REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ)
Wireless Infrastructure Engineering Review Services
The City of Bath, Maine is seeking statements of qualifications from firms or individuals to assist City staff and decision makers with the review of applications for Wireless Communication Facilities within the jurisdiction of the City. The primary responsibility of the selected entity is to assist staff with the review of future applications for Wireless Communication Facilities.
Background
The City has developed a regulatory ordinance to define the submission and review criteria for applications for site plans that involve Wireless Communication Facilities (including cellular towers, cellular antennas, and other communications devices). The Planning & Development Department manages the review of all site plan applications and coordinates the review of submissions with other city staff, city departments, state agencies, and, as applicable, third-party reviewers.
Third-party reviewers are authorized in the Land Use Code to be selected and used by the Director of Planning & Development to assist with reviews at the cost of the applicant. As necessary, the selected entity may also be requested to assist city staff with the creation or revision of ordinance regulations, as promulgated by decision makers or necessitated by staff.
Need
Because of the specialized nature of Wireless Communication Facilities and related technology, the Planning & Development Department expects to use the services of a qualified firm or individual to provide industry-specific assistance for the review of site plans for Wireless Communication Facilities and creation or revision of ordinance regulations.
The scope of review (for the selected entity) for any submitted application for site plan including Wireless Communication Facilities includes:
A. The review of applicant-submitted coverage propagation maps for completeness and accuracy
B. The review of applicant-submitted reports and documentation related to the design and structural capacity of any necessary structures to support Wireless Communication Facilities (including but not limited to, monopole and trellis towers, building-affixed antennas, and ‘hidden’ facilities)
C. The analysis of alternative locations for Wireless Communication Facilities which also meets the needs of the applicant
The scope of availability and presence (for the selected entity) for any needed services related to submitted applications for site plans including Wireless Communication Facilities includes:
A. The ability to correspond electronically with city staff and other reviewers in a timely and professional manner
B. The ability to provide comprehensive reviews of application materials (with a two-week period of notice from city staff)
C. The ability to attend staff review meetings, Planning Board meetings, and any required City Council meetings (with a one-week period of notice from city staff)
In addition to the ability for the entity selected to perform the above-mentioned tasks, the following qualifications are necessary:
Knowledge of the wireless communication industry and proven ability to convey necessary information to decision makers and citizens
Submission Requirements
Responses to this RFQ may include any or all of the following:
1. Cover Letter with Statement of Interest,
2. Resumes of qualified personnel,
3. Client Lists,
4. Recommendations and/or references,
5. Examples of previous project products, and
6. Other information, as necessary, to qualify the firm or individual as capable of meeting the scope of responsibility and scope of availability and presence (identified above).
Creative submissions and approaches to the need are encouraged.
Mail hard-copy submissions to:
Andrew H. Deci
Director of Planning & Development
City of Bath
55 Front Street
Bath, ME 04530
Electronic submissions are encouraged; please email submissions to: adeci@cityofbath.com
No phone calls, please. Reviews of submissions will be on-going until a firm is selected, but will commence on March 1, 2012. All submissions will be kept on file.