The City of Columbia, South Carolina (City) is soliciting Request for Qualifications to construct and install a new “visitor friendly” sign system throughout Columbia’s City Center. All responses shall meet the terms and conditions of this RFQ.

Columbia’s City Center is the focus of financial, governmental, cultural and entertainment activities in the Midlands Region of South Carolina. The City’s institutions and attractions serve not only Columbia’s citizens but also those of the entire region. Over the past several years the City has experienced an unprecedented volume of investment from both the public and private sectors. Construction of a new University of South Carolina sports arena (Colonial Center) and a Midlands Regional Convention Center is complete. These two new facilities bring into even sharper focus the ongoing need for a visitor wayfinding signage system to serve the increasing numbers of visitors drawn to Columbia’s City Center.

While the wayfinding signs currently in place in Columbia’s City Center are in reasonably good repair, they are generic in appearance (based on DOT standards used nationwide) and too few in numbers. A more comprehensive program would dramatically improve wayfinding throughout the City and a more distinctive appearance would reinforce a positive community image. Toward that end, the City commissioned a plan to address the City’s signage needs from LDR International, Incorporated. This concept design report plan, or Identity & Wayfinding Masterplan, hereinafter Masterplan, was completed in March 2003 and subsequently amended. It describes the process followed by the project Steering Committee. The Masterplan also details the design of the typical multi-dimensional signage scheme selected by City Council, including different types of signs, materials, products and finishes, color schemes, schematic icons, and locations for sign installation. The Masterplan is available for purchase for a fee of $75.00 and/or viewing at no cost through the City’s Department of Engineering.

Signage firms interested in being considered for this Project should respond with an original and eight (8) copies in a separate loose-leaf binder with labeled dividers of an RFQ submittal package that conforms to the essential requirements of the RFQ submittal instructions. RFQ submittal instructions may be picked-up on or after Monday, July 18, 2005 at the office of the City’s Director of Engineering, second floor, 1225 Laurel Street, Columbia, South Carolina or by mailing request to the City of Columbia, Department of Engineering, P.O. Box 147, Columbia, South Carolina 29217. All submittals are to be received by no later than 4:00 p.m. on Friday, August 12, 2005. All submittals will be held and opened after the August 12, 2005, deadline. You are invited to submit background data with respect to your qualifications for performing services of the nature that will be required under this request. Please submit information, responsive to the questions set out in the attached questionnaire, in the same order as the question. Responses should be specific and precise, with as much detail as will accurately disclose your capabilities for performing the services to be required of the successful proposer. The contents of the RFQ, with the exception of the required Letter of Introduction and Interest and Experience Questionnaire and Contractor’s Financial Statement, shall be limited to 35 pages, typed on one side only.

As a part of the signage firm selection process, the City of Columbia will consider the following: Letter of Introduction (no evaluation points); Business Structure (no evaluation points); Litigation (0 – 10 points); Financial Capability (0 – 10 points); Related Experience (0 – 20 points); Office Staff (0 – 10 points); On-Site Staff (0 – 15 points); Scheduling and Design (0 – 15 points); Organization Chart (0 – 10 points); In-House Engineering (0 – 15 points); Minority /Female Business History (0 – 20 points); Knowledge of City and/or Local Conditions (0 – 10 points); Cost Control/Value Engineering ( 0 – 15 points). The RFQ submittal instructions contain additional details concerning the evaluation process. Signage Firm selection will be based on the information submitted; however, the City of Columbia is not obligated to enter into any contract on the basis of any submittal in response to this Notice.

Any questions concerning the procedures specified in this Notice or the scope of the project may be directed to Mr. Tom Ward, Director of Construction Management, 1225 Laurel Street, Post Office Box 147, Columbia, South Carolina, 29217, (803) 545- 3285. No questions may be directed to or contacts made with the Mayor, City Council members, the City Manager, and other City staff not identified in this Notice as points of contacts during the period of time that this Notice is made public until the final selection is made. Violation of this prohibition may disqualify the firm from further consideration.

The City of Columbia reserves the right to waive informalities and minor irregularities in submittals and reserves the sole right to determine what constitutes irregularities.

Thomas W. Ward

Director of Construction Management

(7-22-05,7-29-05)