Answers to vendor Questions DCR 885 MSA Interpretive Services_Final draft.pdf

Final Draft Date: 1.23.2024

Project Owner: Kristin.Karl-Carnahan

Project Description# DCR 885 MSA Interpretive Services

Bid# BD-24-1020-DCRCU-DC250-96949

1. 01/23/2024 Brad Parker/BPI

From the? Bidder Response Form? it appears contracts will be awarded for specialty services (individual categories 1? 9) or as a turnkey provider (all categories). Is this correct?

The MSA invites vendors to submit for individual categories (one, some, or all) based on their interest and abilities. Qualified vendors will be placed on an approved list for each category in the MSA. Specific projects will be bid out to qualified vendors in the respective category under which the project falls.

2. 01/23/2024 Brad

How will most projects be contracted? ? As a turnkey project? Or through the individual categories?

Specific projects will be bid out to qualified vendors in the respective category/categories as determined by agency need and funding.

3. 01/23/2024 Brad

Will this contract be mostly used for all new exhibits in a new visitor center or to replace an entire gallery of aging, existing exhibits?

This contract will be used in a variety of applications including but not limited to new, refresh, replacement, etc.

4. 01/23/2024 Brad

Will it be used to rehab/upgrade/enhance existing exhibits with updated graphics, or a new interactive, or an interpretive video?

This contract will be used in a variety of applications including but not limited to rehab/upgrade/enhance existing exhibits with updated graphics, or a new interactive, or an interpretive video, etc.

5. 01/23/2024 Brad

May a specialty firm submit one proposal to be the prime contractor for one of the nine categories and also be included as a sub to other teams who are submitting as a turn-key provider in all nine categories?

? Yes.

6. 01/23/2024 Brad

Please explain how Section 12. General Evaluation Criteria of the RFR will work. How are the evaluation categories weighted?

Complete bid packages are evaluated by the RFR Evaluation Team using the criteria below. All bids are evaluated using the same scoring metric.

Bids will be evaluated using the following general criteria:

• Vendor qualifications and ability to provide the services outlined in Section 8 of this RFR.

• Vendor Experience

• Annual Service Rate (price)

• Reference

• Prompt Payment Discounts (Please use PPD Form)

• Environmentally Preferable Products & Practices (Please use EPP Form)

7. 01/23/2024 Brad

Are labor rates to be fully loaded rates that include overhead and profit?

In the Rate section under each category to which you submit, please attach a Rate Sheet. This may include general rates for the services provided, relevant/applicable hourly labor rates for different services and different job titles/descriptions. Ex:

interpretive writing $/hr, senior interpretive planner $/hr, etc.

8. 01/23/2024 Brad

For ?Other Anticipated/Proposed Costs? are you looking for a percentage mark-up on material costs, outside services, rentals, travel expenses, etc?

In the Other Anticipated/Proposed Costs section under each category to which you submit, please attach any additional information to indicate any other anticipated or proposed costs that you foresee in providing the services outlined in the RFR.

9. 01/23/2024 Brad

Is there a formula to evaluate pricing?

DCR evaluates all proposals on the best value and awards appropriately.

10. 01/23/2024 Brad

How will pricing be scored?

DCR evaluates all proposals on the best value and awards appropriately.

11. 01/23/2024 Brad

Should resumes, project information sheets, and other supporting material that is referenced to be attachments be uploaded as multiple documents in the individual sections they are requested? Or should they be organized in a single document which follows your layout?

Documents should be uploaded as multiple documents in the individual sections where they are requested.

12 Jon Kohl, Executive Director, PUP Global Heritage Consortium

To measure the degree of alignment between our consortium of interpretive planners and those of the Mass DCR, could you please answer the following with a rating of 1 to 5, 5 being most in agreement with the statement?

Written answers have been provided in place of a rated response.

13 Jon Kohl, Director, PUP Global Heritage Consortium

To what degree do you agree that interpretive planning should be a strategic process that contributes to most if not all protected area management goals and not just be limited to visitor experience/entertainment/education?

The interpretive planning process is a strategic exercise. The resulting interpretive plan is a goal-driven document that outlines strategies to help parks achieve their mission, protect their resources, and provide the best service to visitors.

14 Jon Kohl, Director, PUP Global Heritage Consortium

To what degree do you agree that stakeholder conflict management or dispute resolution is important for strategic interpretive planning to navigate different stakeholder values and positions with regard to protected area resource use and more importantly heritage meanings in a protected area?

Should a specific project require planning for stakeholder conflict management or dispute resolution, these services would be included in the scope. If the services are required once the project is underway, they would be discussed, and scope and contract adjusted accordingly.

15 Jon Kohl, Director, PUP Global Heritage Consortium

To what degree do you agree that the best role for outside planning consultants is to facilitate a social planning process rather than write a plan for clients in order that the protected area community feel greater ownership for the plan and commitment to its implementation?

The role of the outside planning consultants would be to facilitate a planning process that meets the goals and objectives of the project which may include involvement and stewardship support from external stakeholders, documentation of processes utilized, and recommended outcomes in an agreed upon format.

14 Jon Kohl, Director, PUP Global Heritage Consortium

To what degree do you agree that all planning that involves diverse stakeholder communities in today’s dynamic and complex world generates best results when it incorporates diverse values and different kinds of knowledge not just scientific-technical-empirical knowledge?

Planning scope and expectations will vary by project, however planning benefits from relevant stakeholders, creative and critical thinking, diversity of knowledge and experience.

15 Jon Kohl, Executive Director, PUP Global Heritage Consortium

To what degree do you agree that in a fast changing world a plan, in order to be implemented, must be adaptive rather than written once and updated every few years thereafter?

Effective planning can address short-term and long-term goals, as well as embed response elements for maintaining relevance.

16 Jon Kohl, Director, PUP Global Heritage Consortium

To what degree do you agree that a strategic planning process is at its best when it empowers a diverse stakeholder planning community to carry out its own planning and then implement its commitments without long-term dependence on outside consultants?

A comprehensive strategic plan will enable successful implementation by the individual/s or organization for which it is developed.

17 Jon Kohl, Director, PUP Global Heritage Consortium

To what degree do you agree that a planning team should leverage the many perspectives of the stakeholder community and society at large by reflecting that diversity across profession, experience, age, gender, etc. while also having direct roots in Massachusetts?

The planning process and team should be crafted with the goals and objectives of the project in mind, and likely/may include a diversity of skills, experience, disciplines, stakeholders, and participants.

18 Jon Kohl, Director, PUP Global Heritage Consortium

Could Category 6 also include artists such as actors specializing in theatrical performances, historical interpretation, and production of scripts and accessories (such as historically accurate wardrobe fabrication) for the same?

Submissions include development of artistic materials to support interpretation (e.g., theatrical performance script) and interpretive products (historically accurate wardrobe), but do not include the live performance. Live performances (e.g., plays, musical performances, lecturers) are procured through other state and agency contracts.

19 Jeffrey Mish I believe I am qualified for several of the categories; is there any way I could apply?

Qualifying individuals and business are invited to apply.

20 Jeffrey Mish Would this be year round work?

Project opportunities will vary annually based on agency need and funding.

21 Jeffrey Mish Why wasn't this opportunity presented to seasonal interpretive staff?

The scope and scale of the projects being solicited through this contract reflect work outside the day-to-day duties and responsibilities of the seasonal interpretive staff.

22 Jeffrey Mish Is the ultimate goal of hiring outside contractors to eventually phase out the seasonal interpretive staff and/or visitor services supervisors?

No – the goal is to establish a pool of outside contractors that can provide services for specific projects that are outside the scope/workload capacity of staff.