RFQ 27-13 Owner's Project Management (OPM) Services for Building Master Plan

SOLICITATION FOR:
RFQ # 27-13
Owner's Project Management (OPM) Services for Building Master Plan
CITY OF SOMERVILLE, MASSACHUSETTS
Jacob D. Wilson, Mayor
Procurement and Contracting Services Department
Angela M. Allen, Chief Procurement Officer
RELEASE DATE: 9/16/2026
QUESTIONS DUE: 9/28/2026 by 12PM EST
DUE DATE AND TIME: 10/7/2026 by 3PM EST
Anticipated Contract Award 11/6/2026
Est. Contract Commencement Date 11/27/2026
Est. Contract Completion Date 11/26/2029
DELIVER TO:
City of Somerville
Procurement & Contracting Services
Attn: Thupten Chukhatsang
Senior Procurement Manager
tchukhatsang@somervillema.gov
93 Highland Avenue
Somerville, MA 02143

CITY OF SOMERVILLE, MASSACHUSETTS
Enclosed You Will Find a Request for Qualifications For:
RFQ # 27-13 Owner's Project Management (OPM) Services for Building Master Plan
SECTION 1.0
GENERAL INFORMATION ON APPLICATION PROCESS
1.1 General Instructions
Copies of the solicitation may be obtained from the Procurement & Contracting Services
Department on and after 9/16/2026 per the below-noted City Hall hours of operation.
City Hall Hours of Operation:
Monday - Wednesday 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Friday 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
All Responses Must be Sealed and Delivered To:
Procurement & Contracting Services Department
City of Somerville
93 Highland Avenue
Somerville, MA 02143
It is the sole responsibility of the Offeror to ensure that the Application arrives on time at the
designated place. Late Applications will not be considered and will be rejected and returned.
Application Format:
Submit one (1) sealed qualifications package; it must be marked with the solicitation title and
number and must be original. The package shall contain one printed original of the qualifications
and all required forms and one flash drive with the full submission package in digital form.
You can alternately, submit your application online via Bidexpress.com. You do not have to also
submit a sealed application package if you have submitted via BidExpress. Email is not an
acceptable method of submission of applications.
In an effort to reduce waste, please do not use 3-ring binders.
Responses must be sealed and marked with the solicitation title and number.
All Applications must include all forms listed in the Proposers' Checklist (and all documents
included or referenced in Sections 2.0 - 3.0). If all required documents are not present, the
Application may be deemed non-responsive and may result in disqualification of the
Application unless the City determines that such failure(s) constitute(s) a minor informality, as
defined and referenced in MGL chapters 30B and 149.
A complete Application must also include a cover letter signed by an official authorized to bind the
Offeror contractually and contain a statement that the Application is firm for ninety (90) days. An
unsigned letter, or one signed by an individual not authorized to bind the Offeror, may be
disqualified.

The Offeror's authorized official(s) must sign all required Application forms.
All information in the Offeror's response should be clear and concise. The successful response will
be incorporated into a contract as an exhibit; therefore, Offerors should not make claims to which
they are not prepared to commit themselves contractually.
The successful Offeror must be an Equal Opportunity Employer.
1.2 Application Schedule
Key dates for this Request for Qualifications:
RFQ Issued 9/16/2026
Online Briefing Session Virtual conference via Zoom on:
9/23/2026 at 2:30 PM EST
Join Zoom Meeting
Click this link
Meeting ID: 822 1394 5507
Passcode: 969097
Deadline for Submitting Questions 9/28/2026 by 12PM EST
to RFQ
Applications Due 10/7/2026 by 3PM EST
Anticipated Contract Award 11/6/2026
Est. Contract Commencement 11/27/2026
Date
Est. Contract Completion Date 11/26/2029
Responses must City of Somerville
Procurement & Contracting Services Department
be delivered by
Attn: Thupten Chukhatsang
93 Highland Avenue
to:
10/7/2026 by 3PM EST Somerville, MA 02143

