Town of Manchester, Connecticut. General Services Department. Request for Qualifications Approved Real Estate Appraiser List RFQ No.

Transcription

1 Town of Manchester, Connecticut General Service Department Request for Qualifications Approved Real Estate Appraiser List RFQ No. 17/18-86 Proposals Due: June 15, 4:00 p.m. General Services Department 494 Main St. Manchester, CT (860) Fax (860)

2 TOWN OF MANCHESTER REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS APPROVED REAL ESTATE APPRAISER LIST RFQ NO INTENT The Town of Manchester is currently updating its list of approved appraisers. The Town maintains this list of qualified appraisers to assist us in the assessment appeal process and for use on future appraisal service work. We anticipate having approved appraisers bid on each assignment on an as-needed basis. When necessary, the Town reserves the right to hire appraisers not on the approved list for select work which the Town determines requires a special expertise. 2. SPECIAL CONDITIONS Applicants must hold a valid State of Connecticut, Certified Real Estate Appraiser license. Professional designations such as MAI, SRA, or CCMAII are preferred. 3. SCOPE OF SERVICES 3.1 Objective: The Town of Manchester is updating its list of approved real estate appraisers. Approved appraisers on the list will be eligible to bid on future appraisal assignments as required by the Town. 3.2 Specific Tasks: The approved appraisers will be requested to bid on the price, delivery date, and type of appraisal report needed. The exact nature of the appraisal assignments will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Appraisal assignments may include court testimony. 4. TERM OF CONTRACT Approved appraisers and firms will be placed on the Town s approved list for five (5) years. Once placed on the list, the appraiser or firm will not automatically be contracted to work for the Town of Manchester. Approved appraisers will be eligible to submit bids on appraisal assignments, as the Town requires them. The Town may update the list of approved appraisers on an as-needed basis. The Town reserves the right to remove any approved appraisers or firms from the approved appraiser list, without notice or warning, for cause. The Town will determine if there is cause. 1

3 5. PRE-SUBMISSION QUESTIONS Questions about this RFQ may be directed to Adam Tulin, Director of General Services, by or fax (860) or no later than five (5) days prior to the date submissions are due. All information given by the Town except by written addenda shall be informal and shall not be binding upon the Town nor shall it furnish a basis for legal action by any Proposer or prospective Proposer against the Town. Answers to these questions will be addressed in an addendum which will be issued on the Town of Manchester Web site at It shall be the responsibility of the bidder to download this information. THE TOWN OF MANCHESTER WILL NOT MAIL A SEPARATE HARD COPY OF ADDENDUM TO BIDDERS. No addendum will be issued less than 2 (two) calendar days before the scheduled due date unless it is to postpone the RFQ. 6. SUBMISSIONS The Town will not be liable for any costs incurred in the preparation of the response for this Request for Qualifications. All submission materials shall become the property of the Town and will not be returned. Respondents to this RFQ are hereby notified that all submissions submitted and information contained therein and attached thereto shall be subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act. 6.1 Submission and Deadline All responses must be received by 4:00 p.m., June 15, Two (2) copies shall be placed in a sealed envelope and clearly marked RFQ 17/18-86: RFQ, APPROVED REAL ESTATE APPRAISER LIST. Proposals shall be addressed and delivered to the Director of General Services as indicated: HAND DELIVERY U.S. POSTAL SERVICE MAIL DELIVERY Town of Manchester, Connecticut Town of Manchester, Connecticut Mr. Adam Tulin Mr. Adam Tulin Director of General Services Director of General Services Lincoln Center Lincoln Center 494 Main Street 494 Main Street Manchester, CT P.O. Box 191 Manchester, CT All submissions shall be opened publicly and recorded as received. There will be no public reading of submissions. Submissions received later than time and date specified will not be considered. No submission may be withdrawn within 90 days after the submission due date. 2

