RFSQ-Playground Imp Program-2027-2029 Equip PreQual

Request for Statement of Qualifications for
Playground Improvements Program - 2027-2029
Equipment Providers
Department of Recreation and Parks
Division of Design and Construction
Response Due Date and Time:
10/20/2026
2:00PM Local Time
Submissions will only be accepted electronically at
https://columbus.bonfirehub.com/portal/?tab=openOpportuni
ties
Version Dated: 8/6/2025

PROPOSAL SIGNATURE FORM
This page, signed by an officer of the offering firm or a designated agent empowered to bind that
entity in a contract with the Department of Recreation and Parks, should accompany each proposal
submitted for consideration.
I, the undersigned, having carefully examined the Request for Statement of Qualifications
(RFSQ), propose to furnish services in accordance therewith as set forth in the attached
Statement of Qualifications.
I hereby certify that, to the best of my knowledge, this submission is complete and all statements
made therein are true and accurate.
I also affirm I am duly authorized to sign and submit this response on behalf of the Firm named
below.
By my signature below, I attest that I have read, understand and agree to the terms, conditions
and requirements set forth in the RFSQ, including any special terms and conditions incorporated
in the solicitation documents.
Failure to sign and return this form may result in the rejection of the accompanying Statement of
Qualifications.
OFFEROR INFORMATION:
OFFEROR (Company Name): ____________________________________________________
ADDRESS: __________________________________________________________________
CITY, STATE, ZIP: ____________________________________________________________
PHONE: ____________________ EMAIL: _________________________________________
CITY OF COLUMBUS CONTRACT COMPLIANCE/VENDOR NUMBER:__________________
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE/ EXPIRATION DATE:___________________________________
AUTHORIZATION TO PROPOSE:
_____________________________________ ___________________________
Signature (Manually signed in ink) Date
_____________________________________ ___________________________
Printed Name Title

TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR CONSULTANTS
INFORMATION FOR CONSULTANTS
his bid. Particular attention is directed to the statutory
SUBMISSION OF RESPONSE requirements of the State of Ohio relative to the licensing
All Statements of Qualifications (SOQ) and other material of corporation organized under the Laws of any other
submitted in response to this Request for Statement of State.
Qualifications (RFSQ) become the property of the City of
Columbus. The City may choose to retain or return these TAXES
materials to the Consultant, at the Federal and/or State Taxes are not to be included in
Architect/Engineer/Construction Manager's (hereinafter prices quoted. The successful consultant will be
A/E/CM) expense. furnished an exemption certificate if needed.
The City is not liable for any costs associated with the CHANGES AND ADDENDA TO RFSQ DOCUMENTS
preparation of the SOQ or any other costs incurred by any Questions as to the interpretation of the Request for
A/E/CM prior to the execution of the contract. The rejection Statement of Qualifications shall be submitted in writing
of any SOQ in whole or in part, at the City's discretion, will to the Project Manager Jamie Schlichting at
not render the City liable for incurring any cost or damage. JPSchlichting@columbus.gov. In order to receive
consideration, questions must be received by the
ACCEPTANCE AND REJECTION question cut-off date as indicated in the advertisement.
The SOQ submitted by the A/E/CM to the City of Any interpretations of questions so raised, which in the
Columbus will be accepted or rejected within a period of opinion of the City or its representative require
180 days from RFSQ due date and the Technical interpretations, will be issued by addenda posted on the
Proposal will be accepted or rejected within a period of City's Consultant Services web site. The City or its
180 days from the Technical Proposal due date. The City representative will not be bound by any oral
reserves the right to waive technicalities and to request interpretations which are not reduced to writing and
new SOQs/proposals (re-advertise) on the required included in the addenda.
material. The RFSQ may be cancelled and any SOQ
may be rejected in whole or in part when it is for good CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS
cause and in the best interests of the City. Consultant hereby certifies the following: that it is familiar
with Ohio Revised Code ("O.R.C.") Section 3517.13; that
WITHDRAWAL OF STATEMENT OF it is in compliance with Divisions (I) and (J) of that
QUALIFICATIONS Section; that it is eligible for this contract under the law
The A/E/CM may withdraw their SOQ at any time prior to and will remain in compliance with O.R.C. Section
the time specified in the advertisement as the closing 3517.13 for the duration of this contract and for one year
date and time for the receipt of SOQs. This shall be done thereafter.
