Office of Purchasing/Contracting*324 W. Evans Street*Florence, South Carolina 29501

CITY OF FLORENCE Office of Purchasing/Contracting*324 W. Evans Street*Florence, South Carolina 29501 REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS NO. 2018-04 Neighborhood Revitalization Projects SUBMISSION DEADLINE: February 9, 2018 2:00 pm PURPOSE OF THE REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS The City of Florence, SC (the City) is seeking responses from qualified contractors for the development projects in the Vista Place Project Area, Historic Pine Project Area, Old Carver Station and Sumter Station Project Areas. (see attached Maps) Responses should be submitted based on the information and guidelines provided in this Request for Qualifications (RFQ). This RFQ is being publically advertised. The City will make the selection based on the responses submitted, interviews, and then negotiate a final agreement with the selected contractor or contractors based on the issuance of Task Orders. Contractors are welcome to establish consortiums or teams of firms in connection with this RFQ. The final selection of the firm or firms will be based on the criteria set forth in this RFQ. All responses must be sealed and have RFQ 2018-04 Neighborhood Revitalization clearly marked on the outside for ease of identification by the City. Responses may be hand-delivered prior to the submission deadline at the address listed above. Directions may be obtained by calling (843) 665-3165. Any response received later than the submission deadline will not be accepted or considered. Responses submitted by mail should be addressed to: City of Florence, Attn: Lynwood F. Givens, Purchasing Agent, 324 W. Evans Street, Florence, SC 29501. The City will not be responsible for late submission caused by the postal service, other carriers, or any other delivery problems regardless of the reason. This solicitation does not commit the City of Florence to award a contract, to pay any costs incurred in the preparation of a response, or to procure or contract for services. The City of Florence reserves the right to accept or reject any or all submissions received as a result of this Request for Qualifications, or to cancel it in part or in its entirety if it is in the best interest of the City of Florence. Lynwood F. Givens Purchasing Agent 1

MINORITY AND WOMAN OWNED BUSINESS Minority Business Owners (minority or woman owned businesses) will be afforded full opportunity to submit a response to the Request for Qualifications and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, creed, sex or national origin in consideration for an award. It is the policy of the City that minority business and women owned business enterprises (MBE/WBE) have an opportunity to participate at all levels of contracting in the performance of City contracts to the extent practical and consistent with the efficient performance of the contract. Please indicate that you are a minority or woman owned business with your proposal submission. The South Carolina Community Loan Fund will be used as one funding source for these neighborhood revitalization projects. It is anticipated that the loan funds will be repaid with sale proceeds from the projects. As such, the City is actively soliciting and encouraging minority businesses to participate in contracting and subcontracting on projects with the City of Florence. The successful contractor(s) must ensure that all subcontractors, agents, personnel assigned by or employees of prime company and subcontractors are not discriminated against because of their race, color, religion, sex or national origin. The successful contractor(s) must make positive efforts to provide equal employment opportunity for minority and women owned businesses. All submitted materials shall become the sole property of the City of Florence. Contractors will relinquish claim for return of submitted material. The City shall have sole discretion in evaluating the responses. The City reserves the right to reject any and all responses, and is not bound to accept any response if it is contrary to the best interest of the City. INSTRUCTIONS Responses to the Request for Qualifications will only be accepted from responsible and responsive companies that have an established reputation in the field of residential construction. The City of Florence reserves the right to select more than one contractor to provide the services solicited in this Request for Qualifications. Upon evaluation of the responses to this Request for Qualifications, if deemed in the City s best interest, the City may award one contract or multiple contracts. No response may be withdrawn for a period of ninety (90) days after the submission date. A responsible company is defined as one that has the capability in all respects to perform fully the requirements mentioned in the RFQ document and the integrity and reliability which will assure good faith performance. A responsive company is defined as one that has submitted a response which conforms in all respects to the RFQ requirements. PROTEST PERIOD: Any actual or prospective company that is aggrieved in connection with the solicitation or award of a contract/purchase order may formally protest in writing to the Finance Director. The protest may be submitted at any time during the procurement process. However, if a prospective company wishes to protest, the formal protest must be submitted in writing and must be received by the City no later than seven (7) days from the date that the 2

