Request for Qualifications (RFQ)

RFQ # 26-05

April 22, 2026

Architect & Engineering Services – Air Side HVAC Systems Retrofit

A proposal in response to this RFQ must be submitted to the School Board of St. Lucie County, Purchasing

Department, no later than 3:00 p.m. on May 21, 2026 (EST). Responses must be submitted electronically through Bonfire/Euna. The St. Lucie Public Schools portal is located at the following address:

https://stlucieschools.bonfirehub.com/opportunities.

The responsibility for submitting a response to this RFQ to the School Board of St. Lucie County, Purchasing Department on or before the stipulated time and date will be solely and strictly the responsibility of the proposer. The School Board will not be responsible for delays. Any proposals received after the stipulated time and date will not be accepted, nor opened, and will be returned.

https://stlucieschools.bonfirehub.com/opportunities

Request for Qualifications – Architect & Engineering Services – Air Side HVAC Systems Retrofit RFQ 26-18

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION 1 – PURPOSE & OVERVIEW

SECTION 2 – SCOPE OF SERVICES

SECTION 3 - INSTRUCTIONS TO SUBMITTING FIRMS

SECTION 4 – EVALUATION CRITERIA

SECTION 5 – SELECTION PROCESS

ATTACHMENT A - DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE CERTIFICATION

ATTACHMENT B - CONFLICT OF INTEREST

ATTACHMENT C - PROHIBITION AGAINST CONTINGENT FEES

ATTACHMENT D- SCRUTINIZED COMPANY CERTIFICATION

ATTACHMENT E - INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS

ATTACHMENT F – VENDOR AFFIDAVIT REGARDING THE USE OF COERCION FOR LABOR

AND SERVICES

ATTACHMENT G – ATTACHMENTS TO THE RFQ

Request for Qualifications – Architect & Engineering Services – Air Side HVAC Systems Retrofit RFQ 26-18

SECTION 1 – PURPOSE & OVERVIEW

A. The intent of this Request for Qualifications (RFQ) is to select a firm to provide Architecture and Engineering

Services for a project will consist of design and construction administration for Air Side HVAC Systems Retrofit at two schools, pursuant to Chapter 1013, Florida Statutes; the Florida Consultant’s Competitive Negotiation Act, Section 287.055 Florida Statutes; State Requirements for Educational Facilities; Rule 6A-2.0010, Florida

Administrative Code; and School Board Rules.

B. In determining whether a Firm is qualified, the school board shall consider such factors as the ability and qualifications of professional personnel; experience and past performance, past litigation; location of supporting office, project/task approach and methodology; and references.

C. The Consultant shall maintain an active Florida Architect (AR) license or Florida Professional Engineer (PE) license, as applicable, issued by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation or the Florida

Board of Professional Engineers.

SECTION 2 – SCOPE OF SERVICES

The project locations are 1485 & 1501 SW Cashmere Boulevard, Port St. Lucie, FL 34986.

Project will consist of design and construction administration for Air Side HVAC Systems Retrofit at two schools.

St Lucie West Centennial High School – Refurbishment of Existing McQuay Air Handlers, addition of Bi-Polar

Ionization, replacement of Ductwork and VAV’s, exhaust fans, chilled water piping, insulation, ceiling grid and tile, new finishes, associated electrical work, LED light fixtures and controls. Main Electrical gear/components shall be evaluated. Evaluate the relocations of air handler unit M-3 (auditorium) to ground level and air handler units in building

6 (C ) to ground level. Fan assist VAVs are not recommended for use in this project. Building F shall have new load calculations prepared as the spaces within that building have been reprogrammed. All chilled water valves to be replaced with Belimo Smart valves. Hybrid campus buildings are excluded from this scope of work.

St Lucie West K-8 – Design of new exterior mechanical rooms on Buildings 5, 6, 7 and 8. New mechanical rooms will be Gable Roof, Struck CMU over Slab on grade to match existing buildings. Replacement of blower coil units and ductwork with new ductwork and VAV’s, exhaust fans, insulation, ceiling grid and tile, new finishes, associated electrical work, LED light fixtures and controls. Chilled water piping to be re-routed outside of the buildings to the new mechanical rooms where feasible. All chilled water valves to be replaced with Belimo Smart valves. Main Electrical gear/components shall be evaluated. Eight building main potable water isolation valves to be evaluated and replaced as needed. All chilled water valves to be replaced with Belimo Smart valves. Hybrid campus buildings are excluded from this scope of work.

General Notes:

A. Construction will be phased over two academic years with the primary construction occurring during summer breaks. Project systems will need to be stand-alone, severable by building where practical, to accommodate phasing of work.

B. Consultant will provide plans and specifications for:

a. New mechanical room additions (Inc. Arch, Structural, MEP, Civil, etc.),

b. Demolition Plans and Reflected Ceiling and Floor plans (Inc. building finishes, ie. Flooring, paint, doors, etc) campus wide.

c. Complete MEP Plans (Inc. Phasing Plans)

C. Consultant will serve as the single point of contact for the design team with the District and it’s Construction

Manager throughout the construction administration. Construction administration phase shall include, at a minimum, attendance at OAC Meetings, review and processing of submittals and RFIs, reviewing pay application, periodic site inspections, review of closeout materials and T&B reports.