by contacting the Administrator of the contracting Division
and requesting in writing to have the SOQ withdrawn. IN THE EVENT OF A CONTRACT
Notice to the contracting department must be received An agreement which may result from this proposal shall
before the SOQ due date and time. No A/E/CM shall not be modified or altered by any subsequent course of
withdraw or cancel his/her SOQ for a period of 180 performance between parties or by additional terms
calendar days after said advertised closing date and time contained in any subsequent documents unless said
for the receipt of SOQs. If the A/E/CM has been notified additional or differing terms are incorporated by contract
of the City's intent to negotiate a contract and the contract modification authorized to be entered into by ordinance.
negotiation does not complete in 180 days after the due
date and time of the proposal, the A/E/CM is not allowed REMEDIES
to withdraw or cancel the proposal. All claims, counterclaims, disputes and other matters in
question between the City, its agents and employees,
APPLICABLE LAWS and the consultant arising out of or relating to this
The Revised Code of the State of Ohio, the Charter of the agreement or its breach will be decided in a court of
City of Columbus, and all City ordinances insofar as they competent jurisdiction within the County of Franklin, State
apply to the laws of competitive bidding, contracts, and of Ohio. Terms and conditions, submitted with this
purchases, are made a part hereof. proposal, which are contrary to City Code or Charter shall
be disregarded for the purpose of any subsequent
contract. The successful consultant shall be notified as to
LIABILITY, INSURANCE, LICENSES AND PERMITS which terms and conditions, if any, have been deleted.
Where consultants are required to enter or go onto City
of Columbus property to deliver materials or perform work PUBLIC RECORDS REQUESTS
or services as a result of bid award, the consultant will The City of Columbus, as a political subdivision of the State
assume full duty, obligation and expense of obtaining all of Ohio, is subject to Ohio Revised Code Chapter 149,
necessary licenses, permits, and insurance when known as the Ohio Public Records Law. Consequently,
required. The consultant shall be liable for any damages the A/E/CM understands that ALL documents submitted in
or loss to the City occasioned by negligence of the response to this RFSQ are considered public records and
consultant (or his agent) or any person the consultant has WILL be released when a public records request is made
designated in the completion of his contract as a result of by news media, competitors, or other interested parties, in
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accordance with the law. If you contend that certain All consultants shall identify all subconsultant(s) who will
CLEARLY MARKED portions of your response constitute perform any type of contracting on City proposal(s). All
an exception to Ohio's public records law, you MUST consultants shall include in their proposal response the
submit your legal basis in support of that assertion with anticipated scope of work and percentage of work that
your response. will be performed by all Sub-Consultant(s), along with
their contract compliance number(s).
If a public records request is made for any portion of the
documents that you have submitted and you have NOT All consultants, including subconsultants, who are party
clearly marked such documents as information constituting to a contract as defined in Columbus City Code 3901.01,
an exception to Ohio's public records law, your information must hold valid contract compliance certification
will be released immediately. numbers. Each responsive firm shall submit with its
proposal, a valid contract compliance certification
If a public records request is made for such information and number.
you HAVE clearly marked portions of your response as
information constituting an exception to Ohio's public This information is gathered and monitored by the Office
records law, AND you have submitted the legal basis of Diversity and Inclusion. Please contact ODI for
supporting such claim, the City will release a redacted assistance with identifying potential minority consultants.
version of your information to the requestor and notify you Go to Vendor Services to verify that vendors have an
that a request was made and that a redacted version of active contract compliance number.
your response was released. Should the requestor
indicate that the redacted version is not sufficient for their http://vendorservices.columbus.gov/
purposes, you then will be IMMEDIATELY responsible for
obtaining an order from a Court of competent jurisdiction in Office of Diversity and Inclusion
Franklin County, Ohio enjoining release of your clearly 1111 E. Broad Street, Suite 203
marked information constituting an exception to Ohio's Columbus, OH 43205
public records law. (614) 645-4764
If a public records request is made for such information and M/FBE Certification/
you HAVE clearly marked portions of your response as Contract Compliance
information constituting an exception to Ohio's public Tia Roseboro 614-645-2203
records law, but you have NOT submitted the legal basis
supporting such claim, the City WILL RELEASE your
information to the requestor and notify you that a request
was made and that your response was released.
