RFQ 527-132 SWide ADA Barriers.pdf

NOTICE TO CONSULTANTS

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

RFQ 527-132 STATEWIDE ADA BARRIERS REMOVAL

BRIEF DESCRIPTION: The purpose of this Professional Services Request for Qualifications (RFQ) is to select one or more consultant teams with multi-disciplinary expertise to provide professional architectural, engineering, and related technical services for the correction of accessibility barriers in state parks across Washington State.

Submittal due date: Tuesday, January 06, 2025, by 1:00PM, PST

ELECTRONIC SUBMITTALS RESPONSES ONLY: Submittal responses will only be accepted electronically via Email/Email Attachment to BidBox@parks.wa.gov. (PDF scan encouraged). See

Section 4.1 – Submission of Responses for expanded details.

Procurement Coordinator: Rachel Decker, contracts@parks.wa.gov

Email Inquiries to: contracts@parks.wa.gov

• See also (special communication instructions) §2.1, §2.2, §2.3.

Washington State’s Official Bid Notification System: Consultants are responsible for properly registering in the Washington’s Electronic Business Solutions (WEBS) system, https://fortress.wa.gov/ga/webs/ and downloading the solicitation document and all appendices and incorporated documents related to this solicitation. WEBS Registration Information:

https://des.wa.gov/services/contracting-purchasing/doing-business-state/webs-registration-search-tips.

WEBS is the system of record for this competition. Alternatively, you can also access the RFQ documents for reference purposes at www.parks.wa.gov/contracts by clicking on the State Purchasing link. However, please note that the official channel for notifications and updates is through WEBS and any RFQ addenda, amendments or Consultants’ questions-&-answers will only be provided to those consultants who have registered with WEBS. Failure to do so may result in a Consultant having incomplete, inaccurate, or otherwise inadequate information.

It is each Consultant’ responsibility to fully read and understand all provisions of this RFQ. If a Consultant does not fully understand any portion of this RFQ, the Consultant should contact the Procurement Coordinator.

It is the responsibility of each Consultant to carefully read, understand, and follow all of the instructions contained in this RFQ and all amendments hereto.

mailto:BidBox@parks.wa.gov mailto:contracts@parks.wa.gov mailto:contracts@parks.wa.gov https://fortress.wa.gov/ga/webs/ https://des.wa.gov/services/contracting-purchasing/doing-business-state/webs-registration-search-tips http://www.parks.wa.gov/contracts

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 SUMMARY OF OPPORTUNITY

1.1 Acquisition Authority

1.2 Project Description

1.3 Mandatory Qualifications

2 DEADLINES, PREBID CONFERENCE, QUESTIONS AND PROCUREMENT SCHEDULE

2.1 PRE-submittal CONFERENCE

2.2 QUESTION AND ANSWER PERIOD

2.3 Complaint Period

2.4 Procurement Schedule

3 RESPONSES - REQUIRED CONTENT

3.1 Checklist of Mandatory items

3.2 Consultant Profile – Appendix A

3.3 Certifications – Appendix B

3.4 Submittal – Appendix C

3.5 References – Appendix D

3.6 Diverse Business Inclusion Plan – Appendix e

3.7 REGION SELECTION FORM – Appendix F

4 RESPONSES - PREPARATION AND SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

4.1 Submission of Responses

4.2 Response layout requirements

5 EVALUATION AND AWARD

5.1 Determination of Responsiveness

5.2 General Evaluation Provisions

5.3 selection process

5.4 SOQ Evaluation CRITERIA (PHASE 1)

5.5 Oral Presentations (OPTIONAL)

5.6 Oral Presentations Evaluation CRITERIA (PHASE 2) — optional

5.7 Selection of Apparent Successful Consultant

5.8 Announcement of Apparent Successful consultant

6 DEBRIEF AND PROTESTS

6.1 Debriefing of Unsuccessful consultants

6.2 Procurement Records Disclosure

6.3 Protests

6.4 Grounds for Protest

6.5 Protest Form and Content

6.6 Submitting a Protest

7 ADDITIONAL GENERAL PROVISIONS FOR ALL CONSULTANTS

7.1 Announcement and Special Information

7.2 Contracting with Current or Former State Employees

7.3 Amendments to The RFQ

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7.4 Responsiveness of Consultant’s Response

7.5 Clarity and Clarifications

7.6 Cost of Response Preparation

7.7 Ownership of responses

7.8 Final Selection & No Obligation

7.9 Incorporation of Response in Contract

7.10 Agreement to STATE PARKS Contract Terms and Conditions

7.11 Statewide Vendor Payment Registration

7.12 Minority Women Owned and Veteran Owned Business Enterprises

7.13 SUBCONSULTANT PARTICIPATION MONITORING AND REPORTING

7.14 Public Disclosure & Proprietary Information

7.15 Civil Rights Compliance

8 APPENDICES and EXHIBITS Appendix A, Consultant Profile (Mandatory - sign and return) Appendix B, Certifications (Mandatory - sign and return) Appendix C, Submittal (Mandatory – write and return) Appendix D, References (Mandatory - complete and return – and notify References) Appendix E, Diversity Business Inclusion Plan (Mandatory - complete and return) Appendix F, Region Selection Form (Mandatory - complete and return) Exhibit A. Draft/Sample Service Agreement for Apparent Successful Consultant Exhibit B. ADA Settlement Agreement Between United States of America and Washington

State Parks

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1 SUMMARY OF OPPORTUNITY

This section describes the purpose of the Request for Qualifications and provides information about this procurement, including the potential scope of the opportunity.

