Burten, Bell, Carr Development (BBC), a non-profit community development organization is seeking qualifications from architects with experience designing shipping containers for commercial and/or office space use. The consultant must demonstrate previous experience with container based structures at all phases of development including schematic design, design development, and the construction procurement process. It is the goal of BBC to hire a consultant that establishes a set of approved technical specifications and construction drawings for a modular product line of habitable container structures.

Click here to download a copy of the RFQ

Consultant qualifications will be accepted until March 14, 2016.

RFQ BACKGROUND

Key Partners
Burten, Bell, Carr Development, Inc
BBC is the lead entity in the creation of the Container Retrofitting Business, is a nonprofit neighborhood development organization founded in 1990 that serves the Central and Kinsman neighborhoods of Cleveland, Ohio. The mission of the organization is to empower citizens, and revitalize blighted and underserved communities.

In recent years, BBC’s work has evolved to include the areas of health and wellness, sustain­ability, greening, education, and workforce development. Since 2008, BBC has embraced social enterprise development focusing on sustainability, successfully charter­ing the massive land assembly of the Green City Growers Hydroponic Greenhouse site and spearheading the Urban Agriculture Innovation Zone.

Evergreen Cooperatives
Launched in 2008 by a working group of Cleveland-based institutions (including the Cleveland Foundation, the Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals, Case Western Reserve University, and the municipal government), the Evergreen Cooperative Initiative is working to create living-wage jobs in six low-income neighborhoods, with a median household income below $18,500, in an area known as Greater University Circle.

The initiative was designed to create an economic breakthrough in Cleveland. Rather than a trickle-down strategy, it focuses on economic inclusion and building a local economy from the ground up. Rather than offering public subsidy to induce corporations to bring what are often low-wage jobs into the city, the Evergreen strategy calls for catalyzing new businesses, owned by their employees. Rather than concentrate on workforce training for employment opportunities that are largely unavailable to low-skill and low-income workers, the Evergreen Initiative first creates the jobs, and then recruits and trains local residents to fill them.

Project Background
The container retrofitting business is a joint venture between Burten, Bell, Carr Development (BBC) and the Evergreen Cooperative. It is the goal of BBC and Evergreen to establish an expert company with a team of highly skilled professionals that enable a full turnkey solution from Design, Manufacturing, Transportation and Installation of its modular construction solutions.

The purpose of the RFQ is to hire a qualified consultant who can assist BBC and Evergreen in creating an integrated delivery system for the Design and Manufacturing process. The architect will guide the design of the container product line and establish the process to deliver a finished product. The process will include the development of technical specifications and construction drawings, and education and training of in-house staff. The resulting collaboration will allow the container company to deliver the design services for future clients.

BBC will function as the administrative partner in charge of overseeing the business model, identifying the customer base, and establishing the process for selling the product to potential buyers. Evergreen Energy Solutions will lead fabrication and on-site commissioning of the product. They are currently seeking a production facility to manufacture the containers and are delivered to the site.

BoxSpot – Container Park Pilot Site
While our communities have a thriving entrepreneurial spirit, economic and bureaucratic barriers often deter the establishment of bricks and mortar businesses. Tenant build-out of clean, safe, and attractive retail space requires capital investment most entrepreneurs cannot afford. Furthermore, high-quality commercial space is in short supply, and can cost over a thousand dollars a month to lease. Even if one business owner builds out an attractive space, his/her ability to attract customers depends heavily on the state of their neighboring commercial establishments. A proposed Container Park can provide entry-level infrastructure for entrepreneurs. A series of recycled shipping containers retrofitted as shops and kitchens can serve as small business incubators. These retail spaces could address entrepreneurs’ challenges and lower the barriers to starting up a retail business. Firstly, each storefront will be built out to clean safe and attractive standards with ample display space entrepreneurs may simply stock with their product and open for business. Storefronts can be affordably rented for as little as one night a week or for multiple years. Most importantly, each participating business person will have a like-minded community of Container Park participants with which to leverage, teach, learn, and help build a brand. As these small businesses become established, they may choose to remain close to their market and assume other newly created permanent retail space.

Key Personnel
Brett Jones, President – Evergreen Energy Solutions: Brett joined the Evergreen team in 2013 as the Director of Strategic Projects for Evergreen’s four business units, and in 2015 stepped into the role of President for Evergreen Energy Solutions. As President, Mr. Jones directs the day-to-day business activities focusing on continuous improvement, safety and quality. Brett will support the project by providing budgetary support, ongoing oversight, strategic direction and coordinating communications with Evergreen staff to oversee container fabrication and site assembly. A former Fulbright Fellow, he is a graduate of Ohio State University and holds an MBA from DeVry University’s Keller Graduate School of Management

Nicole Jordan, Evergreen Energy Solutions: Nicole joined the Evergreen team in December 2015 and comes with three decades of experience in the construction industry. As the General Manager, Ms. Jordan manages the E2S employees and hired subcontractors. She provides construction hands on training in multiple trade disciplines and oversees project quality control. When not in the field, Nicole produces all project BIDs, schedules, and budgets. As a member of the Box Spot team, Nicole will oversee the project build from finished plan to completion. Nicole earned her professional Bachelor of Architecture from Howard University and is currently completing her Masters of Engineering (2016) with a concentration in Constructing Engineering and Management.

