Request for Consultant Statements of Interest and Qualifications POINT DEFIANCE ZOO & AQUARIUM

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1 Request for Consultant Statements of Interest and Qualifications POINT DEFIANCE ZOO & AQUARIUM Capital Bond Program Implementation Planning Services 5/20/14 The Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium (PDZA) will receive letters of interest and statements of qualifications from qualified architecture / engineering firms specializing in the area of aquarium and marine mammal exhibit planning and design. The initial work required is the preparation of an Implementation Plan focusing on the phased design and development of new capital projects to be funded by a capital bond program approved by Tacoma voters April of this year. Project Site Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium (PDZA) occupies approximately 27 acres in Point Defiance Park, a 702 acre public park, located in the north end of the City of Tacoma, Washington. The 106 year old PDZA is one of 224 North American zoological institutions accredited with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Capital Program In the coming years, PDZA will require replacement of its aging North Pacific Aquarium and expansion / renovation of its marine mammal and polar bear exhibits A capital bond program to fund these improvements was approved by Tacoma voters in April of this year. Included in the capital program are the following specific capital projects: 1. Replacement of the existing North Pacific Aquarium with a new Pacific Rim Aquarium. 2. Expansion and improvement to the existing Polar Bear Exhibit with particular attention to compliance with current curatorial standards. 3. Repair and improvements to the existing Rocky Shores marine mammal exhibit 4. Improvements and modifications to the existing seawater supply and life support systems serving all three exhibits and others within PDZA. During 2013 PDZA prepared a Capital Program Report, which provided draft space programs and budgets for the above improvements. The Capital Program Report provided the basis for the Capital Bond Program and can be accessed on the PDZA web site at the addresses provided below. Development Regulatory Agreement Metro Parks Tacoma has retained the services of the Tacoma based architectural / engineering firm BCRA to prepare a Development Regulatory Agreement (DRA) which will serve as the land use approval for all new development at Point Defiance Park and PDZA over the coming 10 to 20 years. As part of that work, BCRA will also be preparing a SEPA / NEPA environmental analysis document to serve as the programmatic level EIS for all land use decisions. The DRA / EIS work is expected to occur throughout 2014 with final approvals occurring in December or January of `

2 When complete, and approved by the Boards of both City and Park District, the DRA and accompanying SEPA / NEPA analysis are expected to serve as the basis for land use approval of all capital projects included in the PDZA Capital Program. The consultant selected for this work will be expected to provide work products to BCRA, and Metro Parks Tacoma and to assist in facilitating the DRA and environmental analysis. Services Desired PDZA would like to retain the services of a firm / team of design professionals experienced in the design of aquariums and marine mammal exhibits to conduct the initial planning required to secure land use permits and establish a reliable site plan, budget, schedule, and contracting strategy for execution of the Zoo s capital program. Specific elements of that work will include: 1. Aquarium Pre-Design and Site Plan: Using the concept program developed by PDZA as a point of beginning develop conceptual plans and massing diagram studies for a new aquarium building and supporting site improvements. Test the building requirements on at least two sites at PDZA and develop an analysis of the strengths & weaknesses of each. Assist the Metro Parks consultant team in defining impacts and selecting the best site for the new aquarium as part of the DRA / EIS process. 2. Rocky Shores Exhibit Renovations Pre-Design Study: Working with PDZA staff and utilizing record drawings and the information contained in the Capital Program Report, prepare a site plan, concept sketches, and other information as required to generally describe proposed improvements to the existing Rocky Shores Exhibit. Special attention will be paid to the potential for work to be done by PDZA in-house forces without closure of exhibits to the public. 3. Polar Bear Exhibit Expansion & Renovations Pre-Design Study: Working with PDZA staff and utilizing record drawings and information contained in the Capital Program Report, prepare a site plan, concept sketches, and other information as required to generally describe the proposed changes necessary to achieve compliance with current curatorial standards for polar bear exhibits and to correct deficiencies present in the existing exhibit. Identify necessary phasing of construction and a strategy for carrying out the work while maintaining safe conditions for the animals and an acceptable viewing experience for the public. 4. Seawater Life Support Systems Review: Identify necessary space and facilities required for new / improved seawater filtration, and discharge systems associated with each of the above exhibits. Identify seawater supply volumes, pressure, salinity and temperature requirements, and other criteria needed at each exhibit and coordinate findings with a separate Seawater Supply Systems engineer retained by PDZA and working concurrently under a separate contract. Page 2 of 6

