Architect RFQ: VA Capital Grant

Renovations for CCA VA Grant Per Diem Program

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ)
ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES FROM DESIGN THROUGH CONSTRUCTION

May 20, 2022

 

Response Deadline and Place for Submission of Responses:
Response to this proposal shall include (4) copies to:

CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF ACADIANA

501 W. Saint Mary Blvd. Suite 504

Lafayette, LA 70506 Attn: Sarah Clement

Responses are due by 12:00 p.m. CT on June 10, 2022

INTRODUCTION

Catholic Charities of Acadiana was granted VA Capital Grant funds to renovate is existing campus to provide more single unit shelter for veterans. For over 45 years, Catholic Charities of Acadiana has offered essential services for people experiencing poverty, hunger and homelessness. CCA currently operates eleven programs and employs more than 56 individuals with varying levels of education and experience. Programs include: Coordinated Entry, Street Homeless Outreach, Soup Kitchen, a Food Bank, Hygiene Center, Emergency Shelters for men, women, families, and veterans, VA Bridge Housing, VA Low Demand Shelter, Permanent Supportive Housing, Emergency Financial Assistance, Disaster Recovery, Deaf Action Center, Immigration and Refugee Services and Rebuilding Together Acadiana. CCA also serves as the regional and state administrator of the Homeless Management Information System. As an organization under the auspices of the Diocese of Lafayette, CCA is required to follow the Diocese of Lafayette’s Building and Review Process.

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

Catholic Charities of Acadiana (The Owner) is requesting qualifications from firms or individuals (Architects) to provide schematic designs, design development documents, and construction documents to bid for the construction of the renovation of its campus to create single occupancy rooms and reduce the common spaces for CCA VA Grant Per Diem Program.

The services to be provided would include:

  • Review the existing site and make recommendations on adequacy of the existing site

  • Conceptual plans that are based on submitted Program

  • Plans and documents to be used in the bidding for construction project

  • Assistance with selection of furniture

  • Participation in the review of bids and selection of the construction company

  • Oversight during construction and approval of the completed project for acceptance

  • Compliance with applicable codes and standards

PROJECT SCOPE & TIME-LINE

The Owner is undertaking the renovation and expansion of its campus owned by Catholic Charities of Acadiana located on the 400- 420 block of St. John Street in Lafayette.

It is anticipated that the total square footage of the spaces being renovated is approximately 7,000 at the 400-420 block of St. John Street. The project’s budget is $1,250,000 which includes building cost, site work, topographical and soil engineering, and architectural-engineering fees. This project is funded by a VA Capital Grant Program.  

The Owner will utilize the AIA B101 – Contract of Agreement between Owner and Architect (2017 Edition) for agreement along with Diocese of Lafayette - Supplemental Conditions to this agreement.

The Owner anticipates utilizing a competitive bidding process to establish the General Contractor (a minimum of three bidders). The form of agreement between the Owner and the selected Contractor shall be AIA A101 – Standard Form of Agreement Between Owner and Contractor – 2017 Edition.

Furthermore, the Owner requires the inclusion of AIA Document A201 – General Conditions of the Contract of Construction along with the Diocese of Lafayette – Supplemental Condition to A201 in the bidding documents.

The selection process for the architectural firm is anticipated to be completed by June 14, 2022. After the selection of the architectural firm is completed, it is the Owner’s anticipation that a revised timeline will be provided by the selected firm for Owner’s approval. It is the Owner’s goal to have this project completed and ready for full operation no later than July 2023.

RFQ RESPONSE

Your firm is invited to respond to this Request for Qualifications (RFQ) from the Catholic Charities of Acadiana to provide Basic Architectural Services defined in AIA – B101 – Contract of Agreement between Owner and Architect Agreement.

 

The RFQ Response shall include the following:

A. Response Submission:

  1. Four (4) paper copies of the RFQ Response addressed and delivered in a sealed envelope to Catholic Charities of Acadiana, 501 W. Saint Mary Blvd. Suite 504 Lafayette, LA  70506.

  2. Responses are to be received before 12:00 p.m. (Central Time) on June 10, 2021.

  3. Responses will be received and taken under advisement by the Owner.

  4. Any Responses received after that time and date will not be opened or considered.

B. Narratives of Experience and Qualifications:

  1. The name of the firm and location of all its offices, specifically indicating the principal place of business.

  2. A brief history of the firm and the range of services offered.

  3. The age of the firm, the total number of years of experience providing architectural services.

  4. The education, training, experience, licensing, and qualifications of members of the firm and key employees for this project, including the individual (s) who will perform the work.

