The City of Knoxville is requesting proposals for design services to assist with a project seeking funding under the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program through the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA).    The proposed project includes the rehabilitation of a at least 8 building facades in Downtown Knoxville.

Proposals to the City should include the following information:

• Experience with IEDA’s CDBG program;
• Description of similar projects the firm and its team members have successfully completed;
• Description of the organizational capacity to complete all necessary activities;
• Names and professional experience of key personnel who will be assigned to this project; and
• References from previous clients of related work within the past five years

Proposals must be submitted no later than 4:OO PM, Monday, October 2, 2023, and submitted to: 

Glenn Lyons, Economic Development Director, City of Knoxville

By mail:   305 S Third Street, Knoxville, Iowa 50138; or

By email:

Questions regarding this RFP should be directed to Mr. Lyons either by email or by telephone at 515-782-1723.

Scope of Work.  The firm that is awarded the contract would be expected to:

1. Meet with the City to review preliminary concept design and cost estimates, previously prepared;
2. Meet with the City and candidate building owners to finalize the scope of work, budget, and plans;
3. Review preliminary historic research and complete documentation for the application as required;
4. Prepare plans, specifications, and documentation required to advance and complete the project; 
5. Oversee the bid letting process, provide construction management services, etc.; as well as
6. Other services as may be required.

The City will negotiate a contract and price with the selected firm for the required architectural, engineering, and historical design services, based upon the assignment and industry norms.  The contract will identify pre-application services and fees, in addition to services and fees required if the application is awarded.

Evaluation criteria. The City will evaluate and rank proposals received according to the following criteria:                           

Qualifications necessary to complete project:                            30 points

Experience with the state’s CDBG program:                             30 points

Previous experience working in a small-town setting:               20 points

Capacity to complete scope of work:                                        20 points

Total:                                                                                      100 points

The City of Knoxville reserves the right to reject any or all proposals.   Any decision to award a contract for much of  these services would be conditional upon the City receiving the CDBG-DTR award from IEDA.  

A. The work to be performed under this contract is subject to the requirements of section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968, as amended, 12 U.S.C. 1701u (section 3). The purpose of section 3 is to ensure that employment and other economic opportunities generated by HUD assistance or HUD-assisted projects covered by section 3, shall, to the greatest extent feasible, be directed to low- and very low-income persons, particularly persons who are recipients of HUD assistance for housing.
B. The parties to this contract agree to comply with HUD's regulations in 24 CFR part 135, which implement section 3. As evidenced by their execution of this contract, the parties to this contract certify that they are under no contractual or other impediment that would prevent them from complying with the part 135 regulations.
C. The contractor agrees to send to each labor organization or representative of workers with which the contractor has a collective bargaining agreement or other understanding, if any, a notice advising the labor organization or workers' representative of the contractor's commitments under this section 3 clause, and will post copies of the notice in conspicuous places at the work site where both employees and applicants for training and employment positions can see the notice. The notice shall describe the section 3 preference, shall set forth minimum number and job titles subject to hire, availability of apprenticeship and training positions, the qualifications for each; and the name and location of the person(s) taking applications for each of the positions; and the anticipated date the work shall begin.
D. The contractor agrees to include this section 3 clause in every subcontract subject to compliance with regulations in 24 CFR part 135, and agrees to take appropriate action, as provided in an applicable provision of the subcontract or in this section 3 clause, upon a finding that the subcontractor is in violation of the regulations in 24 CFR part 135. The contractor will not subcontract with any subcontractor where the contractor has notice or knowledge that the subcontractor has been found in violation of the regulations in 24 CFR part 135.
E. The contractor will certify that any vacant employment positions, including training positions, that are filled (1) after the contractor is selected but before the contract is executed, and (2) with persons other than those to whom the regulations of 24 CFR part 135 require employment opportunities to be directed, were not filled to circumvent the contractor's obligations under 24 CFR part 135.
F. Noncompliance with HUD's regulations in 24 CFR part 135 may result in sanctions, termination of this contract for default, and debarment or suspension from future HUD assisted contracts.
G. With respect to work performed in connection with section 3 covered Indian housing assistance, section 7(b) of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450e) also applies to the work to be performed under this contract. Section 7(b) requires that to the greatest extent feasible (i) preference and opportunities for training and employment shall be given to Indians, and (ii) preference in the award of contracts and subcontracts shall be given to Indian organizations and Indian-owned Economic Enterprises. Parties to this contract that are subject to the provisions of section 3 and section 7(b) agree to comply with section 3 to the maximum extent feasible, but not in derogation of compliance with section 7(b).