1.1 ACQUISITION AUTHORITY

Under the authority granted to the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission (State Parks) in accordance with Chapter 39.80 RCW, the purpose of this Request for Qualifications is to select one or more consultant teams for the professional services described herein.

1.2 PROJECT DESCRIPTION

State Parks is undertaking a multi-year program to correct accessibility barriers across Washington’s state parks. The agency has a Title II ADA Transition Plan and is in the process of developing a Remediation Plan in accordance with a voluntary settlement agreement between the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission (WSPRC, agency) and the United States Attorney’s Office (USAO). That agreement requires the agency to correct (or remediate) public-facing accessibility barriers in state parks constructed or altered since 1992 within a timeline described in the agreement. Work covers multiple facilities and amenities in parks across the Eastern, Northwest, and Southwest Regions, with projects varying in scale and complexity.

SCOPE OF WORK

State Parks seeks one or more consultant teams with multi-disciplinary expertise to support all phases of accessibility remediation projects across state parks. Required service including, but not limited to accessibility compliance, GIS, CAD, planning, land surveying, architectural design, engineering design, landscape design, and permit support to correct accessibility barriers through construction by agency staff, construction by public works, or other project delivery methods. The successful consultant team(s) will work collaboratively with the State Parks Project Representative(s), State Parks staff, sub-consultants, and stakeholders in pursuit of the efficient and cost-effective correction of accessibility barriers.

The successful consultant team(s) will perform a variety of services that may include, but are not limited to field reconnaissance, data collection, land surveying, wetland delineation, analyses, reporting, design, and the development of permitting documents, cost estimates, and construction documents to implement accessibility barrier corrections at state parks, statewide. Appendix F includes a map of Washington State with State Parks’ regions. Using Appendix F, the Consultant team(s) will select one or more regions (Eastern, Northwest, Southwest, and/or Statewide) that applies to their submittal. Table 1, below, lists the parks, number of barriers, and The Maximum Allowable Construction Cost (MACC) for these projects are $7,040,000.

Table 1: Accessibility Barriers and MACC by Park

Park Name Region No. of Barriers MACC Bottle Beach SW 15 $50,000 Dash Point NW 65 $340,000 Flaming Geyser NW 24 $350,000 Fort Simcoe Eastern 44 $490,000 Goldendale Observatory Eastern 20 $30,000 Ike Kinswa SW 102 $320,000 Lake Easton Eastern 110 $270,000 Lake Sylvia SW 77 $130,000 Lewis & Clark State Park SW 123 $730,000 Lyons Ferry Eastern 40 $290,000 https://parks.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2023-11/ADA%20Title%20II%20Transition%20Plan%20DRAFT_202008030930272314.pdf

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Millersylvania NW 289 $860,000 Palouse Falls Eastern 50 $660,000 Rasar NW 190 $1,200,000 Saltwater NW 32 $240,000 Schafer SW 47 $130,000 Sun Lake/Dry Falls Eastern 107 $740,000 Westport Light & Westhaven SW 65 $210,000

The list of parks, number of barriers, and the MACC included in Table 1 are subject to change.

State Parks may add or delete parks as needed to manage the work in accordance with State Parks business needs, funding, and its obligations to accessibility compliance. Changes to the scope of work will be managed under contract amendments.

State Parks will provide to the consultant team(s) all applicable park information such as topographic surveys, as-built drawings, prior reports, etc. State Parks staff typically lead work relating to environmental permitting and cultural resources review for projects in accordance with agency policies and practices. The successful consultant team(s) will support the Project Representative(s) and State Parks staff in securing environmental permits and decisions regarding historic preservation and cultural resource reviews. In some cases, for some parks, agency staff have initiated preliminary design and have received feedback regarding environmental permitting and cultural resources review. In these cases, the successful consultant team(s) will continue the design and permitting work.

State Parks’ approach for correcting accessibility barriers is to develop one or more projects per park. Each project may have one or more phases of work, depending on funding, timing, permits, and park operations.

The successful consultant team(s) will follow the current WA State Office of Financial Management (OFM) guidelines for architectural/engineering (A/E) fees on public works building projects utilizing the design phased approach to manage these projects involving support from consultant teams. Consultant team deliverables will typically include construction plans, specifications, and cost estimates at each at each design phase, in addition to preparing required reports, analyses, and supporting documentation as needed by State Parks and agencies having jurisdiction (AHJs). The successful consultant team(s) will follow not only the State Parks CAD standards, but also those to meet the requirements of. State Parks’ Project Representative(s) will decide which individual projects or phases of projects will advance to full public works bid document development or to a lesser milestone in support of construction by State Parks staff.

Proper planning, coordination, and advanced scheduling are critical to the success of this scope of work. Prior coordination and scheduling are required for park site visits or for project meetings involving agency staff. Prior coordination and authorizations are required for any ground disturbing activity (e.g., land survey staking, wetland delineation probes, or soils tests). The successful consultant team(s) will work closely with the Project Representative(s) to coordinate and schedule all aspects of the scope of work.

