1)  Who is on the Selection Committee?

Selection Committee for this project will be composed of Phil Simpson, Architect, Director of Planning; Chair, Morey Bean, Planner, Facilities Planning; Jim Wollum, Project Manager; Candy Roberts, Design Review Board; Professor Volkamer, and Lynn Sarkis, representing Ekeley Sciences.  Other members on the selection committee may be added or replaced.  Chemistry will replace Lynn Sarkis, who is retiring.

Phone numbers can be obtained by searching the CU-Boulder Phone Directory .

2)  Does any firm have an advantage in the selection process?

The University of Colorado at Boulder selects firms solely on the qualifications listed in the RFQ and expanded in the Information Packet. Prior work of any kind at the university is not a guarantee that a particular project will be given to a firm. On the other hand, the second criteria, (Understanding of the Project), often is demonstrated by firms familiar with the building and programs. Clearly, any firm that can thoroughly research the project, synthesize concepts for the successful execution of the idea, and demonstrate that for the selection committee will succeed in getting this project.

3)  How does the university feel about out-of-state consultants?

CU-Boulder has no policy prohibiting or encouraging out-of-state firms, however experience has shown that in-state firms provide better service to the university. Out-of-state firms must demonstrate that their experience is superior to that of in-state firms. Firms that partner with local firms should have experience with other projects, so that contractual arrangements have been worked out in advance of this project.

4)  What are the WBE/MBE goals for the project?

The university's goal for MBE participation is 17%. For WBE, the goal is a range from 8% to 23.8%. Firms submitting may be required to demonstrate that they have made an effort to obtain qualified sub-consultants.  These forms are not required to be completed at this point.  Forms will be part of the contracting requirements for the selected firm.  We encourage firms to discuss in there submittal how they might address these issues.

5)  Are there any specific sub-consultants that are needed for
     this project?

The University uses a two step selection process for the selection of major sub-consultants. During contract negotiations, separate interviews typically for consultants who will have a major role in or provide a specialized service critical to this project (e.g. mechanical, electrical, telecommunications consultants )  will be conducted jointly by the consultant and University. Other minor sub-consultants (e.g. civil, landscape architecture, cost consultants) should be included in the submittal package.

6)  The RFQ implies that in-state firms must be in the lead,
     is that correct?

No, that assumption is incorrect. The RFQ's wording is to make sure that the architect of record is licensed in the State of Colorado. Any firm holding such a license may submit as the lead firm. Please refer to Question 3 above and note that an out of state firm will have to demonstrate how their level of service will exceed that of in-state firms, particularly in the areas of capability, understanding of the project and methodology.

7)   We noticed the Pre-Submittal meeting was informational;
      could you elaborate on your view on why it is not necessary
      for a firm to attend the meeting?

The pre-submittal meeting is an opportunity for firms to find out general information about the project and the submittal process, at their option. For the RFQ submittal, we are primarily looking at architects' qualifications and not expecting much about this specific project at this time. Finally, we have found that many firms may have previous commitments on a pre-submittal meeting date.

9)   Where and how do we submit our RFQ?

Submittal procedures are explained in the RFQ information packet; however, some additional clarification is required about addressing mail to Facilities Management. When mailing items through the US Postal Service the item must go through Campus Mailing Services, which exclusively uses the campus mailbox designation 453 UCB. Express services (e.g. FedEx, UPS, Airborne) and couriers deliver directly to Facilities Management's offices located at 1540 30th Street.

If a firm elects to use US Postal service, allow an extra day for delivery, and address the package as:

Morey Bean, Planner
Facilities Planning
Facilities Management
453 UCB
Boulder, Colorado 80309-0453

Express mail and couriers should be addressed to:

Morey Bean
Facilities Planning
Facilities Management
1540 30th Street, Room 301
University of Colorado at Boulder
Boulder, Colorado 80309

Of course, you may always deliver the submittals in person to the 30th Street address, Room 301.

10)   Is there a preferred or required software format for the
         building information model?

Recognizing that the industry is still sorting out the advantages and disadvantages of the software, we have not established a requirement or standard.  Please also reference the CAD / Document Management web page on the Facilities Management web site.

11)   Will the consultant be expected to do LEED
        Commissioning?

The University is its own commissioning agent.  The consultant team will be expected to participate in the commissioning process but not serve as the commissioning agent.