1.3 Submission Instructions
If you are submitting your application online via Bidexpress.com, then you do not need to also submit a sealed
application package. Email is not an acceptable method of submission of applications.
Please submit one sealed envelope, with the following contents and marked in the following manner:
Contents of Sealed Application
Marked As
Package
Envelope to be labeled: Qualifications and To Be Marked: Application RFQ # 27-13 Owner's
Technical Application: Shall Include (1) original Project Management (OPM) Services for Building
and one (1) electronic copy. [Electronic copies are to be Master Plan
submitted on thumb drives and are to be saved in Adobe Acrobat
format. ("Read only" files are acceptable.)]
Please send the complete sealed package to the Thupten Chukhatsang
attention of : Senior Procurement Manager
Procurement & Contracting Services Department
Somerville City Hall
93 Highland Avenue
Somerville, MA 02143
Methods of Bid Submission
Bidders may submit bids in any of the following ways. All bids will be timestamped and must be received
no later than due date and time.
1) Sealed bids can be sent to City Hall through the US Postal Service or other delivery service (e.g. FedEx,
UPS).
2) BidExpress.com is an online bidding platform where bidders can submit all required documents. The fee
to use this service is approximately $50.00 unless your company has a subscription with BidExpress. You
can access the bid package and forms via the City of Somerville BidExpress page at:
https://www.bidexpress.com/businesses/33100/home A user guide is attached for your reference.
3) For any technical assistance while submitting the online bid, please contact the BidExpress Customer
support team at www.bidexpress.com. Bidders may submit bids in any of the following ways. All bids will
be timestamped and must be received no later than due date and time.

Application Format
Responses must be submitted in accordance with the requirements set forth in this solicitation. Results of the
Application review process will be utilized to establish a preliminary ranking of the proposers. The City may
interview the top ranked candidates as part of the evaluation process. All information in the technical Application
should be organized and presented as directed below. Your application should contain all forms outlined in the
Proposers Checklist (Section 3.0). Responses shall be prepared on standard 8.5 x 11 inch paper (charts may be
landscaped but must be on 8.5 x 11 inch paper) and shall be in a legible font size (12). All pages of each response
shall be appropriately numbered (and with consecutive page numbering across tabs).
Elaborate format and binding are neither necessary nor desirable. Each Application shall clearly identify the
Offeror's name, solicitation number, formal solicitation title and, if applicable, copy number, (e.g., "Original",
"Copy"). All submissions will allow for easy removal and replacement of pages.
Applications shall be organized as follows:
1. Cover Letter
2. Summary of Qualifications & Experience
a. Project Team
b. Project Management Approach
c. Review of Design Documents and Cost Estimates
d. Bidding/Construction Administration Services
e. Project Closeout Services
1. Cover Letter
Submit a cover letter that includes the official name of the firm submitting the Application, mailing address,
e-mail address, telephone number, fax number, and contact name. The letter must be signed by an official
authorized to bind the proposer contractually and contain a statement that the Application is firm for ninety
(90) days. An unsigned letter, or one signed by an individual not authorized to bind the Offeror, may be
disqualified. The signature shall be of an individual authorized to negotiate and execute the Contract for
Project Management Services, in the form that is attached to the RFQ, on behalf of the Respondent. The name,
title, address, e-mail and telephone number of the contact person who can respond to requests for additional
information.
a) A specific statement regarding compliance with the minimum requirements identified in the "Selection
Criteria" below. Include identification of registration, number of years of experience and where obtained
(as supported by the resumes that are to be attached), as well as the date of the MCCPO certification.
(A copy of the MCCPO certification should be attached to the cover letter).
b) An acknowledgement that the Respondent has read the Request for Qualifications. Respondent shall
note any exceptions to the RFQ in its cover letter.
c) An acknowledgement that the Respondent has read the Standard Contract. Respondent shall note any
exceptions to the Standard Contract in its cover letter.
d) In the event that the City receives financial assistance for this project from the Commonwealth of

Massachusetts, the Applicant must be prepared to comply with all the necessary requirements pursuant
to M.G.L. Chapter 7C, Section 6.
e) A description of the Respondent's organization and its history.
2. Summary of Qualifications & Experience
The Offeror shall include qualifications and experience of the firm (or sole proprietor). The Offeror shall
identify the year the firm was established, the total number of employees currently employed, and the number
of employees focused on this engagement. This section should also describe work that is similar in scope and
complexity that the Offeror has undertaken in the past. A discussion of the challenges faced and solutions
developed are highly recommended. The Offeror may include any additional literature and product brochures.
Applicants are highly encouraged to organize this section as follows:
a. Project Team
b. Project Management Approach
c. Review of Design Documents and Cost Estimates
d. Bidding/Construction Administration Services
e. Project Closeout Services
References
The Offeror shall list at least three relevant references, which the City can contact. The City of Somerville
reserves the right to use ourselves as a reference. References shall include the following information:
The name, address, telephone number, and email address of each client listed above.
A description of the work performed under each contract. The amount of the contract.
A description of the nature of the relationship between Offeror and the customer.
The dates of performance. The volume of the work performed.