Due to the variety of accessibility barriers affecting many different park features, the successful consultant team(s) will have a dedicated, experienced project manager that will lead a multi-disciplinary team of staff and subconsultants. The successful consultant team(s), as subject matter experts, will prepare justifications for technical infeasibility, disproportionate cost, or programmatic alternatives consistent with ADA regulations, the Transition Plan, and the Remediation Plan.

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State Parks will assign one or more Project Representative(s) to act as the sole point of contact for the consultant team(s). Direct communication with other State Parks staff, stakeholders, or AHJs requires prior written authorization.

Utilization of Local Services Although no formal local preference is included, respondents are encouraged to consider utilizing qualified local firms and/or subconsultants in order to strengthen local economic participation in these projects without influencing the competitive evaluation and selection process.

1.3 MANDATORY QUALIFICATIONS

The following are mandatory qualifications that the Consultant must satisfy to be announced as the Apparent Successful Consultant:

• Consultant team(s) must have professionals licensed in the state of Washington for the duration of the contract.

• The Consultant must have at least seven (7) years of experience in ADA evaluation, design, and permitting.

• Consultant team(s) must be registered to do business in the state of Washington and must hold a Universal Business Identifier (UBI).

• Consultant is urged to sign up in Washington’s Electronic Business System (WEBS), as that is where all documents and addenda will be posted.

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2 DEADLINES, PREBID CONFERENCE, QUESTIONS AND PROCUREMENT SCHEDULE

This section identifies important deadlines for this Request for Qualifications, where to direct questions regarding the Request for Qualifications, and the process for potential amendments or modifications to the Request for Qualifications.

2.1 PRE-SUBMITTAL CONFERENCE

Consultants are invited to a virtual pre-submittal conference via Microsoft Teams, where they can ask questions and request changes. Interested consultants must RSVP to contracts@parks.wa.gov by the date specified in Section 2.4 – Procurement Schedule, with the submittal identification number and "RSVP" in the subject line (e.g., "RFQ # RSVP"). A meeting link will be sent the next day. The conference date and time are also in Section 2.4.

Attendees should not display video and keep their microphones muted if not speaking. If the conference fails or you have additional questions, send them by 3 PM (PST) on the same day.

Responses will be posted on WEBS. State Parks is not responsible for technical issues or participation failures. Questions raised at the pre-submittal conference and during the Q&A period will be answered and responses posted to WEBS.

State Parks reserves the right to amend and modify this Request for Qualifications.

2.2 QUESTION AND ANSWER PERIOD

Consultants may ask questions at any time, but responses must be posted on WEBS before the submittal’s due date to allow consultants to respond. The final day for questions to receive a formal response is in Section 2.4 – Procurement Schedule.

Send questions to contracts@parks.wa.gov with the submittal identification number and "Question" in the subject line (e.g., "RFQ # Question"). Only responses posted on WEBS are official; all other communications are unofficial and nonbinding.

2.3 COMPLAINT PERIOD

Consultants should first address concerns during the Question-and-Answer period. If a complaint is necessary, refer to Section 2.4 – Procurement Schedule for the Complaints Period. Complaints outside this period will not be considered. Send complaints to contracts@parks.wa.gov with the submittal identification number and "Complaint" in the subject line (e.g., "RFQ # Complaint").

Failure to mark correctly may result in the complaint being missed. Responses will be posted on WEBS; only these responses are official.

Consultants must follow these procedures for complaints to be considered. Complaints must be in writing, sent to the Procurement Coordinator before the deadline, to the specified email address, and with the correct subject line. The complaint must state its basis and propose a remedy Only complaints that fall into the categories below and stipulate an issue of fact shall be considered:

• The request for qualifications unnecessarily restricts competition

• The request for qualifications evaluation or scoring is unfair or flawed; or

• The request for qualifications requirements are inadequate or insufficient to prepare a response mailto:contracts@parks.wa.gov

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2.4 PROCUREMENT SCHEDULE

Consultants must adhere to the following schedule of activities. All times and dates are to be deemed final, unless officially amended by a written amendment posted in WEBS. State Parks requires strict adherence to this schedule:

Activity 1. Due Dates Time

RSVP Pre-submittal Conference

11/18/2025 See additional details in Section 2.1 – Pre-submittal Conference.

COB

Pre-submittal Conference

11/20/2025 See additional details in Section 2.1 – Pre-submittal Conference

1:00 PM-

1:30 PM

PST

Question Period

11/10/2025 – 12/16/2025 See additional details in Section 2.2 – Question and Answer Period.

NA

Answer Period

11/25/2025 – 12/19/2025, anticipated but may take longer. All Answer Responses will be posted on WEBS. See Section 2.2 – Question and Answer Period

Complaint Period

12/23/2025 – 12/26/2025 See additional details in Section 2.3 – Complaint Period.

Complaints received before or after the Complaint period will not be considered.

NA

Consultant’s Response – Deadline

01/06/2026 See also: Section 4 - Responses - Preparation and Submission Requirements. See also Section 3.1

CHECKLIST OF REQUIRED MATERIALS

1:00PM

Short-Listed firms selected and notified

If the goal of identifying the most qualified firm from the SOQ Evaluation Phase 1 is not met, the evaluation team may consider adding Phase 2:

Oral Presentations to the evaluation process. The decision to proceed with Phase 2 will be determined as needed.

