Request for Qualifications and Proposals for Riverwalk Phase 2 Released

Request for Qualifications & Proposals

Riverwalk (Phase II)

The Town of Hillsborough is publishing this Request for Qualifications and Proposals for design firms or teams to assist with the next phase of the implementation of the Riverwalk greenway in Hillsborough. Riverwalk is a proposed 1.8-mile paved path extending from Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area east through Gold Park, downtown, linking to the existing Orange County River Park trails, and finally connecting to the Historic Occoneechee Speedway Trail system. The route provides a section of the state’s Mountains-to-Sea Trail. Riverwalk Phase I has been completed in Gold Park, and the town intends to pursue a variety of funding sources to construct the remaining portions of Riverwalk during 2012. The complete Request for Qualifications and Proposals is attached and contains the detailed scope of work and submittal requirements.

Reference Material Made Available for Use:

The following existing data is available on the bid page of the town Web site and should be used as reference materials for all teams or firms responding to this request:

• The 2001 Feasibility Study for Riverwalk
• The Community Connectivity Plan, adopted June 2009
• The conceptual plan for the Calvin Street connection from Kempinksi Designs, 2010
• Data layers from the town’s GIS, including utility line locations, will be made available upon request and to the selected team or firm.

Selection Criteria:

This is a design contract and will be awarded based on skill and proposed methods rather than price. The following are the criteria the town will use for selecting the most qualified team/firm:

1. Direct experience with greenway design including significant bridges, environmental review, and interaction with the local water/sewer utility.
2. Range of services available from the team/firm. As the town plans to move from planning to construction in a short time frame, does the team have the necessary resources to stay with the project through construction?
3. Proximity to Hillsborough or the ability to be proximate to Hillsborough when needed and in future phases.
4. General knowledge base of the team and assigned staff.
5. Evaluation of the process proposed: Does it match town timelines and Parks and Recreation Trust Fund requirements?
6. Does the assigned staff have the capacity and time to deliver the project on time and on budget?

Submission of Proposals:

Firms or teams interested in the project are invited to submit a proposal. As the project budget is not part of the criteria, the project budget must not be included in the proposal document but must be submitted in a separate, sealed envelope clearly marked with the applicant’s name and “budget.”  Proposals must be received (not postmarked) by 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 15, 2011.

Proposals should be clearly marked as “Riverwalk Proposal” and may be mailed or delivered to:

Hillsborough Planning Department
101 E. Orange St.
PO Box 429
Hillsborough, NC 27278

Questions regarding the project should be submitted via e-mail to Hillsborough Planner Stephanie Trueblood. Questions and responses will be posted to the bid section of the town’s Web site until June 8.