1.4 Questions
Questions are due: 9/28/2026 by 12PM EST
Questions concerning this solicitation must be delivered in writing to:
Senior Procurement Manager
Somerville City Hall
Procurement & Contracting Services Department
93 Highland Avenue
Somerville, MA 02143
Or emailed to:
tchukhatsang@somervillema.gov
Or faxed to:
617-625-1344
Answers will be sent via an addendum to all Offerors who have registered with the City of Somerville
Procurement & Contracting Services Department as interested applicants. Applicants are encouraged to contact
the Procurement & Contracting Services Department to register as an RFQ document holder to automatically
be alerted as to addenda as they are issued. It is the responsibility of the Offeror to also monitor the bids and
opportunities portal on the City's website for any updates, addenda, etc. regarding that specific solicitation. The
web address is:
https://www.somervillema.gov/procurement
If any prospective applicant contacts City personnel outside of the Procurement & Contracting Services
Department regarding this RFQ and project, that applicant will be disqualified immediately.
1.5 General Terms
Application Signature
A response must be signed as follows: 1) if the Offeror is an individual, by her/him personally; 2) if the Offeror
is a partnership, by the name of the partnership, followed by the signature of each general partner; and 3) if the
Offeror is a corporation, by the authorized officer, whose signature must be attested to by the clerk/secretary of
the corporation (& with corporate seal).
Time for Application Acceptance and City Contract Requirements
The contract will be awarded within 90 days after the Application opening. The time for award may be extended
for up to 45 additional days by mutual agreement between the City of Somerville and the Offeror that is most
advantageous and responsible. The Offeror's submission will remain in effect for a period of 90 days from the
response deadline or until it is formally withdrawn, a contract is executed, or this solicitation is canceled,
whichever occurs first. The Offeror will be required to sign the City of Somerville's Owner's Project
Management Services Contract, included herein as Appendix B.

Holidays are as follows:
New Year's Day Martin Luther King Day Presidents' Day Patriots' Day
Memorial Day Juneteenth Independence Day Independence Day Labor Day
Indigenous Peoples' Day Veterans' Day Thanksgiving Day Thanksgiving Friday
Christmas Eve (half day) Christmas Day
Please visit http://www.somervillema.gov/ for the City's most recent calendar. *Under State Law, all holidays
falling on Sunday must be observed on Monday.
If the awarded Offeror for their convenience desires to perform work during other than normal working hours
or on other than normal work days, or if the Offeror is required to perform work at such times, the Offeror
shall reimburse the City for any additional expense occasioned the City, thereby, such as, but not limited to,
overtime pay for City employees, utilities service, etc. Unless otherwise specified in these provisions, services
will be performed during normal work hours. When required services occur on holidays, work will be
performed on either the previous or following work day, unless specified otherwise.
Unforeseen Office Closure
If, at the time of the scheduled deadline for this RFQ, the Procurement & Contracting Services Department is
closed due to uncontrolled events such as fire, snow, ice, wind, or building evacuation, the Application due date
will be postponed until 2:00 p.m. on the next normal business day. Applications will be accepted until that date
and time. In the event of inclement weather, the Offeror is responsible for listening to the media to determine if
the City has been closed due to weather.
Changes & Addenda
If any changes are made to this solicitation, an addendum will be issued. All proposers on record as having
contacted the Procurement & Contracting Services Department to be registered for the solicitation will be
alerted via email as to the posting of all addenda. The City will also post addenda on its website
(https://www.somervillema.gov/procurement). No changes may be made to the solicitation documents by the
Offerors without written authorization and/or an addendum from the Procurement & Contracting Services
Department.
Modification or Withdrawal of Applications, Mistakes, and Minor Informalities
An Offeror may correct, modify, or withdraw an Application by written notice received by the City of
Somerville prior to the time and date set for the Application deadline. Application modifications must be
submitted in a sealed envelope clearly labeled "Modification No.__" to the address listed in Section 1. Each
modification must be numbered in sequence and must reference the original solicitation. After the Application
deadline, an Offeror may not change any provision of the Application in a manner prejudicial to the interests of
the City or fair competition. Minor informalities will be waived or the proposer will be allowed to correct them.
If a mistake on the intended Application is clearly evident on the face of the submitted document, the mistake
will be corrected to reflect the intended correct Application, and the proposer will be notified in writing; the
proposer may not withdraw the Application. A proposer may withdraw an Application if a mistake is clearly
evident on the face of the Application document, but the intended correct Application is not similarly evident.

