Details
09/13/2022
Marshall Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania Ordinance Evaluation and Revision - RFP
Marshall Township
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
Marshall Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, is accepting proposals for a one-time contract to perform certain professional services (consulting) work for the Township for ordinance evaluation and revision of the Marshall Township Zoning Ordinance, Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance, Grading Ordinance, and Stormwater Management Ordinance.
PROJECT CONTACT:
Nicole Hanson, AICP
Planning Director
Marshall Township
525 Pleasant Hill Road
Wexford, PA 15090
Phone: 724-935-3090 x209
FAX: 724-935-3203
SUBMISSION DEADLINE:
October 17, 2022 by 4:00 P.M.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
General Description
Marshall Township requests the submission of proposals for a one-time contract for professional services relating to the review and revision of the Township’s development ordinances, including the Township’s zoning ordinance, subdivision and land development ordinance, grading ordinance and stormwater management ordinance. The successful candidate will have a proposal rooted in public participation and buy-in. Fresh and creative ideas to provide for development while preserving what Marshall Township residents love most about the community are a necessity. Firms with the necessary experience and qualifications are encouraged to apply.
Marshall Township, located in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania is a suburban community with 10,080 residents (2020 Census). The Township is 16 square miles in area and has a balance of traditional single family residential, multi-family duplexes, apartments and townhomes, commercial and office/industrial development. Further, the Township has excellent transportation resources with two I-79 interchanges and Pennsylvania Turnpike access just over the northern border of the Township. The Township has wonderful park and open space facilities in Knob Hill Park, Warrendale Park, Altmyer Park, Northside and Millvale Sportsman’s Clubs, and State Gamelands 203.
Marshall Township recently adopted an update to its comprehensive plan. The comprehensive planning process was rich with public input and participation; it is important to the Township to continue those efforts. Four key issues emerged during the planning process: Route 910 traffic and land use; sense of place; green space and future development; and recreation and connectivity. The Township expects this comprehensive ordinance update will be an important step toward implementing goals and objectives under all four of the identified key issues. Ideas essential to the ordinance updates will be smart, effective updates to the conservation subdivision requirements, practical methods for tree preservation within developments, zoning for the 910 Corridor (to include a possible overlay district), effective zoning for the Warrendale area to promote the Township’s vision of a town center, evaluation of the Residential, Research and Technology Park District to promote development and build-out of the property, and ensuring that the ordinances provide for the greatest opportunity to expand the Township’s trail and sidewalk network. The comprehensive plan can be found at: https://www.planmarshall.org/ and the latest version of the zoning ordinance, subdivision and land development ordinance grading ordinance and stormwater management ordinance can be accessed online at : https://library.municode.com/pa/marshall_township_(allegheny_county)/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIIGELE.
In addition to this comprehensive update to the ordinances to implement the Comprehensive Plan, this update will need to address “trending” uses, such as: the keeping of chickens in residential districts, food trucks, residential alternative energy facilities, breweries/brew pubs and distilleries, short-term rentals, etc. It is important to the Township that ordinance provisions be created with a focus on conservation, sustainability and best management practices.
Goals
The following goals need to be accomplished:
• Achieve the vision, goals, and objectives set forth in the comprehensive plan.
• Ordinances that are extremely well organized and easy to use. The final products should incorporate the following:
1. Clear Language – ambiguity and lengthy narrative should be avoided. Language should be clear and concise.
2. Tables – Tables should be easy to understand with a matrix provided whenever possible.
3. Informative Table of Contents – Chapter and section titles should be descriptive.
4. Organized to Accommodate Change – Ordinance chapters and sections should be organized and numbered to accommodate amendments without the need for extensive renumbering of existing sections.
5. Definitions – Definitions should be updated to agree with the MPC and reflect current uses.
6. Index – An index is required component.
• A grading ordinance and stormwater management ordinance that are in conformance, not conflict, with the zoning ordinance and subdivision and land development ordinance and work towards meeting the goals of the comprehensive plan.
Proposed Scope of Services
The following is a suggested scope of services to be undertaken by the consultant. A detailed scope of services will be included in the contract:
• Review and Coordination with Existing Ordinances
A review of the Township’s existing zoning (Chapter 208 of the Township Code), subdivision and land development (Chapter 174 of the Township Code), grading (Chapter 88 of the Township Code), and stormwater management ordinance (Chapter 165 of the Township Code) will be made. The reviews shall be in a narrative form and include information related to compliance with, or relevant issues related to, current land uses, the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, goals and objectives identified in the Marshall Township Comprehensive Plan, consistency with each other, and conservation, sustainability and best management practices.
• Statement of Community Development Objectives
A statement of community development objectives will be prepared to ensure that the new zoning regulations reflect community values and objectives identified in the comprehensive plan.
