846105engCarr.pdf

Landscape Architectural and Engineering Services for the Phase III development of Krimgold Park RFSOQ # 36-F-3-26/27

The Carroll County Department of Recreation and Parks

Request for Statement of Qualifications (RFSOQ) for

Landscape Architectural and Engineering Services for Krimgold Park Phase III

BID NUMBER: 36-F-3-26/27

BID DUE DATE: O c t o b e r 2 0 , 2 0 2 6 @ 10:30AM EST

1. Project Description

The Board of County Commissioners of Carroll County (“County”) and the Department of Recreation and Parks (“CCRP”) invite Landscape Architectural and Engineering teams (“Firm”) to submit a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) to provide complete design services for the design and construction administration Krimgold Park Phase III (“Project”).

The selected Firm shall provide all professional services necessary to develop a complete and functional Project consistent with the County's program, budget, applicable regulations, and the approved design. Work is inclusive; surveying, conceptual and design development drawings, cost estimating, participation in various Carroll County interdepartmental meetings and submittals, preparation of construction bid documents, attendance at pre-bid and preconstruction meetings, and construction administration services.

Krimgold Park is a 139.7-acre public park located at 5355 Woodbine Rd, Woodbine, MD., 21797. Krimgold Park Phases I and II were constructed in 2014 and 2022 respectively. The developed portion of the park consists of five multi-purpose fields, two pavilions, a cemetery, a playground, a swing set, roadways, parking areas, a series on ponds and various conservation easements, landscaping, walking paths, a disc golf course, a restroom, and ancillaries.

Proposed amenities will include two softball fields, one multipurpose field, parking, roadways, 2 pickleball courts with a shaded patio, walking paths, player and spectator amenities, reconfiguring of the disc golf course and associated signage, site furnishings, and landscaping with an emphasis on ADA compliance, site grading, field drainage, and onsite stormwater management improvements to meet current Carroll County and State of Maryland regulations.

Consistent with prior commitments made to the public, the Project shall not include permanent athletic field, court, parking, or site lighting. The design and subsequent construction will seamlessly integrate the proposed Phase III improvements with the existing Phase I and Phase II improvements, existing park operations, site constraints, easements, and surrounding natural resources.

The total project budget is approximately $15 million. This is all an inclusive budget from the project commencement, bid documents, construction to the final construction punchlist.

Attachment A - Approximate Limits of Work.

Attachment B - Existing Easements.

2. Statement of Qualification Submittal Requirements

Statement of Qualifications along with any other requested documentation will be accepted electronically only through Public Purchase on or before October 20, 2026 @ 10:30 AM EST.

SOQs submitted in any other manner will be rejected. Late SOQs will not be considered and will be rejected.

The SOQ will be accepted electronically only through Public Purchase. The SOQ must be submitted in one (1) PDF document and must not exceed ten (10), one-sided 8.5” x 11” size sheets (minimum font size is 11 point). The team/firm’s coversheet and key staff resumes will not be included in this sheet count; however, no technical information shall be provided on this sheet. No other attachments, brochures, photos, plans, etc. will be accepted beyond the ten-page limit.

3. Proof of Insurance

The successful Firm must furnish certification of adequate liability insurance protection. This shall include insurance coverage for employees working on County property. Proof of insurance must be submitted within seven (7) days after award of the resulting contract. Insurance requirements can be found in the document “General Instructions.” The Firm must provide documentation of insurance satisfactory to the County’s Risk Manager.

4. Late Submittals

The Office of Procurement will not accept and will return any SOQ received after the time and date set for receipt of the Statement of Qualifications or any request for withdrawal or request for modification received after the time and date set for submission of the Bids. It is the Bidders responsibility to fully register with Public Purchase at least 5 (five) days prior to the solicitation closing date. Failure to register will not constitute justification for inability to submit a Bid or require the Owner to accept a Bid in any other manner other than electronically through Public Purchase.

5. Questions or Clarifications

Firms must submit questions through the Public Purchase web site, using the instructions below.