Oral Presentations (if needed)

The Oral Presentation Phase 2 criteria and instructions will be provided by email to the short-listed firms. To be Determined.

Announcement of Apparent Successful Consultant

(ASC)

After the Submittal’s due date (deadline to submit submittal responses) and following the evaluation, short-listed selected, or oral presentations (if needed) the state will Announce the Apparent Successful Consultant (ASC). See additional details in Section 5.8 – Announcement of Apparent Successful Consultant.

Debriefing of Consultants

The Consultant wanting a Debrief must request a Debrief within three business days following the day of the Announcement of Apparent Successful Consultant (ASC). See additional details in Section 6.1 – Debriefing of Consultants.

Protest The DEBRIEFED Consultant wanting to submit a protest must submit a Protest within five business days following the day of the Debrief. See additional details in Section 6.3 – Protests

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3 RESPONSES - REQUIRED CONTENT

This section describes the information required for the Request for Qualifications and outlines how your submittal will be scored. Additionally, consultants must review and adhere to the Request for Qualifications requirements, including those detailed in the exhibits, which specify the information that must be provided for a submittal to be considered responsive.

3.1 CHECKLIST OF MANDATORY ITEMS

The following list identifies the content that must be included in each responsible submission.

• Appendix A, Consultant Profile

• Appendix B, Certifications

• Appendix C, Submittal

• Appendix D, References

• Appendix E, Diverse Business Inclusion Plan

• Appendix F, Region Selection Form

Any response that does not contain all of the above items will be rejected as non-responsive.

Each item is discussed in more depth in the following sections.

3.2 CONSULTANT PROFILE – APPENDIX A

Consultant Profile provides general information concerning the Consultant and/or its corporate entity. The Consultant must complete all sections and sign where indicated. Signing the Profile indicates the Consultant accepts the terms and conditions of this RFQ. Failure to address all of the elements identified in the Profile may result in disqualification.

It is important to fully read the Consultant Profile as there are additional pages that the Consultant may have to attach depending on the Consultant’s response.

Appendix A - The Consultant Profile is evaluated on a pass/fail basis.

3.3 CERTIFICATIONS – APPENDIX B

The Certifications must be executed as written in Appendix B. Failure to execute the Appendix in its official form will result in the Consultant’s Proposal being disqualified.

Appendix B – Certifications is evaluated on a pass/fail basis.

3.4 SUBMITTAL – APPENDIX C

The Submittal section of the response must contain information that will demonstrate to the evaluation committee the Consultant’s understanding of the types of services proposed, the firm’s ability to accomplish them, and the ability to meet tight timeframes.

3.4.1 The firm’s approach to the work (4 pages, maximum).

3.4.2 The firm’s resume (5 pages, maximum).

3.4.3 A resume for all proposed sub-consultants (2 pages, maximum, per sub-consultant).

3.4.4 A written statement of the firm’s qualifications which is responsive to the selection criteria

(10 pages, maximum, including pictures).

3.4.5 Key staff resumes, including key staff of proposed sub-consultants not to exceed 10 pages, total.

3.4.6. OMWBE Certification - Include proof of certification issued by the Washington State Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises if certified minority-owned firm and/or women-owned firm(s) will be participating on this project. See also Section 3.6.

Appendix C – Submittal is evaluated and scored according to the criteria laid out in Section 5.4 SOQ Evaluation Criteria.

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3.5 REFERENCES – APPENDIX D

Each Consultant must submit three (3) references using the forms provided in Appendix D. State Parks will contact each reference by email and provide them with a pre-established questionnaire (the same questionnaire will be used for all references). It is the Consultant’s obligation to provide the correct name and email address for each reference, and make sure that such reference will promptly respond to State Parks’ inquiry. The evaluation of the references will be based on the quality of the referral given, and the relative correlation between the services performed for that reference and the scope of work herein. As such, State Parks notes that references from other Washington State Agencies for similar work will be deemed as having a higher degree of relativity.

Appendix D- References are evaluated on a pass/fail basis that it is included with the submittal.

The objective of references is to gage the Responsibility of the consultant. State Parks reserves the right and may contact your reference and may contact any person, business, agency, or database system that may have information on your skills, abilities, and customer service.

3.6 DIVERSE BUSINESS INCLUSION PLAN – APPENDIX E

In accordance with RCW 39.19.010, the state of Washington encourages participation in all of its contracts by OMWBE certified firms.

In accordance with RCW 43.60A.200 and RCW 39.26.240, the state of Washington encourages participation in contracts that are exempt from competitive bidding under RCW 39.26.125 by firms certified by Department Of Veteran Affairs.

In accordance with RCW 39.26.005, the state of Washington encourages participation in all of its contracts by Washington small businesses.

All Consultants, including diverse-owned firms, will be required to submit a Diverse Business Inclusion Plan. The Inclusion Plan should demonstrate in detail the specific strategies, approaches, and steps your firm will use in seeking to help meet or exceed the state’s aspirational diverse business participation goals. Achievement of the goals is encouraged whether directly or through subconsultants.

