Issue Statement: On August 2, 2021, the City of Oakland Park released Request for Qualifications, RFQ# 091421 Downtown Properties Redevelopment Project Phase One – Development Firm Pre-Qualification Solicitation. Twelve responses were received, and the City Commission shortlisted the top five ranked firms on November 3, 2021. On November 15, 2021, the City released Request for Proposals, RFP #011322 Downtown Properties Redevelopment Project Phase Two- Development Proposals, and invited the five firms to submit comprehensive development proposals. On January 13, 2022, the City received proposals from three (3) of the five (5) pre-qualified firms.
Recommended Action: Staff recommends the City Commission (1) Approve the selection committee ranking of the three proposals in response to RFP #011322 Downtown Properties Redevelopment Project Phase Two - Development Proposals; and (2) Authorize City staff to begin negotiations on a Development Agreement, and other necessary agreements, with the top-ranked firm. If negotiations are not concluded within ninety (90) calendar days or anytime during the negotiations in the City Manager’s discretion, the City Manager may cease negotiations with notice to the City Commission and negotiate with the next ranked firm and subsequent firm as needed.
Background: On November 15, 2021, the City issued RFP # 011322 Downtown Properties Redevelopment Project Phase Two-Development Proposals from Pre-Qualified Firms. On January 13, 2022, the City received proposals from three (3) of the five (5) pre-qualified firms:
- Kaufman Lynn Falcone Group
- Merrimac Ventures
- Terra, Comras Group, and Zyscovich
All three firms were deemed responsive to the solicitation. The Phase Two Evaluation Committee was comprised of ranking members and non-ranking Technical Advisors as follows:
Evaluation Committee (Ranking Members):
- Ana Alvarez, Chief Planning Officer
- Albert Carbon, Director of Public Works
- Brynt Johnson, Director of Engineering and Building Services
- Andrew Thompson, Chief Financial Officer
- Steven Tinsley, Assistant Director- Economic Development
Technical Advisors (Non-ranking Members):
- Illya Azaroff, +Lab Architects, Architectural Design and Sustainability Advisor
- Ken Krasnow, Colliers International, Real Estate Advisor
- Paul Lambert, Lambert Advisory, Economic Advisor
- Renee Miller, RMCG, Policy Advisor
- Peter Schwarz, City of Oakland Park, Director Community, and Economic Development, Urban Planning Advisor
On February 3, 2022, through the Procurement Manager, the ranking members of the Evaluation Committee were provided detailed technical reports from each of the Technical Advisors (reports attached).
On February 10, 2022, the Evaluation Committee held its first meeting to hear reports from the Technical Advisors. This meeting was open to the public and recorded.
On February 17, 2022, the Evaluation Committee held a second meeting to hear oral presentations from the three development firms, finalize ranking, and provide a recommendation to the City Manager. Per Florida Statute 286.0113, the oral presentation portion of the Evaluation Committee meeting was closed to the public and recorded; however, all Evaluation Committee discussions and deliberations were open to the public and recorded. Links to the recorded Evaluation Committee meetings are available on the City’s website at www.oaklandparkfl.gov.
Pursuant to the RFP, the Firms were evaluated based on the following criteria:
The final scores were as follows (a total of 105 points were available):
- Kaufman Lynn Falcone Group 100.4
- Terra, Comras Group, and Zyscovich 89.2
- Merrimac Ventures 80.2
Background investigations were conducted on each of the firms under consideration. The aforementioned background investigations found no items of concern on any of the firms. As such, on February 18, 2022, RMCG transmitted a formal recommendation memo to the City Manager, detailing the activities of the Evaluation Committee and providing the basis for which the committee came to its final recommendations.