3 5. Code & Constructability Review: For each exhibit, conduct a review of the considerations inherent in the design to achieve compliance with building and life safety codes, AZA standards, structural design, construction cost considerations, and other criteria associated with proposed new and renovated exhibits. Assist PDZA staff in making logical decisions regarding the type, size, location, and structural systems to be employed for each project. 6. Capital Program Phasing and Development Strategy: Based on the PDZA Capital Program report and decisions made for each component of the capital program as described above, assist PDZA in preparing a process for the design, construction, and commissioning of each element of each exhibit. Included should be a time line schedule for implementing the entire program and a general description and budget for each contracted element of the Program. 7. Capital Budget Update: Utilizing the information generated above develop conceptual construction cost estimates for each element of the capital program. Assist PDZA in updating its capital budgets as necessary. Where necessary, adjust design recommendations to a level appropriate to each capital budget. Coordination with Others This Consultant will be expected to coordinate its work with other consultants providing services to PDZA and Metro Parks related to the capital program. Those other consultants will include the following: 1. Land Use Regulatory Effort: As described above, Metro Parks and PDZA have retained a consultant firm to prepare a Development Regulatory Agreement (DRA) and SEPA / NEPA environmental evaluation. The Consultant will coordinate its work with this DRA process. 2. Seawater Supply Systems Consultant: Concurrent with work under this contract, PDZA will retain a professional aquarium systems engineering consultant to prepare plans and construction documents for improvements to the existing seawater supply system including intake and pumping facilities at the Point Defiance shoreline, site distribution piping, and seawater discharge piping. The two consultants will work together in developing and evaluating alternative design concepts and assisting PDZA in agreeing on an Implementation Plan. 3. Topographic Survey: A topographic survey in autocad format of the PDZA site has been prepared previously and will be made available to the selected planning team. 4. Geotechnical Investigations: Some geotechnical information already exists and will be made available to the selected planning team. If additional geotechnical review becomes necessary, it will be obtained by PDZA and provided to the consultant team. Page 3 of 6

4 Project Time Frame The services described in the RFQ are considered a critical early step in executing our capital program. Assuming approval of the Bond Program by Tacoma voters in April, work under this contract should begin immediately. The following preliminary project milestones have been established by PDZA: Define Scope and Select Implementation Plan consultant by June 2014 Provide input for SEPA process July 2014 Present site plan concepts to Board & Public September 2014 Characterize requirements of all capital projects October 2014 Characterize all seawater supply system requirements October 2014 Complete Implementation Plan Report & Submit to PDZA November 2014 Project Funding & Budget: As described in the Capital Program Report, the total funding amount requested from Tacoma voters for PDZA capital improvements is $65, The Capital Program Report provides preliminary estimates of construction, and identifies other capital program costs. An initial planning services contract with a value of $250,000 to $300,000 is expected to result form this consultant selection. PDZA will make this consultant selection assuming the possibility that the selected team may be chosen to continue beyond the Implementation Plan; providing complete design services for the new Pacific Rim Aquarium. However, services beyond those described above will only be authorized by separate agreement subject to successful completion of the Implementation Plan. This initial agreement will be for pre-design planning only, and Metro Parks and PDZA are under no obligation to authorize any follow-on services related to this consultant selection. PDZA intends to make a separate selection for the final design of the Rocky Shores and Polar Bear exhibits. The firm(s) selected for this assignment will not necessarily be excluded from consideration for those design services selections. Planning Team Requirements The individual, firm, or team selected to conduct this work must have a demonstrated background of experience in the planning, architectural design, and engineering of aquariums, marine mammal exhibits and other live animal exhibits similar to those envisioned at PDZA. PDZA is specifically interested in accessing the highest quality expertise in the following areas: Architectural Design: All of the locations under consideration for the new aquarium are highly visible. The new building will change the character of Point Defiance Park. PDZA6/17/14, Metro Parks, and the public expect a design that expresses public pride as well as sensitivity to the surrounding site. The architectural design team must also have familiarity with local Page 4 of 6

