REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS To develop a signage master plan for the Bronx River Greenway and Blueway. Table of Contents Section I - Timetable Section II Summary of the RFP Section III Scope of Work Section IV Format and Content of the Proposal Section V Proposal Evaluation and Contract Award Procedures Contact The contact person for all matters concerning this RFP is: Name: Maggie Scott Greenfield Title: Bronx River Greenway Coordinator Mailing Address: One Bronx River Parkway Bronx, NY 10462 Telephone #: 718.430.4635 Fax #: 718.430.4658 E-Mail Address: Maggie.Greenfield@parks.nyc.gov
SECTION 1- TIMETABLE A. Proposal Due Date, Time, and Location: Date: 11/21/05 Time: 5:00 pm Location: Proposals shall be submitted to: Name: Maggie Scott Greenfield Title: Bronx River Greenway Coordinator Mailing Address: One Bronx River Parkway Bronx, NY 10462 Telephone #: 718.430.4635 Fax #: 718.430.4658 E-Mail Address: Maggie.Greenfield@parks.nyc.gov B. Anticipated Contract Start Date: 12/15/2005 SECTION II SUMMARY OF THE REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS A. Purpose of RFP The Bronx River Alliance seeks graphic design, landscape architecture, and planning services to design a master plan for identification, orientation/way-finding, gateway/entry, interpretive, warning and regulatory, temporary, and art signage along the Bronx River Greenway and Blueway. The signage should be consistent with the overall strategic plan for the Bronx River Greenway developed by the Bronx River Alliance and design guidelines for the Bronx River Greenway created by Mathews Nielsen, a planning firm retained by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. These standards are available on the Bronx River Alliance s website at http://www.bronxriver.org/greenwayplan.cfm, under Greenway Design Standards. Project Background When complete, the Bronx River Greenway will be an 8-mile multi-use (bike and pedestrian) path through the heart of the Bronx, providing continuous public access to the river. Large portions of the greenway, particularly in the North Bronx, already exist and need only to be rehabilitated and linked to one another. Completion of the greenway, particularly in the more dense and industrial South Bronx, requires the development of a new parkland and open space. The Bronx River Blueway refers to the canoe/kayak trail and includes portages around waterfalls and other hazards. The purpose of this contract is to design a signage master plan to ensure consistency along the Bronx River Greenway and Blueway, given that multiple implementing agencies (e.g., New York City Department of Parks and Recreation and the New York State Department of Transportation) are constructing segments of the greenway over a span of at least six years. The Bronx River Alliance, a public-private partnership of more than 80 community-based organizations and public agencies working along the river, coordinates the activities of these and other public and private agencies to ensure implementation of the greenway in a manner consistent with the community vision. Specific elements that the signage plan will address are consistency and placemaking; integration with existing logos, standards, materials, and processes; design and siting; cost; implementation; and maintenance. Detail is provided on each of these topics in Section III Scope of Work. In addition, we anticipate the final master plan to reflect the consensus of the Bronx River Alliance, Parks, NYSDOT, and other key stakeholders. Consensus involves examining past signage decisions and making any needed modifications. Consensus will be achieved through the scoping and review meetings outlined below. The consultant will facilitate all meetings. B. Anticipated Contract Term It is anticipated that the term of the contract awarded from this RFP will be from 12/15/05 to 8/15/06. The Bronx River Alliance reserves the right, prior to contract award, to determine the length of the initial contract term. 2
C. Anticipated Work Schedule and Payment Structure Event Description Date Announce RFP BxRA makes RFP public 10/27/05 Submissions Due Date Deadline for all proposals 11/23/05 Award Consultant Site visit and assessment of data needs Scoping meeting with consultant and DPR, Bronx River Alliance, DOT, and other stakeholders Consultant receives down payment (20% of total) Informal on-site meeting with Bronx River Alliance This meeting will introduce the consultant to the various stakeholders/agencies involved and serve as an information-gathering opportunity. Requested data will be delivered to consultant 12/15/05 early Jan 06 late Jan 06 plan to Alliance Consultant integrates Bronx River Alliance comments and submits revised draft plan for