A/E Services for Leonardtown Building A Renovation

Yes. The teams should include a cost estimator as part of their team. Bidders are expected to demonstrate a clear and effective approach to cost control, value engineering, and budget alignment throughout the design process. Cost estimating services, whether performed in-house or through a consultant, may be proposed at the discretion of the firm and will be evaluated as part of the overall project approach.  

Existing Conditions:

1.      The college does not possess any recent geotechnical reports, hydrology studies, or water intrusion investigation reports regarding basement flooding.

2.     The water intrusion happened during heavy rains.

3.     Known specific entry points are under the wall after running through the brick ledges.

Availability of Digital Files/As-Builts:

1.      There have not been any significant renovations or modifications to the building or site since 1997 As-Builts were produced.

2.     The college should be able to provide TIF and PDF files for the building. 

Hazardous Materials Survey:

A comprehensive Hazardous Materials Survey (asbestos, lead paint, PCBs) has not been completed for Building A recently.

Yes. The teams should include a cost estimator as part of their team.  Bidders are expected to demonstrate a clear and effective approach to cost control, value engineering, and budget alignment throughout the design process. Cost estimating services, whether performed in-house or through a consultant, may be proposed at the discretion of the firm and will be evaluated as part of the overall project approach.  

The College does not require bidders to include a Commissioning Agent as part of their team. The College intends to procure and contract with a third-party Commissioning Agent separately. Coordination with the College’s Commissioning Agent will be required during the design phase.

Example projects are required to be fully completed.

Offerors/Proposers may include additional relevant information as stated in Section 3.18 of the RFP.

The College recognizes that capital projects subject to state approval processes may extend beyond five years. Accordingly, the example project timeframe has been extended to ten (10) years. Refer to Addendum #1, Item #2.

RFP Section 3.3: Proposers shall provide a copy of their Maryland professional license in Section P of their response, as required. Copies of licenses for subcontractors are not required to be submitted with the proposal; however, all subconsultants must be properly licensed in the State of Maryland as required by law.

Section 3.5: The college understands that subconsultants may not have access to all the project information requested. Bidders should provide the most complete and accurate information available. Where certain data elements are not reasonably accessible to subconsultants, proposers may provide available information such as role, project description, services performed, cost of work, and duration of involvement. 

Section 3.6 Question 1: Yes, this is correct. This section is intended to evaluate the overall experience and collaboration of the proposed team. It is preferred that bidders demonstrate that the entire team has worked together on at least three projects. If the entire team has not worked together on three projects, then each subconsultant is required to provide project information on three similar projects. Bidders shall demonstrate meaningful team experience to the extent practicable and clearly identify each firm’s role on the referenced projects.  

Section 3.6 Question 2: The college understands that subconsultants may not have access to the level of detail for information requested. Bidders shall provide the most complete and accurate information available. Where certain data elements are not reasonably accessible to subconsultants, proposers may provide available information such as role, project description, services performed, cost of work, and duration of involvement.

Yes, this is acceptable, provided all required forms are included and clearly labeled.

The College recognizes that capital projects subject to state approval processes may extend beyond five years. Accordingly, the example project timeframe has been extended to ten (10) years. Refer to Addendum #1, Item #2.

The identified user groups for co-location in Building A are aware of the project. The College will coordinate stakeholder engagement and identify appropriate representatives to participate during programming and design phases. Bidders shall anticipate engaging with designated user representatives and College leadership as part of the design process. In addition to the groups listed for co-location in the building, the architectural team will engage with Capital Projects and Planning, Facilities Management, Information Management Technology, Public Safety, Campus Operations, and other areas of the college as project stakeholders.

Yes, the A/E team shall include an environmental/hazmat abatement consultant. Given the age of the building, hazardous materials investigations will be required as part of the project. The A&E team shall include a hazardous materials survey cost in their proposal. Refer to Addendum #1, Item #1.

The College does not require bidders to include a Commissioning Agent as part of their team. The College intends to procure and contract with a third-party Commissioning Agent separately. Coordination with the College’s Commissioning Agent will be required during the design phase.

The College recognizes that capital projects subject to state approval processes may extend beyond five years. Accordingly, the example project timeframe has been extended to ten (10) years. Refer to Addendum #1, Item #2.

Yes. The A/E team shall provide construction cost estimates at key design milestones to support budget control and state agency coordination. At a minimum, cost estimates shall be provided at the conclusion of Schematic Design (SD), Design Development (DD), and prior to final Construction Documents (CD) submission to ensure alignment with the project construction budget and GMP development. Refer to Addendum #1, Item #1.