D. All condensate drains to be evaluated, cleaned and or replaced as needed.

E. SLW Centennial roofs were recoated in 2023-24 and is under warranty by Garland Company (22 Years) through 2046 (Effective Date 11/08/2024)

Request for Qualifications – Architect & Engineering Services – Air Side HVAC Systems Retrofit RFQ 26-18

F. SLW K-8 roofs were recoated in 2023-24 and is under warranty by Garland Company (12 Years) through 2036

(Effective Date 04/11/2024)

1. Issuance of the RFQ does not constitute a commitment by THE SCHOOL BOARD to award a contract.

2. (Florida Statute 112.313) – The award of any contract hereunder is subject to the provisions of Chapter

112, Florida Statutes. Offerors must disclose with their Proposal the name of any officer, director, partner, proprietor, associate, or agent who is also an officer or employee of the St. Lucie County School Board.

Further, all Offerors must disclose the name of any officer or employee of the School Board of St. Lucie

County who owns, directly or indirectly, any interest in the Offeror’s firm or any of its branches or affiliate companies.

3. A person or affiliate who has been placed on the convicted vendor list following a conviction for a public entity crime may not submit a proposal on a contract to provide any goods or services to a public entity, may not submit a proposal on a contract with a public entity for the construction or repair of a public building or public work, may not submit proposals on leases of real property to a public entity, may not be awarded or perform work as a contractor, supplier, subcontractor, or consultant under a contract with any public entity, and may not transact business with any public entity in excess of the threshold amount provided in Section 287.017, Florida Statutes for CATEGORY TWO for a period of 36 months from the date of being placed on the convicted vendor list. (F.S.287.133).

By submitting a proposal, the proposer represents those restrictions related to public entity crimes stated in Section 287.133(2) (a), Florida Statutes, do not apply to either his own company, or that of his subcontractors or suppliers.

Consultant must certify, by completing the attached certification form that the Consultant is not on a scrutinized company list or engaged in prohibited business operations as defined in Section 287.135, F.S. The School Board shall not contract with any contractor that does not complete the certification form or cannot meet such certification. Submitting a false certification shall be deemed a material breach of this contract.

If the School Board determines during the contract term that the Consultant may have submitted a false certification, then the School Board shall provide written notice to the Consultant and the Consultant shall have up to ninety (90) days after receiving the notice to provide a written response demonstrating that the certification is not false. If the School Board finds that the Consultant submitted a false certification, the School Board may immediately terminate the contract and seek civil remedies as provided by law.

4. A. Section 448.095, F.S., requires the Consultant to use the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s E-

Verify system, https://e-verify.uscis.gov/emp, to verify the employment eligibility of all employees hired during the term of this Agreement.

B. Subcontractors.

(i) The Consultant shall also require all subcontractors performing work under this Agreement to use the

E-Verify system for any employees they may hire during the term of this Agreement.

(ii) Subcontractors shall provide the Consultant with an affidavit stating the subcontractor does not employ, contract with, or subcontract with an unauthorized alien, as defined by Section 448.095, F.S.

(iii) The Consultant shall provide a copy of such affidavit to the School Board upon receipt and shall maintain a copy for the duration of the Agreement.

C. The Consultant must provide evidence of compliance with Section 448.095, F.S., by January 1, 2021.

Evidence may consist of providing notice of the Consultant’s E-Verify number.

D. Failure to comply with this provision by the Consultant or a subcontractor is a material breach of the

Request for Qualifications – Architect & Engineering Services – Air Side HVAC Systems Retrofit RFQ 26-18

Agreement, and the School Board shall terminate the Agreement. The Consultant shall be liable for all costs associated with the School Board securing the same services, including higher costs for the same services and rebidding costs (if necessary). In addition, the Consultant may not be awarded a contract with the

School Board for at least one year after the date this Agreement is terminated. All Proposals become the property of the School Board upon receipt and will not be returned to the firm.

5. The School Board operates under the public disclosure laws required of governmental agencies. Proprietary firm information must be identified and will be protected to the greatest extent possible but must be disclosed by the School Board upon receipt of a Public Records Request.

6. PUBLIC RECORDS NOTICE (MUST BE IN 14 POINT BOLD TYPE) IF

PROPOSER HAS QUESTIONS REGARDING THE APPLICATION OF

CHAPTER 119, FLORIDA STATUTES, TO PROPOSER’S DUTY TO PROVIDE

PUBLIC RECORDS RELATING TO THE AGREEMENT, CONTACT THE

CUSTODIAN OF PUBLIC RECORDS, EMAIL ADDRESS:

PRR@STLUCIESCHOOLS.ORG; TELEPHONE NUMBER: 772-429- 5546, 9461

BRANDYWINE LANE, PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA 34986.