• Comprehensive Public Input and Participation Plan
The ordinance updates are not to be completed in a vacuum. It is expected that the consultant will continue the efforts started with the comprehensive plan and have multiple methods for gathering public input and keeping residents up to date on the ordinance updates. Methods could include continuing to utilize the website created for the comprehensive plan, public meetings, surveys, mailings, and focus group meetings.
• Preparation of Draft Ordinances
Revised zoning, subdivision and land development, and grading ordinances will be prepared with a focus on preserving and maintaining neighborhood integrity and design, optimizing the preservation of open space, preserving exiting, mature, trees, economic vitality of the Central Business District, and pedestrian and automobile circulation. Drafts of the ordinances should be presented in distinct sections, in a logical sequence, that will facilitate review before completion of the entire document. A matrix should be prepared whenever possible to allow for comparison of the existing and proposed ordinances. The stormwater management ordinance is Act 167 compliant. A re-write or amendment to the stormwater management ordinance is not included in this scope; however, the ordinance needs to be evaluated in terms of the other development ordinances to ensure that there are no conflicts.
• Compliance with State Law
The ordinances will be written to comply with the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, (Act 247 of 1968 as re-enacted and amended) and will meet local developmental and preservation recommendations.
• Meetings and Public Hearings
Attendance and presentations at Steering Committee Meetings, Planning Commission Meetings, Board of Supervisor Meetings, and public meetings/hearings, at a minimum, will be required throughout the process. There should be a concerted effort to stimulate and obtain public input and response during the preparation of the draft ordinances and to involve appropriate elected officials and municipal staff. Consultant’s ideas on the process will be necessary.
Final Deliverables
Final deliverables will be submitted in accordance with an approved project completion schedule and include a complete revised zoning ordinance, zoning map, subdivision and land development ordinance, and grading ordinance ready for enactment in both paper and electronic formats. The specific format and number of deliverables shall be subject to discussion with the selected consultant.
Proposal
Requirements
The successful person/firm shall be responsible for completion of the project up to and including adoption of the new ordinances and map. The following shall be included in the proposal:
• Name, address, telephone number, and brief history of the individual or firm.
• Resumes of personnel to be assigned to this project. Designation of lead contact.
• Related projects in which the firm has performed similar work during the last three years.
• Include names, addresses and telephone numbers of references and clients.
• Include links to samples of work of a similar nature.
• A detailed description of individual’s or firm’s approach to the project and a proposed work plan, including a description of the process that will be employed to solicit public input on the proposed ordinances.
• A work schedule shall include an estimated time frame to complete the project, detailed by milestone or activity. Target dates for public meetings and completion of draft and final documents should be included. Adoption of the ordinances should occur no later than twenty-four (24) months after the Township and individual/firm have a signed contract.
• Full cost information should be provided, including the maximum number of hours to be provided by each person assigned to the project The proposed hourly rate for billing shall be included for each person. The hours of work and cost shall be itemized for each major work element of the proposal. An itemized estimate of reimbursable expenses must be included. The total amount of maximum payment must be stated.
The cost shall be based on the hours of work provided and “out-of-pocket expenses” and shall not exceed the maximum cost proposed, without specific reason, and unless an amendment to the contract is negotiated and approved by the proper authority of the Township.
Billing on the project should occur monthly based on the hours spent on the project up to 90% of the contract value. The final hourly rate invoice shall be paid upon adoption, receipt of the final product and determination by Marshall Township that all requirements of the contract have been met.
All applicants shall submit three (3) hard copies and one electronic copy of the proposal to the Marshall Township Municipal building, 525 Pleasant Hill Road, Wexford, PA 15090. All proposals shall be submitted to the attention of Nicole Hanson, AICP no later than 4:00 P.M. on October 17, 2022. Proposals should be labeled “Zoning and Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance Update Proposal”.
Proposal Selection Process
Contact Person
Nicole Hanson, AICP, Marshall Township Planning Director, 724-935-3090 x209, nhanson@twp.marshall.pa.us, is the only person to be contacted regarding this RFP.
Selection Process
Upon receipt of the proposals the Selection Committee, to be determined, will review all submissions and make recommendations to the Marshall Township Board of Supervisors.
It is anticipated that the Selection Committee will recommend a “short list” of consultants to be interviewed. The interview team would consist of the Selection Committee and the Township Manager. Although interviews may take place, the proposals should be comprehensive and complete on their own.
The Township reserves the right to reject any and all proposals and the right, at its discretion, to accept the proposal most favorable to its interests. The Township shall not be required to select the lowest cost respondent.
The Township reserves the right to request additional information about any respondent as it may reasonably require.
Proposals must remain open as an irrevocable offer to provide service as described in the RFP for a period of 90 days after October 17, 2022 by 4:00 P.M.
