Since May 2016, the Sabrina Cohen Foundation has operated an Adaptive Beach Day Program, which provides for interaction between persons with physical and cognitive disabilities, and a wide range of volunteers. The City of Miami Beach aims to provide greater access to the City’s beaches for persons living with physical and cognitive disabilities, seniors living with disabilities, and individuals with temporary injuries. In March 2017, the City Commission discussed the possibility of an arrangement with the Sabrina Cohen Foundation to construct and operate a City-owned adaptive recreation center, to provide enhanced recreational programming with greater beach access, at a portion of the City’s P72 surface parking lot located at 5301 Collins Avenue, adjacent to Beach View Park. The project was referred to the City’s Finance and Citywide Projects Committee, and in October 2017, a Collaboration, Funding and Management agreement was approved between the City and the Sabrina Cohen Foundation for the facility.

The purpose of issuing a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) is to obtain qualifications from architectural and engineering firms with the capability and experience to provide Architectural and Engineering services, for design, bid, award, and construction administration services for the Sabrina Cohen Foundation Adaptive Recreation Center Facility. The facility will provide an environment for wellness, growth, education and interaction, aimed at improving the quality of life for all its patrons. The design shall focus on persons with disabilities while creating an environment of inclusion and providing for diversity of leisure activities. The program shall provide spaces to address a person’s physical health, psychological state, and level of independence, while developing a relationship with the environment. The building shall have 10,000 - 17,000 square feet gross, in no more than three stories with an activated roof with a pool, as per the proposed Schematic Design Concept (Appendix E of the RFQ) developed by architecture firm Kobi Karp.

The selected Consultant shall integrate building materials and methods that promote environmental quality, economic vitality, and social benefit through the construction and operation of the built environment in accordance with the US Green Building Council LEED Standard. The final project shall meet at a minimum the LEED Gold rating, with higher rating levels encouraged.

• MINIMUM SPECIFICATIONS.  Please Reference, Appendix C, Page 25, RFQ 2019-085-KB for Architectural and Engineering Design Services for Sabrina Cohen Foundation Adaptive Recreation Center (attached).

   

• SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS.  Please Reference Section 0300, Page 12, RFQ 2019-085- KB for Architectural and Engineering Design Services for Sabrina Cohen Foundation Adaptive Recreation Center (attached).  

• CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION.  Please Reference Section 0400, Page 14, RFQ 2019-085- KB for Architectural and Engineering Design Services for Sabrina Cohen Foundation Adaptive Recreation Center (attached).  

Following the receipt of proposals an Evaluation Committee will review proposals in accordance with the criteria established in the RFQ. I am considering appointing the following individuals to serve on the Evaluation Committee:

• Jose Del Risco, Assistant Director, Parks and Recreation Department

• Valeria Mejia, ADA Coordinator, Property Management

• Jasper Nelissen, Vice President, Sabrina Cohen Foundation

• Carmen Sanchez, Deputy Director, Planning Department

• Colette Satchell, Senior Capital Projects Coordinator, Capital Improvement Projects

I am also considering the following individuals as alternates:

• Cynthia Casanova, Assistant Director, Parks and Recreation Department

• Maria Cerna, Division Director, Capital Improvement Projects

• James Murphy, Chief of Urban Design, Planning Department

• Aryan Rashed, Director, Sabrina Cohen Foundation

The City Manager recommends that the Mayor and Commission authorize the issuance of the RFQ 2019-085-KB for Architectural and Engineering Design Services for Sabrina Cohen Foundation Adaptive Recreation Center.