Bronx Design Team review Consultant integrates Bronx Design Team comments and submits revised draft plan for Parks In-house review Consultant integrates Parks Inhouse comments and submits revised draft plan for Parks Commissioner review Consultant integrates Parks Commissioner comments and submits revised draft plan for Arts Commission review (if necessary). Consultant integrates Arts Commission comments and submits revised draft (if necessary) Submit final signage master plan Consultant delivers final signage plan in hardcopy and digital format to Alliance Consultant receives partial payment (20% of total) This review may include a semi-public presentation to the Alliance s Greenway Team and other Alliance partners mid March 06 late March 06 early April 06 mid April 06 Consultant receives payment (20% of total) late April 06 Consultant prepares any necessary materials/boards. Consultant submits completed plan to Alliance Consultant receives final payment (40% of total) early May 06 early June 06 mid June 06 early July 06 mid July 06 early Aug 06 Note that the above is an approximate work schedule. Contractor may make modifications, as needed. However, final signage plan must be completed by August 2006. 3
SECTION III-SCOPE OF WORK a. Consistency and Placemaking: Signage design must be consistent and identifiable, creating a sense of place along the Bronx River Greenway and Blueway. Recommendations should address how to integrate the full spectrum of required and desired signage by tailoring all signage to its physical context and creating cohesiveness among multiple signage types. Consideration should be given to sign posts as a way to provide consistency. Plan should address the diversity of languages spoken in Bronx neighborhoods adjacent to the river and how to reach these audiences through greenway and blueway signage Note that design of warning and regulatory signage must comply with the latest edition of the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). b. Integration with Existing Logos, Standards, Materials, and Processes: If possible, consultant will investigate and recommend ways to mount signs using existing New York City Department of Parks and Recreation poles and other materials. If another mounting system is recommended, the consultant should provide a detailed account of how it will be integrated into existing Parks systems. The recommended mounting system should also explicitly consider ease of maintenance. Plan should explicitly state how to incorporate existing logos (Parks leaf, Bronx River Alliance logo, NYC Greenway logo) and existing signs (e.g., Parks rules) and standards (e.g., MUTCD warning and regulatory signage, DEC fish consumption signage) with proposed signage c. Design and Siting: Consultant will provide attractive prototypes and schematic design for each type of sign listed below, including recommendations on suitable color and appropriate sizes for each signage type. MUTCD requirements should be considered. Materials decisions should include consideration of resistance to vandalism, weather (especially water) and UV rays. Use of recycled materials should be prioritized. MUTCD materials requirements should also be considered. Given that we have a variety of signage needs, consideration must be given to avoid over signing the greenway and blueway. Siting considerations should also consider any MUTCD requirements regarding offset from path. Identification signage creates a sense of identity along the trail. Ours will contribute to developing a sense of place for the Bronx River Greenway and Blueway. Existing Signage: NYC Department of City Planning Greenway Signage (1) Schematic of sign design(s) (2) Guidelines for siting Orientation/Way-finding signage indicates where the visitor is along the greenway and blueway (i.e., you are here signage). Signage should also point out the way to other key features along the greenway such as comfort stations, concessions, public transportation, Bronx Zoo, Bronx Botanical Garden, Fordham University, and Bronx River Arts Center. This signage should also tell where the visitor is in relation to other key sites along the greenway as well as surrounding neighborhoods. The signage plan should also address how to direct users to the greenway from key sites. Existing Signage: Stone pylons and mile markers in Mathews Nielson design standards (1) Schematic of sign design(s) (2) Guidelines for siting Gateway/Entry signage should be designed to welcome visitors into an area. They should create a sense of arrival, so the visitor knows they are in a special location. Possibilities for entry signage are at the following sites: Shoelace Park, The Concrete Plant Park, Starlight Park, Muskrat Cove, Hunts Point Riverside Park, Bronx Park, Bronx River Forest, Soundview Park, Garrison Park, and West Farms. Existing Signage: Stone Pylons in Mathews Nielson design standards. In addition, entry signage has already been designed for the Concrete Plant Park, and Hunts Point Riverside Park. An entry sign also exists in French Charley. 4
