REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS FOR HOME BUILDERS IN BEALL S HILL, MACON, GA

Transcription

1 REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS FOR HOME BUILDERS IN BEALL S HILL, MACON, GA Jeff Logan, President Josh Rogers, Executive Director Closing Location, Date and Time Historic Macon Foundation at The Sidney Lanier Cottage 935 High St. Macon, GA One electronic copy of the proposal must be received by 5:00 p.m. on May 17, 2009 at jrogers@historicmacon.org 1

2 Construction of New Houses in the Beall s Hill Neighborhood Request for Qualifications Instructions Contractors and homebuilders should read the following pages very carefully. Then follow the instructions on page 7 to submit a Statement of Qualification of no more than eight (8) pages to Historic Macon Foundation by 5pm on May 17, 2010 by . Historic Macon Foundation will evaluate these Statements of Qualification to choose a few contractors who will be eligible to bid on the first phase of new construction in the Beall s Hill neighborhood, which will include at least four (4) new homes, with the possibility of four to eight more this year. Only contractors deemed qualified through their exceptional responses to this RFQ will be eligible to bid to construct these and future houses. Introduction This project will be contracted and managed by Historic Macon Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit founded in Macon, GA in Historic Macon Foundation has contracted and managed new construction or rehabilitation projects with a cumulative contract value of more than $10 million. Background Historic Macon Foundation's programs in Neighborhood Revitalization are a national example of saving entire historic neighborhoods to create diverse, attractive neighborhoods for years to come. The National Trust for Historic Preservation has even recognized our efforts with a prestigious Honor Award. Our completed projects in Huguenin Heights and Tattnall Square Heights reduced crime by 80%, tripled home-ownership rates, multiplied home values by two to ten times and provided a path to homeownership for low- to moderate-income families and individuals. Currently, Historic Macon Foundation is revitalizing the historic Beall's Hill neighborhood. Bounded by Orange Terrace, College St., Telfair/First St. and Elm St., the neighborhood is a showcase of historic buildings dating from the 1860s to the early twentieth century. We seek to preserve not only the neighborhoods historic buildings, but also the mix of races, lifestyles and incomes that make it so unique. Historic Macon Foundation has already rehabilitated six historic homes in Beall s Hill. Thanks to a new partnership with College Hill Alliance and the Hills and Heights Development Corporation and new funding from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the City of Macon, the Macon Housing Authority and Mercer University, Historic Macon Foundation will now be managing the construction of new-build homes on empty lots in the neighborhood in addition to rehabilitating historic homes. Purpose The purpose of this project is to construct and sell four or five new build houses over the next four months. The houses will be traditionally designed, extremely well-constructed out of durable materials, made energy efficient to reduce operating costs and built efficiently to reduce the cost of construction.

3 Goals The goal of this project is to produce a sustainable neighborhood of well-built housing for a variety of incomes and lifestyles. We also intend to increase the market value of the houses we build in Beall s Hill to encourage private builders to return to the neighborhood and complete the work that we have started. Scope of Work Overview The successful applicant will work closely with the Executive Director of Historic Macon Foundation, our public and private partners, our Trustees and Volunteers, our Beall s Hill neighbors and the general public to complete the following steps: 1. Complete a response to this RFQ meeting all requirements to become a pre-approved builder for the Beall s Hill neighborhood 2. Deliver a compelling and well-priced bid on fully-specified house plans and specified lots (plans and lot locations will be provided by Historic Macon Foundation) 3. Enter into a contract to build houses from these plans on empty lots in Beall s Hill 4. Secure all necessary permitting, licensing and insurance to begin construction 5. Initiate construction as specified in the contract (to be negotiated) 6. Meet timeline and budgets without alteration or change-orders, meeting construction benchmarks, passing inspections on the first review and following the plan specifications without exception 7. Deliver completed homes that exceed the average quality in the City of Macon on the timeline negotiated in the contract Requirements & Policies 1. LICENSES A. All general contractors performing work associated with HISTORIC MACON FOUNDATION programs must have the proper Business License from the City of Macon and State of Georgia General Contractor License as required by law. A copy of licenses must be given to HISTORIC MACON FOUNDATION by the Developer/Contractor. B. All electrical, plumbing, gas and HVAC work must be performed by electricians, plumbers and HVAC contractors having appropriate and valid licenses as required by the State of Georgia and City of Macon. C. The Beall s Hill neighborhood is part of the Macon Historic District. All work performed is subject to the Beall s Hill Design Guidelines as enforced by Macon-Bibb Planning and Zoning. All work performed must be licensed by Macon-Bibb Planning and Zoning and conform to the Design Guidelines. These guidelines are one file with Macon-Bibb Planning and Zoning and may be referenced at their office at the City of Macon s Willie Hill Annex, 682 Cherry St., Suite INSURANCE A. Before signing a construction agreement with HISTORIC MACON FOUNDATION, all contractors must provide HISTORIC MACON FOUNDATION with a valid Certificate of Insurance for comprehensive public liability insurance amounting to: (1) $100,000/$300,000 for bodily injury including death; and 3

