NYS Main Street Grant Administration - Sorella Restaurant, Seneca Falls, NY

Statement of Request:

The Seneca Falls Development Corp (hereinafter the SFDC) is seeking proposals from qualified Grant Administration Firms or Consultants to provide services in conjunction with a recently awarded New York Main Street grant (hereinafter NYMS) as part of the 2023 Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) Consolidated Funding Application (CFA).

Overview

The SFDC has been awarded a New York Main Street anchor grant of $475,000 on behalf of Sorella Restaurant located at 60 State Street in Seneca Falls. The program intends to use this NYMS funding to assist Sorella with building renovations. Sorella is renovating the former train station/ police station into a modern, restaurant and multi-functioning events space. These NYMS funds will help leverage a separate Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) award.

The specific activities for which services are being requested include: administration of the NYMS grant on behalf of the Town of Seneca Falls, the SFDC, and Sorella; monitoring and supervising of the NYMS project to ensure program compliance; scheduling of required activities; compliance with environmental and historic preservation requirements; compliance with other NYMS regulations; fiscal monitoring; environmental services; and coordination with field representatives of the New York State Office of Community Renewal.

It is anticipated the consultant will work closely with both the awardee and members of the SFDC to assist in the delivery of the program. If you are interested in providing the services specified above, please provide information which details your firm's experience in overseeing successful NYMS projects and in managing and effectively closing out the implementation of such activities. You are also requested to provide specific information to describe your experience in managing the rehabilitation of privately owned properties with NYMS grants.

Your proposal should detail a scope of work to describe the level of effort and a cost proposal that you determine to be necessary to provide the program delivery and administrative services to ensure the successful management of this project. The scope should also adequately document your familiarity with the rules, regulations and requirements of the New York Main Street Program.

The staff person to be assigned as project manager should be identified in your proposal. This individual will be expected to be on-site as deemed necessary by the SFDC to ensure effective project management. Resumes of key staff to be assigned to our project should also be enclosed with your proposal.

Project Summary

The owners of Sorella Restaurant will fully renovate and restore the currently vacant historic train station and police station at 60 State Street in Seneca Falls, New York. The project will retain as many historic elements as possible and create an elegant, full-service Italian Restaurant and Banquet Hall. The project will include interior renovations to accommodate dining rooms, event space, kitchen, and support space. Exterior improvements will include accessibility improvements and outdoor dining space.

Selection Considerations

The SFDC will make its selection based on the following criteria:

• Successful performance in managing NYMS or similar programs;
• Extent of NYMS experience attained by the project manager and other staff persons;
• Demonstrated technical resources available within the firm to carry out assignments;
• Availability of these resources and staff persons to the SFDC;
• Proposed cost for the services.

Submission Requirements

Proposals can be submitted in MS-Word or PDF format and MUST be received no later than 4pm on Friday, July 12th 2024.

Proposals need to be submitted by email to senecafallsdev@gmail.com. However, if you prefer to mail a hard copy of your proposal, please contact Greg Zellers, SFDC Director, at the above email address or by phone at (315) 338-4359 x1 to obtain a mailing address.

Proposal Elements to Include:

1. Contact information: Provide the complete name, postal address, and telephone numbers of the firm and those who would be primary contacts.

1. Services Capability: Provide relevant examples or evidence that can demonstrate the capabilities of the firm to complete all requested services. If any outside sub-consultants are being proposed as part of program, they must be identified.

1. Timeline: Please confirm ability to work within the estimated timeline provided within this document as well as the ability to remain flexible should dates change or need to be extended due to project readiness, grant delays, or other instances.

1. Written Description of Work and Cost Estimate: Provide a detailed breakdown of all services to be provided along with cost estimates. The Description of Work should outline the firm's proposed approach for the activities and demonstrate a strong understanding of the grant program's rules and requirements.

1. Experience and Capacity: Please indicate the firm's prior experience in working with Building Improvement Fund grants/programs, NYMS grants/programs, or any other relevant and similar programs.

1. Minimum of two relevant references.
   

Program Budget

The submitted proposal may be less than the maximum presented below, but the total budget for your scope of services cannot exceed $8,000.

Selection Process

The SFDC will review qualifications in accordance with the submission requirements and review/evaluation criteria. Proposals that are submitted timely and comply with the mandatory requirements of the RFP will be evaluated in accordance with the terms of the RFP.

The SFDC will begin reviews after the July 12, 2024 deadline date. The expected timeframe for review is up to seven days and a selection is expected on or before July 19, 2024. The SFDC is not obligated or required to select the organization with the lowest price proposal.

Deadline

Proposals, along with any required documentation, must be submitted on or before 4:00pm on July 12, 2024 to be considered.

Please email responses in PDF or Word format along with any necessary attachments to Greg Zellers, SFDC Director, at senecafallsdev@gmail.com.

Contact Greg Zellers via email or by phone at 315-338-4359 x1 if you prefer to submit a hard copy of your proposal, or if you have any questions about the program.

Thank you for your consideration and we look forward to reviewing your proposal.

Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Set Aside: No

Total MWBE Participation Goals: 20%

Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business Contracting Goal: 10%

Disadvantaged Owned Sub-Contracting Goal: 10%

Due date:07/12/2024 4:00 PM

Contract term: 15 Month Grant Term

County(ies): Seneca

Location: 60 State Street; Seneca Falls, NY

Business entities awarded an identical or substantially similar procurement contract within the past five years:

None