Portage County Architectural/Engineering Design Services for Highway Department Facility Addition and Improvements

Portage County is seeking architectural and engineering design services for a comprehensive Highway Department facility addition and improvement project through a Request for Proposal (RFP) issued on April 13, 2018, with proposals due by 2:00 p.m. on May 11, 2018. The procurement aims to secure a qualified A/E firm to provide full-scope design services covering concept validation, schematic design, design development, construction documents, bidding support, construction administration, and project close-out. Project components include additional heated and cold equipment storage, a secure evidence impound area for Highway and Sheriff's Departments, a centralized disaster recovery center, a multi-purpose training facility that can serve as an alternate Emergency Operations Center and Communications Center, installation of a permanent scale, and site improvements including additional parking. The evaluation will be based on 1,000 total points, distributed across Organization Capabilities (200 points), Staff Qualifications (200 points), Proposer Solutions (500 points), and Cost Proposal (100 points). The County plans to initially award Phase 1 (Concept Review, Schematic Design, and Design Development), with Phase 2 (Construction Documents and Construction Administration) to be awarded later pending approval and funding. Interviews and presentations are scheduled for the week of May 21, 2018, with intent to award notification on May 29, 2018, and a contract award anticipated on June 15, 2018.

The RFP does not specify explicit set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. Proposers must submit one original and five copies of their materials, with a separate sealed envelope containing the cost proposal. Insurance requirements are stringent, mandating workers' compensation, employers' liability, commercial general liability of $1,000,000 per occurrence with $2,000,000 aggregate, auto liability of $1,000,000 per accident, and professional liability of $2,000,000 per occurrence. All insurance must be with Wisconsin-licensed companies rated at least A- by A.M. Best & Company. The contract will be based on AIA Document B101-2017 Standard Form of Agreement Between Owner and Architect and can be terminated by either party, with the County providing 30 days' written notice or immediate termination if performance threatens health and safety or insurance requirements are not maintained. Reimbursable costs are limited to printing, postage, and presentation materials requested by the County at face value with no markup. While no specific budget range is mentioned in the documents, the comprehensive nature of the project suggests a substantial investment in facility improvements and design services.