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

The City of Muscatine is requesting proposals for architectural and design services to assist with a project funded under the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program through the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA). Contact Person: Jodi Royal-Goodwin, Director of Community Development City of Muscatine, City Hall 215 Sycamore Street Muscatine, Iowa 52761 Jroyal-goodwin@muscatineiowa.gov 1. Scope of Work: The proposed project includes the stabilization and revitalization of 5 -10 commercial properties located generally along Mulberry Avenue in Muscatine. The firms selected for the project will prepare designs for the identified building facades; consult with property owners for their input and approval; and prepare final design details. The firm will be required to prepare specifications and documents for the project as a whole for a public bid letting. 2. Statement of Qualifications. At minimum proposals should include the following information: Description of Experience with IEDA's CDBG program. Description of similar projects the firm has successfully completed. Description of organizational capacity to complete all necessary activities, including resumes of all employees who will be assigned to this project. Description of the anticipated timeframe necessary to complete the activities. References from previous clients of related work within the past five years. Firm is not on HUD's or DOL's debarred or suspended list. Please indicate if the firm is a MCB/WBE. Experience with other applicable federal and state regulations, including Davis-Bacon and other related laws and regulations, Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act; Section 507 of the Housing & Community Development Act of 1987. Final contracts are contingent upon receipt of CDBG funding. City retains the right to reject or decline awarding any or all RFPs received based on need or lack of funding. Questions regarding this this request for proposals or for additional project information contact Jodi Royal-Goodwin at 563-262-4141 or by email at jroyalgoodwin@muscatineiowa.gov The following terms must be agreed to by all respondents and will be included as a requirement of any awarded contract. A. The work to be performed under this contract is subject to the requirements of Section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968, as amended, 12 U.S.C. 1701u (Section 3). The purpose of Section 3 is to ensure that employment and other economic opportunities generated by HUD assistance or HUD-assisted projects covered by Section 3, shall, to the greatest extent feasible, be directed to low- and very low-income persons, particularly persons who are recipients of HUD assistance for housing. B. The parties to this contract agree to comply with HUD's regulations in 24 CFR part 75, which implement Section 3. As evidenced by their execution of this contract, the parties to this contract certify that they are under no contractual or other impediment that would prevent them from complying with the part 75 regulations. C. The contractor agrees to post copies of a notice advising workers of the Contractor's commitments under Section 3 in conspicuous places at the work site where both employees and applicants for training and employment positions can see the notice. The notice shall describe the Section 3 preference, shall set forth minimum number and job titles subject to hire, availability of apprenticeship and training positions, the qualifications for each; and the name and location of the person(s) taking applications for each of the positions; and the anticipated date the work shall begin. D. The contractor agrees to provide written notice of employment and contracting opportunities to all known Section 3 Workers and Section 3 Businesses. E. The contractor agrees to employ, to the greatest extent feasible, Section 3 workers or provide written justification to the recipient that is consistent with 24 CFR Part 75, describing why it was unable to meet minimum numerical Section 3 Worker hours goals, despite its efforts to comply with the provisions of this clause. F. The contractor agrees to maintain records documenting Section 3 Workers that were hired to work on previous Section 3 covered projects or activities that were retained by the contractor for subsequent Section 3 covered projects or activities. G. The contractor agrees to post contract and job opportunities to the Opportunity Portal and will check the Business Registry for businesses located in the project area. H. The contractor agrees to include compliance with Section 3 requirements in every subcontract for Section 3 projects as defined in 24 CFR part 75, and agrees to take appropriate action, as provided in an applicable provision of the subcontract upon a finding that the subcontractor is in violation of the regulations in 24 CFR part 75. The contractor will not subcontract with any subcontractor where the contractor has notice or knowledge that the subcontractor has been found in violation of the regulations in 24 CFR part 75. I. The contractor will certify that any vacant employment positions, including training positions, that are filled (1) after the contractor is selected but before the contract is executed, and (2) with persons other than those to whom the regulations of 24 CFR part 75 require employment opportunities to be directed, were not filled to circumvent the contractors obligations under 24 CFR part 75. J. The contractor will certify that they have followed prioritization of effort in 24 CFR part 75.19 for all employment and training opportunities. The contractor will further certify that it meets or exceeds the applicable Section 3 benchmarks, defined in 24 CFR Part 75.23, and if not, shall describe in detail the qualitative efforts it has taken to pursue low- and very low-income persons for economic opportunities. K. Noncompliance with HUD's regulations in 24 CFR part 75 may result in sanctions, termination of this contract for default, and debarment or suspension from future HUD assisted contracts. Section 3 Business Concerns are encouraged to respond to this proposal. A Section 3 Business Concern is one that satisfies one of the following requirements: 1. It is at least 51 percent owned and controlled by low- or very low-income persons; 2. Over 75 percent of the labor hours performed for the business over the prior three-month period are performed by Section 3 Workers*; or 3. It is a business at least 51 percent owned and controlled by current public housing residents or residents who currently live in Section 8-assisted housing. * A Section 3 Worker is defined as any worker who currently fits or when hired within the past five years fit at least one of the following categories, as documented: 1. The worker's income for the previous or annualized calendar year is below the applicable income limit established by HUD; 2. The worker is employed by a Section 3 business concern; or 3. The worker is a YouthBuild participant Businesses that believe they meet the Section 3 criteria are encouraged to register as a Section 3 The City of Muscatine is an EEO Employer. MBE/WBE firms are urged to respond. The method of Contractor Selection has not been Determined at this time.