Master Planning Process

The University of Maine advertised for Master Planners in November, 2006. The notice is as follows:

NOTICE TO DESIGNERS/PLANNERS
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

The University of Maine desires to procure services to develop a Master Plan for its facilities in Orono and Old Town, Maine, comprising 3,888,957 square feet of space in 208 buildings.  The Master Plan will address existing campus conditions (its setting in relation to municipalities and the region, existing built environment, development constraints, and the strategic objectives of the University of Maine System, and the University of Maine Campus, including the Campus’ “Strategic Implementation Plan for Enhancement of Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity.”)Generally, the selected firm will develop three alternative concepts that address land/real estate; vehicles, parking and transportation; architectural and site development standards; “communities” or “subdistricts” within the Campus; energy, utility and infrastructure, with a view to continuing the transition to sustainability; and the University’s impact on adjacent municipalities in terms of education, development and economic growth.

Firms desiring to be considered should submit a letter of interest together with a qualifications package addressing:  similar projects completed in the past five (5) years; a profile of major firm personnel who would lead the master planning effort; a listing of the unique knowledge and skills of firm personnel in master planning for a major campus, including a college or university campus; demonstrated ability to work with diverse campus groups; a listing of consultants who may be used, their areas of specialty, and experience in campus planning work; demonstrated ability to lead a campus to articulate how its facilities can support its vision for the near term (5 years) and long term (20 years).

Seven (7) copies of qualification packages should be submitted to Elaine Clark, Associate Vice President for Finance and Administration, 5703 Alumni Hall, Suite 118, Orono, ME 04469-5703.

All letters of interest must be received prior to 2:00 pm on November 30, 2006.
 

Specific tasks from firms submitting proposals are set out in the RFQ:

Request for Qualifications (RFQ) Master Plan

University of Maine, Campus Master Plan
Office of the Vice President for Administration and Finance
October 2006

General Information

A Request for Qualifications is solicited by the University of Maine from professional planning and design firms for master planning services.  See #8 Schedule below for submission information.

University of Maine Information

The University of Maine is one of seven Universities of the University of Maine System.  With a student enrollment of approximately 11,500, it is the largest higher education institute in the State of Maine.  The main campus is located in Orono, Maine, and consists of 600 acres.  University Park, located one mile north of campus, consists of 116 units of one- two-, and three- bedroom family housing, and includes a child care facility.  The Witter Teaching and Research Farm, located less than one mile north of the University, is a working farm. 

In addition, the University owns and operates programs at the following off campus sites:  three experimental forests (Bradley, Lagrange, New Portland); the Demeritt Forest in Old Town; the Franklin Center (Franklin); several farms (Blueberry Hill Farm, Jonesboro; Highmoor Farm, Monmouth; Aroostook Farm, Presque Isle; Rogers Farm, Old Town; and Smith Farm, Old Town); and the Darling Marine Center, South Bristol.  The University leases 26 sites throughout the State.

Campus Buildings

The main Orono campus has 3,888,957 million gross square feet of space in 208 buildings.  The new Recreation Center, scheduled to be placed in service in September 2007, will add 85,000 square feet to the total.  A complete list of buildings is available on the University of Maine web site under the Department of Facilities Management. 

Scope of Services

 The Master Plan will include the following components:

 1.      History of the University and Prior Planning Efforts

      Materials pertaining to this will be made available to short-listed firms.

 2.      Goals and Objectives

 3.      Existing Campus Conditions

 A.     Campus physical setting

1.  Major campus components
2.  General physiography
3.  Municipal and Regional setting 

B.     Existing and potential constraints to new development 

1.  Natural resource constraints (wetlands, steep slopes,  flood plains, outstanding scenic resources, etc.
2.  Easements or restrictions that limit use of property
3.  Other regulatory and environmental issues 

C.  Existing Built Environment 

1.   Land Use Patterns
2.  Open space
3.  Parking
4.  Vehicular, pedestrian, bicycle circulation and transit
5.  Athletic and recreation facilities
6.  Campus architecture, buildings, historic zones
7.  Infrastructure
8.  Signage and Lighting
9.  Telecommunications and IT       
10. Student Housing and Dining
11.  Artistic, Cultural, Recreational facilities (University and public use)

 D.  Edge conditions 

1.  General land use, open space, circulation within approx. 0.5 mile
2.  Connections to nearby economic or service nodes (Downtown Orono, Downtown Old Town, Bangor, Brewer and Region) 

