79 South Main Architect RFQ
SOUND COMMUNITIES
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS
Sound Communities, an affiliate of the Norwalk Housing Authority (NHA), is seeking qualification packages from architectural firms with experience in senior affordable and mixed-income multifamily housing.
KEY INFORMATION
RFQ RELEASE DATE: 12/10/2024
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Qualification packages must be submitted on or before Friday, January 10, 2025, at 5:00PM EST. Submissions received after the deadline will not be considered.
SUBMISSION PROCESS: Qualification packages may be submitted:
(a) via email to gbenda@norwalkha.org, or
(b) as a hard copy to:
Guillermo Bendana, Procurement Specialist Sound Communities, Inc.
24 ½ Monroe St Norwalk, CT 06854
STAFF CONTACT: Questions and requests for information should be directed via email to Guillermo Bendana, Procurement Specialist, at gbenda@norwalkha.org.
I. INVITATION TO SUBMIT QUALIFICATION PACKAGES
The purpose of this Request for Qualifications (RFQ) pertains to Sound Communities' need for Architectural/Engineering Services for an affordable housing development project, involving demolition and new construction.
Services required of the selected firm may include but are not limited to architectural design; local zoning code review; site planning; civil engineer; structural engineer; mechanical/electrical/plumbing engineer; construction documents and specifications; landscape architect; green/energy efficiency and utility conservation review and design; and other related services required for completion of work items. Services may be provided through a subcontractor(s) procured by the retained architectural firm.
A qualified firm will have extensive experience in: CHFA and CT DOH funded projects; affordable housing; senior housing; cost estimating and value engineering; use of prefabricated panel systems; product/material submittal reviews; contract administration; construction summary observations; and as built drawings.
In addition to providing the services above, a qualified firm may be expected to attend and present at meetings of the Norwalk Planning & Zoning Commission, Norwalk Housing Authority (NHA) Resident Advisory Board, NHA Board of Commissioners, and the Sound Communities Board of Directors, as well as meeting with city agencies and officials for permits and approvals, as needed.
To be considered, respondents must submit a complete qualification package in the manner prescribed herein.
NOTE: Any contact related to this procurement with members of the Sound Communities' Board of Directors, NHA Board of Commissioners, or their employees, other than the contact person shown above, during the procurement process, could result in disqualification of an application.
II. NORWALK HOUSING AUTHORITY AND SOUND COMMUNITIES BACKGROUND AND MISSION
The mission of the Housing Authority of the City of Norwalk (NHA) is to build, maintain, and preserve safe, affordable housing through well managed properties that strengthen our community. NHA provides public housing to approximately 900 low-income households in Norwalk, including 336 homes dedicated to seniors. We also administer housing subsidies for an additional 1,000 families through our Housing Choice Voucher program.
NHA is governed by a five-member Board of Commissioners. Four members are appointed by the mayor and a Tenant Commissioner is elected by the residents or appointed by the mayor.
Sound Communities, Inc., established in 2020, is the development arm of NHA, and exists to address the growing need for affordable housing in Fairfield County and modernize NHA's aging public housing. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization controlled by NHA, Sound Communities works closely with local partners and uses innovative funding strategies to provide high-quality, sustainable housing.
Building on the success of NHA's Choice Neighborhoods Initiative (CNI), which transformed Washington Village into the modern Soundview Landing, Sound Communities has continued to lead significant development projects. These include the $34 million Oak Grove project, which adds 69 affordable units and community spaces, and the planned redevelopment of Meadow Gardens, a $42 million project set to create 59 new units with enhanced resident services. Future projects include the transit-oriented redevelopment at the South Norwalk Train Station and the rehabilitation of a recently acquired 55-unit scattered-site portfolio.
Sound Communities combines public and private funding sources, including Low Income Housing Tax Credits, state and federal grants, and debt, to create affordable housing for families, seniors, and individuals with varying income levels. With support from NHA's extensive experience and a committed leadership team, Sound Communities is dedicated to creating sustainable, inclusive communities and improving the quality of life for Norwalk residents.
