WOONASQUATUCKET RIVER WATERSHED COUNCIL REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS DESIGN OF GREENWAY PALETTE, SIGNAGE AND AMENITIES PROJECT BACKGROUND The Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council (WRWC) is a 501(c)3 organization whose mission is to protect and preserve the Woonasquatucket River Watershed as a recreational, educational, and cultural asset for the State of Rhode Island. The WRWC has received Community Development Block Grant funding for a signage program (Program) to enhance the Fred Lippitt Woonasquatucket River Greenway (Greenway). The Greenway is a seven mile recreation and transportation resource that starts in downtown Providence and currently ends in Johnston, RI. The Program will brand the greenway as an urban wildlife corridor creating a cohesive look and message that makes the bike path more visible as it moves from on road to its off road sections. The Greenway follows the river s edge and the design will emphasize the rivers significance as wildlife habitat, as it is the only significant green corridor on the west side of the city. The Program will lay the foundation of future development along Promenade and Kinsley Avenue and future expansion of the Greenway. We view this as a unique opportunity for an individual or firm to help create a vision and lead a project that will have long lasting value to the WRWC and the residents of the City of Providence and Rhode Island. The Program will have four general tasks. The initial task will be to develop a design palette which will be used to standardize the visual identity of the Greenway. It is expected that the completed design palette will include guidelines for gateways, up right signage, historic markers, building identifications, trail markers, mile markers, benches, picnic tables, and other trail amenities. The second task will be the completion of construction documents, and completion of project permitting. The third task will be the completion of designs for a two river access areas along Kinsley Avenue. The fourth task will be contractor selection to facilitate the installation of several gateways along the Greenway. POTENTIAL PROJECT LOCATIONS The proposed wayfinding signage locations are as follows: Providence Train Station Kennedy Plaza Riverside Park
Lyman Avenue Bike Path Terminus PROPOSED GATEWAY LOCATIONS Francis Street at Providence Place Promenade and Park Streets intersection at Providence Place American Locomotive Company (Rathbone Street) Eagle Street/Kinsley Avenue (entrance to Eagle Square bike path spur) Donigian Park at bike path entrance Aleppo Street & Manton Avenue (pointing people to off-road path at Riverside Park) Merino Park at Hartford Avenue park entrance Greenville and Hillside Avenue Intersection Bike Path Crossing Manton Avenue Bike Path Spur entrance Glenbridge Avenue to Buttonhole Spur and to Lincoln Lace and Braid Spur The proposed work will be limited to the city rights-of-way. PRE-BID MEETING AND EXISTING INFORMATION A mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held on November 12, 2013 at 10:00 AM at the RI Economic Development Corporation, 555 Valley Street, 315 Iron Horse Way, Building 51, Narragansett Room. Call Betty Ann at the RI Economic Development Corporation at 401-278-9100 for meeting location questions. The WRWC has been involved with numerous planning projects in the Program area. This information will familiarize potential bidders with the WRWC and the Greenway but should not be considered strict guidance as to how this Program should proceed. Respondents to this RFP are strongly encouraged to examine, the below resources found at: www.wrwc.org and the proposal meeting The Greenway Master Plan: Llama Product design- Riverside Park Signage Map of proposed gateway sites
Historic Marker Study Pocket Park Areas SCOPE OF WORK Task 1 Design Palette The Design Palette should cover the following: Gateways: visual indicator at entrances to off road sections and transition areas to on road sections. This may include two versions of this gateway dependent on priority and space available at each gateway site Upright signage: includes maps, safety information and way finding signage Historic markers: Low profile wayside signage Building ID Signage Trail Marker: way to identify that you are still on greenway but traveling on road- could include tree guards or unique electrical pole treatment Mileage Markers Bench Designs Highway Signage It is important to note that the elements being discussed in this task are generic in nature, meaning that the final versions could potentially be used anywhere in the Greenway. Task 2 Gateway Construction Documents The consultant will develop construction documents and engineer s estimate for a number of gateways (to be determined) and to apply for and obtain the necessary permits to allow for the installation of the same gateways. Task 3 - Pocket Park Preliminary Design There are two areas off Kinsley Avenue (see attached Narragansett Bay Commission {NBC} plans) where the ongoing sewer interceptor project has created the potential for river access. We anticipate that this access will be re-constructed once the NBC project is completed. Therefore we are requesting re-design for those sites
