This is a service / maintenance or supply contract in Ames, Iowa. Contact the soliciting agency for additional information.

Story County Conservation Board ("County") seeks proposals for an update to the Story County Trails and Greenway Plan, as described in this Request for Proposal ("RFP"). The consultant selected from the RFP will be engaged after competitive evaluation by a qualified committee based on the "Selection Criteria" set forth in this request. Scope of Services Kick-off meeting with SCC team (trail committee) Kick-off meeting with SCCB to develop goals Phase 1 Existing Conditions and Data Review Review existing plans and plans under development. Plan review will include: SCC trails and greenway plan City of Ames Bicycle and Pedestrian plan South Skunk River Water Trail plan Iowa Trails 2000 Capital Crossroads Story County Comprehensive Plan (C2C) Story County REAP Plan InterCONNECT National trails such as Great American Rail Trail and American Discovery Trail Determine other plans in development or desired Conduct Public Survey (two meetings with trail committee) Develop on-line survey Assist SCC in pushing survey notification Compile results Phase 2 Planning considerations Determine area attractions, destinations, and points of interest Design standards Evaluate roadway opportunities (one meeting with trail committee) Develop draft plan (four meetings with trail committee) Executive summary Goals Existing conditions including local and regional plans Modal descriptions Community interconnections High priority Mid priority Low priority Conceptual cost opinions Phase 3 Public Input Develop website to display the draft plan and gather public comment (two meetings with trail committee) Conduct three open houses to gather public comment on the draft Plan Compile public comment and insert in Plan Phase 4 Plan Presentation and Adoption Meet with SCC team to review comment and make revisions to the Plan (two meetings with trail committee) Present draft Plan to the SCCB Make revisions as necessary (one meeting with trail committee) Present final Plan for consideration Proposal The Vendor shall provide a Proposal, including a detailed statement of work for the product/services believed to be appropriate for Story County, addressing the Scope of Services detailed in this RFP as well as Capabilities and Warranty and Maintenance, as applicable. The Proposal should indicate the following, at a minimum: Vendor name, address, and names of primary contacts. Identify project manager. Restatement of services required (two pages maximum): attach a restatement of the proposed agreement that outlines its objectives and scope as perceived. Do not repeat the Scope of Services, but elaborate on the tasks, conditions, or other specifics deemed significant and necessary to demonstrate a complete understanding of the technical and substantive issues to be addressed. Outline personnel skills and services that distinguish the Vendor, incorporating appropriate staff profiles and a description of specific staff that will comprise the project team for this assignment. The staff profile should describe the Vendor's experience in providing services to the public sector, jobs of similar size(s) and provide applicable certifications for staff members involved in the process. Please attach a description of similar projects designed and constructed by the firm. Project summaries should emphasize their relevance to the proposed agreement. Samples of related/comparable past projects that would serve as examples of experience and expertise necessary for this work. This does not include generalized promotional material, resumes, statement of experience, qualifications, or capabilities, or other material that is irrelevant to the proposed agreement. Evidence of ability to work effectively within tight time constraints. Provide the earliest date available to assume these duties. Three (3) references are to be included with the proposal. Vendor's price for scope of services as described herein This request invites consultants to submit proposals for accomplishment of the items of work specified below under Scope of Work. Proposals should be prepared and submitted in accordance with the guidelines and requirements set forth in this request. Questions due to Story County October 25, 2023 Consultant Selection Procedures A selection committee will analyze and evaluate all properly submitted proposals in response to this request. The selection committee using the "Evaluation Criteria" listed in this RFP will rank all vendors. Top scoring vendors will be chosen for further evaluation, which will include interviews by our selection committee with those firms. Each proposal will be evaluated based on the Evaluation Criteria listed below. Proposals will be ranked in order of the highest numerical score first. Story County may select as many of the top ranked vendors as it deems necessary for inclusion within the negotiating list. Evaluation Criteria Location of office. Preference may be given to those Vendors located within Story County. Restatement of services Availability and capability of staff. Past experience with related activities or programs. Technical and financial resources. Ability to complete the project in a timely manner. Integrity and compliance with public policy. References Cost of services Story County reserves the right to reject any and all proposals received because of this Request for Proposal. If a proposal is selected, it will be the most advantageous in terms of quality of service, the Vendor's qualifications, and capabilities to provide the specified service, and other factors that Story County may consider. Story County reserves the right, at its discretion, to waive informalities or irregularities in proposals or proposal procedures, and to accept or further negotiate cost, terms, or conditions of any proposal determined by Story County to be in the best interests of Story County even though not the lowest bid. The price quotations stated in the Vendor's proposal will not be subject to any price increase from the date on which the proposal is opened by Story County to the mutually agreed-to date of bid. Proposals must be signed by an official authorized to bind the provider to its provisions for at least a period of 90 days. Failure of the successful Vendor to accept the obligation of the bid may result in the cancellation of any award. A service contract will be executed between Story County and the awarded Vendor. The selected Vendor may not subcontract any of the work specified in this RFP without prior written consent of Story County. Insurance Vendor shall take out and maintain during service to the County under a contract such public liability and property damage insurance as shall protect Vendor, its subcontractors, and the County from claims for damages for personal injury, including accidental death, as well as for claims for property damage, which might arise from operations under its contract with the County, whether such operations be by Vendor or its subcontractor, or by anyone directly or indirectly employed by either of them. All insurance policies shall be issued by responsible companies who are acceptable to the County. The Vendor shall not cause any insurance to be canceled nor permit any insurance to lapse during the life of the contract with the County. Vendor shall indemnify and hold County harmless from any damages, cost, claims or expenses which may arise as a result of any failure on the part of the Vendor to provide accurate and/or complete data and information to the County as outlined and required by the terms and conditions of its contract with the County. Story County will be accepting questions until October 25 at 4:00 p.m. Answers will be published prior to October 27th. Please submit questions via email to Michael Cox, Conservation Director, at mcox@storycountyiowa.gov. The method of Contractor Selection has not been Determined at this time.