• Ten percent (10%) Minority-Owned Businesses certified by the Washington State Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises (OMWBE);

• Six percent (6%) Women-Owned Businesses certified by the Washington State Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises (OMWBE);

• Five percent (5%) Veteran-Owned Businesses certified by the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA); and

• Five percent (5%) Washington Small Businesses self-identified in the Washington Electronics’ Business Solution (WEBS) https://www.des.wa.gov/services/contracting-purchasing/doing-business-state/webs-registration-search-tips.

The Diverse Business definition includes Washington small business, micro-business, and mini business as defined in RCW 39.26.010, Minority and Women Business Enterprises (M/WBEs) as defined in RCW 39. 19 and WAC 326-20, and Veteran-owned businesses as defined in RCW 43.60A.010.

Appendix E – Diverse Business Inclusion Plan is evaluated on a pass/fail basis.

3.7 REGION SELECTION FORM – APPENDIX F

Includes a map of Washington State with State Parks’ regions. Using Appendix F, select one or more regions (Eastern, Northwest, Southwest, and/or Statewide) that the firm is submitting for.

Appendix F – Region Selection Form is evaluated on a pass/fail basis.

https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=39.19.010 https://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=43.60A.200 https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=39.26.240 https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=39.26.125 https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=39.26.005 https://omwbe.wa.gov/state-supplier-diversity-reporting/tools-equity-public-spending/subcontractor-inclusion-plans https://omwbe.wa.gov/state-supplier-diversity-reporting/tools-equity-public-spending/subcontractor-inclusion-plans https://omwbe.wa.gov/directory-certified-businesses https://omwbe.wa.gov/directory-certified-businesses https://dva.wa.gov/veterans-their-families/veteran-owned-businesses/vob-search https://www.des.wa.gov/services/contracting-purchasing/doing-business-state/webs-registration-search-tips https://www.des.wa.gov/services/contracting-purchasing/doing-business-state/webs-registration-search-tips

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4 RESPONSES - PREPARATION AND SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

This section identifies how to prepare and submit your submittal for this Request for Qualifications. By responding to this Request for Qualifications and submitting a submittal, consultants acknowledge having read and understood the entire Request for Qualifications and accept all information contained within this Request for Qualifications.

4.1 SUBMISSION OF RESPONSES

Consultants must be complete, legible, signed, and follow all instructions stated in the Request for Qualifications (including the appendices, and exhibits). Unless otherwise specified in writing by documents included with an electronic bid must be prepared in MS Word, MS Excel, or Adobe PDF (or similar representation that maintains bookmarks and hyperlinks). Where required to do so, consultants may sign using either a physical or electronic signature.

Consultant’s electronic submittal must be emailed to the Procurement Coordinator at the following email address: BidBox@parks.wa.gov. The email subject line should include the submittal identification number, "Submittal," and your company name (e.g., "RFQ # Submittal ACME").

Ensure the email, including attachments, is less than 30MB. It's recommended to keep it under 25MB. Zipped files are not accepted. All responses and any accompanying documentation become the property of State Parks and will not be returned.

State Parks will send an automatic acknowledgment of submittal receipt. This acknowledgment does not determine the submittal’s responsiveness. If the consultant does not receive an acknowledgment within a reasonable time, it is the consultant's responsibility to contact State Parks for confirmation.

It is State Parks’ expectation that the Consultant’s submittal response email will contain an attachment with all of the required documents, including any required signatures.

Late responses will not be accepted and will be automatically disqualified from further consideration.

VERIFICATION: Consultants are welcome to contact the State Parks Contracts and Grants Program team (CGP) to see if your submittal response was received, however, this process works best if there’s enough time between the date and time submitted and the bid’s due date deadline.

Send verification requests to: contracts@parks.wa.gov The email subject line should include the bid identification number, "Verification," and your company name (e.g., "RFQ # Verification ACME") CAUTION: Submit your submittal response early as a safeguard against any technological slow-down or delays. Submittals received after the deadline for any reason, no matter the cause, regardless of responsibility, will be rejected.

--- Late submissions will be considered non-responsive and may be rejected. ---

4.2 RESPONSE LAYOUT REQUIREMENTS

All pages in each attached file must be consecutively numbered. All pages must also contain the name of the Consultant, and the respective Appendix reference letter to which it applies. The required information may be located at the top or bottom (header or footer) of each page, but the location must be consistent throughout.

NOTE: Any attachment or exhibit to a response has to be adequately labeled -- to include the category/section/question to which it corresponds. If evaluators cannot easily identify the exhibited material to the evaluation question, or to the respective Consultant, the attachment may be disregarded.

mailto:BidBox@parks.wa.gov

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5 EVALUATION AND AWARD

This section identifies how submittals for this Request for Qualifications will be evaluated.

5.1 DETERMINATION OF RESPONSIVENESS

All Responses received by the stated deadline will first be reviewed by the Procurement Coordinator to ensure that the Responses contain all of the information required in this RFQ. Only responsive Responses that meet the requirements will be forwarded for further review. Any Response that does not contain all of the required information or any Consultant who does not meet the mandatory qualifications will be rejected as non-responsive and will be removed from further evaluation. However, the Procurement Coordinator has the right to waive, and/or seek correction of minor informalities that do not alter the content of the Response.

5.2 GENERAL EVALUATION PROVISIONS

The evaluation process is designed to award a contract to the Consultant with the best quality attributes based on the selected evaluation criteria.

