence

From the release of the RFQ until the award, there is a prohibition on communication by respondents (or anyone on their behalf) with the City’s staff, the mayor and staff, council members and staff, members of the selection committee members and elected officials.

The Bureau of Purchasing calls this prohibition the “Cone of Silence.”

This does not apply to oral communications at pre-submittal conferences, oral presentations before selection committees, contract negotiations, or communications in writing at any time with any city employee or elected official regarding matters not concerning this RFQ.

In those instances, in which a Prospective Respondent is also an incumbent contractor, the City’s staff and the incumbent contractor may contact each other with respect to the existing contract only.

Under no circumstances may the City’s staff and the incumbent contractor and/or its representative(s) discuss the RFQ.

BREAKING THE CONE OF SILENCE, IF PROVEN, MAY RESULT IN A

DISQUALIFICATION OF YOUR RESPONSE.

SECTION 5 – RESPONSIVENESS AND SELECTION COMMITTEE

5.1 Responsiveness

Following the submission deadline, the Designated Purchasing Official will:

• Opens the timely submitted proposals, and then

• Reviews and determines if the respondent completed and submitted the required forms.

You are invited to read Section 8.7 for failure to comply with the deadline or the required documents.

RFQ Title: Civil Engineering Design & Management Services

If there are responsive respondents, the Designated Purchasing Official will provide a copy of the proposals to the selection committee.

5.2 Selection Committee – Composition

The Chief Procurement Officer must establish selection committees with relevant subject-matter expertise in reviewing and evaluating responses to the RFQ.

As per the applicable executive order, the selection committee will consist of the following individuals:

• The Chief Administrative Officer, or designee,

• The Chief Financial Officer, or designee,

• The manager of the User Entity requesting the service, or designee,

• The employee who will manage and monitor the contract, and

• A professional from within local government who possesses expertise in the relevant field.

5.3 Selection Committee – Grading

The members on the selection committee shall either complete the numerical grading or use the wholly qualitative evaluation criteria.

5.4 Selection Committee – Non-Voting Member

The Selection Committee, through a majority vote, may add one non-voting member to the committee who has expertise in the relevant field.

SECTION 6 – EVALUATION

6.1 In General

The selection committee will evaluate responses based on the technical criteria established under this section.

You may receive the maximum points, a portion of this score, or no points at all, depending upon the merit of your response, as judged by the selection committee in accordance with the technical criteria.

During the review of any submission at any time (including in the event of a shortlist), the selection committee may:

• Conduct reference checks relevant to the solicitation to verify all information, and rely on or consider any relevant information from such cited references or from any other sources in the evaluation of the submissions,

• Seek clarification of a submission or additional information from any or all respondents and consider same in the evaluation of submissions,

• Waive any requests or requirements if such waiver is in the best interest of the City, and

• Request interviews/presentations with any, some or all respondents to clarify any questions or considerations based on the information included in submission.

6.2 Technical Criteria for the RFQ

RFQ Title: Civil Engineering Design & Management Services

The Selection Committee will use the following criteria to evaluate the proposals submitted by Respondents:

1. Criterion No. 1: Specialized Experience and Technical Competence

0 - 30 Points

Firm’s specialized experience and technical competence directly related to the identifying discipline(s) of work you are submitting qualifications for, as applicable.

Particular emphasis should be placed on your firm’s specific and unique strengths that show leadership, management, work quality, commitment, collaboration, and communication capabilities. Consultants may not use the qualifications of sub-consultants as part of their SOQ submittal to qualify in a work discipline.

2. Criterion No. 2: Key Personnel 0 –25 Points

[Key personnel’s specialized experience and technical competence directly related to the identifying discipline(s) of work you are submitting qualifications for, as applicable. Specific past experience related to education, expertise, leadership, management, past projects, and ability to collaborate and communicate should be emphasized. Work experience gained while an employee was working for a different firm must be disclosed.

3. [Insert Criterion No. 3]: Vendor Performance History 0 –30 Points

Performance history, including, without limitation, competency, responsiveness, cost control, work quality and the ability to meet schedules and deadlines. Project experience must be for work performed within the past ten years and must include references. Your firm may only identify projects for which it was the prime consultant, or a subconsultant with a substantial role. For each project identified, state individuals’ roles and the services performed. Referenced key personnel no longer employed by your firm must be disclosed.

