NOTICE TO PROFESSIONAL CONSULTANTS

The University of South Florida announces that continuing professional services are required for the following discipline:

Architecture (Up to 3) (Tampa Campus with ability to include other campuses as required).

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

Projects included in the scope of this Agreement will be specific projects for renovations, alterations, new construction and additions that have a basic construction budget estimated to be $1,000,000 or less, or studies for which the fee for professional services is $100,000 or less. Continuing Service contracts for these projects provide that the consultant will be available on an as-needed basis for an initial contract period of one (1) year with an Owner’s option to renew for one (1) additional year at a time up to a total of two (2) additional years.

This selection is based upon Architectural services only. Engineering services (mechanical, electrical, structural and civil) required for specific projects shall be provided as part of basic services through the selected Architect(s) based upon project need. Use of USF continuing service engineers by the selected Architect(s) shall be encouraged.

The consultant(s) receiving the award may not have an exclusive contract to perform services for these projects. The University may have additional continuing service professionals under contract during the same time period. Blanket professional liability insurance shall be required for the contract. Services required to be provided under the Continuing Services Contracts include the development of record drawings by the Continuing Service Consultant for projects designed by that consultant to reflect as-built conditions to facilitate the University’s space management program.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Firms desiring to provide professional services shall submit one (1) original submittal and five (5) bound copies consisting of the information as required in the “Submittal Requirements” of the Project Fact Sheet including a letter of interest, a completed “USF Professional Qualifications Supplement” dated March, 2007, and any required or additional information within the proposal limits.  Submittals must not exceed 40 pages, including the Professional Qualifications Supplement, letter of interest, attachments and additional information.  Pages must be numbered consecutively.  Submittals that do not comply with these requirements or do not include the requested information may not be considered.  Submittals are part of the public record and no submittal material will be returned.  Applications submitted in any other format may not be considered.

An applicant must be properly registered at the time of application to practice its profession in the State of Florida. If the applicant is a corporation, it must be properly chartered by the Florida Department of State to operate in Florida.  The plans and specifications for University of South Florida projects are subject to reuse in accordance with the provisions of Section 287.055, Florida Statutes.

As required by Section 287.133, Florida Statutes, a consultant may not submit a proposal for this project if it is on the convicted vendor list for a public entity crime committed within the past 36 months. The selected consultant must warrant that it will neither utilize the services of, nor contract with, any supplier, subcontractor, or consultant in excess of $25,000.00 in connection with this project for a period of 36 months from the date of their being placed on the convicted vendor list.

PROJECT SELECTION CRITERIA:

Selection of finalists for interview will be made on the basis of professional qualifications, including, experience and ability, design ability, past performance, workload, volume of USF work (regardless of the contract entity at the University or funding source), and location.

As part of the University of South Florida’s Strategic Plan, USF made a commitment to foster a diverse community distinguished by a shared purpose, collaboration, open and timely communication, mutual respect, trust, and inclusiveness. The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity institution, and, as such, strongly encourages the lawful use of certified Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprises (“MBEs”) in the provision of design and construction-related services by providing a fair and equal opportunity to compete for, or for participation in, design and/or construction-related services.   MBE participation information by the Architect for this contract shall be provided by the Architect in response to a request from the University’s Supplier Diversity Manager’s office.  

The “USF Professional Qualifications Supplement dated March 2007” and Project Fact Sheet which includes project information may be obtained by contacting: Kathy Bennett, Contracts Administrator, University of South Florida, Facilities Planning and Construction, 4202 East Fowler Avenue, FPC110, Tampa, Florida 33620-7550, Phone (813)974-3098, (813)974-2625, Fax (813)974-3542, e-mail: kbennett@admin.usf.edu. 

All interested firms are invited and encouraged to attend a Pre-Submittal Meeting to be held at 10am, Eastern Time, on Wednesday, April 18, 2007, at the University of South Florida, Tampa Campus, Facilities Planning and Construction Conference Room 109, 4202 East Fowler Avenue, Tampa, Florida, to review the scope and requirements of this project. Requests for meetings by individual firms will not be granted. It shall be noted that no verbal communication shall take place between the applicants and the employees of the University of South Florida except as provided at the Pre-Submittal Meeting, the Pre-Interview Meeting and the request for the PQS and Project Fact Sheet. Requests for any project information must be in writing to the above address.  The Selection Committee reserves the right to waive any irregularities and may reject all proposals and stop the selection process at any time.

One (1) original and five (5) bound copies of the above requested proposal data, bound in the order listed, shall be addressed to:  Ronald Hanke, R.A., Director, University of South Florida, Facilities Planning and Construction, 4202 East Fowler Avenue, FPC110, Tampa, Florida 33620-7550. Applications that do not comply with the above instructions may be disqualified. Submittals must be received in the University of South Florida, Facilities Planning and Construction office, FPC110, by 2pm, Eastern Time on Monday, May 7^th, 2007.  Facsimile (FAX) or electronic submittals are not acceptable and will not be considered.