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Award of Contract to Straughn Trout Architects for Architectural and Engineering Services for Tax Collector Building (Contract No. 2021-RFQ -A/E-016-TB; Amount: $11,300,000)
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BRIEF OVERVIEW
On July 27, 2022, the Procurement Department issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ No. 2021-RFQ-A/E-016-TB) for Architect/Engineering Services for the Tax Collector Building. The term of the resulting contract is through project completion. The County intends to award one (1) contract to the highest-ranked proposing firm.
Five (5) proposals were received by the due date of August 31, 2022, from the following firms (in alphabetical order):
• Brame Heck Architects, Inc. - Gainesville, FL
• Forefront Architecture + Engineering - Clermont, FL
• Long & Associates Architects/Engineers, Inc. - Tampa, FL
• Mason Blau & Associates, Inc.- Clearwater, FL
• Straughn Trout Architects - Lakeland, FL
A Professional Services Review Committee (PSRC) comprised of Sam Burdin, Project Manager, Tina Faulkingham Chief Deputy, Scott Herring, Director of Public Works/County Engineer, Vicki Parrott, Branch Manager, Erik van de Boogard, Construction Projects Coordinator, Courtney Volberg, Manager Motorist Services, met on September 13, 2022, to review and rank the five (5) Proposals. The selection process was conducted using the guidelines set forth in Section 287.055, Florida Statutes. This statute only permits negotiation of fees or project costs as a part of the contract negotiation process (i.e., after the firms have been ranked).
The PSRC consensus scoring actions resulted in the following list based on highest ranking order:
FIRM NAME TOTAL AVG. POINTS (Max Score 50)
Straughn Trout Architects 45.83
Forefront Architecture + Engineering 39.50
Brame Heck Architects, Inc. 38.00
Mason Blau and Associates, Inc. 38.00
Long & Associates Architects/Engineers, Inc. 36.83
The PSRC decided to move forward with oral presentations, conducted on September 23, 2022, with the four (4) highest ranked firms. The PSRC consensus scoring actions for oral presentations resulted in the following ranking order:
FIRM NAME TOTAL AVG. POINTS (Max Score 50)
Straughn Trout Architects 44.67
Forefront Architecture + Engineering 40.50
Brame Heck Architects, Inc. 39.00
Mason Blau and Associates, Inc. Withdrew
As per the attached memo dated October 7, 2022, the PSRC concurs with the ranking order and recommended that contract negotiations begin with the highest-ranked firm. Staff entered negotiations for 2021-RFQ -A/E-016-TB with Straughn Trout Architects and staff successfully completed negotiations on November 16, 2022. The final negotiated contract is attached for your approval.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The Combined Tax Collector Annex Contracts Contract #2021-RFP-GMGC-015-TB and #2021-RFQ-AE-016-TB have total funding in the amount of $15,000,000.00. Funding will be available from bond proceeds and various capital accounts.
LEGAL NOTE
The Board has the authority to take the recommended action pursuant to Part II, Chapter 2, Article V of the Hernando County Code of Ordinances.
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RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Board approve negotiated Contract No. 2021-RFQ A/E-016-TB with Straughn Trout Architects for Architect/Engineering Services for the Tax Collector Building and authorize the Chief Procurement Officer to approve change orders as necessary and required against available budgets. It is further recommended that Board approval be contingent on the completion of land acquisition of the project site.