Proposer is required to comply with the Florida Public Records Law, Chapter 119, Florida Statutes, in the performance of its duties under the Agreement and will specifically:

a. Keep and maintain public records required by The School Board to perform the service.

b. Upon request from the School Board’s custodian of public records, provide the

School Board with a copy of the requested records or allow the records to be inspected or copied within a reasonable time at a cost that does not exceed the cost provided in Chapter 119, Florida Statutes or as otherwise provided by law.

c. Ensure that public records that are exempt or confidential and exempt from public records disclosure requirements are not disclosed except as authorized by law for the duration of the contract term and following completion of the Agreement if

Proposer does not transfer the records to the School Board.

d. Upon completion of the contract, transfer, at no cost and at the request of the

School Board, to the School Board, all records in possession of Proposer or keep and maintain public records required by the School Board to perform the service. If

Proposer transfers all public records to the School Board upon completion of the contract, Proposer shall destroy any duplicate public records, within a commercially reasonable period, that are exempt or confidential and exempt from public records disclosure requirements. If Proposer keeps and maintains public records upon completion of the contract, Proposer shall meet all applicable requirements for retaining public records. All records stored electronically must be provided to the

School Board, upon request of the School Board’s custodian of public records, in a format compatible with the School Board’s information technology systems.

Request for Qualifications – Architect & Engineering Services – Air Side HVAC Systems Retrofit RFQ 26-18

7. By making a submission, the firm agrees to comply with all applicable federal, state, and local statutes and regulations.

8. The School Board accepts no responsibility for expenses incurred by firms offering their services in preparing a response to this RFQ or subsequent requests. All submitting expenses shall be borne by the offering firms exclusively.

9. The successful firm shall get approval from the School Board prior to reassigning any key staff involved in this service as shown in the submission.

10. The successful firm will also get approval from the School Board before assigning new personnel to their key staff positions. Such approval will not be unreasonably withheld. The School Board may, with prior written substantiation, require removal of any employee(s) of the successful firm who the School Board deems incompetent, careless, insubordinate, unsuitable, or otherwise unacceptable, or whose continued employment on the contract it deems contrary to the public interest or not in the best interest of the School

Board.

11. News releases pertaining to this procurement or contract shall not be made without prior written approval from the School Board’s Director of Communications.

12. The School Board reserves the right to proceed to interview without further discussion of submissions received, in accordance with the Consultant’s Competitive Negotiation Act (CCNA).

13. As a condition of the award, the successful Firm shall, at its expense, ensure that all the Consultant’s employees and the employees of Consultant’s subcontractors who will be permitted access on School grounds when students are present meet the background screening requirements of Section 1012.465

Florida Statute, (Jessica Lunsford Act). The Consultant’s failure to comply with this requirement will constitute a material breach of the contract.

Information regarding compliance procedure is available by calling the School Board of St. Lucie

County’s Office at (772) 429-7504, (772) 429-7502, or (772) 429-7516. All costs to comply with this requirement will be borne by the Consultant.

14. Vendors, Consultants, consultants, or their representatives shall not meet with, speak individually with, or otherwise communicate with School Board members, the Superintendent, or School Board staff, other than the designated Buyer; and School Board members, the Superintendent, or School

Board staff, other than the designated Buyer, shall not meet with, speak individually with, or otherwise communicate with vendors, Consultants, consultants, or their representatives, about this specific solicitation once an Invitation to bid, request for quote, request for proposal, invitation to negotiate, or request for qualifications has been issued. Such communication with any party other than the designated purchasing agent shall be prohibited until the School Board has awarded the competitive solicitation. Any such communication shall disqualify the vendor, Consultant, or consultant from responding to the subject Invitation to bid, request for quote, request for proposal, invitation to negotiate, or request for qualifications.

15. After the execution of an Agreement, no reports, information, or data given to or prepared by the successful firm shall be made available to any individual or organization by the successful firm without the prior written approval of the Board’s Director of Facilities.

16. Any contract resulting from this RFQ shall be governed by the laws of Florida, without giving effect to the choice of laws principles thereof, and is deemed to have been executed, entered, and performed within

Florida. The parties hereby irrevocably submit to jurisdiction in Florida, and venue shall lie in the St.

Lucie County Courts. The parties hereby waive any objection to such jurisdiction and venue.

17. RFQ award recommendations are posted to the Bonfire website at https://stlucieschools.bonfirehub.com/portal/?tab=openOpportunities. Failure to file a protest within the time prescribed in Section 120.57(3) Florida Statutes will constitute a waiver of proceedings under https://stlucieschools.bonfirehub.com/portal/?tab=openOpportunities

Request for Qualifications – Architect & Engineering Services – Air Side HVAC Systems Retrofit RFQ 26-18

Chapter 120, Florida Statutes and School Board Rules. RFQ tabulations or recommendations are available through the Board’s website (and Bonfire) and notices will not be mailed.

18. SCHOOL BOARD RIGHTS

▪ The School Board has the sole discretion and reserves the right to cancel this RFQ, to reject any and all submittals, to waive any and all informalities and/or irregularities, or to re-advertise with either the identical or revised specifications, if it is deemed to be in the best interest of the School

Board to do so.

▪ The School Board reserves the right to make award to the response deemed to be most advantageous to the School Board.

▪ The School Board reserves the right to award the Contract to the next most qualified Firm if the successful Firm does not begin the contracted services within the prescribed fifteen (15) days or if an acceptable fee cannot be negotiated.