12)   In the RFQ you ask for the drawings to be in CAD, but also
        request Building Information Modeling of the building
        systems, so are you requiring the use of Revit on certain
        portions of the projects?

Our standards require that all drawings be submitted in AutoCAD format.  For these projects, the need for BIM is minimal as we anticipate minimal work on building systems. The Planning, Design, and Construction Division is currently changing their drawing submittal standards to include the provision of a BIM model for projects with a total project cost of over $2 million.  It is anticipated that this project will not meet that threshhold.   If design team members are using Revit for the project, we ask that those models be made available.

13)   Is the Commissioning Service a separate contract from this
        RFQ?

Commissioning of the building systems is to be done by CU, typically by our staff.

14)   I notice that work has been accomplished on the project
       called schematic design.  How much redesign during the
       schematic phase of the project will be necessary?  Are we
       obliged to follow the schematic design work completed by
       this previous study?  

The previous work did not include any exterior elevation work, nor did it address the roof deck that is required as part of the project, hence schematics will be revisited, and the architect will be required to submit a full set of schematics.  By Colorado contract law (based on AIA contract documents), the previous design work is available to the University for its use on this project; the plans included in this RFQ are available for the selected team to use for this project on behalf of the University.  Since the client has approved the previous schematic design work that was developed through out a lengthy design process, it would be advantageous from a cost and time standpoint not to start over with a new design. The .dwg AutoCad files for the previous work are available for this project in our CAD Department here at Planning Design & Construction - RL2-377 (303-492-4223).

15)   Should mechanical, electrical, IT and structural engineering
        consultants be part of our proposal?

No.  Once the shortlisted architects are selected for interviews, we will ask them for recommended engineering consultants to work on the project.  CU Boulder Planning, Design and Construction (PD&C) staff will add their recommendations and MEPS engineering firms will either be interviewed or selected (with the architect on the selection committee) and added to the team upon the final selection of the architecture firm doing the work. Please note that structural engineering is a critical component of this job, so thoughtful consideration of the expertise, experience and availability of the structural engineer is important to the success of this project.

16)    Do we include our engineering consultants in our
         proposals?  

No.  With this particular selection process, the selection of MEP, structural and any other engineering consultants will happen later, at the recommendation of the selected architect, and with the advise and consent of the CU Boulder Planning, Design and Construction engineering staff.  

17)    Isn't this a complicated enough project where you want to
         make sure you get a good A/E team put together?  

Yes, including the advise of the CU engineering staff who is very familiar with the Ekeley building and most of the engineering consultants who have experience with this type of project on campus.  The engineering team will be especially important to this project, and will be selected subsequent to the selection of the architect.  

18)    Are there any other optics laboratories that can help us
         understand the particulars of Professor Volkamer's needs
         that we can learn about?  

Not in the United States.  The labs will need to be fully equipped as described by the interior schematic design with lab gasses and dry lab ventilation systems, (not including a fume hood) including chilled water for cooling equipment and liquid nitrogen.  Information for vibration specs is available from the webpage.  The design effort will delve more deeply into the specific requirements.  

19)   Is this a laser lab?  Do we need to provide a clean room type
        setting to reduce visible particulates in the air of the lab for
        the optical equipment?  

No this is not a laser lab, nor a clean room. This lab will be used to develop small, low energy consumption, and portable ewuipment;  other instruments are stationary.  However, the development phase requires optics to be exposed to room air, and room air should be dust free, and filtered for particles that settle by gravity (diameters > 1 micron).  

20)    In considering the architecture of the exterior of Ekeley, is
         there a requirement to add windows to the West elevation?  

The schematic design work completed to-date was for the interior spaces only.  The design for the exterior should explore alternatives that will meet Professor Volkamer's equipment siting needs to provide visual access to the Niwot Ridge and Table Mesa (and 60 degree variation from these lines of sight) but should also be very sensitive to the Tuscan Vernacular style of the campus and the intent of the traditional architecture of Charles Klauder.  There is no need for multiple windows in the West elevation.  One existing opening could probably be expanded to meet the laboratory needs.  Windows in the South, and West elevations, and roof access (East elevation) require blinds to block light.

21)   Will all of the utilities in the upper portion of the lab space
        be removed?  

All of the mechanical ductwork currently in the space has been abandoned.  Part of the design effort will be to successfully provide the design for a climate controlled space to plus or minus two degrees Celsius.