herein. The new designs should consider planting plans and establish view corridors. The level of detail should be sufficient to provide the NBC and their contractors with clear details on the WRWC s expectations. Task 4 Contractor Selection and Oversight The consultant will support the WRWC in the solicitation and evaluation of qualified bids for the construction a number of gateways (to be determined). After a contractor is selected, the consultant will provide oversight to ensure the proper construction and installation of the same gateways. CONSULTANT REQUIREMENTS All work will be performed by (design should be stamped by registered Professional Engineer, or under direct supervision of (as allowed by law) a registered Professional Engineer, who is currently licensed to practice in the State of Rhode Island. The registered Professional Engineer must demonstrate proficiency with the City of Providence and RIDOT policies and standards. In addition, all necessary landscape architecture related work should be performed by a registered Landscape Architect. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS Proposal should include the following: Cover Letter: The cover letter must list the design team members and identify the primary contact person. Please include phone number, fax number and email address. Statement of Qualifications and examples of similar projects completed by the consultant Team Description: experience as it relates to qualifications, include resumes of all team members Proposed approach (discuss the number of client meetings and desired meeting outcomes) Copies of professional licenses of team members Other supporting material Fee Schedule: Lump Sum Bid for Task 1 Estimate Range of Potential Costs for Tasks 2, 3 and 4 All Proposals will be received by WRWC staff at their office at: 27 Sims Avenue, Providence, RI 02909 until 4:00 pm local time on Monday, December 2, 2013. It is the Consultant's responsibility to
see that proposals are delivered within the time and at the place described. Proposals received prior to the time of opening will be securely kept, unopened. Proposals may be withdrawn on written request (on the letterhead of the consultant and signed by the original signatory) which must be received prior to the time fixed for opening. Proposals may be modified in the same manner. No proposal or subsequent modification thereof received after the time set for the opening will be considered regardless of the circumstances. Any consultant taking exception to, or questioning any of the provisions, procedures, specifications or conditions herein stated should make such exceptions known to the WRWC, in writing, not less than five (5) days before the opening. Any change or interpretation made as a result thereof will be published in an addendum and mailed to all consultants who have indicated an interest in the Project. Should a consultant still not be satisfied, he or she may, in the proposal, set out and stipulate the exception, with enough explanation to be understood by the WRWC. The WRWC may, at its discretion, accept or reject any or all exceptions. EVALUATIONFACTORS The WRWC shall select a consultant based on qualifications, experience and price. We anticipate that the successful candidate will have experience in many of the following subjects: Urban bicycle and pedestrian shared use facilities planning and design Working with not for profit institutions Working with the Rhode Island Department of Transportation Permitting through the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and the Coastal Resources Management Council Working with the City of Providence and other potential stakeholders PROJECT SCHEDULE RFP Released: Monday, October 28, 2013 PRE-PROPOSAL MEETING: All prospective bidders are required to attend a pre-bidders meeting that will be held on Tuesday, November 12, 2013 at 10 AM. The meeting will start at the RI Economic Development Corporation and proceed through the project area. Final Day to Submit Written Questions: Thursday, November 14, 2013 (Answers will be sent out on Tuesday, November 19, 2013)
Proposal Due Date: Monday, December 2, 2013, 4 PM Evaluation Team Completes Proposal Reviews: Friday, December 6, 2013 Notify Top Rated Respondents and Conduct Interviews: Friday, December 13, 2013 Selection of Highest Ranked Respondent: Monday, December 16, 2013 Execute Agreement: on or before December 31, 2013