On-Call_Environmental_Consulting_Services.pdf

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ)

2022-RFQ-103

ON-CALL ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING SERVICES

City of Rock Hill

757 S. Anderson Road, Building 103

Rock Hill, SC 29730

RELEASE DATE: February 27, 2023

DEADLINE FOR QUESTIONS: March 14, 2023

RESPONSE DEADLINE: March 21, 2023, 2:00 pm

RESPONSES MUST BE SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY TO:

https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/cityofrockhill

City of Rock Hill

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ)

2022-RFQ-103

On-Call Environmental Consulting Services

I. Introduction II. Request for Qualifications

III. Scope of Work IV. Submission Format V. Terms and Conditions

VI. Evaluation Process VII. Evaluation

VIII. Vendor Questionnaire

Attachments:

A - City of Rock Hill Agreement for Services SAMPLE

Request for Qualifications (RFQ) #2022-RFQ-103 Title: On-Call Environmental Consulting Services

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1. Summary

The City of Rock Hill, SC is requesting qualifications and fee schedules from interested and qualified environmental consulting firms to provide environmental services for multiple development projects within the City including, but not limited to Phase I ESA, Phase II ESA, Groundwater/soil/air/surface water sampling, VCC assistance, Baseline Work Plans, Site characterization activities, Underground

Storage Tank closures, PCB remediation, Asbestos Testing, LBP testing, Vapor intrusion assessment, Monitoring well installation, Corrective Action, Media Management, Site Management, and Soil

Management Plans.

1.2. Contact Information

Tom Stanford

Procurement Analyst

Email: tom.stanford@cityofrockhill.com

Phone: (803) 329-7070

Department:

Economic & Urban Development

1.3. Timeline

Solicitation Release Date February 27, 2023

Question Submission Deadline March 14, 2023, 4:00pm

Qualifications Submission Deadline March 21, 2023, 2:00pm mailto:tom.stanford@cityofrockhill.com tel:(803)329-7070

2. REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

PROJECT: On-Call Environmental Consulting Services

RFQ Number: 2022-RFQ-103

Qualifications DUE DATE: Tuesday, March 21, 2023 before 2:00 pm

2.1. General Information

Electronic submissions will be received by the Procurement Division of the City of Rock Hill, South

Carolina via the City's eProcurement Portal up to but not later than the published date and time. The eProcurement Portal clock is the official timekeeper for the determination of all deadline dates and times. Without exception, responses will not be accepted after the submission deadline regardless of any technical difficulties such as poor internet connections. The City strongly recommends completing your response well ahead of the deadline.

2.2. No Pre-Qualifications Meeting

There will be no pre-qualifications meeting for this project. Companies are expected to fully inform themselves as to the conditions, requirements, and specifications necessary to submit qualifications.

2.3. Purpose

The purpose of this Request for Qualifications (RFQ) is to obtain information about consulting companies interested in providing environmental engineering consulting services for the City of Rock

Hill. The City will utilize the information provided in the response to evaluate each interested company by using the criteria outlined in this RFQ. The Economic & Urban Development Department is responsible for this project.

2.4. Anticipated Project Schedule

The anticipated start date is April 1, 2023. The initial term will be thirty-six (36) months with two (2) 12-month options if options are exercised.

2.5. Selection Consideration

To be considered for selection, the company shall be qualified and capable of delivering the following services for the identified project(s). If sub-consultants are to be used for any portion of the work, the sub-consultant should be identified, and pertinent information related to their aspect of the team should be provided.

3. SCOPE OF WORK

3.1. Consultant Requirements

To be considered for selection, the firm shall be qualified and capable to deliver the following services for the identified projects. If sub-consultants are to be used for any portion of the work, the sub-consultant(s) should be identified, and pertinent information related to their aspect of the team should be provided.

• Phase I and II ESAs for Brownfield redevelopment projects

• Assistance with VCC application, work plan, and sampling procedures

• Development of Soil Management Plans

• Development of Vapor Mitigation Plans

• Development of Health and Safety Plans

• Development of Media Management Plans

• Development of Site Management Plans

• Corrective Measures Plans (CMP) preparation and implementation

• Underground storage tank and vault closure/removal

• Implementation of PCB remediation work plan

• Asbestos and Lead-Based Paint inspections

• Soil, air, storm/ground/surface water sampling

• Conducting water well surveys

• Provision of any and all pertinent excavation and development oversight

• Carrying out necessary regulatory negotiations and permitting procedures

• Institution of reasonable contamination control measures including hazardous and non-hazardous waste removal

• Designing and oversight of contamination caps

• Implementation of wetland delineation investigations and/or native plant plans

4. SUBMISSION FORMAT

4.1. Proposal Format

To facilitate the review of your Statement of Qualifications by the City of Rock Hill, please ensure the submission conforms to the following format:

4.2. Coversheet

List the RFQ Statement, the name of the firm, and the name, address, e-mail address, and telephone number of a contact person for questions concerning the qualifications submitted.