4.      Future Campus Requirements --  Plans, Programs, Populations 

A.  Strategic Plans

University of Maine Strategic Plan
University of Maine System Strategic Plan

B.  Student Demographics and Projections

C.  Academics:

Future academic programs and growth areas
Graduate and Undergraduate

D.  Faculty, Staff, Administration Projections

Offices, Interdisciplinary Spaces

E.  Housing, on- and off-campus

F.  Art, Culture, Recreation

G.  Public Use and visitors (Campus destinations and events)

 5.  20-Year Master Plan 

A.  Land/Real Estate 

a.      Landscape and Open Space
b.      Land Use Plan
c.      Squares, plazas, and focal points
d.      Natural Resources Surrounding Campus
e.      Land Acquisitions and Dispositions
f.        Leased Space:  ground leases for private development
g.      Leases to and from the University
h.      Linkages with off-campus facilities in surrounding communities
         and state-wide

       B.  Vehicles, Parking, Traffic, Transportation 

a.      Alternative Transportation
b.      Off-site shuttle lots
c.      Public Transportation
d.      Parking garage
e.      Creation of perimeter parking with shuttle(s)
f.       Pedestrian friendly campus core
g.      Coordination with Land Trusts re:  bike paths and trails 

      C.  Buildings – Architectural Standards  

a.  Space Utilization Plan
b.  Architectural and Site Development Standards
c.  Historic Preservation Plan and Standards
d.  Capital Repair and Improvement Plan (including backlog of deferred
     maintenance) 

D.  Buildings – Communities/Sub Districts Within the University           

a.  First year experience
b.  Student Housing and Residential Life
c.  Living/learning environments
            Honors College
            Graduate Center
            Innovation Center
            Others?
d.  Dining/Food Service
e.  Athletic and Recreation Facilities
f.   Greek Life
g.  “Downtown” historic district
h.   Research and Technology Transfer
i.    Public Outreach, Education, Amenities
f.    Faculty Offices and Interdepartmental Spaces
g.   Administrative Offices 

E.  Energy, Utilities and Infrastructure 

a.  Signage Plan
b.  Lighting Plan
c.  Steam, Water, Electric Utilities
d.  Energy and utilities master plan, reduction in consumption, focus on renewable energy, cogeneration, biomass, alternative fuels, reduction in Greenhouse Gas Emissions
e.  Telecommunications and IT Plan  

F.  Municipal and Regional Connections

a.  Relationships with surrounding municipalities and region
     -- Shared municipal facilities
     -- Physical connectivity
     -- Economic connections
     -- Social facilities of importance to campus population
     -- Recreational facilities of importance to campus population
     -- Transportation
b.  Public Use of Campus Facilities
c.  Potential for nearby off-campus economic growth 

      G. Review Process           

a.  Collaboration with Campus Planning Committee; student government; faculty; administration; local municipalities; regional planning/governmental entities
b.  Development of three alternative physical planning concepts based on current conditions and assets and future goals and projections
c.  Development of order-of-magnitude cost estimates and implementation strategies
d.  Presentation of planning options to University Faculty and Administration, University committees, City of Old Town, Town of Orono, other municipalities, regional planning organizations or regional governmental entities impacted
e.  Consider feedback from Presentations
f.  Adoption of final plan, adoption of Campus Planning Committee of final plan 

6.  Selection Process 

The University will use a two-stage process for the final selection of a qualified consultant to prepare its Master Plan. 

Stage One will consist of a Qualifications Package submitted by those firms interested in being considered.  Qualifications packages shall indicate experience in campus planning.  The University will select up to five (5) short-listed firms based on an evaluation of the written materials submitted for campus interviews.  The short-listed firms will be invited to campus for interviews.     

Stage Two will consist of the selection of one finalist firm following interviews with the short-listed firms.  The University will initiate negotiations with the selected consultant to develop a scope of work for preparation of the Master Plan.  If negotiations are unsuccessful, the University will enter into this process with the next highest scoring firm.  The contract for professional services will be based on the Purchasing Division’s standard contract for professional services. 

The University of Maine reserves the right to reject any and all submittals. 

Submittal costs in connection with this RFQ and subsequent proposal preparation and presentation costs will be the responsibility of the submitting firm. 

7.  Project Budget and Fee

To be negotiated with the selected firm.   

8.  Schedule 

Qualifications Packages must be received in the office of the Associate Vice President for Administration and Finance, 118 Alumni Hall, Orono, ME 04469-5703, by Thursday, November 30, 2006, 2:00 p.m. 

Please submit seven copies. Submissions received after 2:00 p.m. will be rejected. 

The Master Planning process will be conducted in phases.  Phases shall be discussed with the selected firm; however the final decision as to both the content and timing of phases shall be in the discretion of the University.