FTR News

- (08/12/2009) - ADVERTISEMENT for REQUEST for QUALIFICATIONS for Teton Creek Restoration Project Friends of the Teton River (FTR) will accept separate sealed Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the Teton Creek Stream Restoration Project located approximately one mile east of Driggs, Idaho. The purpose of this RFQ is to establish a list of qualified applicants eligible to participate in the preparation and submission of bids for construction of Phase 1 of the project and to rank the qualified applicants. RFQs will be accepted at the FTR office until 4:00 PM, local time, September 9, 2009. The RFQ will be available August 13, 2009 at the FTR office at 18 North Main Street, Suite 310 Driggs, Idaho, 208 354-3871. RFQ’s can be requested by email (mike@tetonwater.org). FTR will also send RFQ’s through the mail upon request. All contractors will need to have at least a Class B Public Works Certification License in Idaho. All contractors must be able to show that they have many years of extensive experience including, but not limited to, constructing inset floodplains, stabilizing streambanks and installing bio-engineering structures such as root wads, log jams, cross vanes, engineered riffles and pools, buried rock toe protection, fabric encapsulated soil systems, woody material trenches, and barbs using native materials such as brush and logs. Friends of the Teton River reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals. All applicants are invited to attend a project walk through on August 19 at 1:00 pm. We will meet at the FTR office and proceed to the project area. Request for Qualifications for the Teton Creek Restoration Project July 23, 2009 I. BACKGROUND Friends of the Teton River (FTR) based in Driggs, Idaho is responsible for stabilizing and restoring approximately one mile of Teton Creek located one mile east of Driggs. The project reach includes a section that was channelized for over twenty years along with an associated headcut. The project is designed to stabilize the streambed and streambanks, protect infrastructure and to enhance fish and wildlife habitat. At this time, project plans have been developed and permitted by the regulatory agencies and are available upon request in an electronic format. Project construction will occur in three phases conducted over the next three years starting this fall. Separate contracts will be awarded for each phase of project construction. The scope of Phase 1 has yet to be finalized, but construction costs are estimated to be between $200,000 and $400,000. The project scope for all three phases includes the construction of an inset floodplain along the 5,600 foot length of the project which includes floodplain benches and a channel. The inset floodplain is designed to meet the following criteria: convey and contain the 100-year flood event; provide sediment and energy continuity; provide a stable streambed and streambanks; and to provide fish and wildlife habitat. To provide streambed stability, hardened riffles will be placed intermittently across the channel and one cross vane will be placed at the site of the new Cemetery Road Bridge. Pools will be constructed between the hardened riffles to provide fish habitat and streambed variability. Pools will vary in size and location and will consist of lateral and mid-channel scour pools. The floodplain benches will be designed to provide roughness necessary to slow velocities, capture sediment and propagate native vegetation. Streambanks along the bankfull channel and inset floodplain edges will be stabilized using several types of bio-engineering structures. For streambanks and associated floodplain edges located along the outside of stream bends adjacent to infrastructure, rip-rap with soil lift systems will be used. All other streambanks and floodplain edges will be stabilized using a combination of rootwads, logs and brush barbs. Native vegetation including willows, cottonwood and native grass will be planted on stream banks, floodplain benches and along floodplain edges to provide fish and wildlife habitat and roughness. Some plants and root stock generated from clearing and grubbing will be systematically replanted as grading is completed. Vegetation will be irrigated in the project reach until plants have reached a self-sustaining level. II. PURPOSE The purpose of this Request for Qualifications (RFQ) is to establish a list of qualified applicants eligible to participate in the preparation and submission of bids for construction of the Teton Creek Restoration Project Phase 1 and to rank the qualified applicants. Eligibility and ranking criteria will be based on the firm’s qualifications, capabilities and experience as demonstrated by satisfactory completion of similar projects that involved the specific types of stream restoration construction techniques described below. The RFQ will be evaluated by the Evaluation Committee which is comprised of members of the Teton Creek Subwatershed Committee, and employees of Teton County and FTR. A Request for Proposal (RFP) for Phase 1 construction will be sent to each firm that the Evaluation Committee qualifies (such qualification being made in the Evaluation Committee’s sole discretion) in September with a construction start time currently slated for October. Firms