▪ The successful Firm shall not discriminate against any person in accordance with federal, state, or local law.

▪ Firms will be notified in writing whether they have been selected for this Contract.

19. POSTING OF RFQ CONDITIONS/SPECIFICATIONS. This RFQ will be posted for review by interested parties on the St. Lucie Public Schools and Bonfire/Euna websites and these links can be located on the Board’s website: “https://www.stlucie.k12.fl.us/purch/” and will remain posted up to and including the Due Date of this RFQ. In accordance with Florida Statutes 120.57(3), with respect to a protest of the terms, conditions, and specifications contained in a solicitation, including any provisions governing the methods for ranking bids, proposals, or replies, awarding contracts, reserving rights of further negotiation, or modifying or amending any contract, the notice of protest shall be filed in writing within 72 hours after the posting of the solicitation. Failure to file a specification protest within the time prescribed in Florida

Statutes 120.57(3) will constitute a waiver of proceeding under Chapter 120, Florida Statutes.

20. By submitting a proposal, the Firm represents and warrants that the submission of its proposal does not violate Section 287.133, Florida Statutes, nor Section 287.134, Florida Statutes. In addition to the foregoing, the Firm represents and warrants that Firm, Firm’s subcontractors, and Firm’s implementer, if any, is not under investigation for violation of such statutes.

SECTION 3 - INSTRUCTIONS TO SUBMITTING FIRMS

A . Schedule

The following dates and activities identify proposed project schedule milestones (subject to modification by the

School Board):

Advertisement / RFQ April 22, 2026

Cutoff for Questions May 11, 2026, 3:00 PM (EST)

Receive Qualification Responses May 21, 2026, 3:00 PM (EST)

Short-List Firms May 28, 2026

9461 Brandywine Lane, Port St. Lucie, FL 34986

Tentative Presentations June 3, 2026

Recommendation of Selected Firms July 2026

B . Project Budget and Fees

The total budget for the project is $15 million. The fees may be adjusted as mutually agreed to in negotiations and incorporated into the related services contract documents. If the parties cannot agree on the fee and unit cost schedule for services, the Board will proceed into negotiations with the next, subsequently ranked firm per Section 287.055, Florida Statutes.

Request for Qualifications – Architect & Engineering Services – Air Side HVAC Systems Retrofit RFQ 26-18

C . Questions

Any questions, requests for clarifications or interpretations regarding this RFQ during the submittal preparation period (or reporting errors, inconsistencies, or ambiguities) must be received in writing via Bonfire/Euna website no later than the date/time listed in Section 3A, Schedule. No questions or clarifications will be considered after this date. Responses will be posted as an addendum via Bonfire and on the St. Lucie Public Schools website.

D . Required Submittal Format

Your submission must be uploaded, submitted, and finalized prior to the Closing Time listed in Section 3A, Schedule. We strongly recommend that you give yourself enough time and at least ONE (1) day before Closing

Time to begin the uploading process and to finalize your submission. The Board will not accept late submission due to technological difficulties.

Uploading large documents may take considerable time, depending on the size of the file(s) and your Internet connection speed. You will receive an email confirmation receipt with a unique confirmation number once you finalize your submission.

Minimum system requirements: Internet Explorer 11, Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, or Mozilla Firefox.

JavaScript must be enabled. Browser cookies must be enabled. St. Lucie School Board uses a Bonfire portal for accepting and evaluating proposals digitally. Please contact Bonfire at Support@GoBonfire.com for technical questions related to your submission. You can also visit their help forum at https://bonfirehub.zendesk.com/hc

To facilitate analysis of its submittal, the firm must prepare its proposal in accordance with the criteria outlined in section 5. Proposals shall respond to each of the Criteria in the same order listed and use sections provided within Bonfire.

The School Board emphasizes that the Proposer concentrates on accuracy, completeness, and clarity of content. The

Proposer must number and label all parts, pages, figures, and tables in its proposal.

If a firm’s proposal deviates from these instructions, such proposal may, at the School Board’s sole discretion, be rejected.

E . Public RFQ Opening

Only the names of the firms submitting qualifications will be read aloud at the RFQ opening. The submittals will not be available for inspection during normal business hours in the Purchasing Department until 30 days after the proposal opening date or notice of a decision or intended decision; whichever is earlier, by appointment, (Section

119.071 (1) (b), Florida Statutes).

SECTION 4 – EVALUATION CRITERIA

The Selection Committee will evaluate the proposals to determine who to shortlist based upon the Evaluation Criteria below. Once firms are shortlisted, the Board can select a firm or may elect to interview firms and then make the final selection.

The following Criteria are intended to provide the Selection Committee with information regarding the qualifications of each proposed services firm. The submittal shall be organized and shall respond to each of the criteria in the same order listed below.

An adjectival scoring system shall be applied throughout the evaluation process for the evaluation of the written responses and the oral presentation/informal interviews. A score of 0 is the least favorable and a score of 10 is the most favorable in all sections.