4.3. Qualifications of the Firm

Qualifications of the Firm: Outline and specify the qualifications of the firm to provide professional and construction services to manage the environmental work plan as required for the design and construction of the types of projects listed for on-call services. This shall include any sub-consultants that may be part of the team (if applicable). In addition, the Consultant and/or their team shall adhere to and uphold the necessary Professional License(s) to perform this work per the current SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulations.

4.4. Overall Qualifications of the Project Manager and Project Team

Clear identification of the project manager and team personnel that will be assigned to the project. This section shall include the demonstrated project management and quality control methods employed by the team.

4.5. Response Capability & Project Understanding

Preference shall be afforded to those firms that, in the opinion of the City of Rock Hill, will be able to adequately respond to requests for consultation meetings or project administration requirements, and firms having a detailed understanding of the project requirements, testing procedures, and the local community environment.

4.6. Ability to perform work within specified time and budget.

Provide examples of prior projects that were completed but the firm. Include the scope of work, time frame from start to completion, budget, and any coordination with local, state, or federal agencies.

4.7. History of City of Rock Hill Projects

Provide a list of projects that the firm has completed (or is currently working on) with the City of Rock

Hill over the past 5 years. Be sure to identify the project manager, total project cost, year completed, or status if it is currently in progress. If the firm does not have experience within the City of Rock Hill, then please provide examples of similar projects located within North/South Carolina.

4.8. Legal, Safety, Insurance, and Financial

The firm's submittal shall provide documentation of any history of litigation associated with project performance or professional liability during the past ten years. A short statement of any safety problems that the firm may have encountered in projects. A statement or other information to describe the firm's general financial standing and current insurance coverage.

4.9. Insurance Capacity

The submitting firm (lead firm if submitting as a team) shall be able to post the minimum, specified insurance requirements for this project as follows:

1. Professional Liability: $2,000,000.00 per occurrence, and $2,000,000.00 aggregate

2. Worker's Compensation: $500,000.00

3. Automobile Liability: $1,000,000.00 per occurrence for each vehicle, and $1,000,000 in aggregate for all vehicles

4. Comprehensive/General Liability: $2,000,000.00 per occurrence, and $2,000,000 aggregate

Coverages must be maintained throughout the life of the contract, including any applicable warranty period.

4.10. Other Supporting Data

Include any other information you feel to be relevant to the selection of your firm. Please list any experience with grants and projects with multiple funding sources such as CDBG and EPA grant funds.

4.11. Qualifications Submission

Statement of Qualifications must be submitted via the City's eProcurement Portal. It must be submitted before 2:00 pm on Tuesday, March 21, 2023. Mailed, facsimile, or e-mailed copies will not be accepted.

The City assumes no responsibility for late submittals.

The e-Procurement Portal uses an 'electronic lock box' system to receive and protect all firm responses.

Only the firm can see that they have submitted a response and the information contained in that response. The firm may withdraw their submission and resubmit anytime until the due date and time.

Once the submission phase has ended, the City can view the submissions and begin the evaluation of all received.

4.12. Availability of the e-Procurement Portal

All responses to the Solicitation must be submitted electronically through the e-Procurement Portal.

Should there be any technical issues with the Portal (not user/Supplier issues) that prevent any Supplier from submitting a response within the two (2) hours immediately before the due time, the Solicitation due date and time shall be extended for a period of 24 hours. The technical issue must be by the Portal provider (OpenGov) and affects all participating Suppliers. The City shall verify the technical issue or unavailability of the Portal with OpenGov, the system provider. Technical issues localized to a single supplier will not be considered cause for an extension.

The e-Procurement Portal will not allow submissions after the established due date and time have passed.

4.13. Contract

A master contract will be developed with the selected companies, and fees shall be established based upon provided draft plans to be used to determine an agreed upon scope of work by and between the selected companies and the City of Rock Hill.

The City is not obligated to provide selected firms with assigned tasks.

The contract may be used multiple times throughout the term of this agreement at the City’s discretion or may not be used at all.

The selected companies will be required to use the City of Rock Hill's standard contract: "AGREEMENT

FOR SERVICES". (See Attached)

The City intends to award contracts to selected companies within 90 days of receipt of qualifications.

