REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

Prime Consultant Services for Lawrence Public Library Expansion Project

Responses due March 30, 2005

Lawrence Public Library

707 Vermont Street

Lawrence, KS 66044-2371

GENERAL INFORMATION & PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The City of Lawrence, through its Lawrence Public Library Board of Trustees, is seeking interested and qualified firms to be the Prime Consultant of a public library project to be located within downtown Lawrence, Kansas.

Recently, the Library engaged community stakeholders, City officials, members of the Library Board and other constituency in a preliminary, master-planning process to determine the general scope for a new public library. While the resulting document, the New Direction Task Force report, has not been formally adopted by the City, it will serve as the basis for this next stage of development.

An additional interest of this project is to explore how several current uses, including the existing Aquatic Center, parking, retail shopping, residential uses and other significant elements could influence the design and utility of a new public library facility.

BACKGROUND

The Lawrence Public Library currently occupies a building of approximately 45,000 square feet which was built in 1972 and expanded in 1992. Circulation has grown to over 850,000 items per year. People enter the building over 500,000 times per year. The local population has doubled since the present Library facility was constructed. Library usage has tripled in that same time period. The Library Board of Trustees believes that the current library facility is inadequate to provide services to the growing community of Lawrence, Kansas.

The initial report regarding expanded/relocated library services, the New Direction Task Force report and related material, may be viewed at:

http://www.lawrence.lib.ks.us/newdirection/

ROLE OF PRIME CONSULTANT

The role of the Prime Consultant will be to act as agent to the Lawrence Public Library New Direction Task Force to provide experience, leadership and direction throughout the planning processing.

The Prime Consultant will be requested to assist the Library with the selection of a Library Programming Consultant, Market Feasibility Analyst, Master Plan Architect and other consultants that may be necessary.

The Prime Consultant shall evidence experience in assisting public agencies such as libraries and municipalities with creative public financing strategies and structuring public/private partnerships to support redevelopment.

The Prime Consultant scopes of services may be found in Exhibit A, attached herewith.

THREE PHASE SELECTION PROCESS

In order to select a Prime Consultant, the Lawrence Public Library New Direction Task Force shall proceed with a three phase process beginning with a Request for Qualifications, then Request for Additional Information, and then finally, Agreement for Services.

Phase One – Request for Qualifications

The following information shall be submitted digitally:

• Transmittal Letter with Statement of Interest, not exceeding two pages;
• A brief history of the firm;
• Statement and description of general approach (not exceeding three pages) to successfully completing a project of this nature;
• If the consultant is proposing to work with a project team involving other firms, the names and addresses of all principal firms involved in the project, including their roles and responsibilities, as well as qualifications related to similar projects;
• A description of similar projects undertaken by the consultant, serving in this same capacity, over the past five (5) years;
• The names, addresses and responsibilities of all key personnel participating on the consultant team, including resumes;
• Any additional information that will substantiate the consultant team’s capability and experience with projects of a similar nature;
• A minimum of three (3) local government references for similar projects;
• Any other related material distinguishing the firm and its capacity to serve in this role, not to exceed three pages.

Phase Two – Request for Additional Information

After evaluation of Phase One submittals it is anticipated that two to four respondents will be asked to participate in Phase Two.

During Phase Two, respondents may be asked to provide additional information. Respondents may be asked to participate in an interview and/or make a presentation to the New Direction Task Force. The Task Force may also choose to make site visits, where appropriate.

Phase Three – Agreement for Services

The successful respondent, as recommended by the Task Force and selected by the Library Board of Trustees, will be invited to enter into an Agreement for Services. The purpose of this phase will be to investigate and determine the feasibility of the responder to serve as Prime Consultant of the project and to reach mutual agreement on the scope of work.

The Lawrence Public Library Board of Trustees reserves the right to reject any and all responses, to waive informalities in the response process, and to select the firm deemed most advantageous to the City of Lawrence.

FEE

Respondents will submit a fee proposal indicating the form and level of compensation required to provide consultant services. Either a lump sum or hourly rate (with a guaranteed maximum) form of compensation will be considered. The lump sum must include all related expenses, such as copies, drawings, telephone calls, travel, etc.

SALES TAX EXEMPTION

Kansas public libraries and the City are exempt from payment of Kansas sales tax.

SCHEDULE

Selection of a contract is expected to occur in April, 2005. Work under this agreement is anticipated to start immediately after the contract is awarded, and must be completed by July 15, 2005.

RESPONSE SUBMITTAL

Firms should submit their sealed Request for Qualifications responses no later than 4:00 p.m. on March 30, 2005 to:

Mr. Bruce Flanders, Library Director

Lawrence Public Library

707 Vermont Street

Lawrence, KS 66044-2371

Responses shall be clearly marked: “Prime Consultant Services for Lawrence Public Library Expansion Project”

QUESTIONS

Firms having any questions with regard to this project are encouraged to contact Bruce Flanders, Library Director, Lawrence Public Library by phone: (785) 843-3833, or by email: bflanders@lawrence.lib.ks.us.

EXHIBIT A

Prime Consultant

Scope of Services Outline

Inventory and Analysis

1. Photograph and document the site under consideration (include legal description and ownership), including surrounding areas suitable for redevelopment – see attached map for project boundaries
2. Plot property on an aerial map
3. Document assessed valuation
4. Estimate range of potential market value for each parcel (not fee simple appraisal)
5. Verify annual tax obligation
6. Verify if tax payments are current
7. Identify current Sales and Ad Valorem Tax Basis
8. State sales tax records (if any)

Strategic

1. Review site alternatives (strategically identify specific boundaries; review existing City and Civic master plans)
2. Identify assets worthy of retention (identify assets that are blighted)
3. Lead community workshop to explore various opportunities

Planning

1. Work with the New Direction Task Force Oversight Committee to interview and engage a library programming consultant (identify scope)
2. Interview and engage Master Plan Architect (identify scope)
3. Interview and engage Market Feasibility Analyst (identify scope)
4. Identify high level land planning, explore integration into downtown context and culture (develop concept design alternatives with cost models)

Financial Feasibility Analysis

1. With New Direction Task Force, review the intended use of infrastructure budget
2. Assist New Direction Task Force in exploration of potential funding alternatives