The Firm’s response will be scored by Evaluation Committee members in accordance with the following scale:

Request for Qualifications – Architect & Engineering Services – Air Side HVAC Systems Retrofit RFQ 26-18

0 Unsatisfactory: Not responsive to the question(s).

1 Below Minimum Standards: Minimal Response to the question well below acceptable standards.

2 Below Minimum Standards: Responsive to the question but well below acceptable standards

3 Marginal: Minimal acceptable performance standards and responsive to questions.

4 Marginal: Minimal acceptable performance standards and responsive to questions.

5 Satisfactory: Meets performance expectations and responds to the question.

6 Satisfactory: Meets performance expectations, effective and responsive to the question.

7 Above Satisfactory: Meets expectations and slightly exceeds expectations.

8 Above Satisfactory: Meets expectations and exceeds expectations.

9 Above Satisfactory / Exceeds Expectations for effectiveness and responsiveness to question.

10 Exceeds Expectations for effectiveness, performance, and responsiveness to question.

NOTE: The Evaluation Committee member’s score will be multiplied by the “weighted value” assigned to the different sections listed here, resulting in the total score for that section.

Firms are required to include requested information in EACH section listed below (even if duplicate information). Each section will be scored individually and shall not reference other sections of the proposal.

Evaluators will deduct points for sections exceeding the listed page maximums.

Written Proposal Format and Evaluation Criteria

A. Executive Summary (Non-scored) (Maximum 3 Pages)

Each conforming response will contain an executive summary of not more than three pages in length. The executive summary explains the features and benefits of the prospective vendor's offer(s). The Executive Summary should briefly introduce the potential vendor(s) to the Evaluation Committee; describe the vendor's approach to solutions sought by the RFQ; describe the organizational structure; describe active business venue (counties, state, etc.);

describe the major features and benefits of the prospective vendor's approach; offer insight into risks that may arise from this RFQ or the vendor's response. Include the proposer's name, contact information (email, phone, and address) in the summary.

B. Business Structure (Pass/Fail only) (Maximum 2 Pages, unless JV agreement attached)

Documentation from the appropriate state’s agency confirming firm’s legal entity type (i.e., sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability partnership, corporation, Limited Liability Corporation, etc.). For non-Florida businesses submit documentation from the state in which the business was formed and documentation from the State of Florida providing authorization to perform business in the State of Florida. Firms submitting as joint ventures or partnerships shall submit a copy of their joint venture or partnership agreement. If a joint venture or prime/subcontractor arrangement of two Firms, indicate how the work will be distributed between the partners.

Time in Business - Length of time the Firm has been in business under the same name.

Organizational structure of business entity for this program (partners, associates, consultants, subcontractors, other participation).

Licenses and Certificates – Attach a copy of the Firm’s license and a copy of the business registration. Firm shall be properly registered to practice in the State of Florida with the appropriate state board governing the services offered.

Purchasing Department staff may verify the status with the appropriate state board.

C. Expertise & Project Approach (Weighted Value 30) (Maximum 20 Pages)

Briefly describe the methods you will employ for the following tasks:

• Design Reviews and Coordination

• Project Scheduling

Request for Qualifications – Architect & Engineering Services – Air Side HVAC Systems Retrofit RFQ 26-18

• Project Budgeting

• Contract Administration

Present a concise outline of specific services your firm is qualified and prepared to provide to the district. Identify and discuss any of the services, or method of approach to the services, which your firm believes to be either unique or outstanding, or which is recognized as giving your firm a competitive edge or advantage.

The firm shall be a firm with at least 5 years of experience performing projects of comparable size, complexity, and cost. Submit documentation evidence highlighting specific school experience. Comment on manpower/materials allocation commitment and control. Provide information about the firm’s technical competence to perform the services requested.

The firm shall demonstrate its understanding or knowledge of the district, this project, and buildings. The firm should demonstrate its knowledge of all local site plan codes and approval processes. Additionally, each firm shall indicate the impact of SREF and the FBC in the design, documentation and permitting of this project.

Note: The district requires that the firm's direct project experience be differentiated from individual staff experience. Therefore, if you choose to identify individuals' project experience (gained at other firms), this section should be clearly subdivided as follows:

1. Firm's Project Experience.

2. Individuals' Project Experience (while employed by other firms)

D. Project Team – (Weighted Value 25) (Maximum 10 Pages, not including resumes)

Provide an organizational chart and the names and resumes of people assigned to the contract. Provide information in concise form describing the individuals who will be available for the contract and the qualifications and experience relevant to everyone. Resumes should include educational background including certifications, professional affiliations, special qualifications, and licenses. Provide specific work experience that details the individual’s credentials relative to

Professional services. Clearly identify project work performed prior to and during employment with current or represented firm for everyone.

The team shall consist of a primary consultant and appropriate consulting engineers (civil, mechanical, electrical, structural, etc.) as applicable.