5 building and life safety codes and their application to buildings occupied by the public. Sensitivity to Visitor Experience: The design team must demonstrate an ability to produce highly effective visitor experiences, with sensitivity to the smooth flow of pedestrian traffic, visibility, accessibility, and interpretation at each exhibit. PDZA visitors should receive the up close and personal animal encounters for which our institution is known. Technical Aquarium Expertise: The design team we select must have a demonstrated depth of experience in the technical design of aquariums, live animal exhibits, and their life support systems. The team should include engineering professionals who understand the structural challenges in design and procurement of large aquarium tanks as well as properly sizing and integrating mechanical systems with aquarium and marine mammal exhibits. Structural Engineering: During development of the Implementation Plan, the selected team will be required to assess the feasibility and likely costs of alternative structural systems and alternative sites. Mechanical & Electrical Engineering: During development of new aquarium concepts, the selected team will be required to conduct a review of the relative strengths and weaknesses of site options on the basis of providing utility services and creating efficient and maintainable building systems. Civil Engineering: During the development of the Implementation Plan, the selected planning team will be asked to assess cost and constructability issues related to the disruption and relocation of existing site utilities at PDZA and in adjacent Park areas. Changes to utility services will also need to be assessed, as will surface water management requirements imposed by the City of Tacoma and other regulators. Landscape Architecture: The design team must have the ability to understand and predict the likely impacts on PDZA and Point Defiance Park related to siting of the new aquarium and be able to suggest appropriate levels of landscape mitigation. Changes in the layout of Zoo exhibits is likely to require changes to the pedestrian circulation systems within the PDZA site. It will be necessary to assess the scope and cost of those changes during preparation of the Implementation Plan. Submittals Letters of Interest and Statements of Qualifications will be received until 5:00 PM on Monday, June 16 th 2014, and should be delivered to: Rhonda Higgins Planning, Design, and Development Metropolitan Park District of Tacoma 4702 South 19 th Street Tacoma, WA, Page 5 of 6

6 This is a Request for Qualifications only and detailed project proposals are not desired. Statements of Interest and Qualifications should be no longer than 25 pages and should include the following: A letter of interest from the prime firm, signed by the principal professional intended to lead the design effort. The letter should indicate the availability of all members of the team to conduct the services within the schedule constraints established by PDZA. Identification of key firms and individuals proposed to make up your planning team. Based on your understanding of the project, include an explanation of how this team will be organized and managed. Background resumes demonstrating the experience of key professionals making up the proposed team. Descriptions of successful projects of a similar nature completed by your team members, including their locations, and client contact information that PDZA may use as a reference. Please provide one electronic copy in PDF format, and six bound copies of the above information for use by members of our consultant selection committee. Following an evaluation of the SOQ s received, the team(s) considered to be the most qualified may be requested to participate in an additional proposal / interview process. No further action beyond submission of the above information is required at this time. Additional Information & Documents All of the information that will be provided to prospective consultants is included in this Request for Qualifications and at the referenced web sites below: General information on PDZA including a description of the 2014 Capital Bond Program can be obtained at The 2011 PDZA Strategic Plan and 2014 Capital Program Report can be viewed along with this RFQ at END Page 6 of 6