4. DBE 0 – 15 Points

You will see below a table with additional information on this criterion.

POINTS

DESCRIPTION POINT

AWARD

AWARDING GUIDELINES

3pts may be awarded

DBE Goal:

Proposal complies with contract DBE participation goal or will conduct good faith efforts to do so.

3pts

2pts

1pts

• Meets or exceeds the stated contract DBE goal or demonstrates why and how the respondent can only achieve a lower DBE goal

• States they will meet a lower contract goal without demonstrating why or how.

0pts

• No commitment - 0%, but demonstrates why & how DBE participation is not achievable.

• No commitment -0% without explanation.

6pts may be awarded

Quality of Proposal:

Proposal submitted a quality DBE Participation Plan that includes innovative strategies and approaches to achieve and maintain compliance over the contract term and that builds capacity in the DBE community.

+2pts

+1pts

+2pts

+1pts

• Prime has identified scopes of work to be performed by DBE firm(s) to be used that represent a Commercially Useful Function.

• Prime has clearly identified DBE firm(s) and their scopes of work.

• The DBE has contributed directly to the Proposal (Resumes, Experience Portfolio, etc.).

• Prime has identified ways to support the DBE (e.g.: Mentor-protégé relationship, bonding, early payments, etc.).

6pts is default award;

points may be deducted

Past Performance Issues:

Includes firm’s past performance on meeting DBE goals, technical assistance and supportive services designed to increase participation and build capacity in the DBE community.

Up to 6 points may be deducted.

Points shall be deducted for the following reasons:

• Prime has a history of not meeting their committed DBE goal.

• Prime has history of switching DBEs or reduces work committed to DBEs.

• Prime is inconsistent with reporting

RFQ Title: Civil Engineering Design & Management Services requirements of the DBE policy.

• Prime does not cooperate with OSD on-site monitoring.

• Prime has history of not paying their DBE subs in a timely manner.

• Prime has a history of insufficient GFEs.

SECTION 7 – NOTIFICATION AND CONTRACT

7.1 Notification

Once the selection committee recommends a proposal, the Bureau of Purchasing notifies the selected firm by an intent to award letter. The unsuccessful firm(s) will be notified as well.

The Designated Purchasing Official will also award the Event in BRASS which only represents an administrative function.

The intent to award letter will contain the name and contact information of the representative of the department responsible for administering the future contract.

IMPORTANT: The intent to award letter is not a contract award notification. The contract award is subject to the successful satisfaction by the selected respondent of all additional requirements in the solicitation.

7.2 Composite Scoring Sheet

In addition to the notification, the Designated Purchasing Official will post an electronic copy of the sheet on the website of the Bureau of Purchasing under “RFP/RFQ Composite Scoring Sheets.”

The Bureau of Purchasing keeps a sheet available for public view for 30 days from the date of the selection committee meeting.

You can find the composite scoring sheets on the following webpage:

• https://nola.gov/view-rfp-rfq-composite-scoring-sheets/

After 30 days, any interested party must submit a request for public records to the City’s Attorney Office to obtain a copy of the tabulation.

You can submit your request at https://www.nola.gov/city-attorney/public-records-requests/ .

7.3 Negotiation and Execution of Contract

After the issuance of the intent to award letter, the City may negotiate the final contract with the selected respondent.

https://nola.gov/view-rfp-rfq-composite-scoring-sheets/ https://www.nola.gov/city-attorney/public-records-requests/ https://www.nola.gov/city-attorney/public-records-requests/

RFQ Title: Civil Engineering Design & Management Services

Irrespective of the occurrence of contractual negotiations or not, the selected respondent must provide the representative of the department responsible for administering the future contract with required documentation (examples: tax clearance form, proof of signing authority, proof of good standing with the State of Louisiana, etc.).

The City Attorney’s Office is responsible for presenting the successful respondent with a proposed written contract to execute.

Once executed by the City, the department responsible for the administration of the contract can authorize the beginning of the services.

The City will publish a copy of the fully executed contract on the City’s Supplier Portal.

7.4 Contract Administration

The executed contract with the selected firm identifies the department responsible for administering it.

Said department will be notably responsible for monitoring the performance of the contractor.

7.5 Contract Amendment and/or Time Extension

7.5.1 DBE Compliance

Prior to amending and/or extending the contract for time with the contracted firm, said firm must be compliant with its committed DBE plan.