E. Project and Financial Management – (Weighted Value 15) (Maximum 10 Pages)

1. Describe how the project team will be managed. Who will be the primary contact point?

2. How will consultants be managed to maintain accountability?

3. How will costs be managed to keep within the budget?

4. Describe in detail the extent of resources expected from School Board staff.

5. Describe how the team proposes to coordinate with the School Board’s Project Manager to optimize effectiveness.

6. Describe any other significant coordination aspects of the project that should be noted.

F. Availability/Proximity (Weighted Value 10) (Maximum 10 Pages)

Provide the business address of the firm’s office(s) to which any part of the work will be administered. If submitting a

Volume joint venture, list the address of both entities and the distance in hours from the site. Describe the firm’s facilities, equipment, and location and how the key staff will service the district from those facilities. Explain the status of the current workload, addressing the availability of the lead personnel proposed. Identify the location of any ongoing projects and their expected completion dates

G. Volume of Previous Work – (Weighted Value 10)

Volume of work previously awarded by District for similar projects in prior 36 months (if any) with the object of

Request for Qualifications – Architect & Engineering Services – Air Side HVAC Systems Retrofit RFQ 26-18 effecting an equitable distribution of contracts among qualified firms provided such distribution does not violate the principle of selection of the most highly qualified firms (this item does not require a statement or submittal by the firm). Recently awarded work, including Request for Qualifications, will be included in the total. The scale below will be used to determine the points for this section.

Total Dollar Value Points Allocated

0 to $750,000 10

$750,001 to $1,500,000 8

$1,500,001 to $2,500,000 6

$2,500,001 to $4,000,000 4

$4,000,001 to $6,000,000 2

Greater than $6,000,000 0

H. Local Participation – (Weighted Value 5)

Firms must include their local business tax receipt with their RFQ response for this section. Firms will be awarded five points for businesses with tax receipts, for the previous consecutive five years, in the following counties: St

Lucie, Martin, Indian River or Okeechobee. Partial points will be awarded for partnerships/joint ventures if all parties do not meet the criteria. Points will be awarded on the percentage of partnership (firms must submit documentation showing how the partnership will be split for the project (i.e., 51/49, 25/75, etc.).

I . Florida Certified Business Enterprise (Weighted Value 5)

Firms must include their valid current certificate issued from the State of Florida, Office of Supplier Diversity. Five points will be awarded for firms holding any of the following certificates: veteran, woman or minority owned. Partial points will be awarded for partnerships/joint ventures if all parties do not meet the criteria. Points will be awarded on the percentage of partnership (firms must submit documentation showing how the partnership will be split for the project (i.e., 51/49, 25/75, etc.)

J. Financial Statement and Litigation – (Pass/Fail)

Provide a statement indicating the financial capability of the firm to provide the resources required. Disclose any material changes in the business operations of the firm, including without limitation any bankruptcy proceedings, mergers, acquisitions, or spin-offs and any material pending or threatened litigation, which have occurred within the last 5 years. If appropriate, discuss the impact of these changes on the firm’s financial or managerial ability to perform the services under this RFQ. Provide the name, title, address, and phone number of the financial officer of the firm responsible for providing the information in response to this requirement. Identify all litigation in which your firm has been party to legal action (including arbitration, administrative proceedings, etc.) or lawsuits during the last 5 years involving a single client for claims more than $50,000. Include a brief legal description of the dispute and its status. Describe the circumstances causing the dispute and the actions your firm took to settle it.

Also, describe any projects within the last 5 years where liquidated damages, penalties, liens more than $50,000, defaults, cancellations of contract or termination were imposed, sought to be imposed, threatened, or filed against your organization.

Insurance: Include a certificate of insurance indicating coverage for the requested limits in Attachment E

K. Exceptions to Draft Contract (Non-Scored)

Provide any exceptions to the Board’s standard Agreement (Attachment “G”). In addition, respondents must provide all documentation or agreements that you anticipate requesting the School Board to incorporate into the final

Agreement or sign because of this RFQ.

Request for Qualifications – Architect & Engineering Services – Air Side HVAC Systems Retrofit RFQ 26-18

L. Addenda (non-scored)

Any addenda issued after the release of this solicitation must be signed and returned with the firm’s proposal. Failure to return signed addenda may be cause for the proposal to be considered non-responsive.

M. Required Attachments (Non-Scored)

Include the following completed and signed attachments in this section of your response:

1. Attachment A

2. Attachment B

3. Attachment C

4. Attachment D

5. Attachment E

6. Attachment F

INTERVIEW/PRESENTATION EVALUATION CRITERIA

After an evaluation of the proposals, the selection committee may conduct interviews and/or presentations from a concise list of firms. If interviews are determined, your company will be contacted for the interview.

The short-listed firms will be required to make a formal presentation to the Selection Committee, following which the responders will be re-ranked by the Selection Committee, based on the stated evaluation criteria:

1. Project Team – (Weighted Value 20)

The proposer will identify key staff assigned to this project with their qualifications and longevity to the firm. The proposer will discuss how the staff will be organized to provide service to the Board and their continuity to the project.

2. Project Approach & Schedule – (Weighted Value 25)

Each firm will present their specific approach to working with the Board to develop a schedule and provide preconstruction, bidding, and construction services. Provide the Firm’s preferred phasing plan and preliminary schedule through the project. Comment on schedule options and how those will affect costs. Describe the project phase or activity that you believe most benefits the overall project and why.

3. Budget and Financial Management – (Weighted Value 25)

The proposer shall present an analysis of the project budget and discuss the firm’s approach to obtaining bids and managing cost control mechanisms. Describe your cost control methods for the design and construction phases. How do you develop cost estimates, how often are they updated, and what steps are taken to realign costs?