(1) Schematics of sign design(s) (2) Site actual location of signs along Greenway (3) Create guidelines for future Entry Sign needs Interpretive signage should identify and interpret cultural, historical, and ecological interests along the greenway. Interpretive signage designated for the New York State Coastal Resources Interpretive Program must follow their design guidelines. Planned signage: the Bronx River Alliance has received two grants from the NY State Coastal Resources Interpretive Program (NYSCRIP) to develop interpretive signage in the Bronx River Forest and Soundview Park. The Bronx River Alliance has also applied for funding to install NYSCRIP signage in the Concrete Plant Park. (1) Identify areas not already designated by NYSCRIP for future interpretation opportunities (2) Identify themes for the proposed interpretation signage (3) Integrate this signage into overall plan Warning and Regulatory signage: regulatory signage includes messages such as Stop, Yield, Keep Right, and No Riding Bicycles on Side Paths (i.e., signage for which provisions for enforcement such as ticketing exist). Warning signage (typically a yellow diamond) include stop ahead, slow, or similar messages where sight distances or other factors limits the user s ability to predict upcoming conditions. Consultant should address warning signage along the Blueway. Precedents for signage at public boating facilities should be investigated (with an emphasis on any NYC Parks facilities) and recommendations presented. Consultant should also advise the Alliance on what information should be posted regarding the river s official state fishing and swimming classifications. Existing standards: MUTCD standards for bicycle facilities (Chapter 9) (1) Identify priority locations for warning signs and how to minimize signage in natural areas like the Bronx River Forest and Muskrat Cove (2) Research and document process for obtaining approval from NYSDOT on warning and regulatory signage (3) Consider any MUTCD materials requirements, especially regarding reflectivity (4) Integrate this signage into overall plan Vendor signage along greenway (i.e., Bike repair shop, snack shop, canoe rentals) (1) Guidelines on how to integrate vendor sign design/logos into greenway sign design while maintaining a sense of consistency through color, frames, etc. (2) Guidelines for siting signs at vendors along greenway Temporary signage will highlight various Bronx River Alliance projects (e.g., banners, event specific, work-in-progress signs, flags etc,) (1) Designed templates for easily reproducible signs (in software that the Bronx River Alliance owns) Outdoor Art Exhibit signage will identify and highlight various art objects located throughout the Bronx River Greenway (1) Schematics of sign design(s) d. Cost: Consultant should consider cost as a factor in recommendations and provide estimates for fabrication and installation of any signage is not standard for Parks, NYSDOT, or NYCDOT for which the Bronx River Alliance would need to raise funds. 5
e. Implementation: plan should outline the process for installing recommended signage in new greenway parks, as well as phasing in recommended signage into existing parks (where other signage already exists). Work with designers from the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, the New York State Department of Transportation, and others as necessary, to ensure that proposed signage is practical and feasible on government funded/managed projects and compatible with the designs developed to date. Coordination between the consultant, agencies and stakeholders will take place at the scoping meeting and through reviews. f. Maintenance: Design of signage and materials used should be selected based on resistance to vandalism, weather (especially water), UV light, etc. Mounting systems should explicitly reference ease of maintenance. g. Facilitate scoping and review meetings: We anticipate the final master plan to reflect the consensus of the Bronx River Alliance, Parks, NYSDOT, and other key stakeholders. Consensus involves examining past signage decisions and making any needed modifications. Consensus will be achieved through the scoping and review meetings. The consultant will facilitate all meetings. SECTION IV-FORMAT AND CONTENT OF THE PROPOSAL Instructions: Proposers should provide all information required in the format below. The proposal shall be submitted on 8 ½ x 11 paper (double sided is preferable). Pages should be paginated. While there is no page limit for proposals, the proposal will be evaluated on the basis of content, not length. No proposals should be submitted in plastic sleeves or spiral binders. A. Proposal Format 1. Proposal Cover Letter The proposal cover letter should express the overall intent of the designers proposal. 