Historic Preservation Consulting Services

The City of Kingston, New York, is requesting proposals for historic preservation consulting services to develop a Comprehensive Equity-Based Historic Preservation Plan and City-Wide Historic Preservation Design Guidelines, with proposals due September 4, 2026, and interviews scheduled for September 21–25. This project is funded by a New York State Historic Preservation Fund Sub-Grant/Certified Local Government Award administered by the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, with no non-federal cost-share requirement.

The scope includes research and analysis of past planning documents and architectural resources; community engagement across five to seven public neighborhood meetings; consultation with NY SHPO and relevant Tribal Historic Preservation Offices; collaboration with a Project Advisory Committee comprising residents, Historic Landmarks Preservation Commission commissioners, local stakeholder organizations, city staff, and alderpersons; and delivery of draft and final preservation plan reports, comprehensive design guidelines, project coordination meeting summaries, and a final project summary report. The plan requires presentation and adoption by the City Common Council; the design guidelines require adoption by the HLPC following a public hearing. All work must comply with 2 CFR Part 200, conform to the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, and acknowledge the Historic Preservation Fund in all deliverables and publications.

Proposers must meet 36 CFR Part 61 qualifications: a master's degree in historic preservation, architecture, engineering, conservation, or related field with at least one year of experience, or a bachelor's degree with minimum four years of job-related experience, or six years of experience under the supervision of a preservation consultant.

The contract runs from award through September 30, 2027, with the project coordination and public consultation phase beginning October 2, 2026. Evaluation weighs understanding of work (20%), prior firm experience on similar projects (20%), personnel experience and expertise (20%), past performance record (20%), ability to meet project schedule (10%), and cost (10%), with cost as a secondary consideration. The consultant must submit detailed itemized fee proposals in a separate sealed envelope, including staff hourly rates, estimated hours, administrative costs, and travel expenses. Insurance must include $1,000,000 per occurrence/$2,000,000 aggregate bodily injury and property damage liability, $1,000,000 single limit automobile liability, and $1,000,000 professional liability. Written inquiries are due August 12, 2026; responses will be issued as an addendum by August 19.