The City of Bellingham solicits interest from consulting firms with expertise in Civil and Structural Engineering Design, structural construction inspection, construction engineering services, and construction management. This agreement will be for approximately two years in duration, beginning January 2024 and ending January 2026, with the option for the City of Bellingham to extend it for additional time and money if necessary.  Consultants will be considered for the following project.

The City of Bellingham reserves the right to amend terms of this “Request for Qualifications” (RFQ) to circulate various addenda, or to withdraw the RFQ at any time, regardless of how much time and effort consultants have spent on their responses.

Project Description

The work to be performed by the CONSULTANT consists of construction engineering, construction management, structural inspection services, ROM management, and material documentation review for improvements to James Street/Whatcom Creek Bridge and Meador Avenue/Whatcom Creek Bridge, two federally funded projects (built as one project). The proposed improvements include James Street overcrossing of Whatcom Creek, Meador Avenue overcrossing of Whatcom Creek, roadway of James Street and Meador Avenue, sidewalks, storm sewer, and other work, all in accordance with the Contract Plans, the Contract Provisions, and the Standard Specifications. This project has 16% DBE goal. The major features of the project are as follows:

• Construction engineering, including structural engineering.
• Construction management assistance
• ROM management and material documentation review in accordance with the WSDOT LAG manual, Construction Manual and Contract PS&E package.
• Surveying checks on contractor survey.
• Inspection for structural elements in accordance with the WSDOT LAG manual, Construction Manual and Contract PS&E package.
• Materials testing and special inspections in accordance with the WSDOT LAG manual, Construction Manual and Contract PS&E package.

Consultants shall have expertise in the following:

• Traffic control measures and methodologies (in accordance with the MUTCD) to complete the project as one along with accommodation to multi-modal uses
• WSDOT Local Programs requirements for Federally Funded projects including WSDOT Local Agency Guidelines (LAG) Manual
• DBE approach and commitment
• MUTCD, NACTO, and AASHTO standards
• City of Bellingham Development Guidelines and Improvement Standards, and the Bellingham Municipal Code
• City of Bellingham and Department of Ecology standards for storm water management, per the most recently adopted version of the SWMMWW.
• ADA Requirements

The City of Bellingham reserves the right to retain the services of the successful firm(s) for any subsequent phases (CN, CE, audit assistance, post construction support services, load rating) associated with these projects.

Evaluation Criteria                                                                      100 Points Total

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

1. Qualification of Proposed Project Manager                             15 points
2. Qualifications/Expertise of Firm                                              15 points
3. Ability to meet schedule                                                          10 points
4. Approach to project                                                                 10 points
5. Familiarity with WSDOT/FHWA standards                           20 points
6. Past Performance/References                                                  15 points
7. Approach to meet the DBE goal (DBE Participation Plan)     15 points

Submittal

Submittals should include the following information: Firm name, phone, fax numbers, email; Name of Principal-in-Charge and Project Manager; and Number of employees in each firm proposed to project. Additional project information is included in the supplemental information which can be found at https://cob.procureware.com/home.  Example Submittal Information Forms to obtain consultant qualifications for Prime and Subconsultants are WSDOT form 140-565 and Form 140-566, respectively.

Please submit one paper copy and one PDF copy (on a USB drive) of your Statement of Qualifications to: City of Bellingham, 2221 Pacific Street, Bellingham, WA 98229, and Purchasing Department no later than 11:00 a.m. on December 07, 2023.  Submittals will not be accepted after that time and date.  Any questions regarding this project should be directed to City Purchasing Department, at (360) 778-7750 or email: bids@cob.org

Estimated Procurement Schedule

Advertise RFQ                                                 November 14 & 21, 2023

Deadline for questions                                     December 01, 2023

Receive SOQs                                                  December 07, 2023

Review and Rank SOQs                                   December 21, 2023

Consultant Selection Interviews                      December 28, 2023

Consultant Selection/Award                            December 29, 2023

Scoping and Contract                                       January 2024

Begin Work                                                      March 2024

Complete Work/End Contract                         January 2026

Contract Type

Contract type (method of payment) will be Negotiated Hourly Rate utilizing WSDOT’s Local Agency A&E Professional Services Negotiated Hourly Rate Consultant Agreement.  Submission of cost proposal or elements of cost shall not be submitted until a consultant selection has been made.

The Consultant(s) awarded the contract will be required to obtain and maintain a City of Bellingham Business License.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Information

The City of Bellingham 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 Holly Pederson, City of Bellingham ADA Coordinator at hdpederson@cob.org or by calling collect (360) 778-7950. 

Title VI Statement

The City of Bellingham, 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 in 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.

Dates of publication in the Bellingham Herald, the Daily Journal of Commerce, and Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises (OMWBE):  November 14, 2023, and November 21, 2023.