[Consultantservices] Request for Proposals - Consultant Services

[Ralph Jassen]

Wayfinding Sign System
The City of Spartanburg, South Carolina
Submittal Deadline: November 27, 2007

Introduction
The City of Spartanburg seeks to retain the services of a team to
develop and implement a comprehensive wayfinding and signage program.
The consultant or consultant team must have demonstrated experience
designing and implementing successful wayfinding programs with a scope
and focus resembling the product desired for Spartanburg.  Consultants
should demonstrate expertise in all aspects of wayfinding, as well as an
understanding of destination branding, destination management,
marketing, and standards for transportation signage.

Background
The City of Spartanburg, in the center of the booming Upstate of South
Carolina, has a population of approximately 40,000.  The City serves as
the urban core for over a quarter million people, and is experiencing a
renewed civic momentum accompanied by significant private and public
investments.  Spartanburg offers a supportive corporate environment, an
eclectic cultural life, six colleges, and two nationally-recognized
healthcare institutions with state-of-the-art facilities and technology.

Currently, the city has no comprehensive wayfinding system. A consulting
firm was retained by the city in 2004 to develop a vehicular wayfinding
program.  The firm worked with a local task group, and submitted design
concepts for trailblazer, gateways and proximity signage, as well as a
programming map for recommended sign locations and a sign schedule.
Since that time the community has undergone many changes, including the
completion of new major venues and a reevaluation of the marketing image
of the city.  While there is substantial programmatic work complete,
some additional work is required to update the number of destinations
and locations of signs.  Additionally, the city is interested in
revisiting the design aspect of the project to develop a design that is
more reflective of the current character of the community.

Scope of Work
To date the city has spent $37,500 for previous wayfinding consulting
services.  There is no budget set for this new scope of work.  The City
seeks proposals that maximize the use of previous work completed while
still achieving a high quality design.

The project will be managed out of the City's Economic Development
Department, who will coordinate with other City departments including
Traffic Engineering and Planning.  An internal task group will guide the
process and provide information and input on destinations and design of
signage.  The selected consultant will work with the project manager and
this task group to complete the project.  All other presentations, i.e.
City Council, general public and stakeholders, will be the
responsibility of the City, unless an additional scope of work is
approved by the City.  The selected consultant is encouraged to utilize
electronic communication to minimize the number of site visits required
for the project.  The city will provide copies of the previous
wayfinding study, as well as GIS information.

A general outline of anticipated scope of work will include:

*	Review of previous study and determination of necessary
revisions in program and design. 
*	Revision of program. 
*	Update of sign design, including graphic, type and productions.
It is anticipated that this will be accomplished by the development of
three design alternatives for consideration by the Task Group.    
*	A revised wayfinding program with cost estimates and scheduling.

*	Preparation of specs, drawings and bid package 
*	Construction/installation management. (Optional) 

Additional Scope of Work (optional)
As an extension of the vehicular wayfinding project, the City is
interested in a Pedestrian & Bicycle wayfinding plan for its downtown
area and requests that interested firms responding to this RFP submit an
optional itemized budget and scope of work.

Consultant's Proposal
Qualified teams with an interest in this project should submit an
electronic copy on disc (PC-compatible)  or 7 hard copies of a proposal
according to the guidelines provided in this RFP. The proposal should be
presented in the most concise format necessary to communicate the
required information and be organized in the following format:

*	A cover letter indicating proposed cost estimate for project and
availability of team. 
*	Scope of work w/an outline of methodology by which the team
intends to approach the project. 
*	Proposed team, including names and resumes for each team member
and the proposed responsibilities of each team member. 
*	A brief description and illustrations of past work that
documents qualifications specifically related to professional experience
with wayfinding, environmental graphics and signage systems. 
*	Amount of time and manpower to be expended.  Typical hourly
rates associated with team members.  
*	References. 

Evaluation Criteria 
The City intends to review proposals and shortlist teams for interviews
if determined necessary.  The following factors will be considered:

*	Quality of methodology and scope of work; 
*	Capability and professional experience of firm and project
staff; 
*	Past projects that exhibit innovative design; 
*	Value of services being delivered for the cost estimate
provided; 
*	Overall strength of proposal specifically addressing the RFP; 
*	References; and 
*	Any other relevant information offered or discovered during the
evaluation. 

All proposals should be submitted to the City of Spartanburg's Property
and Procurement Department by5:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time on
November 27, 2007, at City of Spartanburg, PO Box 1749, Spartanburg, SC
29306. 

The following Proposal Number must be placed on the outer envelope in
order for the bid to be stamped in as accepted on time: Proposal No.
0708-11-16-01. 

Any questions should be directed to:

Cate Ryba, Economic Development Coordinator
City of Spartanburg
864-562-4283
cryba at cityofspartanburg.org <mailto:cryba at cityofspartanburg.org>  

The City of Spartanburg reserves the right to amend its evaluation
criteria as the City, in its sole discretion, shall determine
appropriate and may utilize an independent review team.  A review and
evaluation of the responses based on the criteria contained in this
section and the previous section will serve as a basis of selection of
the team judged best suited to meet the City's goals for the site.  The
City may, at its option, interview teams as part of this selection
process.  However, selection may take place without such interviews.
The City reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to reject any or
all proposals. 

 

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