SCORING: An adjectival scoring system shall be applied throughout the evaluation process for the evaluation of the written responses and the oral presentation/informal interviews. A score of 0 is the least favorable and a score of 10 is the most favorable in all sections.

The Firm’s response will be scored by Committee members in accordance with the following scale:

0 Unsatisfactory: Not responsive to the question(s).

1 Below Minimum Standards: Minimal Response to the question well below acceptable standards.

2 Below Minimum Standards: Responsive to the question but well below acceptable standards

3 Marginal: Minimal acceptable performance standards and responsive to questions.

4 Marginal: Minimal acceptable performance standards and responsive to questions.

5 Satisfactory: Meets performance expectations and responds to the question.

6 Satisfactory: Meets performance expectations, effective and responsive to the question.

7 Above Satisfactory: Meets expectations and slightly exceeds expectations.

8 Above Satisfactory: Meets expectations and exceeds expectations.

Request for Qualifications – Architect & Engineering Services – Air Side HVAC Systems Retrofit RFQ 26-18

9 Above Satisfactory / Exceeds Expectations for effectiveness and responsiveness to question.

10 Exceeds Expectations for effectiveness, performance, and responsiveness to question.

In accordance with Florida Statute 286.0113, the oral interviews, presentations, and evaluation committee meetings will be exempt from the public meeting requirement (F.S. 286.011) in cases where the following activities occur:

(b)1. Any portion of a meeting at which a negotiation with a vendor is conducted pursuant to a competitive solicitation, at which a vendor makes an oral presentation as part of a competitive solicitation, or at which a vendor answers questions as part of a competitive solicitation is exempt from Sections 286.011 and 24(b), Florida Statutes and Article I of the State Constitution.

2. Any portion of a team meeting at which negotiation strategies are discussed is exempt from Sections

286.011 and 24(b), Florida Statutes and Article I of the State Constitution.

(c)1. A complete recording shall be made of any portion of an exempt meeting. No portion of the exempt meeting may be held off the record.

2. The recording of, and any records presented at, the exempt meeting are exempt from Sections 119.07(1) and 24(a), Florida Statutes and Article I of the State Constitution until such time as the agency provides notice of an intended decision or until 30 days after opening the bids, proposals, or final replies, whichever occurs earlier.

SECTION 5 – SELECTION PROCESS

The selection process shall be conducted as follows:

A . S h o r t - L i s t

The Proposals received in response to this RFQ will be evaluated and ranked by a Selection Committee, comprised of not less than five (5) voting members in accordance with the process and evaluation criteria contained in Section 4.

Various Professional Consultants and representatives from the School Board’s Purchasing Department may also be present during this process as non-voting members of the Committee. Evaluation Committee members shall conduct their independent evaluation of the proposals received and grade the responses on their merit according to the evaluation criteria in the above table. Scores for each evaluation criterion will be at the discretion of each Evaluation

Committee member. The Committee may select (short-list) from no less than three (3) firms to give a presentation to the Selection Committee.

No information will be released by the School Board after the due date for submission of the Proposals until the selection of the short-listed firms has been made. All submitting firms will receive notification of the firms selected. In accordance with the CCNA, the School Board reserves the right to conduct or not conduct interviews, at its sole discretion.

B . P r e s e n t a t i o n / I n t e r v i e w

Presentations are tentatively planned for the date/time listed in Section 3A, Schedule. Firms will be expected to provide a thirty (30) minute presentation followed by a twenty (20) minute question and answer period. The Selection

Committee will evaluate and rank the firms based on the qualification submittals and presentations in accordance with the process and evaluation criteria contained in Section 4.

C . R e c o m m e n d a t i o n The Selection Committee will recommend to the School Board that an Agreement for services be negotiated with the firm with the highest total points (the sum of the scores given to each firm by all voting members of the Selection

Committee) in accordance with CCNA provisions.

Request for Qualifications – Architect & Engineering Services – Air Side HVAC Systems Retrofit RFQ 26-18

ATTACHMENT A - DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE CERTIFICATION

Preference must be given to vendors submitting a certification with their response certifying they have a drug-free workplace in accordance with Section 287.087, Florida Statutes. This requirement affects all public entities of the State and becomes effective January 1, 1991. The special condition is as follows:

IDENTICAL TIE BIDS - Preference shall be given to businesses with drug-free workplace programs. Whenever two or more bids which are equal with respect to price, quality, and service are received by the State or by any political subdivision for the procurement of commodities or contractual services, a bid received from a business that certifies that it has implemented a drug-free workplace program shall be given preference in the award process. Established procedures for processing tie bids will be followed if none of the tied vendors have a drug-free workplace program, a business shall:

1) Publish a statement notifying employees that the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of a controlled substance is prohibited in the workplace and specifying the actions that will be taken against employees for violations of such prohibition.

2) Inform employees about the dangers of drug abuse in the workplace, the business's policy of maintaining a drug-free workplace, any available drug counseling, rehabilitation, and employee assistance programs, and the penalties that may be imposed upon employees for drug abuse violations.

3) Give each employee engaged in providing the commodities or contractual services that are under bid a copy of the statement specified in subsection (1).

