Township of Ferguson

TOWNSHIP OF FERGUSON

3147 Research Drive  State College, Pennsylvania 16801

Telephone: 814-238-4651  Fax: 814-238-3454

www.twp.ferguson.pa.us

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR SATELLITE FIRE STATION NEEDS ASSESSMENT IN FERGUSON TOWNSHIP

Ferguson Township, Centre County, Pennsylvania, is accepting proposals for a one-time contract to perform professional services (consulting work) on behalf of Ferguson Township to help identify needs and priorities in the provision of fire services to residents, businesses and visitors in Ferguson Township. This data will guide the Board of Supervisors for Ferguson Township in making decisions that best meet the needs of the community.

Proposals (containing four copies and one electronic copy on a USB) labeled “Satellite Fire Station Needs Assessment” must be received at the Ferguson Township Office, 3147 Research Drive, State College PA 16801, by November 28, 2019, 3:00 P.M. (EST). All proposals must be valid for at least 60 days after that date.

Additional information is available from Centrice Martin, Assistant to the Manager at [email protected] or (814) 238-4651.

Purpose Ferguson Township is seeking a fire service consultant experienced in the management and operations of volunteer fire departments/companies to undertake a needs assessment, identify site selection, and recommend a general site layout for a new fire station in Ferguson Township. Background: Ferguson Township is a Home-Rule Municipality that sits within the southern edge of Centre County, Pennsylvania. It is located to the Southwest of the State College Borough in the Centre County region. As of the 2010 Census, the population of Ferguson Township is 18,310 with a population density of 372.2 per square mile. The Township has a total of 50 square miles of land area. The total road miles is 109.22 with the Township maintaining 93.35 miles and the State maintaining 15.87 miles. Additional topics of interest may be explored on the Ferguson Township’s website, visit www.twp.ferguson.pa.us. Ferguson Township is served by the Township’s Police Department while fire protection is provided by The Alpha Volunteer Fire Company. The closest fire station to most Ferguson Township residents is the Alpha Fire Company Main Station in downtown State College, at 400 West Beaver Avenue, State College, PA. The Alpha Fire Company is under the umbrella and managed by Centre Region Council of Governments (COG) Regional Fire Protection Program. Additionally, there are two substations located in the nearby Centre Region, the College Township Station and the Patton Township Station. Please visit the Alpha Fire Company’s website, at www.alphafire.com, for more information about the main and nearby sub fire stations. Intent: The primary intent and goal of this needs assessment is to retain a consultant that can identify an optimal location for a satellite fire station in Ferguson Township that will most effectively improve response time to Township residents. Additionally, the assessment aims to develop preliminary site needs for the fire station that will help the Township ensure the appropriate site is selected. Scope of Requirements: This project requires an assessment to determine whether existing fire protection services including staffing, equipment levels, fire response times, and long-term plans for The Alpha Volunteer Fire Company and Ferguson Township are adequate to provide a level of services in the Township that is consistent with accepted fire protection standards for residents and benchmarks for a community of like character. An analysis was conducted in 2017 by the Centre Region Fire Director and is available upon request. As part of this assessment, the consultant is expected to conduct an evaluation and report on a proposed fire station location, use, and capacity needed. The selected consultant should consider the following information and topics as part of the needs assessment and to include in the final narrative: 1) A review of background information that impacts the fire department including: a. Community population and demographics; b. Policies, agreements, zoning or ordinances, or memorandums of understanding that may determine fire protection services and site locations. c. Standard Operating Guidelines for the local fire departments/companies; d. Response statistics; e. Review of management practices; f. Review of long range plans; g. Review of existing and needed training amenities; 2

h. Review of budgets of the Alpha Fire Company and Township; i. Review of the County of Governments (COG) Ad Hoc Facilities Committee for a source of relevant information; and 2) Review the Regional Development Capacity Report (REDCAP) to consider and report on any relevant trends and forecasted growth, review the current neighboring municipalities staffing models/levels to provide recommendation that will meet the future needs of Ferguson Township for the next 5, 10, and 15 years. 3) Evaluate and report on the short-term and long-term plans for local municipal and regional services to consider opportunities on how the infrastructure of a new Fire Station may host dual services to offset costs. These may include Emergency Medical Services (EMS) or police services, as well as office space, telecommunications facilities, and more. 4) Respondents to this RFP will identify how they intend to engage community stakeholder groups including any public meetings and/or steering committee meetings that will be made part of the proposal; 5) Based on findings from 1-4 and including feedback from community stakeholders, report on the level of need and interest in having a fire station in Ferguson Township. 6) Identify optimal locations within the Township for a Fire Station. Evaluate and describe in the narrative report the proposed fire station locations, use and capacity needed. Based on these findings, present a cost-benefit analysis for each proposed site. 7) Provide site information and an analysis review, and a summary discussion of important design considerations for proposed locations for a fire station. 8) Based on findings from questions 1-7, the consultant shall prepare a general site layout for any of the proposed site locations. This should include an analysis of any zoning or regulatory restrictions; access to public utilities. This will involve collaboration with the Township’s Planning and Zoning Department to conduct an analysis to determine if there are zoning or regulatory restrictions; access to public utilities. 9) Prepare and present the prefinal report to the Board of Supervisors at a public meeting for final comment. The final conceptional plans should include the general site layout for all proposed fire station location. The final conceptual plan should be to-scale, graphic rendering of the proposed final solutions. All proposed areas, main facility, support facilities, along with any existing areas and facilities are to be shown on this final plan in proper orientation, size and shape. 10) Consultant shall provide, by area/phase and facility, a general cost estimate for the development of the proposed areas and facilities. The cost estimate should consider: general engineering and other professional services costs; construction cost; projected administration cost; and a contingency of at least 10% of the construction cost estimate. An estimate of land acquisition costs should be provided, as well. This may include, if applicable, legal fees associated with Eminent Domain proceedings, fees associated with acquiring Agricultural Conservation Easements, and a general estimate of any other costs unique to the project that may be important for the Township to consider. Township staff will be available to provide assistance with this analysis. 11) Consultant will prepare a Plan Narrative Report which shall include the following: a. The consultant will be responsible for providing eight (8) paper copies of the draft report including visuals prepared with the narrative and one electronic pdf on USB drive for review by the public.