4 6.2 Organization and Content of Submission The enclosed application should be completed in full. The application requires a list of all appraisers working for the firm, their Certificate (license) numbers, and designations, along with a list of three references, a sample appraisal report, and other, miscellaneous information. Attach a list of the qualification and a copy of the State Certified Appraiser Certificate for each person listed. Along with the application, please submit a sample of a complete appraisal report that meets applicable USPAP requirements. The sample appraisal report must fully develop at least two approaches to value, though a report with all three approaches fully developed is preferred. The sample report should be a reasonable representation of your firm s work. The copy of the appraisal report can not be returned to you, we will retain it in our file. Bidders wishing to take any exceptions to any requirement in the RFQ shall state and explain such exceptions. The Town may accept proposals which take exception to any requirements in this RFQ, or which offer any alternative to a requirement herein. Any exception or alternative must be clearly delineated and can not materially affect the substance of this RFQ. 6.3 Budget/Fee and Work Proposal The Town will negotiate the fee, delivery time, and appraisal requirements, as each appraisal is needed. More than one appraisal firm on the approved list will be asked to bid on each appraisal assignment. Court appearance fees will be negotiated as well. Because most of the appraisal assignments will be in accordance with tax assessment appeals, court testimony is considered very likely in most cases. All services must be included in this fee proposal. The accepted bid will be based on competitiveness of the proposed fees, although the Town is not bound to select the bidder who proposes the lowest fees for services. When a bid is accepted and an appraisal assignment is given to an approved appraiser, the Town will provide payment in the amount agreed in the bid within 60 days (without penalty) of the delivery of an acceptable appraisal report. The Town will review each appraisal after it is received in order to determine if it is acceptable. The Town will notify the appraisers of any required changes or corrections resulting from the review process. The Town will not make payment for the appraisal until after all changes and corrections are made and received by the Town. 7. SUBMISSION EVALUATION 7.1 Selection Criteria Submissions in response to this RFQ shall be reviewed against the criteria listed below. The following criteria will be used, without limitation, in determining the successful providers: The bidder s technical understanding of the appraisal process and appraisal reporting process. 3

5 The background experience of the bidder in providing similar services elsewhere, including the level of experience in working with municipalities or other government bodies of similar size, and the quality of services performed, including appraisal reports and court testimony The specific background, education, qualifications, professional designations, and relevant experience of the individuals designated to provide services Assessment of the bidder s ability to develop and maintain a positive working relationship with the Town staff The bidder s responsiveness and compliance with the RFQ requirements and conditions The Town of Manchester may elect to have the proposals evaluated by a committee of two or more individuals to make a selection The Town reserves the right to reject any and all submissions and to waive any informalities or technical defects in any submission. Bidders whose submissions are not accepted will be so notified. Notification of non-selected appraisers will be devoid of any criticism of the submission and of any implication that the submission was deficient. 8. COLLUSION Any act or acts of misrepresentation of collusion, shall be a basis for disqualification or any submission or submissions submitted by such persons guilty of said misrepresentation or collusion. In the event that the Town enters into a contract with any bidder who is guilty of misrepresentation or collusion and such conduct is discovered after the execution of said contract, the Town may cancel said contract without incurring liability, penalty, or damages. 4

6 9. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS AND CONDITIONS 9.1 Insurance The selected bidders shall be required to furnish a Certificate of Insurance evidencing the following insurance coverage within 10 days of receipt of Notice of Award for an assignment. Failure to maintain coverage as required will be grounds for removal from the approved appraiser list Comprehensive General Liability Insurance, including Contractual Liability Insurance: issued by an insurance company licensed to conduct business in the State of Connecticut with limits not less than $500,000 (general aggregate). All, if any, deductibles are the sole responsibility of the successful bidder to pay and indemnify Automobile Liability Insurance: issued by an insurance company licensed to conduct business in the State of Connecticut with limits not less than $500,000 (CSL). All, if any, deductibles are the sole responsibility of the bidder to pay and indemnify Worker s Compensation Insurance: issued in accordance with Connecticut State Statutes Professional Liability Insurance and Errors and Omissions (E & O) Insurance: issued by an insurance company licensed to conduct business in the State of Connecticut with limits not less than $500, Hold Harmless Agreement The bidder shall indemnify and hold harmless the Town and their agents and employees from and against all claims, damages, losses, and expenses, including attorney s fees of counsel selected by the Town, arising out of or resulting from the performance of the work, or the supplying of materials, provided that any such claim, damage, loss, or expense (a) is attributable to bodily injury, sickness, disease, or death, or to injury to or destruction of tangible property, including the loss of use resulting therefrom and (b) is caused in whole or part by any negligent act or omission of the bidder or contractor, any subcontractor, anyone directly or indirectly employed by any of them or anyone else whose acts may be liable, regardless of whether or not it is caused in part by a party indemnified hereunder. 9.3 Affirmative Action Policy The Town of Manchester is an equal opportunity employer, and requires an affirmative action policy for all of its contractors and vendors as a condition of doing business with the Town, as per Federal Order By submitting a proposal for this RFQ, all vendors and contractors agree to this condition of doing business with the Town and should the Town choose to audit their compliance, the vendor agrees to cooperate fully. 5