aggrieved actual or prospective company has been informed of the proposal results by the Purchasing Agent. Protests received by the City after the expiration of the seven (7) day protest period will not be considered by the City. DISPUTES: In cases of disputes as to whether or not an item or service quoted or delivered meets scope of work, the decision of the City of Florence shall be final and binding on all parties. The Purchasing Agent may request in writing, the recommendation of the head of the department of the end user or other objective sources. DEVIATIONS: Any deviations from the scope of services contained herein must be stated in the response for the City of Florence s consideration. CHANGES: Any changes in this Request for Qualifications after a contract agreement has been awarded must be with the written consent of the Purchasing Agent or the City Manager; otherwise, the responsibility for such changes lies with the company. Any changes to the scope of services in this Request for Qualifications package shall be in writing and an addendum will go out to all prospective respondents so each respondent can compete equitably. OWNERSHIP OF MATERIAL: Ownership of all data, material and documentation originated and prepared for the City of Florence pursuant to this contract shall belong exclusively to the City of Florence. QUESTIONS AND INQUIRIES: The deadline for the submission of any and all questions and inquiries concerning this RFQ is February 2, 2018 at 5:00 pm. All questions must be directed to Lynwood F. Givens, Purchasing Agent in written format and e-mailed to lgivens@cityofflorence.com. A complete copy of the City of Florence Purchasing Policies and Procedures Manual can be downloaded from the City of Florence website at www.cityofflorence.com. INTRODUCTION The City of Florence has concluded that it is in the best interest of its citizens and the long-term economic health of the municipality to extend the recent positive transformation of the downtown outward to the immediately surrounding neighborhoods. There are at least two compelling reasons behind this decision. The first reason is a sincere desire to ensure that all the residents of the City have at least an opportunity to share in the growing prosperity of the Pee Dee Region. The second reason is to exhibit a strong and vibrant quality of life in all neighborhoods that would be attractive to new and expanding industries located in Florence, SC. As a result of the City s leadership, the idea to pursue the Florence Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy was born. This strategy seeks to build off of the planning work produced during the previous Neighborhood Action Plan as the next step after the completion of the 2014 Florence Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy. A review of the market data suggests that each of the initial real estate developments being proposed in this RFQ has the potential to achieve market stability and financial viability as standalone efforts. Perhaps more importantly, each of these initial projects has the potential to catalyze the larger Project Area and set the stage for longer-term, sustainable, and impactful redevelopment. Even though significant portions of these neighborhoods currently impede growth and development, their successful redevelopment will serve as a model for how other Florence neighborhoods can be transformed as attractive places to live. The goal is to address 3

areas that are now blighted, or have the potential to become blighted, and enact strategies for neighborhood stabilization and revitalization to reinforce a mixture of downtown culture, new homes, and restored historic homes all connected as one greater mixed-income, mixed-use, amenity-rich urban community. PROJECT MISSION Since the completion of its 2010 Comprehensive Plan, the City of Florence has promoted the revitalization, stabilization and maintenance of its urban core neighborhoods. The first steps of this effort were the development of the Neighborhood Action Plan (NAP) in 2013, the introduction of the Community Action Team, the Livability Court in January of 2014, and the establishment of specific City of Florence Planning staff to directly become involved in each of the neighborhoods to serve as their primary point of contact to the City. The Florence Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy builds on these efforts to ultimately transform its blighted communities into first-class, mixed-income urban neighborhoods. The following goals and objectives have been developed to guide the planning process, based on specific input received during the development of the Neighborhood Action Plan: Use vacant property as a development resource; Link infrastructure improvements to neighborhood revitalization areas; Increase opportunities for green space as part of neighborhood revitalization; Use design guidelines and zoning ordinances to establish a framework for new construction and the rehabilitation of existing property; Improve existing infrastructure so that it expands the options for a more walkable neighborhood; Use the economic development opportunities created through neighborhood redevelopment as opportunities to increase business and employment opportunities for women and minorities. BACKGROUND AND PLANNING ASSUMPTIONS The Florence Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy focuses on four (4) downtown neighborhoods Vista Place Project Area, Historic Pine Project Area, Old Carver Station and Sumter Station Project Areas (See attached Maps). These neighborhoods (the Project Area) are a total size of approximately 3,622 acres with an estimated 2013 population of 14,580 residents. SCOPE OF SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED This is a Request for Qualifications to contractors interested in working with the City of Florence, SC in the Vista Place Project Area, Historic Pine Project Area Old Carver Station and Sumter Station Project Area. The Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy that the City has completed identifies several potential projects. The City anticipates that several contractors will be selected to implement the redevelopment plan. The City has initiated the land acquisition process in the target areas, and expects to be responsible for all the acquisition activities required for each project. The selected contractors(s) will have the option to build one house at a time, or up to three 4