will be chosen based on how they rank on the RFQ and the RFP which will most likely be weighted approximately equal. FTR will announce the official weighting of the RFQ and RFP rankings in the RFP. Only firms that have been qualified in accordance with the procedures set forth herein will be allowed to submit a bid for Phase 1 construction. Bids received from firms who have not been qualified will not be considered. III. PROJECT DESCRIPTION The stream restoration practices considered for this RFQ are outlined in the Specs and Detail Sheets of the Pre-100% Design Plans for the Teton Creek Restoration Project. The Pre-100% Specs and Design Plans are available in an electronic format and can be requested orally, by email or in writing from FTR. The Plans and Specs can be downloaded off of FTR’s FTP web site or FTR can make a disk that can be picked up at the FTR office or mailed to you. For directions on how to access the FTP site, see Attachment B. General site construction procedures such as clearing and grubbing, erosion and sediment control practices, grading, stabilization and landscaping will be included within the project. Additionally, specialized bio-engineering structures such as root wads, log jams, cross vanes, engineered riffles and pools, buried rock toe protection, fabric encapsulated soil systems, woody material trenches, barbs using native materials such brush and logs, will be implemented as per project design. Other fine grading elements such as the creation of individual facet (riffles, pools, glides and runs) cross-sections and slopes will also be required to meet the engineering specifications. IV. SUBMITTALS Submittals will be reviewed and evaluated based on each firms Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) (see Attachment A). Any discrepancies, omissions, or doubts as to the meaning of the RFQ document shall be communicated orally, by email or in writing to FTR for interpretation. Prospective applicants should act promptly and allow sufficient time for a reply to reach them and all RFQ applicants before the submission of their proposal. All RFQ updates will be posted on the FTR web site (tetonwater.org) in the news menu. All questions shall be received NO LATER THAN 4:00 PM, August 25, 2009. Applicants shall submit SEVEN SOQ forms signed and completed to FTR. SOQ forms must be RECEVIED by FTR NOT LATER THAN 4:00 PM on September 9, 2009. All firms and subcontractors must be Public Works Certified in Idaho to the amount equal to or greater than $400,000 which is the upper end of the cost estimate for Phase 1. This will require at least a Class B license of the appropriate type and category. Information contained in the SOQ shall be typed or clearly printed on the applicant’s letterhead in an organized, concise manner and should follow the same sequence as the SOQ with the item numbers cross-referenced. The Evaluation Committee may, at its sole discretion, contact one or more applicants during the evaluation process for clarification of any entries in the SOQ and may request additional information. Such additional information must be submitted to FTR no later than seven calendar days after the receipt of the request by the applicant. SOQ submissions which are incomplete or lack key information may be rejected by the Committee at its sole discretion. SOQ submissions should be as thorough and detailed as possible so that the Evaluation Committee may properly evaluate the firm’s capabilities to provide the required services and to determine their reliability. Qualified firms must be able to substantiate their experience, knowledge and ability to complete the work. Firms must be able to show that they have many years and extensive experience constructing inset floodplains, stabilizing streambanks and installing bio-engineering structures that will be used for the Teton Creek project as described in the Pre-100% Project Specs and Design Plans including root wads, log jams, cross vanes, engineered riffles and pools, buried rock toe protection, fabric encapsulated soil systems, woody material trenches, and barbs using native materials such as brush and logs. SOQ submissions which are incomplete or lack key information may be rejected by the Committee at its sole discretion. V. EVALUATION OF RFQ APPLICATIONS At the designated time and date as shown in the Advertisement for RFQs, the Evaluation Committee will open the RFQ applications for evaluation. The RFQs will be opened in public and reviewed in private. The Evaluation Committee will determine whether applicants are either “qualified” or “not qualified” to be a qualified contractor. FTR will notify all applicants in writing or by email whether or not they are eligible within thirty calendar days after their deadline of receipt of the SOQ. The decision shall be final and conclusive. Firms that are named as qualified to perform will be placed on a listing as a qualified firm for one year. Denial of qualification shall not be the basis for any monetary claim or action for injunctive relief against the Evaluation Committee or FTR or any of its employees. In determining whether an applicant should be qualified, the Committee, in its sole and absolute discretion, will decide whether the applicant is capable of fully performing the contractual requirements for