Failure to comply can constitute cause for termination of the contract.

7.5.2 Performance Evaluation

Prior to amending and/or extending the contract for time with the contracted firm, said firm must perform in accordance with the scope of work set forth in the contract.

Failure to comply can constitute cause for termination of the contract.

SECTION 8 – SUBMISSION

8.1 In General

You may respond to this RFQ:

• By responding to the Event in BRASS (preferred method).

• Or by submitting a physical copy to the Bureau of Purchasing in person or by courier.

8.1.1 Submission In Person or by Courier

If you choose to submit a physical copy of your response, your sealed envelope must:

a. Be addressed to the Designated Purchasing Official (see Section 8.2 for the contact information)

b. Be marked with “[name of respondent] – RFQ [number of present RFQ] – Technical Proposal”.

c. Contain one printed signed hardcopy of the technical proposal.

8.1.2 Submission In BRASS

This is the preferred method to submit your response.

RFQ Title: Civil Engineering Design & Management Services

If you choose to submit your proposal in response to the Event via BRASS, you must submit in PDF format the following document:

• Technical Proposal o Entitle the PDF as follows: “[name of respondent] - RFQ [number of present RFQ] – Technical Proposal”, and

See Section 8.3 for their respective contents.

NOTE: If you encounter a problem submitting your response by in person, by courier or in the BRASS system, you must notify the Designated Purchasing Official immediately and coordinate with said official for an alternative method of submission (by email).

You must obtain written approval from the said official prior to submitting your response via an alternative method.

The City will not accept qualifications submitted by fax.

8.2 Designated Purchasing Official

You must direct response, correspondence, and other communications regarding the RFQ to the following Designated Purchasing Official:

• Title (Mr., Mrs., Ms.), First and Last Name: Maxie M. Birch

• Email address: maxie.birch@nola.gov

• Office Telephone Number: 504-658-1562

• For in-person or mailing: Attn: Maxie M. Birch

City of New Orleans

Bureau of Purchasing

1300 Perdido Street, Suite 4W07, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112.

8.3 Contents

The City requires that the submission be organized in the manner specified below to achieve a uniform review process and obtain the maximum degree of comparability.

The below table also serve the purpose of a checklist to ensure that you attach the necessary documents. You do not need to incorporate this checklist with your submission.

Tabs Contents Attach? Y or N

TECHNICAL PROPOSAL

Cover Letter Show the RFQ number and subject, the name of your firm, address, email address, telephone number(s), name of contact person and date.

Table of Contents

Include a clear identification of the material by tab and by page number.

RFQ Title: Civil Engineering Design & Management Services

Consultant’s Profile and Submittal Letter

Submittal Letter signed by and authorized agent of the respondent.

A proposal statement setting forth in detail how the proposal meets the proposal requirements and evaluation factors.

Organizational structure and locations of business with ownership interests.

Criterion 1

Specialized Experience and Technical Competence

Firm’s specialized experience and technical competence directly related to the identifying discipline(s) of work you are submitting qualifications for, as applicable. Particular emphasis should be placed on your firm’s specific and unique strengths that show leadership, management, work quality, commitment, collaboration, and communication capabilities.

Consultants may not use the qualifications of sub-consultants as part of their SOQ submittal to qualify in a work discipline.

Criterion 2

Key Personnel

Key personnel’s specialized experience and technical competence directly related to the identifying discipline(s) of work you are submitting qualifications for, as applicable. Specific past experience related to education, expertise, leadership, management, past projects, and ability to collaborate and communicate should be emphasized. Work experience gained while an employee was working for a different firm must be disclosed.

Criterion 3]

Vendor Performance History

Performance history, including, without limitation, competency, responsiveness, cost control, work quality and the ability to meet schedules and deadlines. Project experience must be for work performed within the past ten years and must include references. Your firm may only identify projects for which it was the prime consultant, or a subconsultant with a substantial role. For each project identified, state individuals’ roles and the services performed. Referenced key personnel no longer employed by your firm must be disclosed.

DBE Attach the applicable DBE form(s) provided under Attachment B to the RFQ.

Responsibility Attach your response to the questionnaire provided under Attachment D to the RFQ.

RFQ Title: Civil Engineering Design & Management Services

References Provide at least 2 entity references (preferably governmental entity) for which the firm has performed similar work of the same or similar magnitude to those requested in this solicitation, including the contact’s name, entity, address, telephone number, e-mail address, and dollar amount and term of the contract.