home at one time. However the contractor should have the capacity to implement the entire scope of the construction and development activities including but not limited to the following: 1. Work with the City in the sales and marketing of units; 2. Securing and implementing required financing; 3. Adherence to design guidelines; 4. Communication with neighborhoods through community groups/committees; 5. Coordination with City of Florence for all review/permit processes; 6. Perform all pre-construction activities; 7. Produce construction project schedules; and 8. Perform and/or manage all construction activities. The City and its project management consultant, APD Urban Planning & Management, LLC (APD-U), will evaluate the responses to the RFQ, verify the information presented, and conduct applicant interviews as deemed appropriate. This process will result in the selection of one or more potential contractors who, through subsequent Task Orders, will be contracted to undertake the development of specific projects that could include up to three homes under construction at any one time. Content of Statements The responses of interested firms should include at least the following: 1. The firm s qualifications and experience with this type of work; 2. Examples of completed single family new construction, home renovations, or redevelopment projects completed; 3. Previous private/public work experience within the City/Florence County area; 4. A description of approach to the projects; 5. A minimum of three (3) references, including name, address, email and current telephone number of responsible person. Reserved Rights Right to Amend RFQ: Should it become necessary to revise any part of this RFQ, provide additional information necessary to adequately interpret provisions and requirements of this RFQ, or respond to written inquiries concerning the RFQ, the City reserves the right to issue an Addendum to the RFQ to all companies who received the initial RFQ. Any changes to the RFQ will be forwarded to the responding contractors via email. No hard copies will be distributed. Right to Extend Submission Schedule: The City reserves the right to extend the Submission Date by a reasonable time. Right to Reject Responses. Waive Irregularities, and Conduct Ex Parte Communications with Contractors: The City reserves the right to accept or reject any and all responses, at its sole discretion, received as a result of this RFQ, to waive minor irregularities, and to conduct discussions with any or all prospective applicants, in any manner necessary, to secure helpful information. Right to Request Additional Information from Any or All Contractors: The City reserves the 5

right to request additional information from any or all prospective applicants, if necessary, to clarify that which is contained in the proposals. Contractors are requested to submit seven (7) copies of the proposal. Due to time limitations of the Selection Committee members, responses should be limited to no longer than fifteen (15) single-sided pages. Please include tab dividers for easy access to each section of the proposal (tab dividers do not count toward the 15-page limit). Additional supplemental information may be submitted, under separate cover, in order to aid in firm selection. This information may include staff resumes, descriptions of similar municipal projects, project references, etc. EVALUATION CRITERIA The City shall have sole discretion in evaluating the responses and the suitability of responder to meet the City s needs. The City reserves the right to select the response or responses deemed to be in the best interest of the City. The City also reserves the right to reject any and all responses. 1. Overall Construction and Development Approach: The approach should indicate an understanding of what is required to implement the redevelopment effort with innovative and creative ideas. It should be a clear statement describing the proposed approach to housing construction in similar neighborhoods. This should not be viewed as an affordable housing program. Rather, it is one component of a broad-based neighborhood revitalization initiative, leveraging conventional financing with the City s below market interest rate funding to yield a broad range of quality development projects. The response should clearly illustrate and indicate the following: An understanding of the construction development opportunity and challenges; Awareness and sensitivity to the City s mission; Your development process and how collaboration with the City and other community/neighborhood members will be achieved; Any other aspects of the development process that is pertinent to goals of neighborhood revitalization and minority involvement. Your ability to manage one home or up to three homes under construction at any one time; 2. Experience: This section should clearly indicate the capability of the contractor to perform the work. It should include a description of the company makeup, roles of team members, and company experience. Qualifications will be evaluated based on the individuals that will be doing the work. Include: a. Company Overview: Skills, capabilities, and experience of the company and key individuals who will be involved in this effort. It is important to provide information on the specific individuals and their roles: The name of the firm, date the company was established, number of employees; The work history of each team member that will be working on the project (please include only those that will be working on the project); The general responsibilities of each principal team member. 6