Evaluations of subjective material (Appendix C) will be conducted by the evaluation team. State Parks has sole discretion over the selection of evaluators and will make such selections based on each potential evaluator’s knowledge, skills, and experience with the subject matter. Each evaluator will independently grade and score the Consultant’s material based on their own independent judgment, and in accordance with the format noted below for each respective requirement. Evaluators will only evaluate the material contained in the Responses and will not incorporate outside material into their determinations. Each evaluator has sole discretion over his or her final scores.

Consultants should take every precaution to assure that all answers are clear, complete, and directly responsive to each specific requirement.

5.3 SELECTION PROCESS

The selection process includes two potential phases. Phase 1 involves firms submitting their Statements of Qualifications (SOQs), which are scored and ranked based on the evaluation criteria specified in this RFQ. Following this, Phase 2, which is an optional Oral Presentation, may occur at the discretion of the evaluation team. If conducted, the highest-scoring firms from Phase 1, known as Finalists, will be invited to participate. In Phase 2, these Finalists are scored and ranked according to specific evaluation criteria for this phase.

The firm with the highest rank in Phase 2, if it takes place, will be chosen to enter negotiations to provide consultant services for this project. Please note that scores from Phase 1 and Phase 2 are not combined.

Should contract negotiations fail to be completed within a reasonable timeframe after initiation, State Parks may immediately cease contract negotiations and declare the firm with the next highest score as the new apparent most qualified firm and enter into contract negotiations with that firm.

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5.4 SOQ EVALUATION CRITERIA (PHASE 1)

State Parks will use the below-noted point totals in its evaluation of the required materials.

Evaluation Criteria / Required Material Maximum Possible Point Total

Appendix A: Consultant Profile Pass/Fail Basis – no points

Appendix B: Certifications Pass/Fail Basis – no points

Appendix C: Submittal

- Consultant team’s approach. Describe the proposed project team structure and internal controls to be used during the course of the project. List any subconsultants you may want to include on your team. Describe the services each would provide.

35 Points

- Describe the team’s previous experience on similar projects that indicate the firm’s expertise design, plan, and oversee the correction or remediation of facilities not meeting accessibility standards; working collaboratively with the owner, sub-consultants, and stakeholders.

20 Points

- Describe the Consultant team’s approach to completing projects at multiple locations with varying AHJs concurrently.

15 Points

- Describe the consultant team’s previous experience working with State Parks on projects of a similar scale.

15 Points

- Describe how subconsultants and team members have worked together on past projects.

15 Points

Appendix D: References

Pass/Fail Basis – no points

Appendix E: Diverse Business Inclusion Plan

Pass/Fail Basis – no points

Appendix F: Region Selection Form Pass/Fail Basis – no points

TOTAL: 100 Points Points for Appendix C will be determined according to the following guidelines, and weighted appropriately:

Consultant demonstrates renowned experience (5 points)

Consultant demonstrates considerable experience (4 points)

Consultant demonstrates solid experience (3 points)

Consultant demonstrates adequate experience (2 points)

Consultant demonstrates limited experience (1 points)

Consultant demonstrates no experience (0 points)

For example, a score of 4 points under Scoring Element #1 is worth 36 out of a possible 45 points; a score of 4 points under Scoring Element #2 is worth 32 out of a possible 40 points, etc.

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5.5 ORAL PRESENTATIONS (OPTIONAL)

Oral presentations, if considered necessary by State Parks, may be utilized in selecting the winning response. State Parks, at its sole discretion, may elect to select the top-scoring firm(s) from the written evaluation for an oral presentation and contact the top-scoring firm(s) to schedule a date, time and location for an oral presentation. Commitments made by the Consultant at the oral interview, if any, will be considered binding.

The oral presentation shall determine the apparently successful consultant.

Oral Presentations on a specified date and time, and will be formatted in two periods:

— Firm Presentation Period (Maximum: 30 Minutes)

— Question and Answer (Q&A) Period (Maximum: 20 minutes)

— Firm Closing Statements (Maximum: 5 Minutes)

5.6 ORAL PRESENTATIONS EVALUATION CRITERIA (PHASE 2) — OPTIONAL

State Parks will use the point totals noted below in its evaluation of the oral presentation.

Oral Presentation Evaluation Criteria Maximum Possible Point Total

Organization:

- Management Plan

- Team Member Qualifications

- Capacity/Production Capabilities

15 points

Project Management:

- Scope management

- Budgeting and Cost Control

- Project Scheduling

20 points

Project Approach

- Understanding of this project

- Challenges & Opportunities

50 Points

Experience

- Relevant Past Projects (firm)

- Relevant Past Project (key team members)

15 Points

TOTAL: 100 Points Points for Oral Presentation will be determined according to the following guidelines, and weighted appropriately:

Consultant demonstrates renowned experience (5 points)

Consultant demonstrates considerable experience (4 points)

Consultant demonstrates solid experience (3 points)

Consultant demonstrates adequate experience (2 points)

Consultant demonstrates limited experience (1 points)

Consultant demonstrates no experience (0 points)

For example, a score of 4 points under Scoring Element #1 is worth 36 out of a possible 45 points; a score of 4 points under Scoring Element #2 is worth 32 out of a possible 40 points, etc.