the project, in all respects. The Evaluation Committee will evaluate the qualifications based on the information provided in the SOQ and by references. References may be questioned about the following: a. Firm’s overall performance. b. Any problems that developed while performing. c. Firm’s organization. d. How well the firm cooperated with other entities including but not limited to local, state and federal agencies; landowners and stakeholders. e. Problems with work passing inspections or acceptance tests. f. Adherence to the contract documents and specified materials and equipment. g. Adherence to established schedules. h. Quality and performance of firm’s personnel, subcontractors and/or its agents. i. Other questions of a business nature deemed necessary by the Evaluation Committee. Any unsatisfactory references may serve as a basis for disqualification of the applicant as determined by the Evaluation Committee. Examples of unsatisfactory references include but are not limited to untimely performance, failure to properly schedule the work, failure to complete the work, defective work not corrected, failure to complete punch list work, lack of proper manpower to meet scheduled activities, poor workmanship, submission of unreasonable claims, failure to make prompt payments, inappropriate staffing, safety violations, or any other documented evidence of non-compliance with the terms and conditions of prior construction contracts. In evaluating each RFQ, the Evaluation Committee will consider information provided in the SOQ and the following criteria: a. Firm has been in business as a General Contractor for a minimum of one year, and has successfully completed, on time and within budget, a minimum of five stream restoration construction projects of a similar type and technical difficulty within the last five years for governmental, institutional or private owners. b. The proposed project foreman must have served in these same capacities on at least five similar stream restoration projects within the last five years. VI. TERMS AND CONDTIONS The decision to qualify an applicant shall not constitute a final determination that the applicant is qualified, and such applicant may be subsequently rejected as qualified on the basis of subsequently discovered information. FTR reserves the right to extend the application submission deadline for this RFQ should such action be deemed in the best interest of the FTR by way of an addendum noticed on FTR’s web site twenty four hours before the deadline. FTR shall not be responsible for any costs incurred by applicants as a result of their participation in this qualification process. Each applicant shall bear its own expenses in connection with such participation including the provision of any supplemental information which may be requested. All material submitted by the applicant shall become the property of FTR and will not be returned. Applications will be treated as public information by FTR and the Evaluation Committee; however, FTR and the Committee shall not be liable for any breach of confidentiality of these materials. Termination of the RFQ process can occur, and FTR reserves the right to do so when necessary. Applicants will be so notified on FTR’s web site. If the process is terminated, no compensation will be made to any applicants regardless of the state of completion of the process. The Evaluation Committee intends, but is not required, to contact all of the references listed in the SOQ to establish applicant’s performance in all aspects. By submitting an application, the applicant agrees that the Committee may research the information provided and contact entities associated with such information at its discretion. All RFQ information supplied shall be the most current and up-to-date data that is available. Applicants must provide prompt notice to FTR if the applicant experiences a substantial change in its financial condition, ownership, corporate structure or personnel after the SOQ and related information have been submitted. Failure to notify FTR of any substantial change in financial condition, corporate structure or personnel may constitute grounds for rescinding the applicant’s qualification. The Evaluation Committee may deny qualification to any applicant for any reason it deems appropriate, including but not limited to the following: a. RFQ submittals that fail to conform to the requirements of the RFQ and SOQ may be considered non-responsive and the applicant determined to be “not qualified to bid.” b. If any applicant knowingly makes a misrepresentation in submitting information to FTR, such misrepresentation may be sufficient grounds for denying qualification to that applicant or rescinding the applicant’s qualification. Any such misrepresentation may also result in debarment of the applicant by the Evaluation Committee. c. The applicant does not have sufficient financial ability, including bonding capacity, to perform the contract. d. Applicant does not meet minimum experience requirements. e. The applicant does not have the appropriate staff or experience to perform the work. f. The applicant (or any subcontractor, officer, director, or owner thereof) has had judgments entered against him/her within the past ten years for the breach of contract for governmental or non-governmental