At least 2 letters of reference from previous clients are also required.

Insurance Attach evidence of required insurance in the amounts indicated.

If available, a properly completed ACORD Form is preferable.

Addenda Include a statement on company letterhead that you reviewed the addenda (include number and date of the addendum) issued by the City for this

RFQ.

Exceptions Include any/all exceptions taken to the content of solicitation itself or any contract or legal agreement(s) or document(s) related to the solicitation.

Any exceptions shall be reviewed by City for appropriateness and is only valid if accepted in writing by City.

Litigation Provide all judgments entered into against the respondent by any Federal, State, or Local Courts within the past 10 years; any criminal conviction ever issued against the respondent or its owners or principals, and all civil, criminal, and administrative proceedings pending against the Prospective Consultant at this time.

Forms Attach any other forms listed under Section 11.2.

8.4 Receipt

THE DESIGNATED PURCHASING OFFICIAL MUST RECEIVE YOUR RESPONSE

BEFORE THE DEADLINE INDICATED UNDER SECTION 4.1.

The City will NOT accept submissions received/delivered after the deadline.

The City will not credit delivery claims not clearly documented by original receipt.

8.5 Time Stamp in Person, by Courier or BRASS

If you intend to submit a response in BRASS, the time stamp of receipt is generated by

BRASS.

Note that BRASS prohibits any submission on and after the date and time the RFQ closes.

RFQ Title: Civil Engineering Design & Management Services

If you intend to submit a physical response, the date and time of receipt by the Designated Purchasing Official constitutes the time stamp of receipt.

The date and time of the delivery claimed by the courier does NOT constitute proof of receipt without documented proof of delivery.

IMPORTANT:

• The Bureau of Purchasing encourages Respondents submitting a response via BRASS to submit the response at least 3 hours before the deadline set forth in the

RFQ.

• The Bureau of Purchasing encourages Respondents submitting a physical copy via a courier to request proof of delivery from said courier.

• The Bureau of Purchasing encourages Respondents to confirm with the Designated Purchasing Official that the response was received timely. If there is a high volume of submissions, the confirmation may take 1 or 2 business days.

8.6 Alternative Method of Submission

An alternative method of submission can be approved by email to the Designated Purchasing Official.

If the Designated Purchasing Official approves an alternative method of submission, Respondent remains responsible for ensuring that the proposal is received prior to the submission deadline.

Note that the date and time the email is received by the Designated Purchasing Official constitutes the time stamp of receipt.

The date and time the email was sent by Respondent does NOT constitute a proof of receipt.

Failure to meet the submission deadline, irrespective of the mode of delivery, shall result in the rejection of the proposal.

8.7 Failing to Comply

The Designated Purchasing Official will notify Respondent in writing that the proposal is non-responsive if:

• Respondent failed to submit it timely, or

• Respondent failed to complete and submit a form or document provided and required by the City.

The Designated Purchasing Official will not distribute a non-responsive proposal to the selection committee.

Respondent will have 2 business days from the date of notification by the Designated Purchasing Official to appeal the decision of non-responsiveness.

Non-responsive respondent must submit the appeal to the Chief Procurement Officer via email with the number of the RFQ and a detailed explanation.

The decision from the Chief Procurement Officer or designee will be final.

Failure to submit the appeal timely waives the right to obtain a decision from the Chief Procurement Officer or designee.

RFQ Title: Civil Engineering Design & Management Services

8.8 Disclaimer

Respondents are hereby advised that due to the nature of the internet, the City cannot guarantee that access to BRASS will be uninterrupted or that emails or other electronic transmissions will be sent to you or received by us.

The City is not responsible for any delays caused by the internet or any other means of submission chosen by Respondent or both.

SECTION 9 – GENERAL INFORMATION

9.1 Legal Authority

City Charter Section 6-308(5)(b) and Executive Order LC 20-01 authorize the City to issue a request for proposals to interested and qualified firms.

9.2 Ownership

Your response and/or documentation submitted therewith are city property for all purposes.

9.3 Effect

The RFQ and any related discussions or evaluations by anyone create no rights or obligations whatsoever.

The City is not responsible for submissions and/or presentation costs.

The City may cancel or modify this solicitation at any time at will, with or without notice.

