Intent
The Preservation Alliance of West Virginia (PAWV), in partnership with Arthurdale Heritage, is seeking qualified professionals and/or architecture firms to create a master plan for a statewide Historic Preservation Center based at the historic Arthurdale High School in Preston County, West Virginia.

The main goals of the Center will be:

1. To serve as a headquarters for PAWV’s Preserve WV AmeriCorps program to deploy members in “learn-while-you-serve” opportunities across the state of West Virginia and conduct hands-on historic preservation at historic sites;
2. To educate and engage young people in historic preservation and associated career paths via programming in historic preservation, business, and finance; and
3. To provide business incubator and co-operative work and living spaces for emerging historic trades professionals.

As an add-on for this project, PAWV is seeking additional and separate quotes for preparation of construction documents for the Center’s full rehabilitation.

This contract will be fully funded by an Appalachian Regional Commission’s POWER Grant and will be completed in close conjunction with PAWV and Arthurdale Heritage’s staff.

Proposal Submission Deadline: 5:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday, March 7, 2023.

Responses may be submitted electronically via email to Danielle (LaPresta) Parker, PAWV
Executive Director at dlapresta@pawv.org or by letter to 421 Davis Avenue, Elkins, WV 26241.
Email is preferred.

Organizational History & Project Overview 

West Virginia has a unique cultural heritage, and as the statewide historic preservation nonprofit formed in 1982, PAWV has organized a variety of national service initiatives, funding and technical assistance programs, advocacy efforts, and educational programs aimed at making historic preservation an accessible tool to revitalize West Virginia’s communities and improve the lives of its citizens. 

In 2006, PAWV began offering educational workshops about hands-on historic preservation to home-owners and DIYers upon hiring its first full-time executive director. Over the next 15 years, PAWV made hands-on historic trades education a programmatic priority through its field services outreach – the WV Endangered Properties Program - and by offering educational workshops and programs to everyone from AmeriCorps members, property owners, college students and community volunteers working on historic buildings. Our educational topics generally trended toward preserving a structure’s original wood windows and historic masonry (as well as cemetery preservation) according to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Historic Preservation. 

In 2020, PAWV began noticing a decline in companies available to work on projects funded by historic preservation grants and implemented an outreach campaign to understand how the shortage of historic trades workers was affecting West Virginia as a whole. The following year, PAWV formed the West Virginia Historic Trades Task Force, a collection of West Virginia’s historic preservation project managers and professionals, which tasked itself with identifying and planning educational programs as one of its primary objectives. The Task Force’s goal is to increase the number of historic trades professionals and small businesses throughout the Mountain State. 

In 2022, PAWV and Arthurdale Heritage partnered to develop a statewide Historic Preservation Center with the goal of rehabilitating the former Arthurdale High/Junior High School for the Center. The purpose of this project is to develop a master plan for the Center, and an add-on component of this project is the creation of construction documents for the Center’s full rehabilitation. The goals of the Center will be:

1. To serve as a headquarters for PAWV’s Preserve WV AmeriCorps program to deploy members in “learn-while-you-serve” opportunities across the state of West Virginia and conduct hands-on historic preservation at historic sites;
2. To educate and engage young people in historic preservation and associated career paths via programming (both in-person and virtual) in historic preservation and business; and
3. To provide business incubator, work and living spaces for emerging historic trades professionals.  

Formed in 1985, Arthurdale Heritage is a nonprofit dedicated to the preservation of the Nation’s First New Deal Homestead – a National Historic District comprised of over 140 contributing buildings. Arthurdale Heritage is the owner and steward not only of the high school but also eleven other historic buildings in the original Arthurdale community planned in the 1930s. Arthurdale Heritage is a very active nonprofit organization and already offers educational programming in heritage crafts and to Preston County youth. Historic trades education is a natural addition to programming already offered at Arthurdale’s campus. 

At the Historic Preservation Center, PAWV plans to offer both theoretical and hands-on educational programming in historic preservation with the goal of increasing our state’s historic preservation workforce and encouraging the development of more small businesses in this specialized and lucrative construction field. Our audiences will vary as we develop experiences for primary and secondary-school aged students, as well as certificate programs and AmeriCorps placements for people changing careers, or entering/re-entering the workforce. 

Other plans for the center involve converting a portion of the school into a co-operative work and living space for emerging trades professionals and students pursuing short- and long-term educational opportunities. This will provide much needed lodging facilities to students traveling from other parts of West Virginia and the region to attend trainings. A co-operative workspace will be a valued asset for sub-contractors looking to minimize start-up costs, as well, and PAWV aims to attract skilled professionals to West Virginia by providing this resource.

Project Timeline & Scope of Work - We imagine the following work agreement between PAWV and the selected professional.

January 31, 2023: PAWV distributes request for proposals. 

March 7, 2023: Deadline to submit proposal to dlapresta@pawv.org or by letter to PAWV, 421 Davis Ave, Elkins, WV 26241

March 7 – April 3, 2023: PAWV & Arthurdale Heritage will review proposals and select consultant after seeking approval from ARC staff.

