Introduction

The City of Rock Island, Illinois (2010 population of 39,018) is the seat of Rock Island County and is located in the Quad Cities, a metropolitan region situated on the Iowa-Illinois border along the Mississippi River.  Rock Island is currently home to one National Register Historic District and one local historic district.  The Historic Preservation Commission, established in the 1980s, currently examines and rules on design review requests for external renovations/repairs and additions for homes/properties designated as local landmarks or located within a locally designated historic district. It also comments on National Register nominations made within the City.

Scope of Project

The City of Rock Island is seeking qualifications for completion of a National Register Multiple Property Document (MPD) for its 1918 Government Housing Collection. The City previously had a detailed plan prepared that documented all the properties in the collection and provides substantial historical research. It recommends the creation of an MPD. The plan is available on the City’s website and upon request. A consultant would begin work on the project no later than December 1, 2019, and complete the document no later than July 31, 2020. Completion of forms, submission to the SHPO, and coordination with the SHPO is included in the project scope.  The MPD does not have to be accompanied by a nomination at this time and shall be prepared on official federal Forms 10-900-b according to federal and state documentation requirements.

To Be Included in Proposal

• Proposed project budget not to exceed $10,500 (including line item costs)
• Proposed timeline (December 1, 2019, through July 31, 2020)
• Qualifications Statement

Contents of the Qualifications Statement

Prospective consultants are encouraged to be concise and submit only requested information.  The qualifications submitted should address the following.

1. Consultant Qualifications: Provide a biography describing the consultancy’s members’ individual qualifications and history, years in business, location(s), legal structure, ownership, organizational structure, and key staff that would be committed to this project.  SEE PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS STANDARDS ATTACHED.
2. Prior Experience: Provide examples of the consultant’s previous experience with comparable projects.  Examples of projects should be from the last five (5) years and be similar in scope.  Include descriptive information such as the character of these projects, the scope of the consultant’s involvement, methodology, and locations of the projects. 
3. References: Provide a list of at least three (3) references who have worked with the consultant in the past five (5) years who have relevant knowledge concerning the consultant’s ability to complete such a project.  Names, affiliations, addresses, current telephone numbers, and email addresses of all references must be provided.

Selection Criteria

The City shall not accept any qualifications submitted after the September 27, 2019 deadline. Incomplete submittals shall not be accepted. Consultants who do not meet the professional qualifications standards shall not be considered. All qualifications shall be evaluated using the following criteria and through consideration of the proposed budget.

1. Demonstrate Relevant Experience
   1. Good: The consultant demonstrates superior experience in providing services. The qualifications demonstrate a wide depth of experience with five (5) or more similar projects, and prior experience working with municipalities. Project work samples are of outstanding quality in content and technical presentation.
   2. Fair: The consultant demonstrates the required experience in providing services. The qualifications demonstrate an adequate depth of experience with between three (3) and five (5) similar projects, and prior experience working with municipalities. Project work samples are of good quality in content and technical presentation.
   3. Poor: The consultant fails to demonstrate the required experience in providing services. The qualifications include fewer than three (3) similar projects, and limited prior experience working with municipalities. Project work samples are of inadequate quality in content and technical presentation.
2. Exhibit Commitment to Historic Preservation
   1. Good: The consultant demonstrates a superior approach to the subject material, a high degree of understanding of the historic and cultural resources involved, and a commitment to carry out the project in a way that meets the objectives of the SHPO and the U.S. Department of the Interior. All references confirm the above.
   2. Fair: The consultant demonstrates an adequate approach to the subject material, a basic understanding of the historic and cultural resources involved, and a willingness to carry out the project in a way that meets the objectives of the SHPO and the U.S. Department of the Interior. A majority of references confirm the above.
   3. Poor: The consultant fails to demonstrate an adequate approach to the subject material, does not understand the historic and cultural resources involved, and is unwilling to carry out the project in a way that meets the objectives of the SHPO and the U.S. Department of the Interior. A majority of references cite a lack of commitment to historic preservation. 
3. Indicate Financial Wherewithal: Consultants should provide verification of their financial ability to develop such a project.  Financial information need not be overly explicit, but sufficient for the City to ascertain whether the consultant is capable in this regard.  The proposed budget shall not exceed $10,500.

Projected Selection Process Schedule

After the deadline to receive qualifications has passed, City staff shall review qualifications and select a consultant to recommend to the Historic Preservation Commission. The Commission shall review the qualifications and make a recommendation to the City Council. Once the Council makes the final selection determination, City staff shall contact said consultant and enter into contract negotiations. This contact would occur no later than November 30, 2019.

Respond To:

Miles Brainard
Planning and Redevelopment Administrator
1528 3rd Avenue
Rock Island, IL 61201

309-732-2900

This project receives Federal funds and compliance with all Federal, State, and local laws, rules, and regulations is required.

APPENDIX 36 CFR PART 61 PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS STANDARDS

In the following definitions, a year of full-time professional experience need not consist of a continuous year of full-time work but may be made up of discontinuous periods of full-time or part-time work adding up to the equivalent of a year of full-time experience.

A.      History. Minimum professional qualifications in history are a graduate degree in history or closely related field; or a bachelor's degree in history or closely related field plus one of the following:

1)      At least two years of full-time experience in research, writing, teaching, interpretation or other demonstrable professional activity with an academic institution, historical organization or agency, museum, or other professional institution; or

2)      Substantial contribution through research and publication to the body of scholarly knowledge in the field of history.

B.      Archeology. Minimum professional qualifications in archeology are a graduate degree in archeology, anthropology, or closely related field plus:

1)      At least one year of full-time professional experience or equivalent specialized training in archeological research, administration or management.

2)      At least four months of supervised field and analytic experience in general North American archeology; and

3)      Demonstrated ability to carry research to completion. (In addition, to these minimum qualifications, a professional in prehistoric archeology shall have at least one year of full-time professional experience at a supervisory level in the study of archeological resources of the prehistoric period.  A professional in historic archeology shall have at least one year of full-time professional experience at a supervisory level in the study of archeological resources of the historic period.)

C.      Architectural history. Minimum professional qualifications in architectural history are graduate degree in architectural history, art history, historic preservation, or closely related field, with coursework in American architectural history; or a bachelor's degree in the above specialties or closely related field plus one of the following:

1)      At least two years of full-time experience in research, writing, or teaching in American architectural history or restoration architecture with an academic institution, historical organization or agency, museum, or other professional institution; or

2)      Substantial contribution through research and publication to the body of scholarly knowledge in the field of American architectural history.

D.     Architecture. Minimum professional qualifications in architecture are a professional degree in architecture plus at least two years of full-time professional experience in architecture; or a state license to practice architecture.

E.     Historic Architecture. Minimum professional qualifications in historic architecture are a professional degree in architecture or State license to practice architecture, plus one of the following:

1)      At least one year of graduate study in architectural preservation, American architectural history,            preservation planning, or closely related field; or

2)      At least one year of full-time professional experience on historic preservation projects.  Such graduate study or experience shall include detailed investigations of historic structures, preparation of historic structures research reports, and preparation of plans and specification for preservation project.