RFQ-INTEGRATED DESIGN-BUILD SERVICES FOR TAX OFFICE.pdf

Legal Notice

Town of Branford

Request for Qualifications for

Integrated Design-Build Services

The Town of Branford is requesting Statements of Qualifications (SOQs) from experienced integrated design-build firms to provide planning, design, preconstruction, and construction services for the renovation of interior staff workspaces and the redesign of the customer service counter area at the Tax Office. Specifications may be obtained from the Finance Department, Branford Town Hall, 1019 Main Street, Branford, CT or on the Town’s website at www.branford-ct.gov.

Statements of Qualifications (SOQs) are to be submitted in a sealed envelope marked

Integrated Design-Build Services for the Town of Branford Tax Office to the Finance

Department, Attention, Purchasing Clerk, 1019 Main Street, Branford, CT 06405 by 2:00 PM

Monday, February 9th, 2026. No SOQs will be accepted after that date and time.

Responding project teams will be evaluated based on their qualifications and proposal. The

Town of Branford reserves the right to reject any and all proposals or any part thereof, or to waive defects in same, or to accept any proposal, or part thereof, deemed to be in the best interest of the Town of Branford.

Tyechia Pettway

Purchasing Clerk http://www.branford-ct.gov/

PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS

1. INTRODUCTION:

The Town of Branford is requesting Statements of Qualifications (SOQs) from experienced integrated design-build firms to provide planning, design, preconstruction, and construction services for the renovation of interior staff workspaces and the redesign of the customer service counter area at the Tax Office. The project includes reconfiguration of the customer service and staff work areas to create a secure environment that separates public access from internal operations.

The selected firm will partner closely with the Town to deliver a high-quality, secure, and operationally efficient facility, with a strong emphasis on cost certainty, schedule reliability, transparency, and minimal disruption to ongoing Tax Office operations.

This RFQ is intended to identify firms with demonstrated experience in public-facing, highly regulated, or operationally sensitive environments where coordination, confidentiality, and stakeholder communication are critical to success.

2. PROJECT OVERVIEW:

The project generally includes, but is not limited to the following:

a) Interior renovation and/or new construction of approximately 2.200 square feet.

b) Improvements to public-facing areas, staff workspaces, and support functions.

c) Coordination of architectural, interior, mechanical, electrical, life-safety, security, and technology systems.

d) Phased construction and logistics planning to maintain continuous Tax Office operations during construction.

e) Integration of durability, accessibility, and long-term maintainability considerations.

The Town anticipates close collaboration during early planning and design phases to align project scope, budget, and schedule prior to construction.

3. PROCUREMENT OBJECTIVES:

The Town’s primary objectives in issuing this RFQ are to:

a) Select a single, accountable design-build partner

b) Achieve budget predictability and schedule certainty

c) Maintain transparent, open-book pricing

d) Minimize change orders and construction-related disruptions

e) Ensure a safe, secure and professional environment for staff and the public

f) Establish a collaborative, long-term working relationship rather than a transactional engagement

4. PREFERRED PROJECT DELIVERY METHOD:

The Town intends to use an Integrated Design-Build delivery model characterized by:

a. Early involvement of the builder, designs, engineers, and key subcontractors

b. Progressive design and estimating with continuous Town input

c. Open-book subcontractor bidding and bid-level transparency

d. Collaborative decision-making on scope, materials and value engineering

e. Establishment of a Guaranteed Project Price (GPP) once scope and bids are finalized

Firms proposing traditional design-bid-build for consultant-led construction management models are not preferred for this project.

Questions regarding this RFP should be directed to the Tax Collector in writing or by email at rimperato@branford-ct.gov.

Town of Branford c/o Tax Collector

1019 Main Street, PO Box 136

Branford, CT 06405

However, no oral interpretations shall be made to any respondent as to the meaning of any of the documents. Every request for an interpretation shall be made in writing, addressed and forwarded to receive consideration; such questions must be received by January 30, 2026 at

2:00 P.M. E.T.

Town of Branford staff will arrange as addenda all questions received as above provided and the answers regarding each. The addenda shall be made a part of this Request for Proposals (RFP). Town of Branford staff will post a copy of any such addenda to Town of Branford’s website, located at www.branford-ct.gov.