Tim Tramble, Executive Director – Burten, Bell, Carr Development: Since 2000, Timothy has been responsible for the day-to-day operations of the organization. Tim’s leadership has made low-income housing and accessibility to healthy food a priority in Cleveland’s Central and Kinsman neighborhoods. He earned a Master of Public Administration and a graduate certificate in non-profit management from Cleveland State. He obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science from Central State University and is certified as an Economic Development Finance Professional by the National Development Council.

Jason Minter, Real Estate Development Specialist – BBC : Jason has worked with BBC since March 2014. He assumes duties relating to various aspects of housing, commercial and retail, and economic development projects. Jason holds a Master of Architecture from Texas A&M University.

Erick Rodriguez, Enterprise Rose Architectural Fellow – BBC/Detroit Shoreway CDO : Erick works with the organization to generate innovative, high-impact models for neighborhood-scaled sustainability. His current projects involve the integration of sustainable design, renewable energy generation, green infrastructure planning, transit-oriented development, and resident engagement.

Scope of Services
The following is a general outline of the services that BBC will expect from any given architect interested in the project.

1. Provide a conceptual plan for the container product line, incorporating the latest technologies and methods in the field concerning sustainable building practices and functional use of small space.
2. Recommendations relative to the installation of different building systems (e.g., heat pumps vs. VAV). Specific conceptual drawings and detailed engineering and construction drawings that will serve as the basis for both bidding and construction by a general contractor.
3. Preparation of necessary construction specification documents to be sent to evergreen construction team for the container retrofits.
4. Review of the proposed costs, fabrication, and assembly techniques proposed by Evergreen Cooperatives and assist the owner in preparing an appropriate contract.
5. Develop a standard fit-out package for tenants and a budget for each tenant, with estimated pricing for custom add-ons and the standard fit-out.
6. Regular site observations of the contractor and subcontractors during the construction phase, and sign off on construction drawings to assure that scheduled payments are made, with appropriate holdbacks, when predetermined work has been completed.
7. Assistance with state and local level permitting.
8. Outline a set of opportunities for BBC and Evergreen staff with architectural training to assist with the development of the container structures.

Project Program
The following information outlines the programmatic requirements of the Container Park project.

• Develop six (6) containers modules to be built on a 16,000sf site. (Map shown below)
• Site should include an inviting public space with opportunities to host events.
• All containers should have inward visibility to the shared space.
• Create a patio overlook that gives people visibility of the space below and the adjacent green infrastructure project. (reference map)
• Preserve the existing Urban Agriculture Innovation Zone signage on the site.
• Create a comprehensive plan for energy efficiency, stormwater management, and on-site renewable energy generation.
• Determine the most effective layout for an on-site parking solution. At least one space per container.
• Consider all the following programming options during schematic design for the container modules:
  - Portable classrooms
  - Refrigerated units
  - Small kitchen unit
  - Portable offices
  - Exhibition module
  - Portable workshops
  - Mobile toilets
  - Water treatment container
  - Event housing
  - Generator or Energy Storage Housing

BoxSpot - Site Map (7937 Kinsman Road)

Timeline
The project will begin in April through the end of August 2016. The goal is to break ground at the pilot site in July. Production of the containers would begin concurrently at an off-site facility with installation of the containers by the end of 2016.

Budget
Any interested architect must submit a proposed budget based on the scope of services outlined above. BBC will evaluate the cost estimate and determine compensation based on their submissions as requested in this RFQ.

RFQ Schedule
Statements of qualifications are accepted through March 14, 2016. In the weeks to follow, interviews will be scheduled with a shortlist of candidates. All respondents will be notified 30 days after the final submission.

Any questions may be directed to:
Jason Minter, Real Estate Development Specialist
jminter@bbcdevelopment.org
Or
Erick Rodriguez, Enterprise Rose Architectural Fellow
erodriguez@bbcdevelopment.org

Submission Requirements
Responses containing the information, and in the format, required below must be submitted electronically only to the primary contacts below.

Contacts
Erick Rodriguez, Enterprise Rose Architectural Fellow
erodriguez@bbcdevelopment.org
And
Jason Minter, Real Estate Development Specialist
jminter@bbcdevelopment.org

Consultant qualifications and experience
All submitted responses must contain the following in order to be considered for approval:

Please provide a short letter describing your qualifications and experience (maximum of 2 pages) that addresses each of the following requirements:

Describe the respondent’s primary business, length of time in business, location of office(s) and contact information.

List relevant project experience for the work areas and associated tasks listed in

“Scope of Service” and “Project Program”.

Samples of work and information on staffing
Provide attachments for the following:

Two or more examples of relevant projects that you have produced in your relevant project experience. Please include links to any websites and or online publications highlighting your work.

Resumes, including relevant licenses, certifications, and training, as well as relevant experience, of key staff that would be assigned to the scope and tasks described in your letter response as requested above.