SST Recommendation_033021-signed.pdf

DCAMM MEMORANDUM

TO: Liz Minnis, Deputy Commissioner, Office of Planning, DCAMM

FROM: Jenny Burton, Project Manager, Office of Planning, as Chair of the Strategic Sourcing

Team (SST)

DATE: March 30, 2021

RE: Recommendation from Strategic Sourcing Team to Award Contract Engineering Services for the Study of Water System, Quality and Infrastructure for the Tewksbury State Hospital campus under Bid # BD-21-1019-DCP03-OFA01-57970 / Notification # 1115639 cc: Bob Glover, Procurement & Business Manager, DCAMM

Robin Whitman, Director, Office of Planning, DCAMM Beth Eromin, Deputy General Counsel, DCAMM

Steven Zeller, Deputy General Counsel, DCAMM Strategic Sourcing Team members

DCAMM issued a Statement of Work for engineering services for DPH2103: Study of Water System, Quality and Infrastructure for the Tewksbury State Hospital campus under OSD statewide contract PRF69 (Category 11) pursuant to DCAMM Bid # BD-21-1019-DCP03-OFA01-57970 / Notification # 1115639. The Strategic Sourcing Team (SST) consists of the following individuals:

Jenny Burton (Chair), Project Manager, Planning, DCAMM Susan Ruch, Director of Environmental Services, DCAMM James Matz, Project Manager, Environmental Services, DCAMM Scott Consaul, Chief Operating Officer, Tewksbury State Hospital / DPH

The following bid responses were received by DCAMM:

VENDOR FEE

GZA Environmental, Inc $34,745.00

Pare Corporation $77,700.00

Tighe & Bond $89,000.00

The SST members evaluated the bids qualitatively based on the criteria outlined in the Statement of Work. Those criteria were:

A) Firm Profile & Relevant Experience B) Diversity & Inclusion Materials (including the Diversity Focus Statement and relevant SDP forms) C) Proposed Approach & Work Plan D) Proposed Pricing Response

After reviewing the bids, it was agreed that interviews be conducted for all three firms. Firms were invited to interview via e-mail and the questions asked were consistent across the three.

Interview Questions:

From the bids and interviews, it was determined that while all the firms were qualified, Pare Corporation would provide best value to the Commonwealth as they best demonstrated the appropriate expertise and experience in their resumes/recent relevant projects as well as understanding of the projects needs and goals. Pare demonstrated the full services needed by the project, and the SST members were also impressed by their proposed use of hydraulic modeling to determine the water system needs. They also asked specific questions about the project and demonstrated strong project management skills that will be necessary for this complex project.

Because of the emphasis on the long-term plan and investment in the water system which we anticipate may result in a large-scale capital improvement, this initial Study is critical and must comprehensively and collaboratively address the needs of the system to ensure safe supply of drinking water for this vulnerable population for years to come. In terms of being able to provide this level of quality and expertise, Pare rose to the top of the list.

While GZA offered the lowest fee, Tighe & Bond and Pare’s price seemed more appropriate given the scale and complexity of this project and the potential resources related to project management needed to produce it.

While Tighe & Bond were well-qualified, and we were impressed by their Project Manager in particular, their price was the highest and we were concerned about their approach to working collaboratively at this master planning stage. They demonstrated knowledge of the project but both in their bid and in their interview, they demonstrated biases related to what they expected would be the best outcome.

The SST members recommend this task be awarded to Pare Corporation as they demonstrated understanding of the full scope of the project, and will prioritize cost effective solutions to save the Commonwealth money in their review of options and identified recommendations.

1. Tell us about your firm and why you feel you are well-suited for the project.

2. Tell us about a recent comparable project and how your involvement ensured its success throughout all stages of the project.

3. Please tell us about the water quality testing you would propose for this project.

4. How does your team collaborate internally, and who would be our primary point of contact given the project needs?

5. For PIC & PM: Tell us about your style as a project manager and team leader. How much involvement will each of you have on the project?

6. Tell us about your experience in a broad, large planning effort. How did you examine and present high-level options in collaboration with the client?

7. In your own words, tell us how your firm approaches diversity, equity, and inclusion both internally, and within the engineering field in the Massachusetts area.

In terms of the evaluation of diversity and SDP information provided, no firm seemed to be most responsive in the bid nor the interviews. We hope this expectation is considered more thoughtfully in future solicitations as it is a priority for the State and DCAMM.

__________________________, approved Date:________________ Elizabeth Minnis, Deputy Commissioner, Office of Planning, DCAMM