Questions Received on Thayer Street Planning Study RFP

Q1 - From the City's perspective, is the primary goal of the market analysis to help determine what type and scale of development would generate highest tax revenues for the City? Or is it to identify from a broad market perspective the types of uses that would be feasible on the East Side?

A1 - The latter.

Q2 - Are there particular uses (retail, hotel, residential, office) that the City would like to see examined in sharper focus than others due to the City's own agenda for the area, expressed interest from developers, Brown University plans, etc.?

A2 - No.

Q3 - Is the primary goal of the "market study" to provide the City with basic data - i.e., existing property taxes, potential build-out, property ownership - or is it to propose particular uses that should be actively encouraged going forward?

A3 - All of the above.

Q4 - Are there any particular types of market analysis the City specifically wants included in the proposal (e.g., retail gap analysis)?

A4 - No. Per Task 6, listed on page 10 of the RFP, we are looking to the Consultant to determine additional analyses needed, based on Best Practices research.

Q5 - We understand that we are required to register to transact business in Rhode Island. Are we also required to register to practice architecture to conduct planning work, or can we fulfill the requirements of this contract without professional registration?

A5 - No, you are not required to also register to practice architecture/conduct planning work in RI.

Q6 - What is the budget for the project?

A6 - We cannot disclose that information.

Q7 - The Notice to Vendors says the project will be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder, while the Evaluation Criteria make "value for cost" one of a broad number of decision factors. Can you please give us some guidance on how we should interpret DPD and the Board of Contract and Supply's intentions for this planning study?

A7 - DPD will evaluate each proposal using the criteria listed on page 13 of the RFP, and will follow the City's standard procurement process to select the consultant for this project.

Q8 - Forms from the Minority and Women's Business Enterprise Program have been appended to the RFP, but scoring for that program participation relative to the stated goals is not addressed in the RFP Evaluation Criteria. Can you please let us know what role the program will play in your selection process?

A8 - For all questions regarding MBE/WBE participation, please contact Mr. Ernesto Figueroa, Purchasing Officer/ MBE/WBE Coordinator, at efigueroa@providenceri.com or 401-421-7740 Ext. 663.

Q9 - Who will comprise the working group for this assignment?

A9 - The working group will comprise a representative from the College Hill neighborhood, a representative from the Providence Preservation Society, a representative from the District Management Authority, a representative from Brown and DPD.

Q10 - What role would Brown or RISD have in either the selection process or in the working group?

A10 - Please refer to the response to the previous question.

The Thayer Street RFP can be accessed from this link.