Hudson County Improvement Authority Answers to Questions received as of September 25, 2020 regarding the RFP

Question Set A

1.SECTION 2. SCOPE OF WORK states "The Firm shall work in coordination with the Authority's project manager/owner's representative MAST Construction (MAST) to review bid packages to ensure they achieve the Authority's diversity and inclusion goals and may work with MAST and the Authority’s other related consultants in their review of sub-contract awards for compliance, including consistency with the Plan". So does this mean that the scope of work includes contract compliance in addition to providing advice, technical support and outreach services as stated in SECTION 1. MISSION? The successful respondent may work with the Authority and its professional team on limited compliance matters, however, the Authority intends to issue a separate RFP for a firm to provide monitoring and compliance services.

2. SECTION 3. REQUIREMENTS states the Respondent "Must maintain an office within a reasonable distance from the Authority's offices". What does the Authority define as a reasonable distance? That has not been defined. The successful respondent should at least have the resources and staff either present or available in the greater metropolitan area to serve the project.

3. Is there a projected time that the Authority will be seeking proposals for the 2 additional RFPs? Later this fall.

4. SECTION 5. FEE SCHEDULE states that the Authority will accept samples of a fee schedule or fee proposals that are offered as examples. For this request, is a breakdown of staff needed as well, or would a simple fee schedule of services suffice? As stated "The Authority recognizes that a detailed price proposal will require more knowledge of the Courthouse Project and the Authority's diversity and inclusion goals than can be conveyed in this RFP". Our firm is seeking clarity for this request. Simple Fee Schedule and Hourly Rate Schedule will Suffice

Question Set B

1. Does the Authority have numerical goals established for its diversity and inclusion efforts for each designated groups, Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE), Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), Small Business Enterprise (SBE), Veteran’s Business Enterprise (VBE) and Local Business Enterprise (LBE), participating in the Project? The Design-Builder shall maximize the use, employment and inclusion of Hudson County MBE/WBE/DBE/SBE/VBE and non-Hudson County MBE/WBE/DBE/SBE/VBE contractors/ subcontractors/businesses/vendors/suppliers in the Project. Specifically, the Design-Builder has agreed to:

(a) the inclusion of contracts for construction, materials and services totaling a minimum of 30% of the total cost of the Project to Hudson County and non- Hudson County MBE/WBE/DBE/SBE/VBE contractors/subcontractors/businesses and vendors/suppliers;

(b) the contract award of at least 20% to Hudson County MBE/WBE/DBE/SBE/VBE contractors/subcontractors/businesses and vendors/suppliers with not less than 10% going to Hudson County MBE/WBE/DBE contractors/subcontractors/businesses and vendors/suppliers. In addition, no contract amount can be counted twice;

(c) no more than 5% of the 20% Hudson County MBE/WBE/DBE/SBE/VBE contracts shall be awarded for non-construction related contracts. However, such contract can be credited against the 20-30% requirement

2. Is there an existing list, including names/contact information for potential project participants (above list)? The Hudson County Office Hudson County Office of Business Opportunity (HCOBO) has created and maintained a list of potential project participants.

3. How will outreach be facilitated given COVID-19, ex, zoom, face-to-face? The successful Respondent is expected to work with the Authority and the HCOBO to develop an outreach approach that accommodates Covid-19 evolving requirements.

4. Will a predetermined clearance list of eligible participants be provided prior to project beginning? Not anticipated at this time.

5. Are there restrictions/deadlines for participating? Deadlines will be driven by the project schedule.

6. Will participants incur any cost associated with receiving advice and technical services? Not anticipated at this time.

7. Are there any limitations on the number of services a participant can receive? Not anticipated at this time.

8. Is there a cap on the number of people who participate in this project? Not anticipated at this time.

Question Set C

The following questions are required to construct a budget:

1.Project Start Date? Anticipated Notice To Proceed November 1, 2020

2. Project Duration? 42 Month Duration

3. Will there be project phasing; this is necessary in order to develop a timely and effective recruitment strategy?

Pending a Start Date of November 1, 2020 the following is the projected project phasing:

Rock Removal to begin December 2020

Justice Complex Foundations to begin May 2021

Justice Complex Structural Steel to begin November 2021

Justice Complex Enclosures to begin June 2022

Justice Complex Interior Finish Work to begin April 2023

Substantial Completion in June 2024

Question Set D

1. Funding sources typically determine the goals that are set on a project. The Honorable Frank J. Guarini Hudson County Justice Complex project RFP states M/WBE, DBE, SBE, VBE & LBE goals – assuming there are multiple funding sources, have potential/target goals for the DB project been determined? See Question Set B #1.

2. Are there such similar goals on this Consulting RFP? The RFP did not reference goals, but the Authority will consider all aspects of the respondents’ proposals including M/WBE, DBE, SBE, VBE certification and local based businesses.

3. Will subcontractors on this DB project be required to sign the Letter of Assent to the PLA? To be determined.

4. Besides NJSAVI, does Hudson County have any other directory of certified M/W/D/SBE & VBE businesses? The Hudson County Office Hudson County Office of Business Opportunity (HCOBO) has created and maintained a list.

5. For this RFP, is there a preference to a consulting firm based in Hudson County – we are not aware of LBE certification in NJ. Is there such a certification in Hudson County? The Authority will consider all aspects of the respondents’ proposals. There is not a Hudson County certification at this time.