III. PLANNED DEVELOPMENT
Sound Communities intends to redevelop an underutilized parcel of which we currently have site control. The redevelopment site is located at 79 S. Main and 6 - 8 Chestnut Street in Norwalk, CT. It currently has five (5) existing structures- three (3) multifamily buildings with a combined 16 total units, a maintenance shed, and retail space which holds three storefronts. All existing improvements need to be demolished. The multifamily housing is currently occupied, and all tenants will be relocated by Sound Communities prior to demolition in accordance with applicable regulations.
The preliminary concept for the redevelopment is designated senior, affordable housing; however, alternative concepts may be considered in collaboration with the design team to ensure a financially feasible, high-quality project that meets community needs. The preliminary concept proposes a podium- structured building that utilizes prefabricated panels with ground floor parking and a mix of one- and two-bedroom units. Sound Communities is in discussion with local officials regarding a possible density bonus to maximize the total number of units in the development, with a goal of approximately 75 units.
The development will likely be funded through a mix of sources including 4% Low Income Housing Tax Credits allocated by CHFA, the Department of Housing, Project Based Section 8 Vouchers, debt and other potential grants. This project will be subject to state prevailing wage/ Davis Bacon requirements. A preliminary site survey is enclosed with this RFQ as an attachment. Sound Communities is currently working towards completing a Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment, Hazardous Materials and Lead Inspections, and Geotechnical Reports.
Sound Communities is targeting a construction start date of Summer 2026 and anticipating the project to be completed in a 15-month timeline.
IV. SCOPE OF SERVICES
An architectural firm will be retained by Sound Communities to provide services for the redevelopment of the 79 S. Main Street (Norwalk, CT) project as outlined above.
The following generally highlights the services that the firm will be required to perform. In some instances, the firm may procure and manage a subcontractor with the requisite experience to perform certain duties:
1) Understand the proposed project's programmatic and financial requirements as necessary to develop a schematic design that meets the Client's needs.
2) Obtain three (3) proposals from qualified site/civil engineering firms and include Sound Communities staff in selection of the site/civil engineer for the project.
a. Note: The site plan will be a key milestone with a strict deadline, which will be discussed with the respondents as part of the selection process.
3) Present at a Sound Communities Board of Directors meeting and/or NHA Board of Commissioners meeting (via Zoom or Teams) to gain feedback and approval for schematic design.
4) Prepare or obtain cost estimates for the project at various phases of design development.
5) Meet with city officials, Sound Communities' zoning attorney, and/or present at City of Norwalk Planning & Zoning Commission meetings to secure necessary plan approvals.
6) Advise on and support decision-making on energy efficiency/sustainability design elements and building systems.
7) Advise and support decision-making on the use of prefabricated panel systems.
8) Participate in a tenant meeting to gather input on design and amenity space.
9) Respond to all comments and resolve outstanding design issues at the various phases by taking appropriate action in the design of the project.
10) Provide complete construction documents in phases (e.g., 10% CDs, 40% CDs, 90% CDs) according to a schedule approved by Sound Communities to meet funding application deadlines, and which conform with generally accepted architectural and engineering standards and all applicable codes, and regulations (i.e., HUD, DOH, CHFA, City of Norwalk Planning & Zoning, etc.).
a. Note: Each milestone will require approval from Sound Communities before the design team can proceed to the next phase of drawings.
11) Provide specifications that reflect current requirements, standards, product availability and cost effectiveness.
12) Supply necessary plans, forms, and reports to submit for project financing through the Connecticut Department of Housing, Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, and other funding sources.
13) Provide services to assist Sound Communities in the bidding and award of the construction contract, whether it be structured as a Construction Manager or General Contractor agreement.
14) Provide robust construction administration services during the construction phase.
V. SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS
Respondents must submit one (1) original, signed and complete qualification package. Qualification packages must be received no later than Friday, January 10, 2025, at 5:00PM EST.
Qualification packages may be emailed to gbenda@norwalkha.org OR mailed to:
Guillermo Bendana, Procurement Specialist Sound Communities, Inc.
24 ½ Monroe St Norwalk, CT 06854
In submitting a response to this RFQ, the respondent acknowledges that NHA/Sound Communities shall not compensate the respondent for any submission or contract negotiation costs, including costs for preparation, appearances, interviews, and/or travel.