DO NOT mark your entire response/submittal as
information constituting an exception to Ohio's public
records law. If your entire response/submittal is so
marked, the City of Columbus will not consider your offer.
PROPRIETARY INFORMATION
Proprietary data and information that a Respondent
does not want disclosed to the public shall be clearly
indicated. The Department shall regard as public record
all proposals and information submitted except to the
extent that proposal information is clearly indicated as
proprietary and segregated from the rest of the
proposal. The Respondent must identify proprietary
information on each page of the proposal. If a third
party under Ohio's Public Records Law requests any
document that includes information designated as
"proprietary" by Respondent, then the Department will
notify Respondent of the request and will release the
document with the information designated as proprietary
redacted. It will be the responsibility of the Respondent,
not the Department, to defend the designation of
information as proprietary, including initiation of any
court proceedings necessary to prevent disclosure as a
public record and to indemnify the city for any costs
associated with such proceedings.
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE
The City of Columbus encourages the participation of
City certified minority and female business enterprises. *
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REQUEST FOR STATEMENT OF QUALIFICAITONS
1. Project Information
1.1 Project Name: Playground Improvements Program - 2027-2029 Equipment Providers
1.2 Project Overview:
The Columbus Recreation and Parks Department (CRPD) is requesting
statements of qualifications from qualified playground equipment providers and
their regional representatives and installers to be preapproved for the City's
annual playground improvement program for equipment supply and playground
design services based on varying and site-specific scopes.
CRPD is seeking to qualify experienced playground equipment providers and
their regional installers to participate in future Requests for Proposal (RFPs) for
the annual CRPD Playground Improvements Program.
CRPD has determined it to be in the best interest to issue this RFSQ to solicit
qualifications for the design, furnishing, and installation of playground equipment
of varying scale throughout the CRPD park system.
Each year, CRPD executes a Playground Improvements Program, which
typically consists of the complete or partial removal and replacement of as many
as one dozen playgrounds across the City's inventory of Parks. The playgrounds
and sites vary in budget, size, and complexity and can include 2- 5 age group
structures, 5-12 age group structures, and early childhood development
playgrounds, universally accessible playgrounds, nature play, intergenerational
play, fitness equipment, and shade structures.
CRPD maintains over 170 playgrounds across the City of Columbus. Through
the years, CRPD has learned which type of materials and equipment are
sustainable to utilize in the parks. These preferred materials and equipment,
along with design requirements can be found in the CRPD Playground Design
Guidelines in Appendix A attached.
CRPD will select playground equipment based on quality design and material. It
is the intention of CRPD to issue a playground design RFP in the fall of each year
for the Playground Improvements Program. CRPD intends to select one design
from the preapproved equipment providers that are selected as a result of this
RFSQ. Once selected, CRPD will collaborate with the equipment provider to
integrate the playground design into the site design. The bid package will consist
of the site work and the selected design and with no substitutions being accepted.
CRPD anticipates advertising the playground program each spring based on the
quality-based selection of the design provided by our prequalified equipment
providers.
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1.3 Office of Diversity and Inclusion Program
DEBRIEFING OPTION: A debriefing option is available to all professional services prime
consultants who are unsuccessful in responding to this RFSQ. Unsuccessful consultants
must submit a request for a debriefing session within (30) days following contract award.