Anything to the contrary notwithstanding, the contract executed by the City and a qualified firm, if any, is the exclusive statement of rights and obligations extending from the RFQ and the request for proposal connected with the contract.

9.4 Addendum

The Designated Purchasing Official posts addendum on the supplier portal of BRASS under the RFQ. A copy of the addendum is saved in the “Attachment” tab of the event for the RFQ.

Respondents shall not rely on any representation, statement, or explanation other than those made in this RFQ or in any addendums issued.

Where there appears to be a conflict between the RFQ and any addendum issued, the last addendum issued will prevail.

9.5 Agree to Contract Terms and Conditions

By responding to this RFQ, you agree to the City’s required Contract Terms and Conditions set forth in this solicitation and therefore waives any future right to contest the required provisions.

9.6 Protest

The City’s protest policy applies to this solicitation.

The policy is available at: https://www.nola.gov/getattachment/Purchasing/Forms/No- 130-Procurement-Protest-Policy.pdf/ .

9.7 Debriefing

https://www.nola.gov/getattachment/Purchasing/Forms/No-130-Procurement-Protest-Policy.pdf/ https://www.nola.gov/getattachment/Purchasing/Forms/No-130-Procurement-Protest-Policy.pdf/

RFQ Title: Civil Engineering Design & Management Services

Respondent who was not qualified can request a post-award debriefing.

The debriefing shall not include point-by-point comparisons of the debriefed respondent’s submission with the awarded or selected respondent(s).

The unsuccessful respondent must submit a request in writing to the Designated Purchasing Official within 15 calendar days from the date of the notification issued by the Bureau of Purchasing.

The Bureau of Purchasing will ensure that the debriefing is conducted within a reasonable time.

9.8 Code of Ethics

The City adheres to the Louisiana Code of Governmental Ethics, contained in the Louisiana Revised Statutes Annotated, R.S. 42:1101, et seq.

By submitting a qualification submission, prospective respondents warrant that there is no “conflict of interest” related to this solicitation that would violate applicable Louisiana Law.

Violation of the Louisiana Code of Governmental Ethics may result in rescission of contract, permit or licenses, and the imposition of fines and/or penalties, without contractual liability to the public in accordance with applicable law.

9.9 BRASS

The City launched BRASS in July 2019. BRASS replaces the legacy databases and is used by all City departments.

BRASS enables suppliers to register and to maintain information about their organization for the purpose of doing business with the City and receive notifications of business opportunities.

Registration is free. The City invites prospective suppliers to learn more at https://nola.gov/purchasing/brass/ .

9.10 Direct Deposit Electronic Payment Program

The City will require that the successful firm enrolls in its direct deposit electronic payment program.

Instead of receiving paper checks, payments will be made electronically via Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) and deposited directly into an account designated by the qualified respondent at its financial institution.

Enrolling in direct deposit payments supports the City’s ongoing efforts to become a more efficient and effective government, deliver enhanced services and timely payments, and provide for a sustainable environment.

ACH payment will apply to the invoice that you submit through the City’s Supplier Portal AFTER the Bureaus of Purchasing AND Treasury have completed the ACH activation.

The activation process may take 4 to 10 calendar days.

9.11 Waiver of Administrative Informalities

The City shall reserve the right, at its sole discretion, to waive administrative informalities contained in any submission.

9.12 Errors and Omissions in Submission

https://nola.gov/purchasing/brass/

RFQ Title: Civil Engineering Design & Management Services

The City reserves the right to seek clarification of any submission for the purpose of identifying and eliminating irregularities or informalities.

9.13 Familiarity with Laws

You shall familiarize yourself with and shall comply with all applicable Federal and State Laws, parish/municipal ordinances, resolutions, and the rules and regulations of all authorities having jurisdiction over the solicitation.

These laws and/or ordinance will be deemed to be included in the contract, the same as though herein written in full.

9.14 Sample Agreement

The City supplies a sample professional services agreement on the website of the Bureau of Purchasing at: https://nola.gov/next/purchasing/topics/policies,-procedures,-forms-and-templates/ .

The selected respondent(s) shall be expected to execute a contract that is substantially the same as the sample agreement.

You shall not submit your own standard contract terms and conditions as a response to this RFQ.