To maintain a fair and impartial competitive process, written questions sent via email before the submission deadline will be the only opportunity for respondents to inquire as to form and content. Please send inquiries to gbenda@norwalkha.org.
Norwalk Housing Authority is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
The following required information must be included in each submission, and the scoring weights for each item are outlined below.:
1. Firm Overview: 5%
• Detailed explanation of the firm's history, size, office locations, and services offered
• Description of the firm's commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in hiring
2. Technical Capabilities: 30%
• Detailed explanation of the firm's capacity and experience in any or all of the following areas: CHFA and CT DOH multifamily and senior design standards, ADA accessibility design standards, energy efficient and sustainable design, and use of prefabricated panels.
3. Project Experience: 25%
• List of recent projects, with number of units, project costs, and photos
4. Engineering Firms: 10%
• Simple list of at least two (2) civil engineering firms that the firm has worked with, and the name of the project
• Simple list of at least one (1) MEP and one (1) structural engineer that the firm is considering for this contract
5. Written Qualifications and/or Resumes of Key Personnel: 15%
6. Fees: 10%
• Provide the firm's typical expected fee, as a percentage of hard costs, on similar CHFA/DOH funded projects
a. Note: This information will be used for proposal scoring purposes. However, the actual fee for the agreed upon scope of work will be determined during the selection process in negotiations with qualified respondents.
7. Client References: 5%
• List of three (3) past clients that may be contacted by Sound Communities
Attachments:
• Signed RFQ Certification
• Signed Debarment Certification
• Copy of the architectural license and Connecticut registration
• Copies of any federal or State of Connecticut minority- and/or women-owned business certifications, if applicable
VI. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
The selected architectural firm must demonstrate the requisite qualifications and experience necessary to successfully complete the redevelopment of the 79 S. Main Street project. Firms must possess the following qualifications:
1. Experience in multifamily, affordable housing projects with budget constraints
• Proven expertise in designing and delivering multifamily residential developments
2. Experience with CHFA requirements
• Demonstrated familiarity with Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA) standards, procedures, and funding mechanisms, ensuring compliance in design and documentation.
3. Experience with senior housing
• A track record of designing housing projects tailored to senior living, including considerations for accessibility, community integration, and age-specific amenities.
4. Experience in Fairfield County, Connecticut
• Knowledge of local building codes, zoning regulations, and the unique housing needs and architectural context of Fairfield County.
5. Experience with prefabricated construction
• Proficiency in integrating prefabricated building systems into designs to achieve cost efficiency, sustainability, and expedited project timelines.
6. Experience with Energy Star and energy-efficient design
• Capability to incorporate Energy Star-certified systems and advanced energy-efficient design strategies to meet sustainability goals and reduce long-term operational costs.
The selected firm should also demonstrate the ability to coordinate effectively with stakeholders, meet regulatory and funding requirements, and deliver high-quality architectural solutions for projects of similar scope and complexity.
VII. SELECTION PROCESS
All qualification packages submitted on or before Friday, January 10, 2025, at 5:00PM EST will be reviewed by the Procurement Specialist for compliance with the submission requirements of the RFQ. A selection committee, made up of NHA employees, Sound Communities employees and/or stakeholders,
shall meet to evaluate each complete response. Interviews with Respondents may or may not be required.
Sound Communities intends to negotiate with the top-ranked firm(s) to reach an agreement on a fair and reasonable price for basic services. If an agreement cannot be reached, Sound Communities will terminate negotiations with the firm and proceed to the next highest rated firm until a price determined to be fair and reasonable to both parties is obtained.
Upon successful negotiation of an agreement, Sound Communities will recommend an award pending the approval of the Norwalk Housing Authority Board of Commissioners.
VIII. TERMS AND CONDITIONS (Non-Construction Contracts)
The Respondent may change or withdraw a response at any time prior to the response submission deadline. All changes or withdrawals shall be made in writing. Oral/Verbal changes, modifications, or withdrawals will not be recognized and will be disregarded. Written modifications will not be accepted after the RFQ Submission Deadline.
Sound Communities reserves the right to request clarifications of information submitted and to request any necessary supporting documentation or information of one or more responders after the RFQ Submission Deadline.
Submissions shall be firm for a period of 90 days following the RFQ Submission Deadline.