5.7 SELECTION OF APPARENT SUCCESSFUL CONSULTANT

Note: The Consultant meeting all responsive criteria and having the highest final cumulative score will be selected as the Apparent Successful Consultant (ASC).

State Parks will notify the Apparent Successful Consultant(s) and the non-successful Consultants via email.

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5.8 ANNOUNCEMENT OF APPARENT SUCCESSFUL CONSULTANT

Following the announcement of the ASC, Consultants may request a Debrief conference. The Consultant will have a short period of time to request the Debrief conference. NOTE: a Debrief conference is a mandatory prerequisite for any Consultant desiring to protest the award.

6 DEBRIEF AND PROTESTS

This section identifies how debriefings and protests for this Request for Qualifications are processed.

6.1 DEBRIEFING OF UNSUCCESSFUL CONSULTANTS

Consultants who submitted a Response will be given the opportunity for a debriefing conference.

The Procurement Coordinator must receive the request for a debriefing conference within three

(3) business days after the notification of unsuccessful Consultant email is sent. The debriefing shall be held within three (3) business days of the request.

Discussion will be limited to a critique of the requesting Consultant’s Response including the factors considered in the evaluation of that Response and the Consultant’s performance with regard to the solicitation requirements. Comparisons between Responses or evaluations of the other Responses will not be allowed. Debriefing conferences may be conducted in person or on the telephone and will be scheduled for a maximum of thirty (30) minutes.

6.2 PROCUREMENT RECORDS DISCLOSURE

A consultant may request copies of the solicitation and evaluation documents or inspect them to assess the efficacy of filing a protest. Such requests must be submitted online to the State Parks Public Records Center. State Parks will respond within five business days of receiving the request.

The requested documents will either be sent to or made available to the requesting Consultant, except for any portions of the documents that have been identified as Proprietary Information.

State Parks will follow the process set forth in Section 7.14 Public Disclosure & Proprietary Information, before disclosing any portions of Responses that have been identified as Proprietary Information.

If more time is needed, State Parks will inform the requestor of the date the requested documents will be available.

6.3 PROTESTS

Consultants protesting this procurement shall follow the procedures described in below. Protests that do not follow these procedures shall not be considered. This protest procedure constitutes the sole administrative remedy available to the Consultant under this procurement. State Parks will not accept any protest before the announcement of the Apparent Successful Consultant.

The protest procedure is only available to Consultants who submitted a response to this RFQ and who have participated in a debriefing conference. State Parks must receive a protest within five

(5) business days of the debriefing.

6.4 GROUNDS FOR PROTEST

A protest may be made based only on the following grounds:

• A matter of bias, discrimination, or conflict of interest on the part of an evaluator;

• Errors in computing the scores; or

• Non-compliance with the procedures established in this Procurement document.

Protests not based on these grounds will not be considered. Protests will be rejected as without merit if they address issues such as: 1) An evaluator’s professional judgment on the quality of a Response, or 2) State Parks’ assessment of its own needs or requirements.

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6.5 PROTEST FORM AND CONTENT

A Protest must state all of the facts and arguments upon which the Protest is based, and the grounds for the Protest. It must be in writing, clear and concise, and signed by a person authorized to bind the Consultant to a contractual relationship. At a minimum, the Protest must include:

• The name of the protesting Consultant, mailing address and phone number, and the name of the individual responsible for submission of the Protest;

• The RFQ number and title

• A detailed and complete statement of the specific State Parks actions under Protest;

• The grounds for the Protest;

• Description of the relief or corrective action requested. Consultant may attach supporting documentation to their Protest as they deem necessary and proper.

6.6 SUBMITTING A PROTEST

Protests must be in writing, must be signed by the Consultant and must be received by the State Parks Procurement Coordinator at the address below within five (5) Business Days after the debriefing conference. All protests shall be emailed to the Procurement Coordinator as follows:

Email: contracts@parks.wa.gov The subject Line: RFQ # Protest by [Your firm’s name].

Upon State Parks’ receipt of a protest, a review and investigation will be conducted by a neutral party that had no involvement in the evaluation and award process. The reviewer will conduct an objective review of the Protest, based on the contents of the written Protest and the RFQ and any amendments, the Responses, all documents showing evaluation and scoring of the Responses record and any other pertinent information and issue a decision within ten (10) business days of receipt of the protest, unless additional time is needed. If additional time is needed, the protesting Consultant will be notified of the delay.

State Parks will make a final determination on the protest; in accordance with such findings, State Parks will:

a. Find the protest lacking in merit and uphold State Parks’ action; or

b. Find only technical or harmless errors in State Parks’ acquisition process and determine

State Parks to be in substantial compliance and reject the protest; or

c. Find merit in the protest and provide State Parks options which may include:

1) that State Parks correct the errors and re-evaluate all Responses;

2) that State Parks reissue the RFQ document and begin a new process;

3) other courses of action as appropriate.

If the reviewer determines that the protest is without merit, State Parks may enter into a contract with the Apparent Successful Consultant. If the protest is determined to have merit, State Parks will take the appropriate alternative as noted in the preceding paragraph.

7 ADDITIONAL GENERAL PROVISIONS FOR ALL CONSULTANTS

This section identifies additional provisions for this Request for Qualifications.

7.1 ANNOUNCEMENT AND SPECIAL INFORMATION

By responding to this RFQ, a Consultant acknowledges they have read and understand the entire RFQ and accepts all information contained within the RFQ without modification.