7 9.4 Taxes All deliveries of commodities or services hereunder shall comply in every respect with all applicable laws of the Federal Government and the State of Connecticut. Purchases made by the Town of Manchester are exempt from payment of Federal Excise Taxes and Connecticut Sales Taxes and such taxes must not be included in bid prices. Federal Excise Tax exemption certificates, if requested, will be furnished Assignment Assignment by the successful bidder to a third party of any contract based on the RFQ or any monies due is prohibited and will not be recognized by the Town of Manchester unless approved by the Town in writing. 9.6 Living Wage Ordinance Any individual approved contract which is greater than $25,000 is subject to provision of the Town of Manchester Living Wage Ordinance. A summary description of the ordinance and the certification form is attached. Indicate on the attached Certification Form if your firm would be considered a covered employer if any individual appraisal contract exceeds $25,000 and return with your response. 6

8 Application for Approval to perform real estate appraisal work for the Town of Manchester, Connecticut Date: Company Name Address Phone Number Principal or Managing Partner City, State, Zip Code Fax Number Please print the names, Connecticut State Certified Appraiser Certification Number, and designations (MAI, SRA, CCMA, Etc.) of each appraiser currently working for your firm. Please indicate if the appraiser has a residential or a general appraisal certificate by using the letter R for residential or G for general. If any of these appraisers are part-time, please indicate them with a P next to their name. (if you need more space, please use additional paper) # Appraiser s Name Certificate # (R/G) Designation Please attach a list of the qualifications and a copy of the State Certified Appraiser Certificate for each person listed above. Please provide the names of three references who can attest to the quality of your appraisal work and court testimony experience. Preferably this list should contain officials from Connecticut municipalities, bank officials, attorneys, property owners, or other clients. # Name of Reference Title Address Phone # Please provide the location (address and town), date of opinion of value, purpose of appraisal (tax appeal, financing, foreclosure), client, and fee charged for the appraisal report being provided as a sample. Location Date of Value Purpose Client Fee Please feel free to provide any additional information which you would like us to know on the back of this page, or on additional pages. I, the under-signed attest that I have read the Request for Proposal, Approved Real Estate Appraiser List, and that the information contained on this application is accurate and reliable to the best of my knowledge. Signature of Principal Firm Name Date 7

9 Summary Description for Vendors Regarding Manchester s Living Wage Ordinance Effective February 1, 2010, the Town of Manchester adopted a living wage ordinance. This Summary Description is designed to provide any vendor bidding on a Town of Manchester contract with the key provisions of that ordinance. It does not contain the full ordinance. LIVING WAGE REQUIREMENT: The ordinance requires that companies awarded service contracts by the Town of Manchester exceeding $25,000 in any one fiscal year pay their Eligible Employees a living wage. Companies considered Covered Employers subject to this requirement are defined below. The Town of Manchester has determined that the contract resulting from this bid or Request for Proposals will be subject to the ordinance if the total contract value is $25,000 or more in any one fiscal year. The living wage is currently calculated to be $13.60/hour for employees that are provided comprehensive health care benefits, or $17.52/hour for employees that are not provided comprehensive health care benefits. The living wage and health benefit requirements are adjusted annually each July, effective July 1, Companies will be required to pay the applicable living wage rate in effect during the term of their contracts. COVERED EMPLOYERS AND EXEMPTIONS: The ordinance requires that Covered Employers pay the living wage rate. Certain employers are excluded from paying the living wage rate. They are as follows: - Non-profit organizations as defined by the ordinance, and - Entities that employ less than 25 eligible employees. ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES: Eligible employees are all permanent, full time employees of the company (defined as a normal work week of at least 30 hours), working in the State of Connecticut, not just those working on the Town contract. The following are not considered eligible employees for the purposes of the living wage requirement: - Employees with a normal work week of less than 30 hours. - Seasonal or temporary employees. - Employees under the age of Employees hired as part of a school-to-work program. - Students who serves in a work-study program or as an intern. 8