Submissions shall be considered public information unless advised otherwise by the responder. The responder shall include a separate letter stating which parts of the submission are deemed confidential and/or proprietary information not to be released.
Sound Communities reserves the right to reject any and all submissions, to waive informalities or irregularities in the submissions received, and reject nonconforming, nonresponsive, conditional or qualified submissions, and to select the submission and consultant which, in the judgment of Sound Communities, best serves the interests of Sound Communities.
All submissions shall be made without any prior understanding, agreement, or accord with any other person submitting a qualification package for the same service. By delivering a response to this RFQ, the Respondent represents that their submission is in all respects bona fide, fair, and not the result of any act of fraud or collusion with another person engaged in the same line of business or commerce.
The Respondent certifies by submission of a proposal that it is not a debarred, suspended, or ineligible contractor by any Agency of Federal of State government. No proposal received from a debarred, suspended, or ineligible contractor will qualify for an award.
Termination for Cause and for Convenience
Sound Communities may terminate this contract in whole, or from time to time in part, for Sound Communities' convenience or the failure of the Contractor to fulfill the contract obligations (cause/default). Sound Communities shall terminate by delivering to the Contractor a written notice of termination specifying the nature, extent, and effective date of termination. Upon receipt of the notice,
the Contractor shall: (1) immediately discontinue all services affected (unless the notice directs otherwise), and (2) deliver to Sound Communities all information, reports, papers, and other materials accumulated or generated in performing the contract, whether completed or in process. If the termination is for the convenience of Sound Communities, Sound Communities shall be liable only for payment for services rendered before the effective date of the termination.
If the termination is due to failure of the Contractor to fulfill its obligations under the contract (cause/default), Sound Communities may (1) require the Contract to deliver to it, in the manner and to the extent directed by Sound Communities, any work described in the Notice of Termination; (2) take over the work and prosecute the same to completion by contractor of otherwise, and the Contractor shall be liable for any additional cost incurred by Sound Communities; and (3) withhold any payment to the Contractor, for the purpose of set-off or partial payment, as the case may be, of amounts owned by Sound Communities by the contractor. In the event of termination for cause/default, Sound Communities will be liable to the Contractor for reasonable costs incurred by the Contractor before the effective date of the termination. Any dispute shall be decided by the Contracting Officer.
In the event that funding is unavailable in any fiscal period for this project, then Sound Communities, shall have the unqualified right to terminate the Work Order(s), or Agreement upon written notice to the Contractor, without any penalty or expense to Sound Communities. No guarantee, warranty or representation is made that any particular work will be assigned to any firm(s).
RFQ FOR ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES
Sound Communities, Inc.
An affiliate of the Norwalk Housing Authority
RFQ CERTIFICATION
I certify that any and all information contained in this RFQ is true.
I certify that this RFQ is made without prior understanding, agreement, or connections with any corporation, firm or person submitting a RFQ for the same materials, supplies, equipment, or services and is in all respects fair and without collusion or fraud.
I agree to abide by all terms and conditions of the RFQ.
Company Name: Address:
Phone:
Authorized Representative:
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RFQ FOR ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES
Sound Communities, Inc.
An affiliate of the Norwalk Housing Authority
DEBARMENT CERTIFICATION
The undersigned, a Respondent of the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) issued by Sound Communities, hereby certifies to Sound Communities on behalf of itself and each member of Respondent's team, as follows:
In accordance with HUD 24 CFR 85.35, Respondent certifies that neither Respondent nor any member of the Respondent's team is debarred or suspended or is otherwise excluded from or ineligible for participation in Federal Assistance programs under Executive Order 12549 "Debarment and Suspension."
Authorized Representative:
Name Title Company
Signature
Date
RFQ FOR ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES
Sound Communities, Inc.
An affiliate of the Norwalk Housing Authority
HUD Required Documents
The undersigned, a Respondent of the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) issued by Sound Communities, hereby certifies to Sound Communities on behalf of itself and each member of Respondent's team, as follows:
The below listed documents, sent as separate attachments with the RFQ, have had all applicable portions completed and signed. These documents should be returned as part of the RFQ package.
HUD 5369-B, HUD 5369-C, HUD 51915, HUD 51915-A
Authorized Representative:
Name Title Company
Signature
Date