projects, including but not limited to, construction, design-build or construction management contracts. g. The applicant has been in substantial noncompliance with the terms and conditions of prior construction contracts with FTR without good cause. If FTR has not contracted with the firm in any prior construction contracts, the Evaluation Committee may deny pre-qualification if the firm has been in substantial noncompliance with the terms and conditions of comparable construction contracts with another entity without good cause. h. The applicant (or any subcontractor, office, director, owner, project manager, procurement manager, or chief financial officer thereof) has been convicted within the past ten years of a crime related to construction or contracting. i. The applicant (or any subcontractor, officer, director, owner thereof) is currently debarred pursuant to an established debarment procedure from bidding or contracting by any public body, agency or another state, or agency of the Federal Government. j. The applicant fails to provide FTR with any additional information requested by FTR within the time frames established in this solicitation. At this time, it is likely that the Evaluation Committee will require that firms obtain Bid, Performance and Payment Bonds in the amount equal to 5%, 100%, and 100% respectively of the company’s approximate bid amount for Phase 1. The upper end of the cost estimate for Phase 1 is $400,000. The Evaluation Committee will not make a determination on this requirement until after the Committee reviews the applications to determine which applicants can obtain adequate Bid, Performance and Payment Bonds and compares this to their other qualifications as outlined in this application. In the event that the Committee determines that there are not enough applicants that can obtain adequate Bid, Performance and Payment Bonds and can adequately satisfy the conditions and experience requirements outlined in this document, the Committee reserves the right to wave this requirement. If the Committee deems it mandatory that applicants are able to obtain Bid, Performance and Payment Bonds, all applicants that cannot meet this requirement by the time this SOQ is submitted may be denied qualification at the Committee’s sole discretion. FTR will notify all applicants in writing or by email whether or not the ability to obtain adequate Bid, Performance and Payment Bonds are deemed to be mandatory for qualification status and how this ruling has affected their application within thirty calendar days after the deadline of receipt of the SOQ. Attachment A: Statement of Qualifications Form (SOQ) When filling out this form please answer each question as thoroughly as possible. Please limit your answer for each question to 3,000 words. Failure to adequately address each of these questions may result in a denial of qualification. Points will be given for each question and tallied to determine RFQ ranking. Unless otherwise noted, 0-2 points will be given for each question. The more points a company receives the higher they will rank. 0-points will be given if a company cannot adequately address a question, for example, if a company has not been an active Teton Creek Stakeholders Committee member they would receive 0-points for the question. 1-point will be given if a company adequately addresses a question, for example, they provide an organization chart or they have the required experience implementing each outlined restoration technique. If they do not have the required experience implementing each restoration technique the applicant will receive 0-points for this question. 2-points will be given to a company that can answer the questions in an exceptional manner. For example, the company shows that they have an exceptional amount of stream restoration experience relative to this project and can effectively illustrate their information in a thorough, professional manner, providing additional information when applicable. There are a total of 45 points allowable. 1. Provide an organizational chart including any subcontractors and their role in the project. (0-2 points) 2. Provide length of existence of the company and subcontractor companies. (0-2 points) 3. Please list name(s) of the person you will be designating as foreman for this project and all equipment operators along with their individual experience and number of years performing similar work. (Note: FTR will require that project foreman is present on site during project construction). Please include only those individuals that will actually be working on this project. List all relevant professional licenses, degrees and training for each of your company employees. (0-2 points) 4. Provide a general overview of your company’s experience in stream restoration implementation. Describe total number of stream restoration projects completed, range of project costs and total cost of all projects. (0-2 points) 5. Provide information about your company’s strengths, successes and innovations. (0-2 points) 6. Provide detailed information for at least five projects your company has completed in the past five years that are relevant to the Teton Creek Project. Projects may include stream relocation, headcut stabilization, inset floodplain construction and channel and