Request for Proposals for Commercial Area Historic Resource Survey
| Location: | California |
|---|---|
| Posted: | Aug 3, 2026 |
| Due: | Aug 31, 2026 |
| Agency: | City of Auburn |
| Type of Government: | State & Local |
| Category: |
|
| Publication URL: | To access bid details, please log in. |
| Bid Title: |
Request for Proposals for Commercial Area Historic Resource Survey
|
| Category: | Request for Proposals |
| Status: | Open |
|
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CITY OF AUBURN
Request for Proposals for
Commercial Area Historic Resource Survey
City of Auburn Economic Development Department
August 3, 2026
City of Auburn
1225 Lincoln Way
Auburn, CA 95603
530-823-4211
Date of Issuance: August 3, 2026:
Submittal Deadline: August 31, 2026
I.
Introduction
The City of Auburn (“City”) is seeking proposals from qualified historic preservation
consultants to undertake a reconnaissance-level built environment survey, including
forms and supporting documentation, of the Downtown/Old Town commercial districts.
Resources within the Survey boundaries, such as commercial buildings, historic objects,
and/or archaeological resources, should be recorded, and any sites or districts that are
currently listed in the NRHP and CRHR shall be specifically noted. The work is considered
a priority implementing action of the Auburn 2045 General Plan Update, which is currently
under consideration for adoption.
The resulting survey will provide an updated inventory of cultural resources in the City’s
historic commercial districts to support future planning efforts, environmental review
under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and historic preservation
activities within the city.
Time is of the essence in the completion of this work, as the project is being funded by
sources that will expire on December 31, 2026. The City is seeking proposals by August
31, 2026 and anticipates selection of a consultant by September 4. All work must be
completed in the approximately 15-week period between September 7 and December 31,
2026.
Successful consultants must have proven qualifications for and experience in conducting
historic resources survey work, coordinating with SHPO, and working closely with City
staff and a historic design review board on a similar project. Additional detail is provided
in the attached Scope of Work.
This Request for Proposals (“RFP”) stipulates the procedures and requirements to be
used by the City in its selection of a consultant. Proposals shall include a description of
the consultant’s project approach that clearly describes the approach to completing the
project, as well as a schedule, budget, and deliverables. A map of the area to be surveyed
is included in this RFP.
II. Background and Overview
The City of Auburn is seeking to update its understanding of the community’s historic
commercial building resources through the preparation of a Historic Resources Inventory
for the Downtown/Old Town commercial district. With a rich history shaped by its role in
the California Gold Rush, its historic Old Town and Downtown districts, and its distinctive
cultural landscapes, Auburn’s historic commercial resources contribute to the community’s
identity, local economy, sense of place, and quality of life. A current and comprehensive
inventory of its commercial buildings will provide the City with the information needed to
identify, document, and evaluate historic resources; support informed planning and
preservation decisions; meet state and federal regulatory requirements; and guide future
policies, programs, and investments that balance preservation with continued community
growth and revitalization.
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The last comprehensive inventory of historic resources in Downtown/Old Town Auburn
was completed in 1986. The inventory provided a foundation for the City’s initial Historic
Preservation Design Guidelines in 1988 (later updated in 2001 and 2007), the Historic
Element of the General Plan in 1993, and the City’s Historic Preservation Ordinance in
2004. The inventory continues to guide current preservation efforts and programming.
The City published a Draft 2045 General Plan in July 2026, including an updated Historic
Preservation and Community Design Element. Updated policies and action programs for
historic preservation are included. The Draft Plan identifies updating the Downtown/Old
Town Historic Resources Inventory as a priority implementation action. The Update may
lead to follow-up measures related to the local historic register, the preservation
ordinance, and design guidelines, which are beyond the scope of this RFP.
The City is also considering adopting a Form-Based Code (FBC) for the Downtown/Old
Town Area that will replace existing zoning. The FBC supports compatible infill
development that respects the context and architectural character of historic Auburn.
Adoption of the General Plan is anticipated by December 2026, with adoption of the FBC
to follow shortly after.
The historic resources inventory will be funded by a recent set-aside in the General Plan
project budget. As the funding source will terminate on December 31, 2026, work must
be completed by that time.
III. Scope of Work
Assumptions:
• A 50-year look back should be used regarding the age of studied potential historic
resources.
• Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) 523 forms should be used as the basis
for recording information; forms previously collected will be used and updated as
needed.
• The survey area is limited to properties shown on the map included at the end of this
RFP.
• Resources shall be evaluated for eligibility under the National Register of Historic
Places (NRHP) and California Register of Historical Resources (CRHR), as
appropriate.
• Existing surveys, DPR forms, historic context statements, and other available
background documentation shall be reviewed and incorporated into the analysis
where applicable.
• Survey work shall be conducted in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior's
Standards and Guidelines for Identification and applicable California Office of Historic
Preservation (OHP) guidance.
• Archaeological investigations, subsurface testing, and Native American consultation
are not included in this scope or work.
• Access to private property interiors is not anticipated; evaluations shall be based
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primarily on public-right-of-way observations and available documentation.
• All completed and updated DPR 523 forms, photographs, GIS-compatible mapping
data, and supporting documentation shall be provided to the City in both electronic
and editable formats.
• The consultant shall coordinate with City staff and present findings to the Historic
Design Review Commission (or equivalent body) as directed by the City.
Tasks
A. Kickoff meeting and ongoing project management
This task includes:
• Project kickoff meeting with staff
• Ongoing project management, communication, and administration
• Periodic check-in meetings (approximately once every two weeks)
B. Develop survey methodology
The consultant shall prepare a summary memo describing the methodology to be used
and the criteria for documenting resources, including evaluation methods, rating systems,
and record keeping. Documentation must be user-friendly for City staff as well as the
general public, including property owners.
C. Update historic structure survey
(1) Develop a brief context statement for historic Auburn, assembled from available
information, and limited additional research. This would not be a full citywide historic
context statement and would focus only on the Downtown and Old Town districts.
(2) Re-evaluate structures deemed eligible in the 1986 survey, in accordance with
National Register criteria. Update existing forms and records collected previously, and
document current eligibility.
(3) Update the 1986 inventory to include structures which are now potentially historic (built
between 1936 and 1976) using DPR 523 A & B forms.
(4) Identify properties excluded from consideration due to the absence of historic
resources or resources with substantially diminished value.
(5) Provide updated GIS-compatible mapping and digital copies of all completed DPR 523
forms, photographs, and supporting documentation in formats acceptable to the City.
All surveying shall be based upon current professional methodology standards and
procedures developed by the California Office of Historic Preservation and National Park
Service. A process for public input should be included in the scope of work.
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D. Prepare analysis of resources and districts.
The analysis should provide quantitative and mapped information on historic resources,
as well as a discussion on the distribution and character of these resources across the
study area and priorities for preservation. In addition to the DPR forms, a parcel-level
data base of historic resources (including parcels in the study area boundary determined
to have no resources present or excluded from the survey due to their use as residential
structures) should be prepared. The data base should include pertinent information for
each parcel and the need for any follow-up measures. An analysis of the data base and
relevant findings should be included.
E. Summary Report
Consultant findings should be summarized in a final report. In addition to documentation
of historic resources, the report should include an evaluation of historic district boundaries
in the study area and identify potential changes to be considered. The report should
include a set of recommendations for City consideration.
While the scope of services does not include Ordinance revisions, updates to Guidelines
and standards, or policy changes, the Summary Report may include recommendations
for future activities to advance historic preservation, economic development, and
reinvestment in Downtown/Old Town Auburn. Recommendations should be organized to
indicate their potential cost, potential resources, level of effort, and potential benefits.
An Administrative Draft Summary Report will be submitted for initial review by staff.
Comments and edits will be noted as necessary, and the Consultant will prepare a Public
Review Draft Report.
F. Presentation of Recommendations
The consultant will attend and participate in at least one meeting with the Planning
Commission/ Historic Design Review Committee to present the findings of the study.
Revisions to the document may be made through this process. A Final report shall be
prepared at the conclusion of this process. Electronic files, including any parcel level GIS
data and digital photography collected, shall be provided to the City for ongoing use at
the conclusion of the project.
IV. Proposal and Evaluation Criteria
1. Instructions to Applicants:
Applicants must submit one electronic PDF version of their proposal to the email address
below by the deadline. The email subject line must clearly read: “RFP for Commercial
Area Historic Resources Survey.” Proposals must be received no later than 4:00 PM
(PST) on August 31, 2026: sharris@auburn.ca.gov and must be organized according to
the format below:
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