It shall be the responsibility of each RFP Respondent to determine whether any addenda have been issued and if so, to download copies directly from Town of Branford’s website.

5. ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE:

Milestone Date

RFQ Issued 1/23/2026

Question Submission Deadline 1/30/2026

Responses to Questions Posted 2/2/2026

SOQs Due 2/9/2026

Bid Review by Town Completed 2/16/2026

Select Contractor 2/27/2026

6. MINIMUM FIRM QUALIFICATIONS:

Responding firms must demonstrate the following minimum requirements:

mailto:rimperato@branford-ct.gov

1. Licensed General Contractor: Licensed to perform work in the state of Connecticut and the ability to self-manage construction and subcontractor performance.

2. Integrated Design-Build Capacity: In-house or directly integrated architectural and interior design services and proven coordination of engineering, technology and specialty systems.

3. Experience in Secure and Public-Facing Environments: Financial institutions, municipal facilities, healthcare, or similarly regulated settings. Projects requiring confidentiality, security and operational continuity.

4. Occupied-Environment Construction Experience: Demonstrate the ability to phase work and maintain safe public access, and experience in minimizing down time and service disruption.

5. Financial Stability: Demonstrate financial strength and the ability to provide bonding and insurance appropriate to the project size.

7. STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS REQUIREMENTS:

Each responding firm shall submit a Statement of Qualifications that includes the following sections:

1. Firm Overview: Company history and ownership structure, office locations, years in business and description of core services and delivery approach.

2. Relevant Project Experience: Provide five (5) to seven (7) representative projects completed within the last ten (10) years demonstrating experience with renovation or ground-up buildout facilities for branch banking and/or credit union organization, including:

a. Integrated design-build delivery

b. Secure or public-facing environments

c. Renovations or new construction in occupied facilities

d. Projects of similar size and complexity

Each project description shall include:

• Project Name and location

• Project type and size

• Scope of services provided

• Delivery Method

• Schedule and budget performance

3. References: Provide at least five (5) references from clients with projects similar in scope and delivery method, including client name and organization, contact person, title, phone number, email address and brief project description.

4. Project Team: Identification of project team including Executive Oversight, Client/account lead, Design lead, Project Manager, Estimator and Field Superintendent(s), intended role in project, and previous experience with similar projects and roles. Organization chart and resumes shall be sufficient.

5. Approach and Methodology: Describe the firm’s approach to early planning and programming, progressive estimating and budget alignment and subcontractor prequalification and selection. Also to include change order avoidance strategies, schedule development and adherence and communication and reporting tools.

6. Cost and Risk Management: Explain how the Guaranteed Project Price (GPP) is established and maintained, how change orders are minimized or eliminated and how subcontractor pricing is validated and controlled.

7. Insurance and Bonding: Respondents shall provide evidence of the insurance requirements (see pages 11-16) and bonding capacity sufficient for the anticipated project value.

8. Response Page: Respondent must submit a filled-in and signed Response Page (See

Attachment A) with its response to this RFQ.

9. Non-Collusion Affidavit: Respondent must submit a filled-in and signed Non-

Collusion Affidavit (See Attachment B) with its response to the RFQ.

Responses should be sealed and must be received no later than 2:00 PM Monday, February 9th, 2026. Responses should be delivered to the Town of Branford Purchasing

Agent 1019 Main Street, P.O. Box 150, Branford, CT, 06405. Any responses received after this date and time will not be considered.

All submissions should be clearly marked “Integrated Design-Build Services for the Town of Branford Tax Office RFQ.” Two (2) copies of the SOQ must be submitted along with

Attachment A and Attachment B.

8. EVALUATION CRITERIA:

In securing professional services, it is the primary goal to obtain a consultant on the basis of demonstrated competence and qualifications for the service at a fair and reasonable price. It is recognized that competence, experience and ability are very important considerations, and the amount of fee alone is not the only criteria for selecting professional services.

The factors by which the proposals will be evaluated are as follows:

Evaluation Criteria:

Weight

Integrated Design-Build Experience High

Integrated Design-Build Experience High

Integrated Design-Build Experience High

Ability to Guarantee Budget and Schedule High

Quality and Experience of Proposed Team Medium

Past Performance and References Medium

Demonstrated Collaborative Culture Medium

The Town reserves the right to shortlist firms for interviews prior to final selection.