bank stabilization work. (Note: this question is worth up to 8 points) A. Describe project locations; actual work performed by your company; and size and cost of projects. (0-2 points) B. Describe who in your company performed the work and what their responsibilities were and provide the names of contact people who can verify the work. (0-2 points) C. Describe the most and least successful aspects of your company’s involvement in the project. (0-2 points) D. Provide photos of your work. Before and after installation photos are preferred. (0-2 points) 7. Include the bid price for of each of your five projects listed above and the actual final costs. Include an explanation for any discrepancies between the bid price and final cost. (0-2 points) 8. Provide a comprehensive list of stream restoration techniques and products your company has experience utilizing. Include photos of your work. Before and after installation photos are preferred. (0-2 points) 9. Describe your companies past experience installing structures that will be used for this project. (Note: this question is worth up to 6 points). A. Provide a narrative of your company’s expertise installing bio-engineering structures that will be used for the Teton Creek Project as described in the Pre-100% Project Specs and Design Sheets including root wads, log jams, cross vanes, engineered riffles and pools, buried rock toe protection, fabric encapsulated soil systems, woody material trenches, and barbs using native materials such as brush or logs. Include the total linear feet of each structure that you have implemented. (0-2 points) B. For each type of structure, explain if you have had any structures fail and if so what lessons did you learn? If you were hired to repair the failed structures, describe how you made repairs. (0-2 points) C. Include photos of your work. Before and after installation photos are preferred. (0-2 points) 10. Provide a narrative of up to three projects that your company has completed where you worked with numerous stakeholders and landowners. Describe the degree of success to which you were able to work with a large number of stakeholders/landowners. (0-2 points) 11. Provide a narrative of your involvement with the Teton Creek Subwatershed Committee (TCSC). Indicate the years that you have been involved with the TCSC, the number of meetings you have attended and describe your level of participation in TCSC general meetings, Charrettes, and technical workshops. (0-2 points) 12. Please list the equipment that you will use for project construction. If your company will need additional equipment, describe how you intend to acquire said equipment. (0-2 points) 13. State your company’s Public Works Certification class, type and category. (Note: 1-point will be given if this question is answered completely. 0-points will be given if the question is answered incompletely.) 14. Describe the ability of your company to obtain Bid, Performance and Payment Bonds in the amount equal to 5%, 100%, and 100% respectively and the amount of bonding your company can provide for this project (Note: If your company can provide Bid, Performance and Payment Bonds in the amount equal to 5%, 100%, and 100% respectively for a project total of at least $400,000 you will be given 1-point. If you cannot meet this requirement you will not be given any points for this question). 15. Provide name of company’s insurer and proof of current status. (Note: 1-point will be given if this question is answered completely. 0-points will be given if the question is answered incompletely.) 16. Describe active, prior, or pending litigation regarding your company and how the matters were resolved with respect to construction or contracting. (0-2 points) 17. Please provide three references who have worked with you in the past five years. If you will be using subcontractors, provide three references for each subcontractor. (Note: this question is worth up to 6 points. 0-2 points will be given for each of the three references interviewed for the company). I,_____________________________(company representative signature), state that the information provided in this application is true correct to best of my knowledge on this date ___________________. I also agree to all terms and conditions outlined in the RFQ. To request information, submit SOQ forms or for questions please use the following contact information: Mike Lien Stream Restoration Director Friends of the Teton River P.O. Box 768 18 North Main Street, Suite 310 Driggs, ID 83422 Phone number: 208 354-3871 Email: mike@tetonwater.org FTR Web Site: tetonwater.org Attachment B: Directions for FTR’s FTP Web Site On the FTP site under the “Teton Creek Pre-100% Design Plans” directory you will find project Specs, Design Plans, Design Report and Working Aerial Maps. The directions for accessing FTR’s FTP web site are as follows: 1) Start by connecting to the internet. 2) In the address box, type in the following address: ftp://65.163.13.161 3) Enter the following user name: FTRFTP 4) Enter the following user password: cleanwater Please note that the user name and password are case sensitive. Note: you cannot open files on the FTP site. You will need to download files to your hard drive before you can open them. Please contact FTR if you have any questions.