4 (2) $50,000/$100,000 for property damage caused by the contractor while repairs are being made. B. If a contractor employs or has employed five or more persons during the course of a calendar year, he/she is required to carry workers compensation by State Law. It is HISTORIC MACON FOUNDATION's understanding that "five" employees include not only persons that work directly for general contractors but also the employees of uninsured subcontractors. The contractor, not HISTORIC MACON FOUNDATION, shall be responsible for determining if he/she is required by State law to carry worker's compensation insurance. C. Even if excepted from state law, HISTORIC MACON FOUNDATION suggests that all contractors carry workers compensation insurance to help protect themselves from claims filed by their employees. 3. LIST OF CONTRACTORS A. HISTORIC MACON FOUNDATION will maintain a list of approved contractors. B. Approved contractors will be selected based on responses to this Request for Qualifications. C. This Request for Qualifications may be re-issued from time to time as seen fit by HISTORIC MACON FOUNDATION. 4. REQUESTING PAYMENTS FOR WORK PERFORMED A. Payments to contractors awarded a contract shall occur as outlined in the Construction Agreement. The conditions for payment as outlined in the Agreement shall take precedent over any conflicting information contained in this document. B. The process of applying for a payment is as follows: (1) Prior to releasing payment HISTORIC MACON FOUNDATION or its agent shall inspect the work performed and use its cost estimate and judgment to determine if the contractor has satisfactorily completed enough work to receive a payment. (2) Payment inspections are scheduled on a first-come first-served basis and must be scheduled at least one day prior to the desired inspection date. HISTORIC MACON FOUNDATION staff will be able to perform up to two (2) payment inspections per day. (3) Contractors and homebuyers (if applicable) are encouraged to be present during progress payment inspections and--unless otherwise approved by HISTORIC MACON FOUNDATION--both parties are required to be present for the final inspection. (4) After inspecting a job and determining that enough work has been satisfactorily completed to warrant a progress or final payment, the contractor will be provided with a list of documents to be submitted to HISTORIC MACON FOUNDATION's Executive Director, before receiving payment. For the final payment, these documents may include, but are not limited to: a. Progress and final lien releases from employees, sub-contractors and material suppliers; b. Warranties. 4

5 (5) Generally payments will not be made until five (5) workdays after the inspection has been completed and the payment approved. In some cases HISTORIC MACON FOUNDATION may consider issuing payment sooner. (6) If a payment is approved, the payment will not exceed the scheduled payment amount shown in the Construction Agreement. At least a 10% retainage is accumulated and withheld throughout the job and is not released until the job has been satisfactorily completed and accepted by HISTORIC MACON FOUNDATION and the homebuyer (if applicable). 5. HISTORIC MACON FOUNDATION PERFORMANCE STANDARDS (1) Comply with all HISTORIC MACON FOUNDATION federal state and local ` requirements and policies concerning contractors and work performed. (2) Perform high quality work as judged by HISTORIC MACON FOUNDATION and, when applicable, City officials. (3) Exhibit integrity, which includes but is not limited to refraining from offering clients cash, gifts or additional work in return for being the contractor selected to perform a job. (4) Treat HISTORIC MACON FOUNDATION clients and personnel with the utmost respect, courtesy and professionalism. (5) Quickly gain an understanding of the requirements and policies pertaining to contractors that are contained in this and other documents. (6) Regularly begin and complete jobs on time. (7) Have only minor and limited complaints from homebuyers. (8) Be certain not to be negligent as outlined in the appropriate Construction Agreement. (9) Promptly remedy warranty-related problems and complaints, both before and after the job has been completed. (10) Keep the number of premature progress and final payment inspection requests to a minimum. (11) Promptly pay material suppliers, sub-contractors and employees for materials provided and/or services rendered, so these persons do not consume HISTORIC MACON FOUNDATION staff time by calling and/or coming in to HISTORIC MACON FOUNDATION to complain that they have not been paid. (12) Promptly provide HISTORIC MACON FOUNDATION with notarized lien releases from material suppliers, sub-contractors and employees prior to or when progress and final payments are requested. (13) Promptly provide HISTORIC MACON FOUNDATION with warranties, building permits and approved electrical, plumbing, gas, mechanical, etc., certifications issued by the City's Permits & Fees Department when requested by HISTORIC MACON FOUNDATION prior to progress and final payments. (14) Carry, without lapse, required license and insurance throughout a job. 5