The final decision regarding this proposal rests with the Marshall Township Board of Supervisors.
The award decision is expected to be made on or before December 5, 2022.
Criteria for Evaluation
Proposals submitted will be evaluated based on the following:
• Completeness of proposal;
• Qualification of the individual/firm based on previous relevant experience;
• Demonstrated understanding of the project;
• Approach to the project;
• Quality of work determined from both samples of work for similar projects, from the proposal itself, and reference checks;
• A demonstrated ability to write clearly and concisely;
• Qualifications of the person(s) to be involved; and
• Project cost.
General RFP Requirements:
a. Right to modify, rescind or revoke RFQ/RFP - Marshall Township reserves the right to modify, rescind or revoke this Request for Qualifications/Proposal, in whole or in part, at any time prior to the date on which the authorized representative of Marshall Township executes a contract with the selected consultant(s). The Township may also award a contract for a single phase of this project depending on available funding resources or other factors.
b. Right to reject – This Request for qualifications/proposal does not commit the Township to proceed with the described project, select a consultant, or to award a contract to any consultant. Marshall Township reserves the right to reject any or all proposals.
c. Schedule of events – Marshall Township will make a good faith effort to follow the timeline set forth in this Request for Qualifications/Proposal for evaluating, negotiating and issuing an award.
d. Risk of Loss, Damage, Delay – Consultant acknowledges and agrees to release and hold harmless the Township, its officers, employees, agents and staff, from and against any and all claims , liability, damages, and costs, including court costs and attorney’s fees, arising out of or pursuant to the delivery of the proposal or failure to deliver the proposal as directed by this Request for qualifications/proposal.
e. Ownership of property – All proposals become the physical property of the Township upon receipt. All work products prepared by the selected consultant for this project shall be the property of the Township.
f. Cost of participation – The Township specifically disclaims responsibility and/or liability for any and all costs, expenses, or claims relating to or arising out of the consultant’s participation in this Request for qualifications/proposal process, including, but not limited to costs incurred as a result of preparing, copying, shipping, presenting, and/or clarifying the proposal and the information relevant to the proposal.
g. Compliance with applicable laws, regulations and ordinances – By submitting a proposal, the consultant agrees to and shall comply with all applicable local, county, state and Federal laws, regulations and ordinances.
h. Insurance – The selected consultant shall, before work commences, procure and maintain at its own expense during the duration of the performance of this project the following types of insurance with insurance companies authorized to operate in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and acceptable to the Township:
i. Workers Compensation and Employer’s Liability:
• Workers Compensation – Statutory
• Employer’s Liability – in an amount not less than $500,000 per each occurrence
ii. Commercial and General Liability – In an amount not less than:
• $500,000 General Aggregate
• $500,000 Personal Injury
• $500,000 Each Occurrence
iii. Business Automobile Liability with a combined single limit not less than: $500,000 per each accident.
iv. Professional Liability in an amount not less than: $500,000 minimum payment
v. Valuable Papers - Coverage in an amount sufficient to assure restoration of any plans, drawings, field notes, records or other similar data relating to work produced during this project in the event of their loss or destruction.
vi. Marshall Township, 525 Pleasant Hill Road, Wexford, PA 15090 to be added as an additional insured to these policies
Certificates must state that the insurer will notify the Township in writing thirty (30) days prior to cancellation or modification of the policy.
i. Proposal effective date – All proposals must remain in effect and shall not be withdrawn for a minimum of ninety (90) days from the deadline that the proposals are due to the Marshall Township Municipal Building. Proposals may be withdrawn in writing prior to the deadline that proposals are due at the Township mailing address.
j. Selection committee – The Township reserves the right to appoint a project selection committee in charge of selecting the appropriate consultant(s) for this project. If this is implemented, the Committee will provide recommendations to the Board of Supervisors prior to the Board of Supervisors awarding the contract to the planning consultant(s).
k. The Township’s right to select – The Township reserves the right to select the proposal which it judges to be in the best interest of the project. This may include the Township awarding contracts to separate consultants for each identified Phase. Should only one proposal be received, the Township reserves the right to initiate negotiations with the proposer or to reject the proposal at any time during the said ninety (90) day period that proposals remain effective and initiate a new proposal process.
l. Interviews – The Township may conduct discussions, either in-person or via electronic means, with any consultant who submits an acceptable or potentially acceptable proposal. The Township reserves the right to request that the applicant provide additional information during this Request for Qualifications/Proposal process. The Township anticipates interviewing at least two (2) applicants. As part of the interview process, the applicants should be prepared to make a brief presentation on the applicant firm’s expertise and approach to the project. Applicants should also be prepared to answer questions related to their experience and their proposal.
