Legal Notice

Request for Qualifications for

Professional Engineering, Environmental Permitting, Hydraulic Evaluation, and Right-of-Way Services for the Concrete Sauk Valley Road Bank Stabilization – Milepost 3.7 Project

Skagit County Project #ES8000-12; Federal Aid # CDS-29SV(001)

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Skagit County Public Works Department invites the submittal of written statements of qualifications from firms interested in providing Request for Qualifications for Professional Engineering, Environmental Permitting (including, but not limited to NEPA), Hydraulic Evaluation, and Right-of-Way Services for the Concrete Sauk Valley Road Bank Stabilization – Milepost 3.7 Project, Skagit County Project #ES8000-12; Federal Aid #CDS-29SV(001)

PROJECT DESCRIPTIONThe project consists of the design and construction of bank restoration measures in Skagit River (Ovenell Reach) to stabilize an actively eroding segment of channel bank. This action is needed to protect Concrete Sauk Valley Road against erosion related damage from lateral river migration processes.  The Skagit River has been formally designated by Congress as Wild and Scenic and supports native Pacific salmon, steelhead, bull trout, and other native fish and wildlife species. Therefore, the design and construction should balance the needs for an effective and sustainable roadway while attaining functional aquatic and riparian processes.

Interested parties are advised to review “A Compendium of Frequently Asked Questions Relating to Transportation & Infrastructure Projects - July of 2018” (Section 7 FAQ sheet, pp. 4-9, design features listed under Q17 on page 8) to ensure that they are familiar with river agency consultation & project coordination best practices prior to RFQ submittal.  This report can be found on the Skagit County Website at www.skagitcounty.net/rfp

 The work to be performed by the selected Consultant will include but is not limited to; preparation of the PS&E including design of the fish and river friendly channel bank modification on a Wild and Scenic river, preparation of up to three preliminary design alternatives, project plans and specifications in compliance with local, state, and federal requirements, an estimate of construction costs, topographic mapping and surveying, environmental permitting (including, but not limited to NEPA), hydrologic and geotechnical based design, and cultural resource investigation. Skagit County reserves the right to retain the services of the successful firm(s) for any subsequent phases (CM, CN) associated with this project.

DISAVANTAGED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE GOAL

Consultants are alerted that this is a federally funded project.  All prospective consultants will be held to Federal EEO Requirements.  A Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE mandatory goal of twelve percent (12%) has been assigned to this project.  Certification is required for contract award.

SUBMITTAL

The Cover letter shall include the following information: Firm name, phone number, and email address; Name of Principal-in-Charge, Project Manager, and Key Personnel. The Submittal package shall not exceed a total of seven (7) pages (single-sided, letter-sized) stating your qualifications.  Skagit County is not requesting any cost proposal or element of cost to be submitted with the Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) at this time.  Cost information shall not be submitted with your SOQ.   Please email Brenda Olson brendao@co.skagit.wa.us to be added to the Consultant Contact List for this project.  Any questions or additional information related to this project will be distributed to all parties on this list.

CONSULTANT EVALUATION CRITERIA (100 Points Total)

Submittals will be evaluated and ranked based on the following criteria:

1. In-house expertise and key personnel assigned to this project for its duration. (15%)
2. Experience with WSDOT Division 1-9 Specifications, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Standards and Requirements, and Skagit County Standards, Specifications, and Requirements. (10%)
3. Experience in designing projects that restore accelerated riverbank erosion processes while attaining balance between protection of road infrastructure and desired conditions for aquatic and riparian ecosystems on large volume/high velocity rivers between $2M and $7M. (15%)
4. Approach to the project. (20%)
5. Ability to meet schedule. (10%)
6. Past performance/references. (10%)
7. Approach and commitment to meet the mandatory DBE goal. (10%)
8. Experience performing Right of Way Services on federally funded contracts. (10%)

Statements of Qualifications must not exceed seven (7) pages.  Any submittal which exceeds this limit will be deducted five (5) points per additional page. (-5 pts per page). References will be contacted at random. Unresponsive reference checks will receive zero (0) points.

Selection of candidates will be made on qualifications submitted for this request, with top scoring firms selected for interviews. The highest-ranking firm from the interview round will be invited into contract negotiations with the County. Skagit County anticipates contract negotiations with the selected Consultant to begin by January of 2024.

CONTRACT TYPE AND PAYMENT METHOD

Skagit County will use WSDOT’s Local Agency A&E Professional Services Negotiated Hourly Rate Consultant Agreement for the contract with the selected consultant. The consultant and any subconsultants are required to provide a FYE 2023 approved Indirect Cost Rate letter or Safe Harbor Rate letter from WSDOT to be incorporated into the agreement.  Invoices from the Consultant shall be paid via check issued by Skagit County.

ESTIMATED PROJECT SCHEDULE

Please email a PDF copy of your Statement of Qualification with the subject line ready “Concrete Sauk Valley Road Bank Stabilization – Milepost 3.7” to Brenda Olson at brendao@co.skagit.wa.us by Thursday, December 12, 2024, no later than 4:00 PM PST.  No submittals will be accepted after that date and time. Any questions regarding this project should be directed to Thomas Weller, Engineering Division Manager by 4:00 p.m. on November 25, 2024, at (360) 416-1447, or email him at tweller@co.skagit.wa.us.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) INFORMATION

Skagit County in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (Section 504) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), commits to nondiscrimination on the basis of disability, in all of its programs and activities. This material can be made available in an alternate format by emailing David Walde at davidw@co.skagit.wa.us or calling (360) 416-1400.

TITLE VI STATEMENT

The Skagit County, in accordance with the provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (78 Stat. 252, 42 U.S.C. §§ 2000d to 2000d-4) and the Regulations, hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively ensure that any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged business enterprises will be afforded full and fair opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, or national origin in consideration for an award.

For questions regarding Skagit County’s Title VI Program, you may contact the Public Works Department’s Title VI Coordinator, Michael See at (360) 416-1400.

Skagit County reserves the right to amend terms of this “Request for Qualifications” (RFQ) to circulate various addenda, or to withdraw the RFQ at any time.

_______________________________________

Clerk of the Board

Published:       Skagit Valley Herald – November 14, 21, & 28, 2024

                        Daily Journal of Commerce - November 14, 21, & 28, 2024

Posted:            Washington State Office of Minority & Women’s Business Enterprises (OMWBE) – Bids & Contracting Opportunities webpage on November 14, 2024

                        https://omwbe.wa.gov/small-business-assistance/bids-contracting-opportunities

                        Skagit County Website on November 14, 2024

                        www.skagitcounty.net/rfp