The Board of Selectman or a majority of them reserve the right to select or reject any and./or all bids containing alternative proposals, the waive any informality in proposals, and to reject any and/or all bids, or to accept such bid as shall, in its judgement, be in the best interest of the Town of Branford.

ATTACHMENT A

RESPONSE PAGE

Request for Qualifications for

Integrated Design-Build Services

Date Advertised: 1/23/2026

Date / Time Proposals Due: 2:00 PM Monday, February 9th, 2026

Type or Print Name of Officer Name of Firm

Type or Print Name of Individual Doing Business as (Trade Name)

Signature of Authorized Officer Street Address

Title City, State, Zip Code

Date Telephone Number / Fax Number

E-mail Address/ Website SS# or TIN

ATTACHMENT B

NON-COLLUSION AFFIDAVIT OF BIDDER

State of:

County of: , SS)

; being first duly sworn, deposes and says that:

1) S/he is (owner, partner, officer, representative or agent) of , the Bidder that has submitted the attached Bid:

2) S/he is fully informed regarding the preparation and contents of the attached Bid and of all pertinent circumstances regarding such Bid:

3) Such Bid is genuine and is not a collusive or sham Bid:

4) Neither the said Bidder nor any of its officers, partners, owner, agents, representatives, employees or parties in interest, including this affiant, has in any way colluded, conspired, connived, or agreed, directly or indirectly with any other Bidder, firm or person to submit a collusive or sham

Bid in connection with the Contract for which the attached Bid has been submitted or to refrain from bidding in connection with such Contract, or has in any manner, directly or indirectly, sought by agreement or collusion or communication or conference with any other Bidder, firm or person to fix the price or prices in the attached Bid or of any Bidder, or to fix any overhead, profit or cost element of the bid price or the bid price of any other Bidder or to secure through any collusion, conspiracy, connivance or unlawful agreement any advantage with the Owner or any person interested in the proposed Contract.

5) The price quoted in the attached Bid is fair and proper and is not tainted by collusion, conspiracy, connivance or unlawful agreement on the part of the Bidder or any of its agents, representatives, owners, employees, or parties in interest.

Signed:

Title:

Subscribed and sworn before me this day of , 20 .

Notary Public: NOTARY SEAL

My Commission expires , 20 .

Each bidder must complete and have notarized with a notary seal the “Non-Collusion Affidavit of Bidder” form.

This form must accompany all bids being submitted.

TOWN OF BRANFORD

OFFICE OF THE TREASURER

1019 Main Street

Post Office Box 150 (203) 488-8394

Branford, CT 06405 FAX: 315-3736

General Requirements for Bidding and

Instructions to Bidders

NOTICE

Information provided in these specifications is CONFIDENTIAL and is to be used only for the purpose of preparing a proposal. It is further expected that each bidder will read these specifications with care, for failure to meet every one or a combination of specified conditions may invalidate the proposal.

The Town reserves the right to reject any or all bids or any portion thereof and to accept the bid deemed to be in the best interest of the Town of Branford.

Bidders are requested to submit quotations on the basis of these specifications. Alternate quotations will receive consideration providing such alternatives are clearly explained.

The information contained herein is believed to be accurate and is based upon the latest available information but is not to be considered in any way as a warranty.

Revised 10/2024

Standard Form

SECTION I - General Terms and Conditions

A. Compliance with Laws

The bidder shall at all times observe and comply with all laws, ordinances and regulations of the federal, state and local governments, which may in any way affect the preparation or the performance of the contract.

B. Timetable

Price quoted must be valid for 90 days. Delivery and installation completion dates must be included in the bid proposal.

C. Consideration of Proposals

The Board of Selectmen, or a majority of them, reserve the right to select or reject alternate proposals; to waive informality in proposals; and to reject any and all bids, or accept such bid as shall in its judgement be to the best interest of the

Town of Branford.

D. Bid Bond

1. A certified check made payable to the “Treasurer, Town of Branford”, or a satisfactory bid executed by the bidder and a surety company in an amount no less than five percent (5%) of the base bid, may be required with each proposal.

2. If the bid bond is submitted by a certified check the Town of Branford will issue a refund of the bid bond to unsuccessful bidders within fifteen (15) business days of the bid award.