The A/E team is not responsible for design and specifications of interior furniture and interior and exterior signage.  The A/E team is responsible for the design and selection of site furnishings. The college shall provide the A/E team with information on signage to be included in the design specifications.  

In Fall 2025 at the Department of Budget Management's request, the program was modified to eliminate the bookstore/cafe. The space that has been designated for a bookstore/cafe will be used as a tutoring area for another academic support service (Final determination to be made during the design process). The space designated as a student lounge/cafe will not have any food preparation or cooking operation. A separate food consultant is not required unless proposed at the firm’s discretion.

In Fall 2025 at the Department of Budget Management's request, the program was modified to eliminate the bookstore/cafe. The space that has been designated for a bookstore/cafe will be used as a tutoring area for another academic support service (Final determination to be made during the design process).

The project includes evaluation and potential modification of existing exterior windows in areas where enhanced transparency and natural light support the Learning Commons concept, including the Math Resource Center. Final determination of window enlargement will be confirmed during design, subject to budget and preservation considerations.  

It is not the College’s intent to require replacement of all existing windows in kind. The A/E team shall evaluate the condition, performance, and energy efficiency of existing windows and recommend replacement, restoration, or selective modification as appropriate, consistent with the project budget and preservation of the building’s historic character.  

The Contractor Information form will not be updated; however, Section 6.0 has been updated. Refer to Addendum #1, Item #3. Section 5.0 of the RFP is the College’s standard terms and conditions.

The sump pump stations in the building have been replaced within the past 10 years. All other MEP systems shall be evaluated for demolition and replaced with new systems.

The A/E team shall evaluate the feasibility of the geothermal system, including borefield capacity and site constraints, as part of the base design analysis. If determined to be viable within the project budget, geothermal may be incorporated into the base design. Otherwise, geothermal system design may be developed as an alternative. Final determination will be made in coordination with the College during the design phase.  

The A/E team shall perform a Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) to compare viable HVAC system options, including evaluation of geothermal feasibility as applicable. The College has not predetermined a specific HVAC type. The final system section will be made based on performance, life cycle cost, sustainability goals, and budget considerations. Refer to Addendum #1, Item #1.

The A/E team will not be responsible for the complete design of IT, audio-visual, security, and other low-voltage systems. The College will coordinate directly with its designated vendors for system design and head-end equipment. The A/E team shall coordinate with the College and its vendors to provide appropriate pathways, infrastructure, power requirements, and integration support as necessary to accommodate these systems.

As-built drawings from the 1997 renovation are available as identified in Section 4.1, Appendix D of the RFP and may be provided upon request as stated in the RFP. The original 1936 construction drawings are not available. The A/E team shall verify existing conditions in the field as necessary to support the design.  

Yes. As indicated in the Part I Part II documents, the college has significant concerns about water infiltration into the building and exterior masonry. The A/E team shall utilize the services of the building envelope consultant in developing the design of this building.  

The college intends to pursue LEED Silver certification under the applicable LEED rating system in effect at the time of project registration. If registration under LEED V4 is achieved prior to the June 30, 2026 deadline, the project will proceed under LEED V4. If not, the project shall pursue certification under LEED V5. The A/E team shall plan accordingly.  

Construction Notice to Proceed is anticipated for September 2027, subject to completion of design, state funding, and required state approvals.

The College has as-builts that show the mechanical systems in PDF format. The college will review old paper copies of drawings to determine if they contain architectural drawings and if so, make them available.

The A/E team shall perform an assessment of the existing elevator condition and explore elevator modernization options that adhere to any application codes and regulations. Refer to Addendum #1, Item #1.

The College does not have a current geotechnical report for the project site. The A/E team shall include geotechnical investigation services as part of their scope to support design, including evaluation of subsurface related to drainage, foundations, and potential geothermal feasibility.  Refer to Addendum #1, Item #1.

The College does not prescribe a specific list of required Key Subcontractors. As outlined in Sections 3.1.C and 3.4 of the RFP, proposers shall identify those disciplines and firms they consider to be Key Subcontractors based on the scope of work and the extent of their design responsibility. Key Subcontractors are expected to include those firms providing primary engineering or specialty design services materially contributing to the project. Identified Key Subcontractors will be evaluated as part of the proposal.

Prevailing Wage requirements apply to the construction contract and construction-related labor only. Professional design services are not subject to prevailing wage requirements. The A/E team shall incorporate applicable prevailing wage requirements into the construction documents in accordance with State of Maryland requirement.