6 (15) Maintain an acceptable credit rating. (16) Promptly provide HISTORIC MACON FOUNDATION with information and signed documents as requested. (17) Avoid discriminatory practices as described in the NOTICE below. NOTICE: HISTORIC MACON FOUNDATION administered home construction programs may be funded in whole or in part with local government funds making discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, creed, sex, age or handicap illegal as provided by applicable law. Elements Great weight will be given to the character of the builder and past success. The primary elements of proficiency will be: New home construction Efficient project management Building affordable housing Working in historic/existing neighborhoods Building a diverse range of housing Working closely with neighbors and neighborhood associations Solving construction problems quickly and efficiently Building quality homes that have a very long life cycle Building homes that are energy efficient Timeframe Request for Proposals released...may 6, 2009 Proposals due (in electronic format)...may 17, 2010, 5pm Qualified applicants notified...may19, 2010 Requests for Bids for 4-5 new-build houses released...may 25, 2010 Contract signed and building begins...june 10,

7 Requirements Applicants should submit a proposal by 5pm on May 17, Applications should include one digital copy by . One print application or digital copy on electronic media may also be submitted by mail, but is not required. Confirmation of receipt will be issued by reply . Applications should be limited to eight (8) pages and include: 1. A Cover Sheet including quick facts about the individual or firm (website, contact info) 2. A Statement of Qualification up to five (5) pages in length specifically addressing the individual or firm s fitness to carry out the Scope of Work outlined here including: a. A statement illustrating the individual or firm s proficiency in home building, including facts about projects such as: i. square footages of completed projects ii. construction prices per square foot iii. average time to build and the capacity of the firm iv. capacity of the firm (maximum number of housing projects or dollar amount of construction undertaken by the firm at any one time) b. Examples of completed homes in Middle Georgia, including addresses so that staff may inspect these projects in person. c. Past examples of cost control, adherence to timelines and quality of work. d. Experience in Macon or the region, if any. 3. Biographies for key team members and their proposed roles in delivering this project 4. Because digital responses are required, you may include digital materials, such as video interviews, immersive tours, online photo albums or links to your website. 5. All submittals shall be sent or delivered by the deadline to: Address Josh Rogers Executive Director Historic Macon Foundation 935 High St. PO Box Macon, GA jrogers@historicmacon.org Selection The Executive Director of Historic Macon Foundation will select the contractor to complete this project. Selection of the most qualified firm will be in accordance with applicable Georgia Statutes. The Executive Director reserves the right to reject all interviewees. Staff will solicit proposals on specific house plans and sites with contractors that pre-qualify by their responses to this RFQ.. Subject to appropriate approvals and successful contract negotiation, Historic Macon Foundation will execute the contract and initiate project activities in June Liability for Errors While Historic Macon Foundation has made considerable efforts to ensure an accurate representation of information in the Request for Proposal, the information contained in this Request for Proposal is supplied solely as a guideline for Consultants. The information is not guaranteed or warranted accurate by Historic Macon Foundation, nor is it necessarily comprehensive or exhaustive. 7

8 Questions or concerns should be directed to Josh Rogers, Executive Director of Historic Macon Foundation, using the following contact information: Address Josh Rogers Executive Director Historic Macon Foundation 935 High St. PO Box Macon, GA Phone (478) Fax (478)