REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Professional Services for Walkability & Connectivity Study

The City of Hastings, Nebraska is seeking proposals from qualified applicants for a Walkability & Connectivity Study.

Hastings is served by two major highways, east-west U.S. Highways 6 & 34, and north-south U.S. Highway 281. The City is located about fourteen miles south of Interstate 80 and is also served by Amtrak passenger rail. The Hastings Municipal Airport, owned and operated by the City of Hastings, also serves the City. The population is approximately 25,000.

The City has numerous parks and recreational facilities including the Aquacourt Water Park, City Auditorium, Lake Hastings, Chautauqua Pavilion, Duncan Field, Smith Softball Complex, Brickyard Park Amphitheater, Heartwell Lake and Pioneer Spirit Trail. There are 10.5 total miles of trail with 8.9 miles currently connected.

The Hastings Museum of Natural and Cultural History also houses the Lied Super Screen Theater, McDonald Planetarium, as well as local and regional exhibits. Two colleges, Hastings College and Central Community College are also located in Hastings, as are three golf courses and a locally owned race track.

SCOPE OF WORK

The following is a suggested scope of work of the tasks required to accomplish the goals and objectives of this project. Consultants are encouraged to modify the scope as deemed appropriate and provide suggestions for alternative methods for attaining project goals. Consultants should note that there is a significant level of involvement by the Hastings Complete Streets Committee. Furthermore, the City has earmarked ½ cent sales tax monies to improve the trail system in the southern areas of town.

• Inventory & evaluate all existing sidewalks and trail within Hastings, including ADA accessibility issues, with primary focus on the southern portion of the City.
• Identify existing and or intended areas of high pedestrian movement, and formulate a plan that connects these areas through existing sidewalk and trail improvements or additions to the existing network.
• Create design templates tailored to various areas of the City for complete streets, sidewalks, or walking trails to achieve a uniform appearance for future projects that blend well with the existing infrastructure.
• Create and design a signage program for our City's sidewalks that encourages walking through our community.
• Based on the identified improvements needed, formulate a prioritization plan for implementation based on the community's needs and future growth plans.
• Design an implementable program of funding for making both repairs to the existing network and for network additions. Incorporate funding recommendations into the final walkability and connectivity report.

PROJECT DELIVERABLES

The City seeks the following deliverables from the project:

• The contractor should consult with City officials, Engineering, Planning, and Parks Departments, the Complete Streets Committee, and other key local stakeholders.
• A workshop convening key neighborhood representatives and citizens to gather input and present initial ideas for recommendations for the study.
• A written report that includes:
  • Background and information on the value of a connected, walkable, and bikeable community for neighborhood, health, economic vitality and other purposes.
  • Identification and discussion of high priority areas for sidewalk improvements or deployment, trail connections, and other walkability improvements. This should include maps and selected photos/graphics highlighting these opportunities/needs for walkability/connectivity improvements.
  • Recommendations on design templates for walkability facilities and complete streets.
  • Recommendations for signage.
  • A section describing how these walkability investments can support and integrate with broader comprehensive plans and land use opportunities, needs and recommendations.
  • Information and recommendations on the roles and responsibilities of residents and businesses on their own sidewalks.
  • A concise prioritization plan.
  • A resource roadmap on funding opportunities.
  • Recommendations on key next steps and actions.
  • All data and maps should be submitted in original formats for editing as well as PDFs.

The primary purposes of the final written report would be to:

1. Educate the general public and key stakeholder organizations on the opportunities for, and priorities regarding an upgrade of, walkability and connectivity in Hastings.
2. Provide material to guide and support decision making by City of Hastings elected officials and staff on how to proceed with priority walkability projects.
3. Serve as a document that can support efforts to attract and secure funding for the future implementation of these projects.
4. A final verbal presentation to the City on the final report, which could be in person to City officials, staff and key stakeholders, or via conference call or webcast.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS OF APPLICANT

The City of Hastings seeks an experienced multi-disciplinary firm or team of firms for the conduct of the Walkability & Connectivity project as outlined in the Scope of Work. Key qualifications and evaluation criteria include:

• Experience with similar Walkability & Connectivity projects: Please demonstrate your firm and staff abilities based on successful leadership of and/or involvement in similar walkability and connectivity studies and projects. It is strongly suggested that reference to specific projects, along with sample materials or web links to those projects, are provided.
• Experience with Community Planning: Please demonstrate your firm and staff abilities with respect to community and land use planning, sustainability, community health, signage, bike and walking trails, complete streets, ADA accessibility, or similar community revitalization issues as they relate to how walkability and connectivity should be integrated into these broader contexts.
• Specific staff assigned: Clearly describe which specific staff will be allocated to this project, and their roles. Provide background on their relevant skills and experience.
• Ability to integrate into City of Hastings comprehensive land use planning, urban revitalization initiatives, and community context: Demonstrate that your firm understands the City of Hastings Comprehensive Plan (2009), and Complete Streets Policy (2013) in a way that will enable your firm to integrate walkability and connectivity into these broader contexts.

PROPOSAL CONTENTS

Proposals should include the following information:

1. Scope of Work

This section should establish the applicant's understanding of the City's goals, the purpose of the Complete Streets Policy, project work requirements and the applicant's ability to satisfy those goals and requirements.

2. Proposed Consulting Team

This section should outline designated staff for the project including name, title, specific responsibilities and estimated person hours of participation. Additionally, the section should describe relevant experience of specific staff and identify any sub-consultants.

3. Estimated Cost

This section should include the applicant's overall cost for performing the services including a breakdown of cost by task, allocation of hours, and cost per hour to complete tasks per designated staff member.

4. Firm Qualifications

This section should include a discussion of the firm's experience in researching, designing, developing and implementing comprehensive plans of a similar nature.

5. References and Completed Project Samples

This section should include references (including contact name and phone number) from customers who have used the firm's services for projects of a similar nature.

EVALUATION CRITERIA

Submittals will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

1. Project Understanding

How well the response translates the project's requirements into a viable work plan that will accomplish the City's needs for plan development, mapping, and environmental review.

2. Project Proposal

Whether the firm's proposal addresses all the City's needs for this project, and does the selection and assignment of personnel and other resources adequately meet the needs of this project?

3. Qualifications of firm

Experience in performing work of a similar nature, experience working with other local public agencies and advisory committees, record of completing work on schedule, strength and stability of firm and any proposed subcontractors, assessment by client references, and overall strength of the consultant's team.

4. Previous projects

Experience in successfully completing projects of a similar nature.

5. Scope of Services

Reasonableness of the proposed budget, adequacy of data in support of figures quoted, reasonableness of individual task budgets, and ability to meet the desired schedule and outcomes.

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

Three copies of the proposal must be received by 5:00 p.m., March 30, 2018. Submissions shall be delivered in a sealed envelope and clearly marked:

Request for Proposal – Walkability & Connectivity Study

Proposals and questions regarding this matter should be addressed to:

Kim Jacobitz, CMC
City Clerk
220 N. Hastings Avenue
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 461-2312

This RFP is not guarantee that the City of Hastings will hire any of the applicants for the Walkability & Connectivity Study. The decision of whether or not to hire a consultant from the pool of applicants will be determined by what is in the best interest of the City.