4.14. Submission Requirements

This section provides details for preparing and submitting materials required from responding entities to be considered for selection.

1. Submission Preparation: All RFQ responses shall be submitted electronically through the City's eProcurement Portal. The Statement of Qualifications shall be submitted by an authorized representative of the firm. Each submission constitutes an offer and may not be withdrawn except as provided herein.

2. Qualifications Submission:

The response shall be submitted before 2:00 pm on Tuesday, March 21, 2023.

No submission may be withdrawn for a period of sixty (60) calendar days after the due date unless approved in writing by the Procurement Office. All submissions must be approved by the Rock Hill City

Manager and the department(s) in charge of the project. Failing an agreement, the City may reject all submissions and resubmit for new submissions or make any other decisions it deems to be in its own best interest.

3. Errors in Submittals: Submitters or their authorized representatives are expected to fully inform themselves as to the conditions, requirements, and specifications before submitting the requested materials. Failure to do so will be at the firm's own risk. If an error is made, the submittal may be withdrawn before the submission deadline, edited, and resubmitted before the deadline. The City reserves the right to waive any informalities, technical defects, and minor irregularities in submittals received.

4. Discrepancies and Questions: Companies shall have no contact related to this project with the City of

Rock Hill elected or appointed officials or employees during the solicitation process, other than the contact person specified within this solicitation. Any such contact will subject the firm to immediate disqualification for consideration for this project.

Should the firm have questions, find discrepancies in the plans and/or specifications, or be in doubt as to the meaning or intent of any part thereof, the firm shall request clarification from the City via the eProcurement Portal, not later than 4:00 pm on Tuesday, March 14, 2023.

All questions will be answered and any changes will be communicated through an addendum posted on the City’s eProcurement Portal. As a registered firm, you will also receive addenda notifications in your email by clicking “Follow” on this project. It is the firm's responsibility to check the website for this information before submitting. Failure to request such clarification is a waiver of any claim by the firm for additional expenses because its interpretation was different from the City’s.

5. Compliance with laws: The successful entity shall obtain and maintain all licenses, permits, liability insurance, and worker's compensation insurance, and comply with all other standards or regulations required by federal, state, county, or City statutes, ordinances, and rules during the performance of any purchase between the firm and the City. Any such requirement specifically outlined in any purchasing document between the firm and the City shall be supplementary to this section and not in substitution thereof.

6. Suspension and Debarment: The firm certifies, by the response to this RFQ, that neither it nor its principals are presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible, or voluntarily excluded from participation in this transaction by any federal, state, or local agency. Where the submitting entity is unable to certify any of the statements in this certification, such Offeror shall attach an explanation to this proposal.

7. Subcontractors: The selected firm agrees that they shall not delegate, subcontract, or assign all or any portion of the project to any third party without the express written consent of the City.

8. Brand Name: The use of a brand name, if applicable, is for the sole purpose of describing the standard of quality, performance, and a characteristic desired and is not intended to limit or restrict competition.

9. Local Providers: Companies tendering submissions should keep in mind the City's goal of supporting local businesses and supply houses for materials and labor whenever practicable, so long as pricing and other contract conditions are not adversely affected.

5. TERMS AND CONDITIONS

5.1. Illegal Immigration Reform Act Compliance

The company certifies that the company will comply with the requirements of Chapter 14, Title 8 of the

South Carolina Code of Laws titled Unauthorized Aliens and Public Employment and agrees to provide to the City of Rock Hill any documentation required to establish either; (a) the applicability of such law to the company, subcontractor, and sub-subcontractor; or (b) the compliance with this law by the company and any subcontractors or sub-subcontractors.

5.2. Indemnification

The Company shall indemnify and hold the City harmless from and against all liability, loss, damages, or injury, and all costs and expenses (including attorneys' fees and costs of any suit related thereto), suffered or incurred by the City, to the extent arising from the company’s or its contractor’s negligent performance of the services under this agreement, intentional misconduct, negligent acts or omissions, or breach of any term, covenant, representation, or warranty of this agreement.

5.3. Freedom of Information Act

All submissions will be public information, per FOIA guidelines.

5.4. Iran Divestment Act

By signing its submission, the Company certifies that it:

is not identified on the list of persons determined by the Executive Director of the State Fiscal

Accountability Authority to engage in investment activities in the country of Iran as described in South

Carolina Code of Laws Section 11-57-310 (as amended), or any other list of prohibited investments created by the State legislature; will not take any action causing it to appear on any such list during the term of the Final Contract; and will not utilize any subcontractor that is identified on any such list to provide goods or services thereunder.