2. Technical Proposal The technical proposal is a clear, concise narrative that addresses the following: a. Qualifications Contact information name, address and phone number of the design firm Key Personnel names of key personnel, their respective titles, experience, and periods of service with the firm Statement of Qualifications a narrative or other statement by the firm of its qualifications for the proposed project Availability a brief statement certifying the availability of key firm personnel available to undertake the proposed project and their role Project list list and describe relevant projects completed by the proposer (projects demonstrating experience with graphic design is preferred) References supply names and telephone numbers of persons of previous clients who can provide a reference regarding the firm's past performance b. Organizational Capability Demonstrate the proposer s organizational (i.e., programmatic, managerial and financial) capability to provide the work described in Section III. c. Express in detail how the proposer will provide the work described in Section III (Scope of Services) of this RFP and demonstration that the proposer s approach will fulfill the Bronx River Alliance s scope of service. Submit a modified work plan, if necessary Proposers may propose more than one approach 6
3. Cost Proposal a. Proposers may additionally propose other payment structures. The Bronx River Alliance reserves the right to accept any payment structure that is in their best interest. B. Proposal Package Contents/Checklist The proposal should contain the following materials. Proposers should utilize this section as a checklist to assure completeness prior to submitting their proposal: Proposal Cover Letter Form Technical Proposal Qualifications Organizational Capability Approach explanation Phasing work plan Other possible approaches Cost Proposal SECTION V- PROPOSAL EVALUATION AND CONTRACT AWARD PROCEDURES A. Evaluation Procedures The contractor will have extensive experience in graphic design, as well as public sector open space, and greenway projects. All proposals accepted by the Bronx River Alliance will be reviewed to determine whether they are responsive or non-responsive to the requisites of this RFP. Proposals that are determined by Bronx River Alliance to be nonresponsive will be rejected. The Bronx River Alliance will evaluate and rate all remaining proposals based on the evaluation criteria prescribed below. The Bronx River Alliance reserves the right to conduct site visits and/or interviews and/or to request that proposers make presentations and/or demonstrations, as the Bronx River Alliance deems applicable and appropriate. Although discussions may be conducted with proposers submitting acceptable proposals, the Bronx River Alliance reserves the right to award contracts on the basis of initial proposals received, without discussions; therefore, the proposer s initial proposal should contain its best technical and price terms. 7
B. Evaluation Criteria The selection of the firm will be based on the following criteria: i. Quantity and Quality of Successful Relevant Experience 40PTS The firm s experience and composition, including but not limited to the ability to demonstrate excellence in environmental design and implementation of those designs 1. Experience in designing the types of signage outlined in Section III.c 20 PTS 2. Experience in developing signage master plans or other relevant master plans 20 PTS ii. Demonstrated Level of Organizational Capability 40 PTS 1. Experience of personnel available to be assigned to the project and time that principal of firm can devote to this project 20 PTS 2. Experience with the stakeholder involvement and facilitation 10 PTS 3. Experience with public sector open space 10 PTS iii. Quality of Proposed Approach 20 PTS 1. Demonstrated understanding of the project 10 PTS 2. Familiarity with project area and issues 5 PTS 3. Demonstrated creativity 5 PTS TOTAL 100 PTS C. Basis for Contract Award A contract will be awarded to the responsible proposer whose proposal is determined to be the most advantageous to the Bronx River Alliance, taking into consideration the cost and such other factors or criteria, which are set forth in this RFP. Contract award shall be subject to the timely negotiations of a contract between The Bronx River Alliance and the selected proposer. 8