1.4 References:
1.4.1 CRPD Park Design Guidelines
(https://columbusrecparks.com/connect/business-resources/)
1.4.2 CRPD Facility Design Guidelines
(https://www.columbus.gov/recreationandparks/Design-and-Construction/)
1.4.3 CRPD Pollinator Habitat Guidelines
(https://columbusrecparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/CPRD-Pollinator-
Habitat-Guidelines-v.1.2022.pdf)
1.4.4 CRPD Educational Garden Guidelines
(https://columbusrecparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/CRPD-Educational-
Gardens-Guidelines-v.1.2023.pdf)
1.4.5 CRPD Green Design Guidelines and Energy Efficiency Standards
(https://www.columbus.gov/recreationandparks/Design-and-Construction/)
1.4.6 City of Columbus Stormwater Drainage Manual
(https://www.columbus.gov/utilities/contractors/stormwater-drainage-manual/)
1.4.7 Columbus Construction and Material Specifications Current Edition
(https://www.columbus.gov/Templates/Detail.aspx?id=2147502135)
1.4.8 All RFP documents can be downloaded from Vendor Services at
https://columbusvendorservices.powerappsportals.com/ or from Bonfire at
https://columbus.bonfirehub.com/portal/?tab=openOpportunities. Hard copies will
not be provided.
1.5 Requirements
1.5.1 The Provider and supporting staff proposed within this statement of qualification
must possess all necessary professional licensure and certifications needed for
this project.
1.5.2 The Provider shall have previous experience for the tasks listed in Section 6.
2. Scope of Services:
This Request for Statement of Qualifications is seeking Provider(s) for Playground equipment
for the Playground Improvements Program. Playground Equipment can have significantly
varied design parameters and CRPD intends to prequalify equipment providers to participate
in the RFP process for quality-based design and then bidding for construction without
substitutions to be allowed for playground equipment. Selected Providers will be required to
work with CRPD to integrate their design and products into the overall Projects. CRPD
reserves the right to select a different Provider based on project specific RFP responses for
each of the project scope(s) for playground equipment.
3. Project Schedule:
Pre-proposal Meeting 10/9/2026
Deadline to Submit Questions 10/12/2026
SOQ Due 10/20/2026
Interviews As needed, early November
Consultant Prequalified 11/30/2026
Commission 11/30/2026
City Council Legislation: December, 2026
Notice of Prequalification: January, 2027
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4. RFSQ Pre-Proposal Meeting:
A pre-proposal meeting will be held for this RFSQ on 10/9/2026 at 1111 E Broad Street,
Columbus, OH, 43207 at 1:00pm in the Buckeye Conference Room. Parking is available in
the Southern Lot and along adjacent side streets, Ohio Ave and Madison Ave.
Attendance is NOT required.
5. Statement of Qualifications Submittal Instructions:
5.1. Statement of Qualifications shall be uploaded to the Bonfire website at
https://columbus.bonfirehub.com/portal/?tab=openOpportunities . No hard copy SO's will
be received nor considered.
5.2. Statement of Qualifications will be received by the City until the time specified in Section
3 above. No SOQ's will be accepted thereafter.
5.3. Questions: Direct questions via e-mail only to Jamie Schlichting at
JPSchlichting@columbus.gov. No contact is to be made with the City other than with the
Project Manager through e-mail with respect to this SOQ or its status. The deadline for
questions is stipulated in Section 3 above.
5.4. Statement of Qualifications Format (only the following format will be accepted)
5.4.1. Proposals may not exceed thirty (30) letter-size (8.5" x 11") pages, portrait
orientation, unless otherwise allowed, and shall include the information specified in
the "Statement of Qualifications Content" section below. A 'page' is one side of a
sheet of paper with text, graphics, etc. If only one side of a sheet of paper has text,
graphics, etc., then that is one page. If both sides of a sheet of paper have text, that
is two pages. Cover page, content dividers, and Statement of Qualifications
Signature Form are not considered part of the sheet count. Respondent appendices
or additional information is not acceptable and will count towards this page count.
Cutsheets and specific product information requested to be provided under 6.8 do
not count toward the 30-page limit.