5.5. Non-Appropriation of Funds

This agreement shall be subject to the availability and appropriation of funds by Management and City

Council. If the Council does not appropriate the funding needed by the City to make payments under this agreement for a given fiscal year, the City will not be obligated to pay amounts due beyond the end of the last fiscal year for which funds were appropriated. No act or omission by the City, which is attributable to non-appropriation of funds, shall constitute a breach of or default under this agreement.

5.6. Statement on Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE)

The City recognizes that business companies owned and operated by minority persons and women have been historically restricted from full participation in our free enterprise system to a degree disproportionate to other businesses.

The City believes that it should work to ameliorate past discrimination by facilitating the participation of underrepresented groups in the City’s economic community and that such participation is in its best interests and the best interests of its citizens.

The City will work to ensure that such underrepresented groups, and the businesses they own and lead, are afforded the maximum practicable opportunity—in balance with financially safe and sound business practices–to compete for and perform contracts when the City is procuring construction services, supplies, equipment contracts, lease agreements, or consultant and other services, within the laws of the State of South Carolina.

The City endeavors to develop, establish, implement, and administer its policies, programs, and procedures to promote balanced economic growth throughout its community.

Accordingly, the City shall not discriminate and shall prohibit discrimination in its selection and retention of contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers, against any person or business on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, status as a parent, age, disability, genetic information, or military status. The City recognizes that disparate treatment on any such basis in the pursuit of economic opportunities is intolerable discrimination.

5.7. City Business License

The successful Company, prior to execution of the contract, must possess or obtain a City of Rock Hill business license. Such license must be maintained throughout the contract. The fee for such a license is based on the amount of the contract with the City if the company is not currently doing other business inside the City limits. If the company is currently doing other business within the City limits of Rock Hill and does not possess a business license, then the fee for the license is based on the total gross receipts from customers within the City limits. Contact the City Business License Office at 803-329-5590 to determine the exact amount or to ask other pertinent questions regarding doing business in the City of

Rock Hill. Companies do not need to possess a business license to submit their qualifications.

5.8. Excluded Companies

Submissions from companies may be excluded for any of the following reasons:

(i) Reason to believe collusion exists among the companies

(ii) The company is involved in any litigation against the City

(iii) The company is in arrears on any existing contract or has defaulted on a previous contract with the

City

(iv) Lack of financial stability

(v) Failure to perform under previous or present contracts with the City

(vi) Is currently debarred by the State of South Carolina Procurement Services

Excluded Companies can resubmit complete company information with references for City review after a minimum of one year from the last excluded bid/proposal. The City will contact the company with its decision within 30 days of company information submittal. The City reserves the right to include or exclude said company based on findings.

5.9. Customer Service

Please remember, although you are a contracted City service, you each represent the City of Rock Hill during all work performed, face-to-face as well as telephone conversations. These guidelines are to give all contract employees a solid feeling of what the City of Rock Hill expects from any contracted service.

Overview:

• Be friendly, courteous, and helpful

• Company uniforms must be worn at all times

• Staff members must look and act professionally at all times

Company's Employees:

Before the contractor can enter the project site, it shall investigate and determine that its employees working on the project site are not listed on the sexual offender registry. The contractor shall require all subcontractors to make a similar investigation. One such investigation within six (6) months of commencement of the project work, by the employer, fulfills the City’s requirement for the project.

The Rock Hill Police Department along with the City of Rock Hill also reserves the right to cancel any contracts, agreements, purchasing or distribution, etc., if they feel the project, purchasing, vehicle(s), and or property(s) may be in jeopardy due to the contractor’s employee(s) having a criminal history which may lead to ethical issues while dealing with City workings or investigative activities.

6. EVALUATION PROCESS

1. All responses are subject to a determination of "responsive" and "responsible" prior to selection. The

Procurement representative is the sole judge as to the submitting entity's "responsiveness" and

"responsibility." The City reserves the right to request additional information.

2. The Evaluation Team will review all submissions and reserves the right to request necessary modifications, waive minor technicalities, reject all submissions, reject any submission that does not meet the mandatory requirement(s), or cancels this RFQ, according to the City's best interests.

3. The Evaluation Team may elect to interview one or more proposing companies before making an award. This committee will review each compliant submittal and may invite, at its sole discretion, up to five (5) companies for interviews, but this is not a required step in the selection process. The City will provide written notification to any companies chosen of their intent to pursue contract negotiations.

The City shall not reimburse the company for the costs associated with the interview process. The City assumes no responsibility for costs incurred in responding to this RFQ.