April 4, 2023: PAWV will make the consultant award and begin contract period

April 4, 2023 – August 31, 2023: Phase 1 – Master Planning Meetings

• In April, PAWV will provide the contracted firm with materials to review. PAWV and Arthurdale Heritage staff will meet with the consultant on-site at the Arthurdale High School at which time we will also further define a scope of work for the project. 
• The professional will lead four additional monthly planning sessions (May – August and may be hybrid, in-person or virtual) where participants will discuss certain topics to help the consultant craft the Master Plan. Meetings will be held with members of the West Virginia Historic Trades Task Force, PAWV, and Arthurdale Heritage. PAWV staff will assist with organizing these meetings. PAWV will assist the consultant with planning and the focus of each of these meetings. 
• The master plan will include items such as the:​
  • Vision and Mission Statements;
  • Goals and objectives for the Center;
  • Recommendations for training programs and fee structures to be offered at the Center;
  • Historic structures report with a preservation plan;
  • Site use plan and preliminary designs for the Arthurdale High School adaptive re-use;
  • Recommendations for a potential work/living space sub-lease program for students and trades professionals; and 
  • A list of projects that Preserve WV AmeriCorps members could do toward the end goal of a fully functioning educational, work and housing facility.

If selected for the additional work, we would also work toward the creation of construction documents for the Center’s rehabilitation. 

August 31 – September 30, 2023:  Phase 2 – Consultant Drafts Master Plan

• The consultant will create and provide a first draft to PAWV and Arthurdale Heritage by September 30, 2023. 

October 1 – October 31, 2023: Phase 3 – Comment Period

• The West Virginia Historic Trades Task Force, PAWV, and Arthurdale Heritage will review the first draft and provide written comments to the consultant by October 31, 2023.
  ​

October 31 – November 15, 2023: Phase 4 – Consultant Re-writes

• The consultant will incorporate comments and suggestions and prepare a second draft for review.

November 16 – December 15, 2023: Phase 5 – Final Comment Period

• The West Virginia Historic Trades Task Force, PAWV, and Arthurdale Heritage will review the second draft and provide written comments to the consultant by December 30, 2023.

December 31, 2023 – January 16, 2024: Phase 6 – Consultant’s Final Edits

• The consultant will incorporate final comments, provide a final draft of the document and present this plan during a virtual public presentation at a date to be determined. A final .pdf of the document will be provided to PAWV and Arthurdale Heritage project coordinators by Tuesday, January 16, 2024.

Required Deliverables
The final product and deliverable for this project is a master plan (final format a .pdf) that will help PAWV and Arthurdale Heritage reach their goal of turning the Arthurdale High School into a Historic Preservation Center. To meet this end, the selected professional will do the following:

1. Assist with coordination and lead four strategic planning meetings. The agendas for these meetings will be planned in conjunction with PAWV and Arthurdale Heritage project managers. Collect meeting notes and write meeting reports to begin building the master plan.
2. Draft a master plan for the center to include the following items:

• Vision and Mission Statements;
• Goals and objectives for the Center;
• Recommendations for training programs to be offered at the Center;
• Historic structures report with a preservation plan for the Arthurdale High School adaptive re-use;
• Site use plan and preliminary designs;
• Recommendations for a potential work/living space sub-lease program for students and trades professionals; and 
• A list of projects that Preserve WV AmeriCorps members could do toward the end goal of a fully functioning educational, work and housing facility.

As an add-on for this project, PAWV is seeking additional and separate quotes for preparation of construction documents for the Center’s full rehabilitation. The deliverable for this part of the project would be construction documents. Additional images below:

The Business Development Corporation of the Northern Panhandle (“BDC”) requests proposals from qualified masonry contractors to perform work to the historic “Cold Metal Building” in Wellsburg, West Virginia. Interested contractors must submit a written or electronic proposal by 3PM on February 24th, 2023 to Anthony Clements at the Business Development Corporation via email to aclements@bhbdc.com or physically at 324A Penco Rd, Weirton, WV 26062.

The Cold Metal Building was part of the glass industry in Wellsburg. The building was constructed ca. 1890 and is the only remaining portion of the historic glass facility which once existed on the site. Work to the building will consist of repointing, infill existing holes, and repair to the east and south façades.

This project is funded in part by Preservation Alliance of West Virginia’s (“PAWV”) Saving Historic Places Grant in partnership with the Paul Bruhn Rural Revitalization Grant provided through the National Park Service, Department of the Interior. As such, the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties must be followed by the awarded contractor.

Scope of Work:

1. Remove all vegetation from block building.
2. Rebuild southwest and southeast corners where a previous building was removed to create a finished edge.
3. Rehabilitate the south and east façades including the following:
   

• a) Infill holes in exterior brick with brick that matches the color, composition, and texture of the original.
• b) Remove and relay existing brick where joints are structurally insufficient.
• c) Repoint where mortar is missing or deteriorating. Deteriorated mortar should be removed to sound mortar or a maximum depth of 3⁄4 inch.

