16-Specifications.pdf

SPECIFICATIONS

SCOPE

Harris County is seeking qualified vendors for the turnkey design, procurement, and installation of a new all-inclusive playground at Freed Park (6818 Shadyvilla Lane, Houston, TX 77055). The development shall encompass an approximately 6,000 square foot area (eighty (80) feet x seventy-five (75) feet) currently retained by a border with engineered wood fiber. The new facility shall serve children ages five (5) – twelve (12) and be designed to provide equitable play opportunities for users of all abilities. Key deliverables shall include a modern play structure, separate swing set, fall-attenuating poured-in-place surfacing, and a permanent shade structure. The total project cost shall not exceed $600,000.00. All work, including site restoration and safety audits, shall be completed by September 1, 2026.

PRE-PROPOSAL CONFERENCE & SITE VISIT

A pre-proposal conference and site visit will be held Monday, April 6, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. CST at 6818 Shadyvilla Lane, Houston, TX 77055. Meet by the current playground. Attendance is not mandatory; however, all vendor(s) are encouraged to attend in order to have a better understanding of the requirements of this RFP.

It is the responsibility of each vendor to examine the entire RFP package, seek clarification in writing, and review their offer for accuracy before submitting. Questions relating to this RFP must be submitted in writing through Bonfire. The deadline for submission of questions relating to this RFP is listed on the Event schedule within Bonfire of this project.

All questions submitted in writing prior to the deadline will be compiled and answered in writing. A copy of all questions and answers will be released as a Public Notice within Bonfire to all firms. The County will not be bound be any information conveyed verbally.

SCOPE OF WORK

Harris County is seeking qualified vendors to provide a turnkey solution for the design, procurement, removal, and installation of playground equipment, fall-attenuating safety surfacing, and a permanent shade structure at Freed Park for Harris County Precinct 4.

I. DESIGN & LAYOUT DEVELOPMENT

Site-Specific Layout: Vendor shall develop a comprehensive playground layout within the 6,000 sq ft area.

Layouts shall include visual landmarks to help orient children and facilitate wayfinding.

Inclusive Philosophy: The design shall follow "Whole Child" best practices. If the structure includes nineteen

(19) or fewer elevated play components, transfer systems shall connect to a minimum of fifty percent (50%) of those components.

Orientation & Environment: Swings and slides shall be oriented so the user is not looking directly into the sun while in motion. Design and color selection shall provide visual contrast in light and shadow to assist the visually impaired.

Technical Submittals: Vendor shall provide detailed design submittals for review.

II. SITE PREPARATION, REMOVAL, & SALVAGE

Equipment Salvage: The vendor shall carefully disassemble existing equipment. Hardware (nuts, bolts, and washers) shall be removed and disposed of; the vendor shall not reuse existing hardware for reinstallation.

Salvaged structures shall be palletized and delivered to a location specified by Harris County.

Footing Excavation: All existing concrete footings shall be excavated and removed. Holes shall be backfilled with topsoil, compacted in lifts, and smoothed to grade; the vendor shall not use engineered wood fiber (EWF) to fill footing holes.

Grading & Drainage: Vendor shall perform grading and subgrade preparation to support equipment, surfacing, and drainage

Design, Provide, Remove, and Install Playground Equipment at Freed Park for Harris County Precinct 4

Concrete Standards: All new concrete for footings and curbs shall be a minimum of 4,000 pound per square inch (psi), treated with curing compound, and protected until fully cured.

Permits & Bonds: Vendor shall be responsible for all permitting and costs for payment and performance bonds.

III. ALL-INCLUSIVE PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT

Supply and Installation: Vendor shall supply and install new playground equipment designed for ages five

(5) – twelve (12).

Inclusive and Accessible Components: Equipment shall include inclusive and accessible components such as:

• Ground-level play elements,

• Transfer platforms and ramps, where applicable, and

• Sensory, cooperative, and imaginative play features.

Material Quality: Equipment shall be constructed of durable, low-maintenance materials.

Certified Installation: All equipment shall be installed by factory-trained, insured, and certified installers.

Standards Compliance: All equipment shall comply with current American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) F1487 and Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) guidelines.

IV. FALL-ATTENUATING SAFETY SURFACING

Supply and Installation: Vendor shall provide and install new safety surfacing throughout all required fall zones.

Standards Compliance: Surfacing shall meet ASTM F1292 impact attenuation requirements.

Accessibility: Surfacing shall be fully accessible and compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards.

Surfacing Options: Poured-in-place (PIP) rubber shall be used.

System Integrity: Cendor shall ensure proper edge containment, transitions, and drainage.

Use Zone Dimensions: For stationary equipment, use zones shall extend at least six (6) feet in all directions. For single-axis swings, the zone shall extend a distance of twice the height of the pivot point, both front and back.

Visual Signaling: Vendor shall use contrasting surface colors to create "signal transitions" between different play areas or to highlight potential hazards.

V. PERMANENT SHADE STRUCTURE

Structural Engineering: The shade structure shall be designed for wind loads of 130–150 miles per hour (mph). Engineering shall account for "Exposure Category B" (urban/suburban terrain).

Ultraviolet (UV) Protection: Fabric shall be high-density polyethylene (HDPE) blocking at least ninety-six percent (96%) of UV rays.

Thermal Safety: Shade shall be positioned to cover high-touch areas like slide beds and metal climbers to prevent contact burns.

VI. QUALITY ASSURANCE & CLOSE-OUT

Site Restoration: Surrounding areas disturbed during construction shall be restored to their original condition.

Third-Party Safety Audit: A full audit shall be performed by an independent Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) hired by the vendor. The audit shall verify compliance with ASTM F1487, including protrusion and head/neck entrapment tests.

Deficiency Resolution: The vendor shall address and resolve any identified deficiencies within five (5) days of notification.

Documentation: The vendor shall provide as-built drawings and comprehensive warranty documentation for all materials.