4. The Evaluation Team may elect to first rank submissions with a simple numeric score and then detail score only the top tier of submissions.

5. The Evaluation Team will evaluate responses on a weighted evaluation system. The categories and points assigned for each category are listed in the Evaluation Section.

The City of Rock Hill will review all qualified Statements of Qualifications received and may select one or more companies for contract consideration.

7. EVALUATION

No. Evaluation Criteria Scoring Method Weight (Points)

1. Qualifications Points Based 30 (30% of Total)

2. Project Experience Points Based 20 (20% of Total)

3. Project Understanding Points Based 20 (20% of Total)

4. Response Points Based 20 (20% of Total)

5. Historical Performance Points Based 10 (10% of Total)

8. VENDOR QUESTIONNAIRE

8.1. Company Information*

Please provide the following information:

• Company (legal name)

• Name and Title of Primary Contact

• Telephone Number

• Email Address

• Address

*Response required

8.2. Company Confirmation*

The company affirms that we have read and understand the enclosed RFQ requirements and specifications and submit this Statement of Qualifications for On-Call Environmental Consulting Services.

☐ Please confirm

*Response required

8.3. Submission of Qualifications *

Upload your Qualifications Statement here:

*Response required

8.4. Other Supporting Data

Include any additional information you feel to be relevant to the selection of the company.

8.5. References*

Provide the name, address, and telephone number of at least three (3) references familiar with the quality of work done by the company of similar nature as contained in the Scope of Work. By submission of the references, you are authorizing the City of Rock Hill to contact these references. This is not required if you have worked for the City of Rock Hill on at least two (2) projects over the past two (2) years. Please reply "Not Applicable" if this is the case.

*Response required

8.6. Suspension and Debarment Certification*

The Company certifies, by submission of this RFQ, that neither it nor its principals are presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible, or voluntarily excluded from participation in this transaction by any federal, state, or local agency. Where the submitting entity is unable to certify any of the statements in this certification, such company shall attach an explanation to the submission.

☐ Please confirm

*Response required

8.7. Illegal Immigration Reform Act Compliance *

The Company certifies that it will comply with the requirements of Chapter 14, Title 8 of the South

Carolina Code of Laws titled Unauthorized Aliens and Public Employment and agrees to provide to the

City of Rock Hill any documentation required to establish either; (a) the applicability of such law to the

Company, subcontractor, and sub-subcontractor; or (b) the compliance with this law by the Company and any subcontractors or sub-subcontractors.

☐ Please confirm

*Response required

8.8. Iran Divestment Act *

The Company certifies that it:

1) is not identified on the list of persons determined by the Executive Director of the State Fiscal

Accountability Authority to engage in investment activities in the country of Iran as described in South

Carolina Code of Laws Section 11-57-310 (as amended), or any other list of prohibited investments created by the State legislature;

2) will not take any action causing it to appear on any such list during the term of the Final Contract; and

3) will not utilize any subcontractor that is identified on any such list to provide goods or services thereunder.

☐ Please confirm

*Response required

8.9. Company’s Sub-Consultants*

Please provide the following information for each of the sub-consultants to be utilized by the Company for this project.

Discipline

• Contact Name

• Company

• Address Line 1

• Address Line 2

• Telephone Number

• E-mail address

• Is the sub-consultant a DBE? (yes or no)

If you are not employing sub-consultants, answer "Not Applicable."

*Response required

8.10. Customer Service*

The Company representative has read and agrees to the standards set forth in the City's Customer

Service agreement.

☐ Please confirm

*Response required

8.11. ***The questions below are for tracking purposes only and will have no bearing on the award of the contract.***

8.11.1. Is your Company located within the Rock Hill City limits? *

☐ Yes

☐ No

*Response required

8.11.2. Is your Company located within York County?*

☐ Yes

☐ No

*Response required

8.11.3. Is your company a disadvantaged business enterprise (DBE)?*

DBEs are for-profit small business concerns where minority individuals or women own at least a 51% interest and also control management and daily business operations. African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, Asian-Pacific, and Subcontinent Asian Americans are presumed to be minorities.

☐ Yes

☐ No

*Response required

8.11.4. If your company is a DBE, is it registered and certified with an authorized agency?

Examples of South Carolina agencies authorized to certify are:

• Department of Transportation (SCDOT) South Carolina Unified Certification Program (SCUCP) https://www.scdot.org/business/bus-development-dbe-certification.aspx

• SC Division of Small and Minority Business Contracting and Certification

☐ Yes

☐ No https://osmba.sc.gov/index.html