  5. Names of at least three (3) clients who may be contacted for references.

  6. List and describe any litigation, arbitration, or other alternative dispute resolution proceedings that the Architect or firm has been involved in with an Owner within the past five (5) years.

  7. To be considered responsive to the requirements of this RFQ, the Architect shall provide verifiable evidence that the firm, personnel, and associated consultants are appropriately licensed in the State of Louisiana and meet all the requirements and qualifications described herein.

  8. Catholic Charities of Acadiana reserves the right to request additional information which, in its sole opinion, is necessary to assure that the Architect’s competence, business organization, and financial resources are adequate to perform the work described herein.

 C. Design Schedule:

  1. The firm shall provide information regarding its present and projected work load through the next 12 months

  2. Proposed project schedule showing critical dates and other information in sufficient detail for the selection committee to determine the feasibility of the time frames indicated.

  3. Proposer should keep in mind that it will be necessary that the developed documents shall be presented to the Diocesan Board of Building and Renovation at two stages: Schematic/Design Development and Contract Document. 

Evaluation Criteria and Selection

Catholic Charities of Acadiana will evaluate each RFQ submitted based on responsiveness to the project’s needs. The Owner will take into account the professional nature of the services to be rendered. If the Owner recommends the award of a contract to an Architect, it will be to the Architect who is responsive to all administrative and technical requirements of the RFQ, and who has demonstrated competence and has professional qualifications for the type of services required. Evaluation criteria shall also include:

  1. Competence in performing the services as reflected by technical training and education, general experience, experience in providing the required services, and the qualifications and competence of persons who would be assigned to perform the services.

  2. Ability to perform the services as reflected by workload and the availability of adequate personnel, financial resources, equipment, and facilities to perform the services expeditiously.

  3. Past performance as reflected by the evaluation of others who have retained the services of the Architect with respect to factors such as control of costs, quality of work, and an ability to meet deadlines.

  4. Firm’s proximity to Catholic Charities of Acadiana.

  5. Past experience working with Catholic Charities of Acadiana

  6. Past experience working with VA Capital Grants and other similar funding.

  7. Interview presentation, if required.

INSURANCE

Upon the selection of the Architect, a Certificate of Insurance will be required to be submitted. The requirements of this contract will include the following minimum limits:

The Architect and the Owner agree to maintain throughout the construction life of the Project (1) statutory workers' compensation coverage and (2) comprehensive general liability insurance coverage and automobile liability coverage in the amount of not less than $1,000,000.00.

The Architect agrees to maintain professional liability insurance throughout the construction life of the Project in the amount of not less than $1,000,000.00 annual aggregate, on a claims-made basis with a deductible of no more than $10,000.00.

DISQUALIFICATION OF PROPOSER

Architects may be disqualified and their proposals disregarded for reasons which include but are not limited to the following:

  1. The Owner has reason to believe that the Architects have engaged in collusion.

  2. The Architect being associated with any litigation against any party to the proposal.

  3. The Architect is in arrears on any existing contract or has defaulted on a previous contract.

  4. The Architect has uncompleted work, which in the judgment of the Owner, will prevent or hinder the prompt completion of this construction project, if it were awarded to the Architect.

 NON-RESPONSIVE PROPOSALS

An Architect that fails to respond to any request for information may be deemed non- responsive and its proposal may not be considered for the reward.

REJECTION OF PROPOSALS/TERMINATION OF PROCESS

Catholic Charities of Acadiana reserves the right (a) to terminate the proposal process at any time; (b) to reject any or all proposals; (c) to change the schedule and dates for responses, interviews and other dates; and (d) to waive formalities and minor irregularities in the proposals received. The Owner further reserves the right to conduct a pre- award survey of any firm under consideration to confirm any of the information furnished by the firm or to require other evidence of managerial, financial, technical and other capabilities, the positive establishment of which is determined by the Owner to be necessary for the successful performance of the contract. The Owner further reserves the right to cancel or amend this RFQ at any time and will attempt to notify recipients accordingly.

 

QUESTIONS OR CLARIFICATION

Submit all questions, inquiries, or requests for clarification about the project in writing to sarah@catholiccharitiesacadiana.org