E. Performance Bond

Successful bidders may be required to furnish a Performance and Payment Bond in the amount of 100% of the contract sum.

F. Protection of Work and Property

Successful bidders shall be responsible for protection of their equipment and materials against theft, damage or deterioration on the site.

G. Competency of Bidders

1. Bidders shall have proven experience in the field of work.

2. Bidders shall submit with their bid a listing of recent work performed within the State of Connecticut of the size equal to or greater than the work being bid.

H. Alternates

1. Any alternates to specified materials or workmanship must be separately listed and described in detail.

2. Alternates will be considered in awarding the contract only if they provide, as a minimum requirement, all features contained in the specifications.

3. The Town of Branford reserves the sole right to determine through its agents the equality of alternate products and/or installation procedures.

I. Bid Requirements

1. Each bidder shall return two (2) copies of the proposal sheet entitled “Bid

Proposal”. Each bid proposal must be signed by an authorized agent of the bidder.

2. Each bidder must complete and have notarized with a notary seal the

“Non-Collusion Affidavit of Bidder” form. This form must accompany all bids being submitted.

3. Each bidder must be in good standing with the Town of Branford.

4. Successful bidders must obtain any required governmental approvals.

J. Specifications – General

The contract shall include all labor and materials, tools and equipment and services required for proper performance of the work as specified hereinafter and as may be required for proper completion of the work in accordance with the highest standards of the trades involved.

K. Examination of Site

Prior to submission of the bid, contractor shall visit the site, consult with the supervisor, and become thoroughly familiar with all conditions under which the work will be installed. The contractor will be responsible for any assumptions made regarding the site for the work to be performed.

SECTION II - Insurance Requirements

Bidder shall agree to maintain in force at all times during which services are to be performed the following coverages and shall name the Town of Branford as an Additional Insured on a primary and non-contributory basis to the Bidder’s Commercial General Liability and Automobile

Liability policies. These requirements shall be clearly stated in the remarks section on the bidders Certificate of Insurance. Insurance shall be written with Carriers approved in the

State of Connecticut and with a minimum Best’s Rating of “A”VIII-. In addition, all Carriers are subject to approval by the Town of Branford.

(Minimum Limits)

General Liability Each Occurrence $1,000,000

General Aggregate $2,000,000

Products/Completed Operations Aggregate

$2,000,000

Excess/Umbrella Liability Each Occurrence $1,000,000

Aggregate $1,000,000

Professional Liability Each Occurrence $1,000,000

Cyber Liability (1) Each Occurrence $1,000,000

Workers’ Compensation and Employers’ Liability (2)

WC Statutory Limits

EL Each Accident $500,000

EL Disease Each Employee $500,000

EL Disease Policy Limit $500,000

If any policy is written on a “Claims Made” basis, the policy must be continually renewed for a minimum of two (2) years from the completion date of this contract. If the policy is replaced and/or the retroactive date is changed, then the expiring policy must be endorsed to extend the reporting periods for claims for the policy in effect during the contract for two (2) years from the completion date.

Original, completed Certificates of Insurance must be presented to the Town of Branford prior to purchase order/contract issuance. Bidder/Contractor/Vendor agrees to provide replacement/renewal certificates at least 30 days prior to the expiration date of the policies.

Should any policy be cancelled for nonpayment of premium, 10 days written notice must be provided to the Town. Should any of the policies be cancelled for other reasons, limits reduced or, coverage altered, 30 days written notice must be given to the Town.

Notes

(1) Cyber Liability is required if Contractor is on Town’s network or houses Town information on their network.

(2) Workers Compensation is required if employees come onto Town property.

Hold Harmless Requirements

The contractor shall, at all times, indemnify and save harmless the Town of Branford, its officers, agents, and servants on account of any and all claims, damages, losses, litigation expense, counsel fees and compensation arising out of injuries (including death) sustained by or alleged to have been sustained by the public, any or all persons affected by the contractor’s work, or by the contractor, any subcontractor, material, men or anyone directly or indirectly employed by them or any one of them while engaged in the performance of this contract. The Town of

Branford shall be named as an additional insured on said policy of public liability insurance to cover all claims against the Town arising out of said contract.