b. Relevant Projects Include a description of work currently in progress and/or completed in the last five years that is relevant to this RFQ. Projects should be residential or mixed use construction/developments in which the company has been involved. For any project identified, provide, at a minimum, the following information: Name, location, year constructed. Relevant projects must have been completed within the last five years; Role of the company in the development; Description of development, by type, size, relevant physical attributes, similar to target neighborhoods, contract value amount; Use of minority builders and subcontractors; Description of financing used including the funded equity investment of your company, if any; Price range of houses and target market served, or rental rates and target market served for development with a rental component. 3. Financial Ability: Each firm should submit information indicating its ability to deliver private construction financing. 4. Responsiveness to Submission Requirements Each response will be reviewed and scored on its conformance to the submission requirements. Items to be reviewed would consist of the inclusion of minority involvement, references, appropriate financial documents, timeliness, etc. SCORING In general, The City will be seeking contractors who can provide the following: 1. Highly qualified team members able to commit the adequate amount of time to the project; 2. Demonstrated examples of similar construction projects coupled with demonstrated knowledge and experience; 3. Demonstrated track record serving as a general contractor, builder, or developer in comparably sized and comparably financed developments; 4. Minority involvement through the use of a general contractor, builder, or subcontractors; 5. Demonstrated ability to partner with neighborhood groups to achieve agreed upon goals; 6. Experience with and understanding of the local housing market; 7. Strong financial capability to carry forward the development including the ability to secure financing for up to three homes under construction at any one time if the contractor anticipates building more than one home at a time. The more specific the respondent is in describing the above listed responsibilities the higher the response may be scored. A Selection Committee will review all responses in accordance with the Evaluation Criteria outlined herein and make a final selection. All submissions must conform to this RFQ. The Selection Committee reserves the right to interview any or all of the respondents if it is 7

determined to be in the best interest of the City. The submissions will be evaluated based on organization, completeness, and sufficiency of information requested throughout the submission. The factors for award directly correspond to the RFQ requirements and they are listed below as prioritized by point value: Factors for Award 1. Overall Construction and Development Approach 30% 2. Experience 30% 3. Financial Ability 30% 4. Responsiveness to Submission Requirements 10% PRE-PROPOSAL WORKSHOP Prospective contractors are strongly encouraged to attend the RFQ Workshop, where priorities and program requirements will be discussed. The RFQ workshop will be held on January 29, 2018 at 2:00 pm. Prospective contractors should report to the Pecan Room of the City Center located at 324 W. Evans Street, Florence, SC. PERFORMANCE/PAYMENT BONDS A performance and payment bond, each in the amount of 100% of the final contract price of the construction portion of this project will be required of the successful firm. The successful firm will be required to furnish the required performance and payment bonds within ten (10) business days after written notice of formal award of contract. (The City of Florence may consider alternatives to the bonding requirement. Determination of any bonding requirement alternative shall rest solely with the City of Florence.) BUSINESS LICENSE REQUIREMENT Entities that provide goods and services within the City limits are required to have a business license. The successful contractor/company will be required to contact the Business License Office, 324 West Evans Florence, SC 29501 prior to commencement of work. The Business License Office s phone number is (843) 665-3173 and the fax number is (843) 665-3171. The City s business license application can be viewed at the following URL: http://www.cityofflorence.com/docs/documents-city-council/download-and-print-the-businesslicense-application-.pdf?sfvrsn=0 TAXES The City of Florence pays SC Sales Taxes in the amount of 8%. However, the City of Florence is exempt from Federal Excise Taxes and will issue exemption certificates, if requested. Include all taxes with your response. PROFESSIONAL INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS AND INDEMNIFICATION The successful company shall procure and maintain insurance for protection from claims under workers' compensations acts; claims for damages because of bodily injury including personal injury, sickness or disease, or death of any and all employees or of any person other than such 8