Sourced brick should match the existing color, composition, and texture. Preferably, bricks should be sourced locally.

The mortar mix for all work performed must match the original historic mortar in color, composition, and texture and be approved in advance by PAWV in writing. The original mortar has been tested by an architectural conservator whose report is attached to the rear of this RFP.

The awarded contractor is responsible for any permits or taxes such as B&O within the City of Wellsburg. It should be noted that the City of Wellsburg’s building permit fee has been waived for this project. Moreover, the awarded contractor is responsible for all tools, labor, materials, equipment, supervision, and associated items related to the project. Finally, the awarded contractor should note the BDC is a tax-exempt entity both federally and within the State of West Virginia.

 RFP Timeline:
​January 19th, 2023: Bid Documents Sent Out 
January 26th, 2023: Mandatory Pre-Bid (Time – 1:00 p.m.) 
February 10th, 2023: Deadline for Submission of Questions 
February 17th, 2023: Addenda sent out, if necessary
February 24th, 2023: ​Proposal due by 3pm

Requirements of the Bid Submission:
A mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held: At 1:00 p.m. on January 26th, 2023 at the project site located at the corner of 6th Street and Yankee Street in Wellsburg, WV 26070. Please email aclements@bhbdc.com to register. In the event of inclement weather, the date/time for this meeting may change.

All bids must be received no later than February 24th, 2023 at 3PM. Each proposal physically submitted is to be in a sealed envelope.

The submission must include the following:

1. Letter of interest detailing previous historic preservation experience including statement that they read and understand the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation
2. Three references from three individual previous historic projects
3. Copy of State of WV Contractor’s License
4. Bid Proposal including pricing for the following items:

• a) Scope of Work Item 1
• b) Scope of Work Item 2
• c) Price per linear foot to repoint missing or deteriorating mortar
• d) Price per square foot to patch or infill holese)
• e) Price per masonry unit to source additional brick

       5. Signed addendum (if any issued during the RFP process)
       6. Certification and Signature page

Documents required after notification of Award:

1. Performance Bond
2. Payment Bond
3. Copy of City of Wellsburg Business License
4. Evidence of WV Workers’ Compensation and General Liability Insurance

Addenda and Interpretations:
Bidders are asked to direct all questions or comments to aclements@bhbdc.com. No interpretation of the meaning of the specifications or other bid documents will be made to any bidder orally. All questions by prospective bidders, including interpretations of ‘approved equal” value must be submitted in writing to aclements@bhbdc.com and received by 3PM on February 10th, 2022. Addenda will be sent to all selected bidders who are invited to submit proposals. Failure to acknowledge any addendum may result in the rejection of the bid.

Project Selection Criteria:
Contractors will be selected based on experience with similar historic preservation projects, proven ability to complete a project, and cost. All proposals must guarantee their pricing and provide 30 days for acceptance from the due date. The BDC and PAWV reserves the right to reject any and all proposals and to waive minor administrative oversights.

Qualifications of Bidder:
The Owner may make such investigations as deemed necessary to determine the ability of the bidder to perform the obligations of the contract. The bidder shall furnish to the Owner all such information and data as requested. The Owner or PAWV reserves the right to reject any bid if the investigation fails to satisfy the Owner or PAWV that a bidder is properly qualified to carry out the obligations of the Agreement.

Award of Contract:
The BDC and PAWV reserves the right to reject any or all proposals or waive any irregularity in this bid or in responses, to negotiate with all qualified sources, or to cancel, in part or in its entirety, this invitation to bid, in the best interest in the BDC or PAWV. The BDC and PAWV also reserves the right to re-advertise for proposals using the same or a different request for proposal. This invitation to bid does not commit the BDC or PAWV to award a contract or to procure or contract for services or goods.

Source of Funding:
Funds for this project are provided by the Preservation Alliance of West Virginia as awarded by the National Park Service’s Paul Bruhn grant program. All work must be approved by PAWV and the NPS prior to payment. All applicable Federal, state and local rules and regulations apply.

Payment Schedule:
Payments will be made in three installments:
1) Upon mobilization of equipment/scaffolding
2) When work is 75% complete
3) Upon completion of the work with the approval of PAWV.

The contractors will be reimbursed for services rendered up to the contract amount. All changes in scope must be pre-approved by the BDC and PAWV. Contractors will not be reimbursed for travel expenses, or any costs incurred in preparation of this proposal. The contractor will be paid in increments based on satisfactory completion of specific stages of the project. The balance will be paid after approval of the work by the Preservation Alliance of West Virginia.

Project Deadline:
The project completion date April 1, 2023 will be reviewed by the Preservation Alliance of West
Virginia.

View all of the photos and the mortar analysis in the .PDF document available for download below: