RFP for Green Consulting ServicesTHE CITY OF
DUB~C E MEMORANDUM
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
July 31, 2007
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Request for Proposals for'Green' Consulting Services
Housing and Community Development Department Director David Harris is
recommending issuance of a request for proposals for consulting services related to
advancing Dubuque as a sustainable community and future designation as a "Green
City."
Included in the Housing Department's FY2008 Improvements Budget is $16,000 for
consulting services for green initiatives. These are to include energy management
consulting, monitoring and education, and identification and implementation of energy
use reduction strategies for the benefit of low- and moderate-income homeowners and
tenants in the downtown neighborhoods.
An energy management program model would be developed, including establishing an
outreach program through a resource directory or website, conducting workshops and
seminars and developing a program plan incorporating incentives and use of
performance measures to quantify results. These efforts would be marketed in the
downtown neighborhoods, with particular emphasis on partnering with the Washington:
Revitalize! initiative.
The objective of these services is to enable property owners and residents to achieve
energy efficient management of their housing, in the interest of affordability and
sustainability.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
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Michael C. Van Milligen
MCVM/jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
David Harris, Housing and Community Development Department Director
THE CTI'Y OF ~,.,
Dui E
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
16 July 07
MEMORAND~i..~l~I
To: Michael~Va~n Milligen, City Manager
From: David Harris, Housing and Community Development Department
Re: Request for Proposals for `Green' Consulting Services
Introduction
The purpose of this memorandum is to request the City Council to authorize
publication of a request for proposals for consulting services related to advancing
Dubuque as a sustainable community and future designation as a "Green City."
Discussion
Included in the Housing Department's FY2008 Improvements Budget is $16 000
for consultant services for green initiatives. These are to include energy
management consulting, monitoring and education, and identification and
implementation of energy use reduction strategies for the benefit of low- and
moderate-income homeowners and tenants in the downtown neighborhoods.
An energy management program model would be developed, including
establishing an outreach program through a resource directory or website,
conducting workshops and seminars and developing a program plan
incorporating incentives and use of performance measures to quantify results.
These efforts would be marketed in the downtown neighborhoods, with particular
emphasis on partnering with the Washington: Revitalize! initiative.
The objective of these services is to enable property owners and residents to
achieve energy efficient management of their housing, in the interest of
affordability and sustainability.
Action Step
The action requested of the City Council is to authorize publication of the
attached request for proposals.
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
"GREEN" CONSULTING SERVICES FOR THE HOUSING AND COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
INTRODUCTION
The City of Dubuque is soliciting proposals from qualified individuals to provide
professional consulting services related to advancing Dubuque as a `sustainable'
community and designation as a "Green City."
The purpose of the project is to expand City-based programs focusing on residential
and community energy management partnerships for resource conservation and
sustainable development in the City of Dubuque.
Dubuque is known for its historic architecture and neighborhoods, wi#h a corresponding
high percentage of aging housing stock. The preservation and rehabilitation of existing
homes is a green environmentally beneficial practice, as it minimizes natural resources
energy use in extracting, manufacturing and shipping materials. It can reduce both on-
site and neighborhood disturbances and conserve the embodied energy in existing
buildings and other infrastructure. There are many opportunities for improving the
efficiency of existing homes, especially with respect to thermal performance. Educating
residents, fostering sustainable behavior changes and reducing wasteful electrical
consumption, as well as air sealing and insulating homes, are economical and oost-
effective ways to reduce a household's and community's carbon footprints.
This project has the potential to serve as a state-wide and regional model for
addressing the availability of affordable housing, rising energy costs, and global climate
change concerns. The project could assist and facilitate collaboration with community
development activities undertaken by the City, by monitoring energy and financial data
to improve environmental performance, and promoting understanding, stewardship and
responsibility regarding energy, global climate change and sustainable development
issues. The only true affordable housing is energy-efficient housing, with the lower
monthly energy bills that lessen the burden on limited monthly resources while reducing
emissions.
PROJECT SUMMARY
The project has two main goals to be achieved through one or more consultant
contracts initially coordinated by the Housing Department, for the benefit of low- and
moderate-income homeowners and tenants as follows:
1) Assist in the development and accomplishment of sustainable community objectives,
with the focus on energy management, monitoring and education, and identification and
implementation of energy use reduction strategies. These services will include
development of explanatory materials and applications for use by the Housing
Department in contacting neighborhood homeowners, renters and landlords.
2) Enable homeowners and rental property owners to achieve energy efficient
management of downtown housing. Activities will be targeted in the downtown
neighborhoods, with particular focus on the Washington Neighborhood Revitalize!
initiative, which includes increasing homeownership, encouraging a mix of household
incomes, and reducing concentrated poverty and the high percentage of rental units.
This project will also assist in the use of targeted City resources to encourage private
investment to improve the livability of the area. Activities could include:
1. Improving energy efficiency and conservation practices in the targeted
neighborhoods through use of household energy survey assessments and
comprehensive energy audits.
2. Coordinating the conducting of energy-related analysis and energy monitoring
in targeted properties.
3. Supporting and providing training, education and resources for
energy-efficient rehabilitation of affordable housing.
4. Providing some of these same services to community non-profit agencies
serving the downtown neighborhoods.
Scope of Services
A principal product of this work will be amulti-faceted `energy management program.'
This work would include the following:
1. Assist the Housing Department in development of an energy outreach
program; to include creation of a resource directory and/or website, and
developing and conducting educational workshops/seminars and
informational presentations.
2. Formulate and/or establish residential energy networking relationships
with other collaborative partners, including at the local, state and regional
levels.