9.15 Federal Contract Provisions

If the City uses or intends to use federal funds (for example: ARPA, FEMA, HUD, etc.) to pay for the services rendered by the selected respondent, you will be required to comply with the federal contract provisions attached to the RFQ and/or the signed contract.

9.16 Organizational Conflicts of Interest

As per Section 9.8, the City is required to comply with all state and local laws that govern conflict of interest.

When a project is partly funded by grants administered by a Federal agency, the City must also comply with Federal procurement standards codified in 2 C.F.R. Part 200 (Uniform Rules) for that portion of the project utilizing Federal Funds.

2 C.F.R. § 200.318 requires the non-Federal entity (the City) to maintain written standards of conduct covering conflict of interest, including Organizational Conflict Of Interest

(OCOI).

An OCOI means that because of other activities or relationships with other persons or entities, a person or entity:

1. Is unable or potentially unable to render impartial assistance or advice to the City;

or

2. Is or might be otherwise impaired in its objectivity in performing the contract work;

or

3. Has an unfair competitive advantage.

Disclosure, evaluation, neutralization, and management of these conflicts and of the appearance of conflicts, is in the interests of the public, the City, and the business community.

https://nola.gov/next/purchasing/topics/policies,-procedures,-forms-and-templates/ https://nola.gov/next/purchasing/topics/policies,-procedures,-forms-and-templates/

RFQ Title: Civil Engineering Design & Management Services

You are therefore encouraged to investigate and manage any potential OCOI well in advance of forming teams or considering participation with or as a prospective respondent on a solicitation.

For this RFQ, you are required to:

1. EITHER certify that you conducted an internal review prior to submitting a proposal and that you do not have any organizational conflict of interest (you must then complete and submit Attachment C-1);

2. OR disclose all relevant facts concerning any past, present, or currently planned interests, activities, or relationships which may present an organizational conflict of interest (you must then complete and submit Attachment C-2).

If you submit an Organizational Conflict of Interest Disclosure and Avoidance/Neutralization/Mitigation Plan (Attachment C-2), the Designated Purchasing Official will ask the sponsoring department to review and make a recommendation on whether the identified conflict precludes your proposal from being submitted to the selection committee.

The City reserves the right to require revisions to the avoidance/neutralization/mitigation plan that you submitted.

If the sponsoring department recommends disqualifying your proposal, the Designated Purchasing Official will notify you in writing that you are disqualified from further participation.

You will have 2 business days from the date of notification by the Designated Purchasing Official to appeal the decision of disqualification.

You must submit the appeal to the Chief Procurement Officer via email with the number of the RFQ and a detailed explanation.

The decision from the Chief Procurement Officer or designee will be final.

Failure to submit the appeal timely waives the right to obtain a decision from the Chief Procurement Officer or designee.

You shall also refer to Section 8.7 when a prospective respondent fails to comply with the requirements of this section.

9.17 Determination of Responsibility

The City seeks to select a responsible respondent who:

• Has adequate financial resources for performance or can obtain such resources as required during performance.

• Has the necessary experience, organization, technical qualifications, skills, and facilities, or can obtain them.

• Can comply with the proposed or required time of delivery or performance schedule.

• Has a satisfactory record of integrity, judgment, and performance.

• Is otherwise qualified and eligible to receive an award under applicable laws and regulations.

RFQ Title: Civil Engineering Design & Management Services

You must ensure that your proposal contains sufficient information for the City to make its determination by presenting acceptable evidence of the above to perform the contracted services.

9.18 Confidential Information, Trade Secrets, and Proprietary Information

The designation of certain information as trade secrets and/or privileged or confidential proprietary information shall only apply to the technical portion of the proposal. The financial proposal will not be considered confidential under any circumstance. Any proposal copyrighted or marked as confidential or proprietary in its entirety may be rejected without further consideration or recourse.

For the purposes of this procurement, the provisions of the Louisiana Public Records Act (La. R.S. 44.1 et. seq.) shall be in effect. Pursuant to this Act, all proceedings, records, contracts, and other public documents relating to this procurement shall be open to public inspection.

You are reminded that while trade secrets and other proprietary information you submit in conjunction with this procurement may not be subject to public disclosure, you must claim such protections at the time of submission of your technical proposal. You should refer to the Louisiana Public Records Act for further clarification.

The City will not credit any blanket exemption claims lacking specific justification.

You shall clearly designate the part of the proposal that contains a trade secret and/or privileged or confidential proprietary information as “confidential” to claim protection, if any, from disclosure.

