Summary

Request for qualifications (RFQ) for engineering and design services for a proposed equestrian center at the SWW Fairgrounds, 1901 S. Gold Centralia, WA. The duration of this agreement is through October 2025.

Interested firms should submit a statement of qualifications stating your ability and availability to complete this work in accordance with this notice and must be submitted electronically through the procurement portal at  https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/lewiscountywa

Lewis County is interested in entering into a professional services contract with one professional engineering firm to provide consulting services, and subsequently be asked to prepare a specific proposal for the project and negotiate based on Actual Costs Plus a Fixed Fee Agreement. The anticipated maximum total value of the contract: is $199,820. This will include, but not be limited to, completing a site study, design, and market needs evaluation to include projected uses of the center and related infrastructure needs. Cost proposals, if included in the proposal, shall be in a concealed format and separate from the technical/qualifications of the proposal and will not be considered in the evaluation, ranking, and selection phase.

The pre-design activities will help to inform the design work for phase 2. Phase 2 will include additional barns, offices, and an open arena. The future Southwest Washington Fair Equestrian Facility will provide a year-round venue for various equestrian shows, events, training, and other agricultural events.

THE STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS  MUST BE DELIVERED BY OR BEFORE 5:00 PM ON FEBRUARY 24, 2025 (PROPOSALS SUBMITTED AFTER 5:00 PM PACIFIC TIME WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS PROJECT.) The statement of qualifications must be submitted electronically through the procurement portal at https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/lewiscountywa no later than and be in accordance with the plans, specifications, and other contract documents available through the procurement portal.

Interested CONSULTANTS shall provide a statement of qualifications, experience, and extent of involvement for the assigned personnel on similar projects. The SOQ shall include the project name, description, and contact information for each project. The SOQ must be limited to ten total pages of text, graphs, photographs, resumes, etc. Any additional information (cover letter, cover sheet, additional graphs, photographs, project information, etc.) more than a maximum of ten pages/sheets will not be forwarded to the County's review panel for evaluation.

The Lewis County Capital Facilities Department in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, (78 Stat. 252, 42 U.S.C. 2000d to 2000d-4) and the Regulations, herby notifies all respondents 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.

Lewis County is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.  Minority, veteran and women-owned firms are encouraged to submit a statement of qualifications.

Background

The Lewis County Parks, Recreation & Open Space (PROS) Plan identified several improvement projects including an expanded and improved equestrian facility. In 2024, the Washington State Legislature awarded Lewis County $199,820 to perform a Pre-Design study for the proposed Equestrian Center. This project will provide a year-round location supporting the large equestrian community in SW Washington and across the state. The center will provide for various equestrian shows, events, training, and a plethora of other agricultural events. The pre-planning and Design work will provide the County and Legislature with information on the next phases of the project and funding. Final design work will need to be completed by September 2025.

Timeline

Release Project Date: January 28, 2025

Question Submission Deadline: February 17, 2025, 5:00am

Proposal Submission Deadline: February 24, 2025, 5:00pm

Short list for interviews: March 3, 2025