Questions must be submitted 5 (five) days prior to the closing date. Firms may submit questions to the agency on specific bids. Click on the title of a bid, on the right of the bid page click [View/Ask Questions] to open a new page that lists all previous questions and answers. Click "Ask a Question," enter your question in the field provided and click "Save" to submit your question. Your question is immediately sent by email to the contact person for the bid. When your question is answered you will be notified by email, and the answer may be posted on the bid.

Tip: By using the "Questions" feature questions and answers can be posted on Public Purchase making them available to all other firms that are registered with the agency. If a firm would like to confidentially submit questions to the agency, contact the bid's main contact. It will be up to the discretion of the Buyer to decide if questions/answers are confidential.

6. Background Checks

All firm employees and their Subcontractor’s employees, if any, working within the boundaries of the Krimgold Park property will be required to undergo a background check at the firm’s expense. The County provides several services and programs throughout Krimgold Park that involves minor children. The State of Maryland requires certain sex offenders to register with the State and with local law enforcement in the County in which they reside, work or attend school.

If a child sex offender, as determined by the definitions contained in the Criminal Law Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland is employed by the awarded Offeror, the awarded Offeror is prohibited from assigning that employee to perform any type of service at Krimgold Park.

Violation of the provision may result in termination for cause of the Contract.

7. Addendums

Addendums to this solicitation may occur at any time prior to the due date. The responsibility lies with the firm to visit the Public Purchase web site to obtain addendums once they have downloaded a bid (solicitation) even though firm will receive an e-mail from Public Purchase notifying them of addendums, per the explanation below from Public Purchase:

Any change or addendum made to a solicitation will be listed at the bottom of the solicitation showing the information that was added or changed on the solicitation. firms who are invited to respond to a solicitation or any firm who has previously responded to a solicitation will be notified by email when a change or addendum is made. Firms can also see which bids have recently been changed or had addenda added from the lists of bids on their home tab. The date of the last change or addendum on the bid is posted on the right-side column of your bid list.

8. Procedure In the Event of The Receipt of Only One Response

If only one responsive proposal is received in response to the RFQ, an award may be made to the responsive Proposer, further negotiations may be conducted, or the proposal may be rejected. If the proposal is rejected, new proposals may be solicited. If the proposal is not rejected, further negotiations may be conducted under the following conditions as determined at the sole discretion of the County:

1. The need for the procurement continues.

2. The terms of the one proposal are fair, reasonable, and responsive.

9. Notice of Intent to Award

The Short-Listed Firm notice will be posted on the Carroll County website. It is the firm’s responsibility to visit the Office of Procurement’s website to obtain up to date information.

THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS RESERVE THE RIGHT TO WAIVE ANY

INFORMALITY IN BIDDING AND TO REJECT ANY OR ALL BIDS.

10. Debriefing

Unsuccessful proposers may request a debrief in writing within fifteen (15) calendar days after the County’s award notice of intent to short list. The County will discuss only the strengths and weaknesses of that proposer’s submission in relation to the evaluation criteria during the debrief.

The intent of the debrief is to provide the Offeror with constructive feedback on their own proposals towards areas of continuous improvement. No other Offeror's proposals will be discussed. No proprietary information shall be disclosed. A debrief is not an opportunity to unofficially protest or change the outcome.

11. Selection/Award Process

The County is notifying the short-listed Firms that for this Project the practice of Best Value Selection will be used. Best Value Selection means that factors other than lowest price will be used during the selection process to establish the Firm that is deemed to be of best value to the County to perform the Project. The County will not be responsible for the Firm’s errors and misjudgment nor failure to obtain any information on local conditions or general laws or regulations pertaining thereto. The failure or omission of any Firm to examine any form, instrument, or document shall in no way relieve any Firm from any obligation in respect to their Proposal submission. The selection process will be conducted as a two-step procedure.

Step One (1): The received SOQs will be reviewed individually by members of the evaluation committee. Firms will be evaluated in accordance with the evaluation criteria chart provided below. The three highest-rated firms will be short-listed and issued a Request for Proposals

(RFP).

Short-listing will be made to the highest evaluated, most responsive and responsible Firms that meet or exceed the terms, conditions, specifications, and requirements of this solicitation and are determined to be in the best interest of the County. Short-listing is contingent upon satisfactory reference verification. If references are deemed unsatisfactory, the Firm will be considered non-responsible, disqualified from further consideration, and the County will proceed to the next highest-ranked Firm for reference verification.