5.4.2. Complete the required Statement of Qualifications Signature Form. That document
shall be signed by a person authorized to obligate the Provider company and be
included as the first page (not cover) of the submittal. Failure to include this Form
may render the submittal nonresponsive. This does not count towards the 30-page
limit.
5.4.3. If the company submitting a proposal is a subsidiary of a parent company and has
a separate federal identification number, the Statement of Qualifications Signature
Form shall be in the name of the subsidiary and all information provided in Section
5 shall relate to the subsidiary. If the parent company provides additional resources
to the subsidiary, be sure to list the parent company as a sub consultant.
5.4.4. Page numbers shall be centered at the bottom of each page. Text shall be a
minimum of 11pt font, sans serif type. Margins must be no less than one inch (1")
on all sides.
5.5. Statement of Qualifications Content
5.5.1. Provide information requested below in the order outlined or the proposal may be
rejected.
5.5.2. SOQ must address each of the subjects in Section 6 (starting with 6.2) in the order
specified below, using the headings provided. If the Provider submitting an SOQ is
a subsidiary of a parent firm and has a separate federal identification number, the
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Proposal Signature Form shall be in the name of the subsidiary and all information
provided shall relate to the subsidiary. If the parent firm provides additional
resources to the subsidiary, be sure to list the parent firm as a sub-consultant.
6. Evaluation Criteria:
Providers will be evaluated separately based on the criteria included within this RFSQ,
on the Playground Equipment RFSQ Evaluation Form included in Appendix C and in
accordance with Columbus City Code, title 3, Section 329. Please be advised that
submittals provided to the City are subject to applicable Federal, State, and local public
information disclosure regulations. Requests to view a proposal will be arranged upon
receipt by the City of a written request for such; therefore, any proposal may be subject
to viewing by the public. If any information contained in the documents submitted is
deemed proprietary in nature, the Offeror is required to defend the City concerning any
litigation arising from the Offeror's request for confidentiality.
Statement of Qualifications must address each of the following subjects in the order
specified below, using the headings provided. These elements correspond to the
evaluation criteria noted on the Playground Equipment RFSQ Evaluation Form included
in Appendix C of this RFSQ. Note that page breaks are not required between sections;
however, section tab dividers will not be counted against the page total unless they
contain text other than that necessary to identify the section. Failure to provide the
information requested or comply with the information provided may result in the proposal
being rejected.
6.1 Location of Lead Provider's Region Representatives and Certified Installers (Maximum
10 points)
The City of Columbus places a high value on talent in the Central Ohio region and
emphasizes its use on City projects as much as possible. Ratings are based upon the
location of the Lead Provider's main office, region representatives, and certified
installers as follows:
* Locations are within the City of Columbus corporate limits (10 points)
* Locations are within Franklin County, but not within the City's corporate limits (7
points)
* Locations are within the State of Ohio (5 points)
* Locations are outside the State of Ohio (3 point)
6.2 Understanding of CRPD's Scope Requirements (Maximum 40 points):
Omitting this section shall result in a score of zero (0). Provide all of the information
below:
* Description of the Provider's understanding of the Columbus Recreation and
Park Department's needs for Scope Requirements (do not copy and paste from
the RFSQ). Provider to describe their understanding of scope, challenges and
limitations within the context of the project and the following:
Budget: The budget for each site is provided. Describe how the provider
o
will ensure maximum play value considering site and budget.
Quality Based Design: Describe the equipment provider's ability to
o
produce an equipment design based on a provided site assessment and
identification of specific site needs. It is the desire of CRPD to receive
creative and functional playground designs the meet the community input,
Department standards, and scope/budget provided.
Design Assistance: After selection by CRPD of a quality-based design the
o
selected equipment provider(s) shall provide design assistance to CRPD
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or the A/E as required to integrate their products into the Project designs
and bidding documents.
Provide information regarding the equipment provider's ability to
work with A/E in satisfying this requirement.
Provide a point of contact for design assistance and RFP
opportunities. Demonstrate how this point of contact works within the
Provider's delivery of designing and building playgrounds.
Installation: Provide information regarding the equipment Provider's
o
relationship with region representatives/certified installers. Describe the
installer(s) qualifications and experience.