b. All aspects of the planning process and the proposed site plans must be presented in a narrative planning report that includes the following items and is organized as follows; i. Background information including a description and summary of the public participation process including meeting agendas and notes, action updates and follow up recommendations made by the public and any stakeholder groups organized by consultant; ii. Report on the level of need and expectations of resident’s interest in having a fire station in Ferguson Township based on their expectations of Fire protection services; iii. Present a general site layout for all proposed site locations with consideration given to details outlined in scope of work; iv. Site information and analysis review, and a summary discussion of important design considerations for all proposed fire station locations; v. Summary discussion of important design considerations; vi. Brief description of the methodology approach for selecting and proposing site locations, summary of public involvement and all feedback received from public engagement activities, description of the rationale for the site locations and facilities; vii. Present the conceptional plans with rational for each proposed fire station location identified, as detailed in scope of work, number 9; viii. Present a detailed current cost estimate for the development of proposed site areas and facilities by area/phase and facility. The cost estimate should include: engineering and other professional services costs; construction cost; projected administration cost; and a contingency of at least 10% of the construction cost estimate. An estimate of land acquisition costs should be provided, as well. This may include, if applicable, legal fees associated with Eminent Domain proceedings, fees associated with acquiring Agricultural Conservation Easements, and a general estimate of any other costs unique to the project that may be important for the Township to consider; ix. Milestones and timeline. c. Mapping and Plan drawings i. A base map indicating existing conditions, concerns, advantages of the site must be prepared for each proposed site location and included in the report. It is recommended that this map be prepared early in the planning process so that it can be used as tool for discussion. ii. If a fire station is recommended, provide overview of site necessities such as utilities, overall acreage, and any other important needs for function as well the required land development and zoning permits required for the new fire station facility. 12) Consultant shall provide the following final products a. The Plan Narrative Report (final version) must be bound and include all items specified in the Scope of Requirements with each section of the report clearly identifiable.

b. Eight (8) printed and bound copies of the report plus one electronic copy provided on a USB drive must be provided to the Township. c. The consultant will also accept full responsibility for all costs associated with printing of the final plan, executive summary, and color-rendered drawing. d. Electronic copy of the PowerPoint presentation of the Narrative Report to the Ferguson Township Board of Supervisors at a Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting. Statement of Qualification Requirements Statements will be evaluated based upon the following criteria: 1) Consultant/Firm Profile and Overview This should be a statement indicating the firm’s experience in conducting work or the nature sought by this RFP. Advertising brochures of the firm may be submitted as a part of this profile if the brochures specifically address the experience of the firm related to the work to be performed. Any proposed subconsultants should also provide profiles of their firms including any relevant material related to the work they will be asked to perform. Additionally, this profile should include: a. The location of the firm’s office that will provide the proposed services; b. The resumes of individual consultants or employees proposed to conduct the work and the specific duties of each consultant or employee relative to the proposed work; c. A brief reference list of other municipalities served by the firm, along with the client name(s) and contact info (phone and email) for the project; and, d. Any information describing the office may be included if it relates to the capabilities and expertise of the firm in doing comparable work. e. A statement of the firm’s qualifications for professionally and expertly conducting the work as specified; f. The firm’s contact person concerning the proposal (with email, phone and fax information); g. A clear statement of the firm’s and/or principals of the firm, relationship(s) with, or knowledge of any officials or employees of the Township and the nature of this relationship or knowledge. 2) Project Understanding Provide a demonstrated understanding of the expected work requirements to determine if a Fire Station is needed, and if so, the proposed suitable site locations and a general site layout for each proposed site facility. The proposal must include a detailed description of the entire process which should include public engagement, procedures and/or methods proposed to complete the work requested, as outlined in the scope of requirements, by the Township. Consultant will demonstrate experience with similar projects including the ability to accommodate staff during the needs assessment process. 3) Qualifications Provide resumes/qualifications of the project manager and all staff assigned to this project that demonstrate experience with the work specified herein. Provide a list of similar projects successfully completed by key individuals in the past 5-7 years. List 3 references for whom the

consultant has performed work in the past 5 years. Indicate any sub-consultants that will be utilized on the project. To be considered for this selection, the project manager overseeing the work for this project must demonstrate their proven ability to conduct this study. 4) Project Time to Complete Work: The proposal must include a project work schedule to include time frames for each major work element, target dates for public meetings, and dates for completion. As part of the work schedule, provide a narrative to support the timeline. 5) Cost The proposal should include an estimated cost for the professional services work along with subtotals for anticipated major work tasks and billing rates for each classification of employee(s) working on the project. An itemized estimate of reimbursable expenses must be included. The cost shall be based on the hours of work provided and “out-of-pocket” expenses and shall not exceed the maximum cost proposed unless an amendment to the contract is negotiated and approved by the Township.

A detailed breakdown of hours per task will be requested later at the Technical and Price proposal from the consultant that is selected from their qualifications statement and interview. Questions about the project or the content of this RFP should be directed to Centrice Martin, Assistant to the Manager, by email at [email protected] or by phone at (814) 238-4651.