Rebuilding Community Infrastructure has issued a Request for Qualifications for interested and experienced, Philadelphia-based nonprofits to become pre-qualified as project users for the City of Philadelphia’s ambitious Rebuild initiative.
Rebuild is a seven-year, $500 million investment in Philadelphia’s parks, recreation centers, playgrounds and libraries. Proposed in Mayor Jim Kenney’s first budget as a part of his vision for a more equitable Philadelphia, Rebuild seeks to improve pivotal community spaces, empower and engage communities, and promote economic opportunity through diversity and inclusion. Rebuild is a public private partnership made possible by the Philadelphia Beverage Tax.
Most Rebuild projects are anticipated to be implemented by project users, which enables pre-qualified nonprofits to manage investment projects. However, some projects may be completed through the city’s capital program, the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority or Parks and Recreation staff.
Rebuild is looking to partner with nonprofit organizations to improve parks, libraries and recreation centers in the neighborhoods they serve. Only pre-qualified project users will be eligible to apply to manage projects at libraries, parks and recreation centers selected for Rebuild investment. The RFQ will close at 5 p.m. EST on Friday, September 29. All responses must be submitted in paper and electronic file format and delivered or mailed to:
City of Philadelphia, Municipal Services Building
1401 JFK Blvd.
14th Floor, Room 1430
Philadelphia, PA 19102.
Questions can be submitted via email at rebuild@phila.gov or in person during one of the RFQ information sessions. Questions must be submitted by Tuesday, September 19. Questions deemed appropriate will be answered and responses will be posted by Friday, September 22 on the Rebuild website.
“Rebuild has set an ambitious goal of improving more than 150 parks, libraries and recreation centers over a relatively short period of time. To complete so many projects on time and on budget and to meet our business and workforce participation goals, we plan to partner with pre-qualified nonprofits,” said Nicole Westerman, executive director. “Many nonprofits across the city have the experience, skills and values that we expect of our Project Users. We’re looking forward to establishing a pool of nonprofits who are ready to help us realize Rebuild’s potential to transform neighborhoods.”
To be pre-pre-qualified to serve as a project user, Philadelphia-based nonprofits must meet the following requirements:
- Project experience: successful completion of design and construction on projects in excess of $1 million;
- Community outreach/engagement: experience working successfully with communities in the support and development of projects;
- Project relationship: a current or proposed relationship with one or more potential Rebuild sites;
- Fiscal responsibility: demonstrated capability to successfully and responsibly manage government or foundation grant funds of at least $1 million; documented plan for compliance with program financial management requirements; and
- Diversity and inclusion: demonstrated ability to implement an Economic Opportunity Plan; and evidence of an organizational commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Nonprofits may apply to be a pre-qualified project user through a joint venture with another nonprofit. Both nonprofits must be Philadelphia-based, meet financial responsibility requirements and demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusion. However, all other requirements can be met by one or both entities in the partnership. Nonprofits that do not meet all of the qualification requirements may also submit a qualification statement to be a Project User with the support of a for-profit entity under specific terms.
This is the first round of qualifications for project users. An RFQ for project users will be issued on annual or biennial basis to ensure that a wide range of nonprofits serving diverse communities across the city could manage projects in the neighborhoods they serve.
Once pre-qualified, project users must submit updated information, including financial documentation, annually. A nonprofits’ status as a pre-qualified project user may change based on a number of factors, including sub-standard performance on Rebuild projects or failure to implement Economic Opportunity Plans.
Rebuild will host four information sessions for nonprofits considering responding to the RFQ. Attendees should plan to arrive 15 minutes in advance of the session to sign in. The sessions will be held at the Municipal Services Building, 1401 JFK Boulevard, Room 1450 on:
- Friday, August 11, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.;
- Tuesday, August 15, 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.;
- Tuesday, August 29, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.;
- Tuesday, September 12, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.