4) In the statement specified in subsection (1), notify the employees that, as a condition of working on the commodities or contractual services that are under bid, the employee will abide by the terms of the statement and will notify the employer of any conviction of, or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, any violation of Chapter 893 or of any controlled substance law of the United States or any state, for a violation occurring in the workplace no later than five (5) days after such conviction.

5) Impose a sanction on or require the satisfactory participation in a drug abuse assistance or rehabilitation program if such is available in the employee's community, by any employee who is so convicted.

6) Make a good faith effort to continue to maintain a drug-free workplace through implementation of this section.

As the person authorized to sign the statement, I certify that this firm complies fully with the above requirements.

COMPANY NAME____________________________________________________

AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE________________________________________DATE _____________

Request for Qualifications – Architect & Engineering Services – Air Side HVAC Systems Retrofit RFQ 26-18

ATTACHMENT B - CONFLICT OF INTEREST

I HEREBY CERTIFY that

1. I (printed name) ____________________________________________________am the (title)

________________________________ and the duly authorized representative of the firm of (Firm Name)

_________________________________________________ whose address is

___________________________________________________, and that I possess the legal authority to make this affidavit on behalf of myself and the firm for which I am acting; and,

2. Except as listed below, no employee, officer, or agent of the firm have any conflicts of interest, real or apparent, due to ownership, other clients, contracts, or interests associated with this project; and,

3. The business nor any authorized representative or significant stakeholder of the business has been determined by judicial or administrative board action to be in noncompliance with or in violation of any provision/contract of the School Board of St. Lucie County, nor has any outstanding past due debt to the School Board of St. Lucie

County, Florida; and

4. The School Board of St. Lucie County reserves the right to disqualify RFQs (REQUEST FOR

QUALIFICATIONS) upon evidence of collusion with intent to defraud, or other illegal practices to include circumventing or manipulating the RFQ process as required by law, upon the part of the Firm(s), the Board’s

Professional Consultant(s) or any Board employee(s) who may, or may not, be involved in developing RFQ specifications and/or firm RFQ schedules. Multiple RFQs from an individual, partnership, corporation, association (formal or informal); firm under the same or different names shall not be considered. Reasonable grounds for believing that a Firm has interest in multiple proposals for the same work shall be cause for rejection of all proposals in which such Firm is believed to have an interest in. Any and/or all proposals shall be rejected if there is any reason to believe that collusion exists among one or more of the Firms, the Board’s

Professional Consultant(s), or Board employees. Consultants involved in developing a RFQ specification or

Consultants with knowledge of RFQ specifications prior to the advertisement shall be disqualified from participating in the RFQ process.

EXCEPTIONS (List)

Signature: _______________________________________________________________

Printed Name: ___________________________________________________________

Firm Name: _____________________________________________________________

Date: ___________________

COUNTY OF _________________________ STATE OF ___________________________

Sworn to and subscribed before me this ______ day of ________________________, 20____, by

____________________________________________, who is personally known to me or who has produced

________________________________________ as identification.

NOTARY PUBLIC – STATE OF _____

Type or print name: _______________________

Commission No.: _________________________Commission Expires_______________________ (Seal)

Request for Qualifications – Architect & Engineering Services – Air Side HVAC Systems Retrofit RFQ 26-18

ATTACHMENT C - PROHIBITION AGAINST CONTINGENT FEES

In accordance with Florida Statute 287.055(6)(a), the following statement, duly signed and notarized, must be included in each proposal:

The Firm, _______________________________________, warrants that he or she has not employed or retained any company or person, other than a bona fide employee working solely for the Firm to solicit or secure this Agreement and that he or she has not paid or agreed to pay any person, company, corporation, individual, or firm, other than a bona fide employee working solely for the Firm any fee, commission, percentage, gift, or other consideration contingent upon or resulting from award or making of this agreement.

STATE OF _____________________________

COUNTY OF ___________________________

Sworn to and subscribed before me this ______ day of ________________________, 20____, by

_____________________________________________________, who is personally known to me or who has produced ____________________________ as identification.

NOTARY PUBLIC – STATE OF _____________

Type or print name: _______________________

Commission No.: _________________________

(Seal) Commission Expires_______________________

Request for Qualifications – Architect & Engineering Services – Air Side HVAC Systems Retrofit RFQ 26-18

ATTACHMENT D- SCRUTINIZED COMPANY CERTIFICATION

I hereby swear or affirm that as of the date below this company is not listed on a Scrutinized Companies list created pursuant to 215.4725, 215.473, or 287.135, Florida Statutes. Pursuant to 287.135, Florida Statutes I further affirm that:

1. This company is not participating in a boycott of Israel such that is not refusing to deal, terminating business activities, or taking other actions to limit commercial relations with Israel, or persons or entities doing business in

Israel or in Israeli-controlled territories, in a discriminatory manner.

2. This Company does not appear on the Scrutinized Companies with Activities in Sudan List where the State

Board of Administration has established the following criteria:

a. Have a material business relationship with the government of Sudan or a government-created project involving oil related, mineral extraction, or power generation activities, or

b. Have a material business relationship involving the supply of military equipment, or

c…