3. Perform research and assist the Department to identify and pursue
available public and private funding opportunities.
4. Assist in development and design of a `program plan model' which:
a. incorporates incentives for projects financed with City assistance to
quantify results through use of performance measures.
b. includes concise and practical objectives for use in application of
energy performance measures.
c. provides residents and organiza#ions with training and information on
energy efficiency for rehabilitating affordable housing.
d. includes guidelines and policy language for demonstration of energy
management, toward satisfaction of potential "Green City" designation
requirements.
5. Develop materials for education and promotion of energy awareness for
targeted populations. Provide clear, objective, and accurate information
to consumers, businesses, and organizations about best management
practices for both energy efficiency and environmental protection.
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6. Assist Department efforts to improve energy performance in targeted
housing and non-profit facilities, by conducting assessments, assisting
with energy-efficiency campaigns and reporting results of project
accomplishments.
7. Formulate and implement a variety of outreach activities to promote a
strong economic and financial market case for effective energy
management.
The selected consultant will provide targeted households with detailed home energy
assessments and offer key cost-effective recommendations to improve energy
efficiency, comfort and safety for rehabilitated affordable housing.
The selected consultant{s) will meet on a scheduled basis with the Housing Department
Director and staff and as-needed with other City staff.
QUALIFICATIONS
The selected consultant must have the requisite training and experience with
community-based energy and "green" sustainable development initiatives and have
performed similar work on other projects. This would include the development of
workshops, presentations, and materials providing credible, objective energy efficiency
information to use in achieving project goals and outreach efforts.
The selected consultant should be skilled in project development, coordination,
management, and implementation. This includes the ability to articulate and
communicate persuasively and work independently, collaborate with community groups
and build partnerships.
The consultant will have training, knowledge, resources, and tools regarding energy
efficiency assessments and ratings, facility performance measures and `whole building'
science. The consult should be knowledgeable regarding potential funding sources;
including utility provider requirements for rebates and incentives, Federal Energy Policy
energy efficiency tax credits and deductions (EPACT), and the Department of Housing
and Urban Development's (HUD) Energy Action Plan.
INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN PROPOSAL
To simplify the review process and to obtain the maximum degree of comparability, the
proposal shall include the following information and shall be organized in the manner
specified below.
Letter of Transmittal
Provide a letter of transmittal briefly outlining the consultant's understanding of the work
and the name, address, telephone number and email of the consultant.
Qualifications
Provide general information about the consultant and areas of expertise. Include unique
qualifications for this project and experience in performing services on similar projects
during the last five years.
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Fees and Compensation
This program of consultant services has been funded at $16,000 for Fiscal Year 2008.
This is based on an hourly rate of $40, which would provide 400 hours of consulting for
the projects as described.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
The proposal must be received by the Housing Department, 1805 Central Avenue,
Dubuque, Iowa 52001 no later than 2007.
Each prospective consultant assumes full responsibility for delivery of the completed
submission package on or before the deadline. The City of Dubuque is not responsible
for any loss or delay with respect to delivery of the submissions. The City of Dubuque
reserves the right to reject any and all proposals and negotiate changes with any
prospective consultant. The City of Dubuque is not liable for the cost incurred by any
prospective consultant prior to the execution of an agreement or contract. Nor shall the
City of Dubuque be liable for any costs incurred by the prospective consultant not
specified in any contract. The City of Dubuque is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
All questions and correspondence regarding this RFP should be directed to David
Harris, Director, Housing and Community Development Department, Dubuque, Iowa,
52001, by telephone at 563-589-4239, by fax at 563-589-4244, or by email at
dharris _cityofdubugue.org.
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INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
1. All policies of insurance required hereunder shall be with an insurer authorized to do
business in Iowa. All insurers shall have a rating of A of better in the current A.M. Best
Rating Guide.
2. All certificates of insurance shall state that prior to cancellation, non- renewal or any
material change in the insurance contract, thirty (30) days written notice shall be given to
the City of Dubuque if cancellation is prior to the expiration date. This endorsement
supersedes the standard cancellation statement on the Certificate of Insurance.
shall furnish a Certificate of Insurance to the City of Dubuque, Iowa
for the coverage required in Paragraph 6 below.
3. Each certificate shall be submitted to the contracting department of the City of Dubuque.
4. Failure to provide minimum coverage shall not be deemed a waiver of these
requirements by the City of Dubuque. Failure to obtain or maintain the required
insurance shall be considered a material breach of this agreement.
General Liability and Property Damage
5. Consultant shall provide and maintain General Liability and Property Damage Insurance
so as to provide protection and indemnification against any and all such claims or suits
in connection with the work which is the subject of this Agreement. Consultant shall
fumish to the City of Dubuque certificates issued by insurance companies showing
policies carried and the limits of coverage as follows:
A. General Liability and Property Damage - $2,000,000 aggregate, $1,000,000 per
occurrence and $100,000 damage to rental property or premises and;
B. Auto Liability - $1,000,000 combined single limit; including uninsured,
underinsured, comp and collision
6. The certificates of insurance shall be delivered to the City within seven (7) days of the
completed signed Agreement between the City and Consultant and receipt of initial
payment according to payment schedule.
7. Consultant warrants to the City that the work provided shall be performed in a qualified
and competent manner and in accordance with the professional standards of care and
practice appropriate to the nature of the work rendered.
8. An additional insured endorsement Coverage to be determined and include as additional
insured: "The City of Dubuque, including all its elected and appointed officials, alt its
employees and volunteers, all its boards, commissions and/or authorities and their board
members, employees, and volunteers."
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