REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

Professional Planning Services
City of Grand Rapids
Parks & Recreation 2022-2026 Strategic Master Plan

5-Year Master Plan Update of "Your City, Your Parks"
City of Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation Department Strategic Master Plan

Issued:
December 18, 2020

Requested by:
City of Grand Rapids
Parks and Recreation Department
201 Market Ave SW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Phone: 616.456.3696

Proposals due:
January 12, 2021 by noon EST

I. INTRODUCTION

Grand Rapids residents continue to emphasize the importance of parks and recreational opportunities as an essential public service. This, of course, has been magnified by the impacts of the global virus on our very local way of life. Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation continues on a path of building a sustainable park system, utilizing funds from the 2013 voter-approved parks millage and preparing for implementation of the newly passed 2019 voter-approved evergreen parks millage.

The current 2017 adopted parks and recreation strategic plan (link to plan in Section VI) is driving mission-guided park investments and operational changes for decades to come. The plan serves as a guiding document for policy decisions, prioritizing and balancing demands and opportunities, and provides a framework for evaluating future land acquisitions, park improvements and recreation programs. The planning process that helped to establish the department's current master plan has built lasting and meaningful relationships with thousands of Grand Rapidians. Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation is committed to continued meaningful engagement with every park and recreation project moving forward, including through this 2022 five-year planning update.

The 2017 plan offers an aspirational vision for the future of Grand Rapids' parks, open space and recreation resources. The plan envisions ways to continuously enhance existing resources, while steadily building capacity and expanding opportunities and access throughout the community. Linking the system's existing and future amenities and programs to community health, equity, connectivity and long-term economic sustainability, the plan envisions elevating the role of the parks and recreation system in the daily lives of Grand Rapidians in the years to come. The 2017 plan also acts as the solid foundation on which the 2022 plan update will be built.

The department anticipates carrying forward a great deal of the 2017 plan recommendations, objectives and associated strategies. Those that have been accomplished can be removed and those that need greater attention and detail will be the primary focus of this plan update.

II. DESCRIPTION / REQUIREMENTS AND CRITERIA

The City of Grand Rapids Parks & Recreation Department is soliciting professional consulting services in outreach, planning and design. Components of the project may include, but are not limited to:

1. Evaluation of and confirmation and updating of existing park inventory and recreational analysis, including facilities, parkland, trails and open space.
2. Identification of community interests and needs through meaningful conversations and other developed methods, likely coordinated with an independent, local third-party.
3. Prioritization of key recommendations to address most significant aspects of 2017 plan that may currently lack detail or design.
4. Expansion on any needed future needs, opportunities, and vision.
5. Update final plan recommendations and action plan with new ideas, designs and schematic cost estimates.
6. Carry forward 2017 plan framework, recommendations, chapters, text, designs and components while skillfully adding updated components and information.
7. The final plan must incorporate structural elements from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) 5-year plan for the City of Grand Rapids to be eligible for important State of Michigan grant funds. The MDNR Recreation Plan information including Guidelines Booklet link is in Section VI.
8. The 2022 Parks Master Plan should incorporate/highlight the City of Grand Rapids Strategic Plan (2020-2023) Strategic Priorities. A link to the City Strategic Plan is in Section VI.

Proposals submitted shall include the following:

1. A summary of your firm's understanding of the project including your firm's scope of services necessary to perform and fulfill the objectives and methods of how your firm plans to fulfill those objectives.
2. A description of your firm's experience in completing work of this type including three (3) specific examples and project references (include reference name, phone number and email).
3. A description of your proposed work plan for completing this project including a proposed schedule.
4. A description of your proposed staffing including resumes of employees assigned to this project. Provide resumes for the responsible Principal, Project Manager, Public Engagement person, and key support staff.
5. Please indicate if your company has a Diversity and Inclusion policy or program. If so, briefly describe.
6. Identify whether your company is a single-source provider of professional services or if a sub-consultant will be used. If a subconsultant will be used, please provide detailed information regarding the nature of the sub-consulting work and descriptive information about the company.

The electronic proposal is due, in PDF format, by noon EST on January 12, 2021 to Karie Enriquez at kenriquez@grcity.us.

III. ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE

1. December 18, 2020: Request for Statement of Qualifications released
2. January 5, 2021: Letter of Interest Due (4:00 p.m. EST)
3. January 12, 2021 at noon EST: Statement of Qualifications package due
4. January 12, 2021: Review of qualification packages and develop shortlist of firms selected for interview
5. January 15, 2021: Conduct interviews of short-listed firms (10:00 – noon EST)
6. January 19-25, 2021: Conduct Negotiations with top-ranked firm
7. January 26, 2021: Final agreement submitted for City Commission agenda February 9, 2021
8. February 9, 2021: Recommendation to enter into a Professional Services Agreement approved at City Commission
9. February 16, 2021: Execution of agreement, project kickoff meeting and commencement of work
10. Plan development – February 2021 through October 2021
11. Plan complete – October 2021
12. Plan adoption – January 2022

IV. REGISTRATION

Interested firms shall submit a Letter of Interest by January 5, 2021 no later than 4:00 p.m. EST via email to kenriquez@grcity.us registering their intent to respond to this Request for Qualifications. All firms expressing interest will be added to an email distribution list and will be notified if additional information becomes available. Firms failing to register in this manner, will not be excluded from submitting a Statement of Qualifications but may not receive all information relevant to the preparation of their Statement of Qualifications.

V. SELECTION STANDARD
Selection will be based on evaluation of the following criteria:

1. Qualifications and Similar Project Experience, Including References (25%)
2. Effectiveness of Proposed Work Plan and Project Understanding (25%)
3. Innovative Engagement Strategy (20%)
4. Strength of Consultant's Team (20%)
5. Clarity and Responsiveness of Proposal (10%)

The City will enter into negotiations with the top ranked firm and continue until acceptable to the City. Negotiations will include, but not be limited to, scope, schedule, fee (including reimbursable expenses).

SUPPLIER DIVERSITY

The City of Grand Rapids is committed to ensuring non-discrimination and equal opportunity in the performance and administration of City contracts and subcontracts.

Therefore, the City seeks to provide all Professional Services consultants and subconsultants, including Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs), Micro-Local Business Enterprises (Micro-LBE), Women Business Enterprises (WBEs) and Non-Minority/Women Business Enterprises (Non-MWBEs), equal access to Professional service consulting opportunities. Consultants are encouraged, when feasible, to use their best efforts to subcontract businesses reflective of the City's diverse business community.

VI. LINKS

Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation 2017 Parks and Recreation Strategic Master Plan:
https://www.grandrapidsmi.gov/Government/Departments/Parks-and-Recreation/Parks-and-Recreation-Strategic-Master-Plan

City of Grand Rapids Strategic Plan FY2020-FY2023:
https://www.grandrapidsmi.gov/Government/Departments/Office-of-the-City-Manager/Strategic-Plan

Michigan Department of Natural Resources Guidelines Booklet:
https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-350-79134_81684_79209_81658---,00.html