6.3 Creativity and Unique Design (Maximum 50 points):
Omitting this section shall result in a score of zero (0). Provide all of the information
below:
* Provider to provide two (2) sample conceptual designs for playground
equipment.
* The first design should be for a playground with 2-5 and 5-12 year old structures
with a total play equipment budget of approximately $225,000.
* The second design should be for a playground emphasizing universal access,
nature play, and/or intergenerational play with a total play equipment budget of
approximately $350,000.
* Provide a narrative of each design process. Describe why each component or
feature or surfacing was selected and considerations for layout and
organization.
* Include written and pictorial content as necessary to indicate design intents.
* Include detail on play value, Provider specific efficiencies, integration of kinetic
and sensory features and/or universal accessibility for equipment included
within design options.
* Include information on theming and color options.
* Clearly indicate specific Provider products included within the Design Options
(such that CRPD may easily refer to Provider's information in 6.8).
* Refer to the CRPD Playground design guidelines in Appendix A attached for
preferences, requirements, and design considerations.
6.4 Quality Assurance and Past Performance (Maximum 30 points):
Omitting this section shall result in a score of zero (0). Provide all of the information
below:
* Describe a design project that the Provider led that had challenges (e.g.
schedule, communication, funding, etc.) and how Provider produced the desired
outcome of the project (on time, on budget, etc.).
* Provide information on expertise in fabrication of playground equipment and the
durability of their installed products, including:
* Provider shall include experience. No less than five (5) years of
experience in the design and fabrication of playground equipment.
* Provider shall provide information on typical product construction,
including connections, materials, and finishes.
* Playground equipment shall comply with all current and applicable ASTM
and CSPC standards, including ASTM F1487-11 and F2223-10.
* All equipment and surfacing shall be IPEMA Certified.
* It is understood that product cutsheets included in 6.8 will provide more
detailed information on specific products included within the provider's
offerings.
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6.5 Warranty and Maintenance (Maximum 30 points):
Omitting this section shall result in a score of zero (0). Provide all of the information
below:
* Provider to provide information regarding warranty, maintenance, and expected
lifespan of Provider's products.
* Provide warranty information for play equipment and components. Warranties
must be a minimum of five (5) years.
* Warranty periods exceeding five (5) years will be viewed favorably by CRPD. If
extended warranties are available from the Provider indicate availability.
* Provide information on field support available to CRPD maintenance personnel
from Provider.
* Provide information on the availability of replacement parts and typical lead
times.
* Provide information on maintenance needs for Provider's equipment, including
frequency of maintenance and preventative maintenance requirements or
recommendations.
* Provide life-cycle information for Provider's equipment and when replacement
should be expected by CRPD.
* Provide information regarding methods CRPD would use to obtain parts and
other equipment necessary for ongoing maintenance both during and after
expiration of warranty period.
6.6 Environmentally Preferable Offeror (Maximum 20 points):
Omitting this section shall result in a score of zero (0). Provide all of the information
below:
* Refer to Appendix B.
* Provider to state information on means, methods or materials used by the
Provider which produces a lesser or reduced negative impact on human health
and the environment when compared to competing materials, supplies,
equipment or construction and services that serve the same purpose.
* Provider to describe how design features shown in 6.3 or in 6.4 utilize natural
resources or sustainable design to enhance project outcomes.
6.7 References (Maximum 10 points):
Omitting this section shall result in a score of zero (0). Provide all of the information
below:
* Provider to provide information on previous projects, at least five (5) previous
projects.
* Projects selected shall be similar size and scope of design services, installation,
and at least one of both. Ensure projects selected are within typical ($200,000
to $500,000 range). If outside this range, state its relevance to this RFSQ.
* It is preferred that the Provider provides information on projects that include
2-5 and 5-12 year old playground equipment, universally accessible
playground equipment, adult fitness equipment, shade structures, nature
play, and intergenerational play equipment.
* Include pictorial content as needed or desired to communicate the general
scope of reference projects.
* For each project referenced, include complete contact information for the Owner
of each project.
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