Step Two (2): CCRP will invite the three short-listed firms, or their representatives, to attend a scheduled site visit. The three short-listed Firms will be asked to submit full written Technical proposal and deliver Formal Presentations in response to the RFP. The Evaluation Committee will individually review the Proposals based on the evaluation criteria listed in the RFP. The Evaluation Committee may award whole or fraction points for each evaluation criteria. The Evaluation Committee will then meet to discuss the Proposals and reach consensus on the highest ranked Firm.

After the Proposals have been reviewed individually and in committee, the County’s Representative will schedule Formal Presentations with each short-listed firm. Technical Proposals will be evaluated and scored in accordance with the criteria set forth in the RFP. Upon completion of the technical evaluation, scoring will be finalized by committee consensus.

Once Technical proposals are evaluated, Formal Presentations are completed, and final scoring is submitted to the Office of Procurement, the highest ranked Firm will be required to submit their pricing as outlined in the RFP. The price proposal will be reviewed by the evaluation committee.

After review, the County may begin negotiations with the highest ranked Firm. The County and Firm will have up to three attempts to negotiate a contract. If, after three unsuccessful attempts have been made, the County has the right to terminate negotiations and move to the next highest ranked Firm, request pricing, and begin negotiations. Once a successful negotiation has been finalized, that Firm will be recommended for an award of the contract.

The contract award is contingent on the approval of the Board of County Commissioners. Award shall be made to the responsible offeror whose proposal is determined in writing to be the most advantageous to the County, based upon the evaluation factors set forth in the request for proposals. The County reserves the right to enter into a contract deemed to be in the best interest of the County. The Contract awarded for the Project will be made contingent upon the Board of Commissioners of Carroll County. The highest-ranked Firm will be offered the design contract on a lump sum basis, subject to acceptance by the County. If a satisfactory agreement cannot be reached with the top-ranked Firm, the County will formally terminate negotiations and may enter into negotiations with the next highest-ranked Firm, continuing in this manner until a satisfactory agreement is reached and a formal contract is executed.

12. Statement of Qualification Content Requirements

The SOQ must address the specific qualifications and experience of the Firm’s personnel and resources that will engage in this Project. At a minimum, the information listed below must be provided. SOQ submittals are only for qualifications purposes at this time. No financial information should be disclosed. Failure to provide fully and clearly all the information listed below may result in the rejection of the SOQ as non-responsive. Responders should be very precise in detailing their experience with projects of this type and scope. Firms must include at least the following in their SOQ:

A. Firm’s Experience and Qualifications on Similar Projects Relevant to this Project:

• Project name, location, and owner/client of current and/or recently completed project(s) with Carroll County or other government entities.

• Description of services provided.

• Project size in developed acreage, scope, contract values (separate design and construction budgets), and schedule.

• Your Firm’s specific role/involvement and responsibilities.

• Your Firm’s recent experience with project budget and adherence to design schedules

• Minimum three (3) client references (name, title, phone/email, contract title, number, start and completion dates, value and description of work).

B. Qualifications of Key Personnel Assigned to this Project:

Include at least the following for each key personnel:

• Name, title, and proposed role

• Years of relevant experience

• Education and professional licenses/certifications

• Specific experience on similar projects

• Brief resume

C. Firm’s Ability to Perform the Required Disciplines of this Project. Demonstrate the firm’s technical capability to perform the required professional services:

• Description of in-house disciplines and services

• Organizational structure and available financial and technical resources

• Current workload and capacity to meet schedule requirements

• Quality control/quality assurance procedures

• Coordination approach among disciplines

• Subconsultants (if applicable) and their roles

D. Knowledge of Maryland Stormwater Regulations and Permitting Requirements

• Experience with Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) stormwater regulations

• Experience obtaining grading and stormwater management approvals in the project’s jurisdiction (or other County jurisdictions).

• Familiarity with Erosion & Sediment Control (ESC) requirements

• Experience with MS4 compliance (if applicable)

• Coordination experience with county review agencies

• Record of successful permit approvals and timeline performance

13. Evaluation Criteria

The Evaluation of the SOQ will be in accordance with the following weighted criteria:

• Firm’s Experience and Qualifications on Similar Projects Relevant to this Project.