10 - Trainees participating for not more than six months in a training program. - Employees enrolled in a governmentally funded vocational rehabilitation program. - Volunteers working without pay. - Employees exempted under Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act due to disabilities. - Any person whose wage rate is subject to a federal or State of Connecticut statute or regulation mandating a prevailing wage rate. EMPLOYER OBLIGATIONS: Covered Employers are required to do the following pursuant to the ordinance. - Certify with the submission of their bid or proposal a) that they will pay the required living wage to eligible employees if awarded a contract, or b) that they are exempt from requirements of the ordinance, - Upon award, covered employers shall provide the Town a sworn affidavit affirming that all eligible employees of the covered employer working in the State of Connecticut are receiving the living wage and health benefits required by this ordinance. - This sworn affidavit shall be provided thereafter on an annual basis within 30 days of a request being made by the Town if the duration of the contract exceeds one (1) year. - Notify their employees of their rights under the Living Wage Ordinance by posting a copy of the ordinance and other materials prepared by the Town of Manchester in locations where employees will see them. - Make best efforts to attempt to hire residents of the Town of Manchester for all new positions which result from a service contract subject to the ordinance. PROHIBITED PRACTICES: - Covered Employers cannot decrease non-wage benefits (such as insurance, vacation, or pension) as a means of complying with the living wage requirements. - Covered Employers cannot retaliate or discriminate against any employee for making a complaint against the covered employer regarding compliance with living wage requirements. 9

11 ENFORCEMENT: The Town may enforce the provisions of this ordinance by the imposition of fines, suspension of contract or declaring the Covered Employer ineligible for future contracts. WAIVERS: The ordinance provides for the waiver of certain requirements in the ordinance. However, no waivers will be considered until the bidding process has been completed and a contract has been awarded. Requests for waivers must be made by the Covered Employer, in writing, to the General Manager. The General Manager shall submit the waiver request to the Board of Directors, which shall have the sole discretion as to whether it is granted. The above is intended to be a summary of the requirements of the living wage ordinance as they affect covered employers and is provided for informational purposes only. Employers should read the entire Living Wage Ordinance. It can be found online at on the left side of the page. Click on Document Center, scroll to General Services and click on Living Wage Ordinance. 10

12 TOWN OF MANCHESTER LIVING WAGE CERTIFICATION FORM The Town of Manchester has determined that this contract may be subject to the provisions of the Manchester Living Wage Ordinance, Chapter 212 of the Manchester Code of Ordinances, Sections through Bidders are required to indicate whether they are a Covered Employer as defined by the Manchester Living Wage Ordinance or are exempt from the requirements by marking the appropriate section below. FAILURE TO INDICATE MAY RESULT IN THE REJECTION OF YOUR BID. I/We are a covered employer and shall pay the required living wage to eligible employees and comply with the requirements of the ordinance during the term of the contract. Or that: I/We are not a Covered Employer and therefore not subject to Manchester s Living Wage Ordinance for the reason indicated below: Charitable foundations, charitable trusts or nonprofit agencies or nonprofit corporations, provided that the foundation, trust or nonprofit agency or corporation is exempt from federal income taxation and may accept charitable contributions under Section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any subsequent corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as from time to time amended. Bidder employs less than twenty five (25) eligible employees. Annual contract value is less than $25,000. I, of do hereby certify Officer, Owner, Authorized Rep. Company Name that the representations made above are accurate for : Bid Name or RFP Name Signed by: Dated: TO BE RETURNED WITH BID OR RFP SUBMISSION. 11