7.2 CONTRACTING WITH CURRENT OR FORMER STATE EMPLOYEES

Specific restrictions apply to contracting with current or former state employees pursuant to chapter

42.52 of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW). Those restrictions also apply to any Consultant submitting a Response under this RFQ who has hired a former state employee. Consultants should

RFQ 527-132 Statewide ADA Barriers Removal Page 17 of 31 familiarize themselves with the requirements prior to submitting a Response that includes current or former state employees.

7.3 AMENDMENTS TO THE RFQ

State Parks reserves the right to revise this RFQ. All changes will be made by written amendment.

All official amendments will be posted in WEBS and will automatically become incorporated as part of this RFQ. If there are any conflict between amendments, or between an amendment and the RFQ, whichever document was issued last in time will be controlling.

Amendments will be made in consideration to the overall timeline; State Parks will determine whether extensions to the timeline are necessary.

7.4 RESPONSIVENESS OF CONSULTANT’S RESPONSE

Each Consultant is specifically notified that failure to comply with any part of the solicitation may result in rejection of their Response as non-responsive. Rejected, non-responsive Responses will not be scored. State Parks will not be liable for any errors or omissions in Consultant’s Response.

Consultants will not be allowed to alter their Response after the Response Submission Deadline.

It is the responsibility of each Consultant to carefully read, understand, and follow all the instructions contained in this RFQ, and in any future amendments. If a Consultant does not fully understand any Response requirement, said Consultant should submit an inquiry to the Procurement Coordinator. Consultants are hereby notified that failure to comply with any solicitation requirement may result in the Response being rejected as non-responsive. State Parks reserves the right to waive any administrative, minor irregularity in a Response, but it is not required to do so.

7.5 CLARITY AND CLARIFICATIONS

State Parks will make the sole determination of clarity and completeness of the Responses. No Response may be altered or amended after the submission deadline; however, State Parks reserves the right to contact a Consultant for clarification of responsive contents if necessary.

NOTE: This clarification process is only used to clarify information that was contained within the Response; it is not a means of providing or incorporating new information that was otherwise not initially included. Evaluators have no obligation to seek or request a clarification; they may evaluate the response as provided.

7.6 COST OF RESPONSE PREPARATION

State Parks will not reimburse Consultants for any costs associated with preparing or presenting a Response to this solicitation.

State Parks will not be liable for any costs incurred by the Consultant in preparation or presentation of a responsive Response to this RFQ.

State Parks will not pay for any costs accrued prior to a mutually executed contract resulting from this RFQ.

7.7 OWNERSHIP OF RESPONSES

All Responses and materials submitted in response to this RFQ become the property of State Parks. State Parks has the right to use information or adaptations of information that is presented in a response, unless the information is marked “Proprietary” and is not: (1) already known to State Parks prior to receipt of the information in the Response or materials submitted in response to this RFQ, (2) subsequently disclosed to State Parks by a third party who has the lawful right to make such disclosure, or (3) lawfully publicly available. Selection or rejection of the offer will not affect this right.

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7.8 FINAL SELECTION & NO OBLIGATION

State Parks reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to reject all responses without penalty and not to issue a contract as a result of this solicitation. State Parks further reserves the right to cancel or reissue this RFQ prior to execution of a contract, if it is in the best interest of State Parks to do so, as determined by State Parks in its sole discretion.

7.9 INCORPORATION OF RESPONSE IN CONTRACT

The Consultant’s response, including all promises, warranties, commitments, and representations made in the successful Response, are binding and shall be incorporated by reference into State Parks’ contract with the Consultant.

7.10 AGREEMENT TO STATE PARKS CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Attached as Exhibit A is a draft document that includes State Parks’ contract terms and conditions.

These terms and conditions will be incorporated into the final contract between State Parks and the Apparent Successful Consultant. Each Consultant’s submission of its Response confirms that Consultant’s consent to these terms and conditions.

7.11 STATEWIDE VENDOR PAYMENT REGISTRATION

Consultants are urged to be registered in the Statewide Vendor Payment system, prior to submitting a request for payment under this Contract. The Washington State Office of Financial Management (OFM) maintains a central contractor registration file for Washington State agencies to process contractor payments.

To obtain registration materials go to the Statewide/Vendor Payee Services (SWPS) website at https://ofm.wa.gov/it-systems/statewide-vendorpayee-services . The registration form has two parts. Part 1 is the information required to meet the above registration condition. Part 2 allows State Parks (and other state agencies) to pay invoices electronically with direct deposit. This is the most efficient method of payment and vendors are encouraged to sign up.

7.12 MINORITY WOMEN OWNED AND VETERAN OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES

In accordance with the legislative findings and policies set forth in chapter 39.19 RCW, and RCW 43.60A.200 and 39.22.240, the State of Washington encourages participation by veteran owned business enterprises and Minority & Women Owned Business Enterprises (MWBE), either self-identified or certified by, respectively, the Department of Veterans Affairs or the Office of Minority & Women’s Business Enterprises (OMWBE). While the State does not give preferential treatment, it does seek equitable representation from the veteran owned business and minority and women’s business communities.

Participation by veteran owned and MWBE Consultants may be either on a direct basis in response to this RFQ or as a subconsultant to a prime Consultant.