Right to Cancel/Reject Applications
The City of Somerville may cancel this solicitation, or reject in whole or in part any and all Applications, if the
City determines that cancellation or rejection serves the best interests of the City.
Unbalanced Applications
The City reserves the right to reject unbalanced, front-loaded, and conditional Applications.
Brand Name "or Equal"
Any references to any brand name or proprietary product in the specifications shall require the acceptance of
an equal or better brand. The City has the right to make the final determination as to whether an alternate brand
is equal to the brand specified.
Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)
For EFT payment, the following shall be included with invoices to the point of contact:
* Contract/Order number; Contractor's name & address as stated in the contract;
* The signature (manual or electronic, as appropriate) title, and telephone number of the Offeror's
representative authorized to provide sensitive information;
* Name of financial institution; Financial institution nine (9) digit routing transit number;
* Offeror's account number; Type of account, i.e., checking or saving.
1.6 Evaluation Methodology
Comparative Evaluation Criteria
The Comparative Evaluation Criteria set forth in Section 2 of this RFQ shall be used to evaluate responsible
and responsive applicants.
All Applications will be reviewed by an evaluation committee composed of employees of the City. Final
selection will be based upon the evaluators' analysis of the information and materials required under the RFQ
and provided by the proposing vendors in their submissions. The City reserves the right to involve an outside
consultant in the selection process. Applications that meet the minimum quality requirements will be reviewed
for responses to the comparative evaluation criteria. The evaluation committee will assign a rating of Highly
Advantageous, Advantageous, Not Advantageous, or Unacceptable to the comparative evaluation criteria.
The City will only award a contract to a responsive and responsible Proposer. Before awarding the contract(s),
the City may request additional information from the Proposer to ensure that the Proposer has the resources
necessary to perform the required services. The City reserves the right to reject any and all Applications if it
determines that the criteria set forth have not been met.
Selection Process
Qualified Applications will be reviewed and rated by the Evaluation Committee ("the Committee") on the basis
of the comparative evaluation criteria and minimum quality requirements included in Section 2.0.
The City may request additional information from the Offerors to ensure that the Offeror has the necessary
resources to perform the required services. The Committee may choose to select a set of finalists to be

interviewed ("the short list"). The short-listed applicants will be notified, either by e-mail or telephone, of the
date, time, and place for their interviews and any other pertinent information related thereto. The Mayor may,
at the Mayor's sole discretion, interview the applicants on the short list. The Committee will rank all candidates
and make a recommendation to the Mayor to enter into a contract with the most highly advantageous Offeror.
The City will award the contract to the most responsive and responsible Offeror whose entire Application is
deemed to be the most highly advantageous. The City reserves the right to reject any and all Applications if it
determines that the criteria set forth have not been met.
This Request for Services, any addenda issued by the Owner, and the selected Respondent's response, will
become part of the executed contract. The key personnel that the Respondent identifies in its response must be
contractually committed for the Project. No substitution or replacement of key personnel or change in the Sub-
consultants identified in the response shall take place without the prior written approval of the Owner.
Selection Schedule
The Selection Committee reserves the right to re-advertise if there are fewer than four Respondents that meet
the minimum requirements. After submission of qualifications, a Selection Committee will review all
applications to determine which ones meet the minimum requirements. The Selection Committee will rate
every Respondent that meets the minimum qualifications using the weighted evaluation criteria in this RFQ.
The weighted evaluation criteria will be assigned by all committee members with a brief written explanation
for their assigned score. After individual evaluations, the Procurement Officer will collect all committee
members' evaluation sheets for each Respondent and will compile a master list ranking the Respondents from
most advantageous (the highest cumulative score) to least advantageous (the lowest cumulative score).
Following the ranking of Respondents, the committee will short-list and conduct interviews with selected
applicants. The Purchasing Director will notify all applicants of the names of the applicants selected for the
short list. The short-listed applicants will be notified, either by e-mail or telephone, of the date, time and place
for their interviews and any other pertinent information related thereto.
Each short-listed Respondent will be required to make a presentation of their qualifications to the Selection
Committee. Each interview will consist of a question and answer period and time allotted for Respondents to
present past experience with projects of similar scope and size. All three (or more) finalists will be asked the
same questions and given the same opportunities to present. The interview process will also have a ranking
system and committee members will be required to rank each of the finalists. Based on the interview process,
Respondents will be ranked and references will be checked for the highest ranking Respondent.
Fee Negotiations
The Owner will commence fee negotiations with the first-ranked Applicant. If the Owner is unable to negotiate
a contract with the first-ranked Applicant, the Owner will then commence negotiations with its second-ranked
Applicant and so on, until a contract is successfully negotiated and approved by the Owner.
The Owner will negotiate the fee for services dependent upon an evaluation of the level of effort required, job
complexity, specialized knowledge required, estimated construction cost, comparison with past project fees,
and other considerations. As construction cost is but one of several factors, a final construction figure in excess
of the initial construction estimate will not, in and of itself, constitute a justification for an increase in the
Owner's Project Manager fee.