You shall mark the cover sheet of the proposal with the following legend, specifying the specific section(s) of the proposal sought to be restricted in accordance with the conditions of the legend:

“The data contained in pages _____of the proposal have been submitted in confidence and contain trade secrets and/or privileged or confidential information and such data shall only be disclosed for evaluation purposes, provided that if a contract is awarded to this Respondent as a result of or in connection with the submission of this proposal, the City of New Orleans shall have the right to use or disclose the data therein to the extent provided in the contract. This restriction does not limit the City of New Orleans’s right to use or disclose data obtained from any source, including the Respondent, without restrictions.”

Further, to protect such data, each page containing such data shall be specifically identified and marked “CONFIDENTIAL”.

You must be prepared to defend the reasons why the material should be held confidential.

By submitting a proposal with data, information, or material designated as containing trade secrets and/or privileged or confidential proprietary information, or otherwise designated as “confidential”, you agree to indemnify and defend (including attorney’s fees) the City and hold the City harmless against all actions or court proceedings that may ensue which seek to order the City to disclose the information.

The City reserves the right to make any proposal, including proprietary information contained therein, available to city personnel for the sole purpose of assisting the City in its evaluation of the proposal. The City shall require said individuals to protect the

RFQ Title: Civil Engineering Design & Management Services confidentiality of any specifically identified proprietary information or privileged business information obtained as a result of their participation in these evaluations.

Additionally, any proposal that fails to follow this section and/or La. R.S. 44:3.2.(D)(1) shall have failed to properly assert the designation of trade secrets and/or privileged or confidential proprietary information and the information may be considered public records.

SECTION 10 – STATEMENT OF NO RESPONSE

If you elected not to respond to the RFQ, the Bureau of Purchasing is interested in learning the reason(s) for non-response.

Your response to the below questionnaire will help the City understanding potential challenges and/or barriers with the RFQ.

• https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=hfTLCLccAkqaIQ3ZtFuf9 0s12RkxNB5KnaGW8hYN33NUMjZBN05YS1U0UVY4N0tXOFdEMEVHQTFXNi 4u

SECTION 11 – ATTACHMENTS

11.1. Document to Review

• Attachment A – Statement of Needs and Price Proposal

11.2. Required to Submit with Proposal In Response to RFQ

• Attachment B – DBE Compliance Form-3

• Attachment C – Conflict of Interest o C1 - Organizational Conflict of Interest Disclosure Certification o C2 - Organizational Conflict of Interest Disclosure and

Avoidance/Neutralization/Mitigation Plan

• Attachment D – Responsibility Questionnaire

11.3. Contract Terms and Conditions and Insurance

• Attachment E - Insurance Requirements

• Attachment F – City Contract Terms and Conditions

[ATTACHMENTS A THRU F ON FOLLOWING PAGES]

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=hfTLCLccAkqaIQ3ZtFuf90s12RkxNB5KnaGW8hYN33NUMjZBN05YS1U0UVY4N0tXOFdEMEVHQTFXNi4u https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=hfTLCLccAkqaIQ3ZtFuf90s12RkxNB5KnaGW8hYN33NUMjZBN05YS1U0UVY4N0tXOFdEMEVHQTFXNi4u https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=hfTLCLccAkqaIQ3ZtFuf90s12RkxNB5KnaGW8hYN33NUMjZBN05YS1U0UVY4N0tXOFdEMEVHQTFXNi4u

SECTION 11.1.

THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENT IS FOR REVIEW

ONLY

RFQ Title: Civil Engineering Design & Management Services

ATTACHMENT NO. A

STATEMENT OF NEEDS AND PRICE PROPOSAL

The engineering firms or team of Prime and Subconsultant firms selected under this RFQ must meet the following minimum qualifications:

All requirements of Louisiana Professional Engineering and Land Surveying (“LAPELS”) Board must be met at the time of submittal.

• The Prime Consultant under consideration shall have at least one principal who is a registered professional Civil Engineer licensed to work in the State of Louisiana with a minimum of 10 years of experience on municipal infrastructure projects.

• The Prime Consultant must also employ on a full-time basis, or using Subconsultant(s), one Professional Civil Engineer registered in the State of Louisiana with a minimum of 5 years of experience in the following project categories: local roadway systems, DOTD roadways, FHWA roadways, and bridges. One professional Civil Engineer may be used for all the listed project categories if qualified.