• Qualifications of Key Personnel Assigned to this Project.

• Firm’s Ability to Perform the Required Disciplines of this Project.

• Knowledge of Maryland Stormwater Regulations and Permitting Requirements

Be advised specific management approach, technical approach, and/or solutions to the design problem are not sought in this document. These topics will be addressed in the second stage (RFP) of the selection process.

The following table details how the SOQs will be scored:

A

Evaluation Criteria

B Evaluation

(1 to 5 points)

C

Weight

D

Score

Firm’s Experience and Qualifications on Similar Projects Relevant to this Project

5 – Superior 4 – Excellent 3 – Good 2 – Average 1 – Below Average

Qualifications of Key Personnel Assigned to this Project

5 – Superior 4 – Excellent 3 – Good 2 – Average 1 – Below Average

Firm’s Ability to Perform the Required Disciplines of this Project.

5 – Superior 4 – Excellent 3 – Good 2 – Average 1 – Below Average

Knowledge of Maryland Stormwater Regulations and Permitting Requirements

5 – Superior 4 – Excellent 3 – Good 2 – Average 1 – Below Average

Total 100 Scoring Key:

1- Below Average: The response is missing or does not meet or address any of the requirements.

2- Average: The response meets some of the requirements or addresses some of the elements.

3- Good: The response addresses most elements of the requirements.

4- Excellent: The response addresses the requirements completely and addresses some elements of the requirements in a good to very good manner.

5- Superior: The response addresses the requirements completely and repeatedly, exhibits outstanding knowledge, creativity, innovation or other factors to justify this rating.

14. The American with Disabilities Act

The Americans with Disabilities Act applies to the Carroll County Government and its programs, services, activities, and facilities. Anyone requiring auxiliary aid or service for effective communication or who has a complaint should contact The Department of Citizen Services, 410.386.3600 or 1.888.302.8978 or MD Relay 7-1-1/1.800.735.2258 as soon as possible but no later than 72 hours before the scheduled event.

15. E-Verify

The use of the Federal Government program known as E-Verify was enacted June 14, 2011, by the County Commissioners of Carroll County, MD. Resolution No.840-2011. (1.) The County Commissioners believe it is in the best interest of Carroll County to require the use of a federal program known as E-verify sponsored by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to establish compliance with certain federal laws for all county-initiated service contracts and (2.) Whereas E- Verify will apply to all County initiated service contracts for vendors and firms according to Resolution No. 840-2011.

16. Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Policy

The successful bidder shall make a good faith attempt to encourage bids and utilize certified minority business enterprises, as outlined in the Carroll County Minority Business Enterprise policy, dated 02/20/2018. Contact the County Office of Procurement at (410) 386-2181 for more information

17. Public Information Act Notice

Firms should give specific attention to the identification of those portions of their SOQ and subsequent Proposal that they deem to be confidential, proprietary information, or trade secrets and provide any justification why such materials, upon request, should not be disclosed by the Carroll County or the State of Maryland under the Access to Public Records Act, State Government Article, Title 10, Subtitle 6, Annotated Code of Maryland.

18. Compliance with Applicable Law

By submitting a response to this RFSOQ, Firm hereby represents and warrants that it:

a) Is qualified to do business in the State of Maryland and that will take such action as, from time-to-time hereafter, may be necessary to remain so qualified;

b) Shall comply with all Federal, State, and Local laws, regulations, and ordinances applicable to its activities and obligations under this Project.

c) Shall obtain, at its expense, all licenses, insurance, and governmental approvals necessary to the performance of its obligations under this project.

19. Informalities

The County reserve the right to waive any informality and to reject any or all submittals.

20. Service Agreement

The successful bidder at the end of the two-step process shall enter into a Service Agreement. A copy of the draft Agreement will be made available during the second step. Exceptions, if any, to the County’s draft Agreement must be noted on a separate sheet and uploaded with the bid documents. Exceptions to the County’s Agreement may result in rejection of the bid. The County will not accept any exceptions to the Agreement after the opening date and time of this solicitation.

End of RFSOQ