employees; claims for damages because of injury to or destruction of property, including loss of use resulting therefrom; claims caused by professional errors, acts, or omission; and any other insurance prescribed by law. The successful company shall name the City of Florence, South Carolina, its elected and appointed officials, officers, and employees Additional Insureds as their interests may appear but only with respect to services performed or provided by successful company on behalf of the City under Consultant s commercial general liability insurance policy. The successful company shall, within 10 days of the full execution of any contract resulting from this RFQ, provide the City s Purchasing Agent with a certificate(s) of insurance evidencing the coverages required above and containing an endorsement to the effect that any cancellation or non-renewal shall not be until 10 days after the insurer or the selected company gives written notice to the City. Without limiting the provisions of paragraph above, the selected company shall during the term of any contract resulting from this purchase and maintain insurance with limits not less than those set forth below: The successful company shall take out and maintain, during the life of the contract agreement, workers compensation and employer s liability insurance for all employees to be engaged in services on this project under this agreement in an amount not less than $1,000,000.00, and in case any such services are sublet, the company shall require all subcontractor(s) also to provide workers compensation and employer s liability insurance in an amount not less than $1,000,000.00 for all of the subcontractor s employees to be engaged in such. Employer s Liability Insurance - $1,000,000 each accident, $1,000,000 disease policy limit, $1,000,000 disease each employee Commercial General Liability Insurance - $1,000,000 per occurrence (bodily injury and property damage) / $1,000,000 general aggregate Automobile Liability Insurance - $1,000,000 combined single limit (bodily injury and property damage), each accident Professional Liability Insurance - $1,000,000 per claim / $1,000,000 general aggregate Professional Services: The selected company shall indemnify and hold the City of Florence, South Carolina, its elected and appointed officials, officers, and employees, harmless from and against judgments, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, and expenses (including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys' fees and costs but only to the extent otherwise authorized by law) to the extent caused by any negligent act, error, or omission in the performance and furnishing of the selected company s professional services under any contract resulting from this RFQ, including any negligent act, error or omission of any individual or entity directly or indirectly employed by the selected company to perform any of the work or anyone for whose acts, errors, or omissions the selected company may be liable, regardless of whether or not caused in part by a party indemnified hereunder. Other Than Professional Services: With respect to all acts or omissions of the selected company, or any individual or entity directly or indirectly employed by the selected company to perform any of the work or anyone for whose acts, errors, or omissions the selected company may be liable, which do not arise out of or result from the performance of professional services, and which may be covered by employer s liability insurance, commercial general liability insurance, automobile liability insurance, or other general liability insurance, the selected 9

company shall indemnify and hold the City of Florence, South Carolina, its elected and appointed officials, officers, and employees,, harmless from and against judgments, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, and expenses (including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys' fees and costs but only to the extent otherwise authorized by law) to the extent caused by or arising out of the selected company s negligent acts of commission or omission (or those of or any individual or entity directly or indirectly employed by the selected company to perform any of the work or anyone for whose actions or failure to act the selected company may be liable) during the performance of this Agreement. The selected company shall require any subconsultants and subcontractors to purchase and maintain insurance with limits not less than those required above to be purchased and maintained by the selected company. In addition, the selected company shall require any subconsultants and subcontractors to assume the selected company s indemnification obligations under any contract resulting from this RFQ to the extent they relate to the subconsultant s or subcontractor s obligations under any contract with the selected company. Overview of the Study Area The Florence Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy calls for a variety of single family and multifamily developments, including some commercial development. The developments will be done strategically as transformational catalytic projects as well as scattered site new construction for owner occupied and non-owner occupied households. The plan will also include the renovation of vacant single houses. The projects are being planned with a mix of sizes and price points geared to people with a variety of incomes. All of the project areas will also include streetscape improvements such as re-paving of streets, construction of new sidewalks and planter strips. Resources The following resources can be found at the link below: 2010 Comprehensive Plan Downtown Master Plan Update Neighborhood Action Plan Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy http://www.cityofflorence.com/departments/planning/neighborhoods.aspx opportunities that could evolve. The new school serves as the real catalyst for development within this area of the North Florence neighborhood. The Vista Street Catalytic Project would occur directly across the street from the school and it will be designed to be attractive to both families with school aged children as well as school teachers and administrators who work at the school. 10

11

12

13

14