• Experience delivering complex infrastructure, open space, and/or capital projects for government clients: Proposed personnel shall have experience working for government clients to deliver complex projects involving coordination across multiple departments and agencies and across multiple funding sources, to include the Department of Public Works (“DPW”), the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (the “Board”), the City Planning Commission (“CPC”) and other key agencies.

• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams through integrated project design and delivery processes,

• Team experience collaborating successfully on similar past projects,

• Expertise delivering innovative design projects,

• Experience developing life cycle cost benefit analyses, and Experience developing Operations & Maintenance Plans for public sector design projects.

• Other engineering services necessary to reconstruct, restore, repair, enhance multiple subsurface and surface works and other incidental improvements in accordance with a strict schedule may also be needed. General descriptions of the services for which the firm must be qualified are below and may be supplemented or modified. All services are expected to be provided with the same degree of care, skill and diligence as would be ordinarily exercised by a competent practitioner of the same profession in providing similar services in major United States metropolitan areas under the same or similar circumstances.

RFQ Title: Civil Engineering Design & Management Services

Engineering Services:

Design Engineering services may include without limitation:

• Street and Bridge reconstruction or enhancement projects and/or transportation enhancements

• Bridge inspection, structural assessments, and load rating services

• Oversize load permit review

• bridge design; Bridge repair design

• roadway pavements complete with curbs.

• subsurface and/or surface drainage systems, water, and sanitary sewer installation, modifications, adjustments and repair as required.

• adjustments as required at driveways, at intersecting streets, and at project termini.

• installation of ramps for the handicapped at intersections (including medians).

• sidewalk and driveways and other pedestrian surface walkway improvements; landscaping.

• roadway pavement condition assessments

• closed circuit television (“CCTV”) review and engineering assessment.

• minor curb, gutter, sidewalk, street surface, and other improvements where repair and/or transition to adjacent improvement are necessary.

• minor drainage (36” and under) modifications and improvement;

Hydraulic Calculations

• final grades compatible with adjacent properties and ensuring a positive flow of water towards catch basins; and

• compliance with the City’s General Specifications for Street Paving and/or the State of Louisiana’s Standard Specifications for Roads and Bridges and/or Federal Highway Administration regulations and/or any other applicable design regulations.

• developing general design criteria outlining the potential enhancement elements along the project corridor(s);

• developing a conceptual plan or design and cost estimates for the project corridor(s); and

• preparing and submitting design plans and supporting computations, including a line and grade analysis, including at a minimum a title sheet showing the limits of work, typical sections, special details, plan and profile drawings (including proposed gutter profiles and all sidewalk and property line grades required for proper design), cross sections, and preliminary summary sheets.

• preparing and submitting a construction cost estimate based on estimated quantities developed from the preliminary design plans.

• participating in field reviews as required by the City.

RFQ Title: Civil Engineering Design & Management Services

Standard Construction Administration Services may include, but are not limited to:

• Lead pre-construction meetings.

• Review, respond to, and track material submittals, as well as approve or take other necessary actions regarding shop drawings and samples that the Construction Contractor is required to submit.

• Obtain a pre-construction video from the Construction Contractor and review it prior to work commencing.

• Review, track, and respond to contractor requests for information (RFIs) within 10 days from receipt.

• Coordinate resolution of technical issues arising during construction.

• Lead progress meetings (weekly or more often as needed)

• Perform site visits at intervals appropriate to various stages of construction (weekly or more often as needed).

• Recommend work be rejected while in progress if not in accordance with contract documents.

• Issue necessary clarifications of the contract documents and specifications as appropriate.

• Provide weekly updates and monthly reports to the DPW Program Manager.

• Evaluate and recommend the acceptability of substitute or "or-equal" materials and equipment proposed by the Construction Contractor.

• Review quantities and development of a draft pay application with the Construction Contractor and Resident Inspector

• Review of final pay applications for Construction Contractor invoicing and recommend payment to DPW Program Manager

• Preparation of the Independent Cost Estimate ("ICE") and Cost Analysis ("CA") for all change events for approval by the DPW Program Manager.

• Review project schedules

• Document and communicate all design conflicts, that may result in changes to the project, to the DPW Program Manager for resolution.

• Supervise the Resident Inspectors

• Work…