Landscape Design-Build & Maintenance Services

Purpose of RFP

Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) invites the submittal of responses to this Request for Proposals (RFP) from qualified firms in providing combination of Landscaping Design-Build & Maintenance services as herein outlined.

Project Background

PPPL is seeking to create a landscape beautification plan to enhance and modernize the landscaping of the laboratory grounds in Princeton, NJ, PPPL sits upon 90.7 acres in Princeton, NJ, located on New Jersey Route 1.

Objectives

PPPL proposes to retain a highly qualified, capable firm to provide and deliver landscape design/build and landscape maintenance projects. PPPL requests qualifications from architects, engineers, or combination thereof in providing design-build landscape projects.

PPPL will give prime consideration to firm(s) with significant, current experience in the development of landscape design, landscape installation and landscape maintenance. PPPL reserves the right to negotiate with one or more parties and is not obligated to enter into a contract with more than one respondent.

Scope of Work

The selected firm(s) will be required to perform basic design-build and landscape maintenance services to be specified more fully in individual task orders that will include specific individual work scopes to be negotiated after selection.

PPPL may invite several firms to be interviewed prior to making a final decision for this project. If PPPL desires to interview a firm, the firm will be notified of the date and time of the interview.

The selected respondent will negotiate with PPPL on the fee and current conditions. If, in the opinion of PPPL, a reasonable fee cannot be achieved with the respondents of choice negotiations will proceed with the second choice respondent until a mutually agreed-upon contract can be negotiated.

SubmittalRequirements

Interested parties shall submit the following items:

• Firm profile including staff size and rate structure
• Statement of experience with similar projects including information on completed similar projects
• Narrative on management and organizational approach to design/build projects including the following:
• Description of how the firm will organize the performance of landscaping services
• Description of firms approach to communicate with PPPL
• Three (3) references to assist PPPL in determining the firm’s capability to complete the project
• A bond ability statement
• An hourly (fully loaded) fee and maintenance labor rate structure
• A list of equipment commonly utilized to perform requisite services
• A list of rental equipment (if any) utilized to perform requisite services   

Evaluation Criteria

The criteria used to evaluate the RFP will include, but are not limited to, the following (items are not listed in order of importance):

Qualifications of firm, specifically as they relate to the Scope of Work of this project

Firm experience on similar projects and related project experience of the individuals who would be assigned to the project.  Available resources to complete project, including analytical, design tools, personnel, resources, or methodologies commonly used by the firm that may be applicable to the project categories:

1. Professional references
2. Landscape design certification
3. Oral presentation (to include zoom PowerPoint presentation (including photos of past projects)

      Cost Proposal Additional Instructions

1. No gratuities: Respondents will not offer any gratuities, favors or anything of monetary value to any official or employee of PPPL for purpose of influencing this selection.    Any attempt by a Respondent to influence the selection process by any means, other than disclosure of qualifications and credentials through the proper channels, will be grounds for exclusion from the selection process
2.  By submitting a response, Respondents represent and warrant to PPPL that all information provided in the response submitted shall be true, correct and complete. Respondents who provide false, misleading, or incomplete information, whether intentional or not, in any of the documents presented to PPPL for consideration in the selection process may be excluded
3. Interviews: After the initial evaluation of the statements of qualifications, respondents will be notified of their status in the selection process. If the interviews are initiated, they will focus not only on the Respondent’s program approach but also on an appraisal of the design professionals who would be directly involved in the project.

Inquiries: All inquiries should be directed to Jimmy Russell, Sr. Subcontract Administrator; jrussell@pppl.gov (609) 243-3963

Cost of Responses: PPPL will not be responsible for any costs incurred by anyone in the submittal of responses

Contract Negotiations: This RFP is not to be construed as a contract or a commitment of any kind. If this RFP results in a contract offer by PPPL, the specific scope of work, associated fees, and other contractual matters will be determined during contract

Obligation: PPPL reserves the right to reject any and all proposalsProfessional Liability Insurance: The Respondent shall be licensed and bonded and the appropriate liability insurance as required by the state of New Jersey and show proof with submittal

Respondents must consider and follow both the Service Contract Act (for maintenance) and the Davis Bacon Prevailing Wage Act (for installation construction).   Additionally, the Contractor and its subcontractors shall be required to comply with the Act when performing work in connection with any design-build task orders. The Act requires contractors and subcontractors to pay laborers, workers and mechanics performing services on public works projects no less than the current “prevailing rate of wages” (hourly cash wages plus amount for fringe benefits) in the county where such work is performed. The federal government publishes the prevailing wage rates, including those for Middlesex County, NJ on its website (accessible at https://sam.gov/wage-determinations) The Department revises the prevailing wage rates from time to time. The Contractor, and each subcontractor performing work in furtherance of this Contract, has an obligation to check the Department’s website for revisions to prevailing wage rates for Middlesex County. For information regarding current prevailing wage rates, the Contractor shall refer to the SAM.gov website. The Contractor and all subcontractors performing work under any subsequent Contract must comply with all requirements of the Act, including but not limited to all wage, notice, record-keeping and reporting requirements. If requested by PPPL, the Contractor shall also submit certified payroll documentation to PPPL for all work performed by the Contractor or any subcontractor in connection with the Contract.

Contractors submitting proposals should review the attached Sample Contractor Service Agreement before responding to the RFP Proposal enclosed herein. The terms of the agreement including insurance and bonding requirements have been mandated by PPPL. Your response to the RFP must indicate if you unwilling or unable to execute any procurement agreement as drafted as well as providing for these requirements. PPPL will consider this in determining responsiveness to the RFP

Submittal Instructions one electronic copy of the proposal sent to jrussell@pppl.gov,  must be submitted before 4 pm on March 12, 2025. Faxes will not be accepted. Please include a reference to the RFP in the email subject block of the proposal: “PROPOSAL FOR Landscape Design-Build-Maintenance, RFP 25-0633