The Kohala Center, Inc. (“The Center”) is soliciting proposals from qualified architectural/consulting firms to provide design, project site inspection, and construction engineering services for the renovation of an existing business accelerator facility in Kamuela, Hawaii. The Kohala Center, Inc. (“The Center”), an independent, not-for-profit center for research, conservation, and education, will renovate an existing two-story business accelerator facility to better serve its agricultural and value-added food producer clients. The accelerator facility is located in a rural, forested, ranch setting on Kohala Mountain Road within a fifteen-minute drive from the center of Kamuela. The project involves the renovation of an existing two-story wooden structure, doubling its covered space by approximately 2,500 feet, including the design and engineering of: a commercial kitchen; a demonstration kitchen; flexible workspace; an administrative office; a loading dock; enlarged driveway; accessible entryways, walkways, and parking lot; and a septic system. The start date of construction is Monday, August 24, 2015. The project is partially funded by the Economic Development Administration (U.S. Department of Commerce). The Kohala Center is providing matching funds to the EDA grant. All elements of the design and engineering process must meet standards of the EDA.
Following evaluation of the Proposals, and should there be questions that the written materials do not address, The Center may choose to interview up to three (3) prospective consultants. The Center may also choose to make the selection based on the written materials and reference checks alone.
Criteria used in the selection process will include:
- Project team qualifications (25%)
- Project team experience with similar projects (20%)
- Approach to project (25%)
- Capability of ensuring design and engineering process allows for construction to begin as scheduled (15%)
- Quality control plan (5%)
- Price (10%)
The selected architectural/consulting firm will enter a negotiated Professional Services Agreement with The Kohala Center, Inc., prior to the start of work.
Questions regarding this request should be sent by email only to Debi Kokinos, CFO, The Kohala Center at: dkokinos@kohalacenter.org. Interested firms should submit three (3) copies of their proposals, not exceeding fifteen (15) double-sided pages (excluding cover and dividers) to: Debi Kokinos, CFO, The Kohala Center, Inc., P.O. Box 437462, Kamuela, Hawai‘i 96743. Proposals must be postmarked by 5PM, Friday, January 16, 2015.
MBE/WBE/DBE firms are encouraged to submit proposals. The Kohala Center, Inc. is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Click here to view a copy of the RFP (request for proposals).
November 2021—‘Īlio (dogs) are beloved members of many of our families, and they too can support and drive change in our local food system. Our team has recently supported Lava Paws and Pawniolo Pets, two raw pet food companies who are helping our four-legged companions eat better while reducing food waste by turning organs and animal parts typically not desired by human consumers into nutritious meals for dogs. We have worked with these local producers to network them with other meat processors and sources of financing, including Kiva and the Hawai‘i Food Producers Fund as well as Slow Money Hawai‘i. Contact Eric Bowman, business development and services integration coordinator, to learn more about these companies and our microloan programs for rural and cooperative businesses. (Photo courtesy Lava Paws)
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