This is a service / maintenance or supply contract in Kings Mountain, North Carolina. Contact the soliciting agency for additional information.

The goal of the Parks and Recreation Master Plan is to guide the development of new parks, open space, trails, recreation facilities and programs, as well as the management and improvements to existing facilities for the next 20 years. Background Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Kings Mountain is a city that beautifully blends small-town charm with rich history. Known for its pivotal role in the Revolutionary War, the city is a haven for history enthusiasts. The downtown area, home to quaint brick buildings and tree-lined streets, is home to a variety of shops, eateries, and community events. The city's natural beauty is also a major draw, boasting ample views of nearby Crowder's Mountain and Kings Pinnacle, both of which are within the adjacent Crowder's Mountain State Park. Additionally, the city owns John Henry Moss Lake, which not only provides recreational activities, but also provides Kings Mountain's water supply. The city also owns two smaller lakes south of town. Other existing parks and recreation facilities include the city's downtown flagship Patriots Park, Gateway Trail, Jake Early Sports Complex, Kings Mountain Family YMCA, Davidson Park, and several scattered neighborhood parks. Kings Mountain is ideally located 20 miles west of Charlotte and the Charlotte-Douglas International Airport, at the intersection of US Highway 74 and Interstate 85. Home to the Catawba Two Kings Casino and the nation's only hard rock lithium mine, Kings Mountain is poised for extraordinary growth in the coming years. Project Description The Master Plan will serve to optimize the city's existing parks and recreation resources and assets, as well as strategically plan for their management and expansion as the city grows, in order to contribute to the health of its citizens, enhance the integrity and quality of the natural environment, and attract visitors to the community. The master plan will be managed by city staff including the Director of Cultural Enrichment and the City Engineer, and developed with extensive citizen engagement and community stakeholder input. In addition to the "what" and "where" components, the master plan will also address staffing and organizational structure, including a thorough analysis of contracted recreational services (YMCA). Scope of work The following scope of work is currently envisioned for this project. Once a consultant is selected, they will work collaboratively with city staff to refine the scope prior to executing a contract for the work. Inventory and Assessment Develop a comprehensive inventory of the city's existing parks and recreation facilities that will include the following: Park type and purpose Location Inventory of facilities and amenities Assessment of physical conditions and functionality Available programs and events Usage levels Maps of existing parks Maps illustrating pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicular access to all city parks Identify other existing city-owned properties that may be suitable for future parks Review past plans, including the Comprehensive Plan, and provide a summary of previous planning efforts related to Parks and Recreation. Community Engagement Develop and implement a public engagement strategy to gather input from citizens, stakeholders, and city staff Utilize equitable outreach and engagement methods to ensure a balanced assessment of the desires and needs of the entire community, including underserved populations. Create and administer public surveys Host and present at public meetings Provide written records and summaries of the results of all public communications that can be shared with the public via online and hard copy formats Community Engagement should continue throughout the plan development to build consensus and agreement on the plan Priority Needs Assessment and Recommendation Following the inventory and initial community engagement, identify high-priority and impactful capital improvements that can be included in the 2024/2025 budget cycle. Prioritize additional capital improvements to be included in a long-term CIP Identify shortcomings in the types of parks and programs available in the community Evaluate the geographic distribution of existing parks and recreation facilities and identify gaps and underserved areas that warrant future parks. Consider existing city-owned properties and determine which could serve to meet future parks needs. In underserved areas where no suitable city-owned properties exist, provide guidance for future land acquisition. Develop a master plan for greenway trails and multi-use paths to provide connectivity among current and future parks. Prioritize trail projects based on feasibility and partnership opportunities (Carolina Thread Trail with Gaston/Cleveland Counties; Gateway Trail) Identify other opportunities for collaborative partnerships to maximize resources Forecast and prioritize staffing needs and organizational changes to support current and future parks. Final Master Plan Documents Prepare a final master plan document, including an executive summary, supporting data, recommendations, implementation strategy, and maps/graphics for public consumption in online and hard copy formats. Provide preliminary cost estimates for recommended improvements. Present the final plan to City Council for approval. At the completion of the project the selected consultant shall provide to the City of Kings Mountain digital copies of all data, photos, files, reports, and other documents collected and created during the master plan development, in editable formats when applicable. The city utilizes ArcGIS Pro to manage GIS data. The selected consultant will be expected to leverage this software's capabilities maximize the usefulness of the master plan. SOQ Requirements The SOQ should follow the format outlined in this section. Submittals shall not exceed 20 pages including front and back cover, dividing tabs, and cover letter. Page count does not include dividing tabs if used. All pages shall be 8.5" x 11". Cover Letter: A clear and concise introduction, which shall identify the firm's primary contact person for the SOQ, acknowledge receipt of any amendments to the RFQ, and summarize why the city should select your firm for this project. Firm Profile:Provide the following information: Brief history of the firm, Location and contact information for the firm's corporate headquarters, Location(s) and contact information for any branch office(s) that may be utilized for this project, Number of employees (overall and for each identified branch office), Type of ownership and parent company, if applicable, and any pending ownership changes, Identify any claim or litigation involving the firm within the last five years, or provide a statement that none exist Project Understanding and Approach: A detailed narrative that demonstrates an understanding of the city's needs and describes how those needs will be met. Identify services that are typically provided in-house by the firm's local or North Carolina offices, services that are available from the firm's out-of-state offices, and services for which a sub-consultant would be utilized. Qualifications and Experience:At least three relevant projects completed by the firm. Include the following information for each listed project: Project description, Project start and completion dates (if ongoing, provide the current status and projected completion date), Scope of services provided by the consultant, Sub-consultants utilized (if any), Summary of the similarities to this project, and Name, title, email address, and phone number of Owner reference. Project Team: Identify all personnel, including sub-consultants that will be directly involved in the project. Provide a brief resume for each team member which includes office location, general qualifications (education, professional registrations, certifications, etc.), years of experience (with current firm and other firms), role for this project, and role for any projects listed in the Qualifications and Experience section of the SOQ. Project Management and QA/QC: Briefly describe the firm's procedures and processes for project management and quality assurance and quality control throughout all phases of a project. Evaluation Criteria & Selection Process SOQs will be evaluated based on the following criteria: Firm experience and reputation with regards to similar projects - 25% Project approach and understanding - 40% Qualifications and experience of the personnel assigned to this project - 25% Office location of project team members - 10% SOQs will be evaluated by a selection committee comprised of city staff. Following initial evaluation of the SOQs, the committee may conduct interviews with top candidates. Submittal Procedure As soon as possible, please email matt.echols@cityofkm.com to indicate your firm's interest in the project and intent to submit a SOQ. Include the firm's name and the name and email address of the main contact person for the SOQ. All questions related to the RFQ shall be via email to matt.echols@cityofkm.com from the identified contact person. The deadline for questions is 4:00 PM on October 6, 2023. Deadline for Questions on the RFQ October 6, 2023 at 4:00 PM Respond to Questions October 13, 2023 SOQ Review, Consultant Selection, Contract Negotiation October-November 2023 City Council Approval of Contract November 28, 2023 Recommend High-Priority Projects to Consider for FY24/25 Budget April 1, 2024 Master Plan Adopted by City Council June 25, 2024