RFP for 25 Leonard Architectural Services

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS / PROPOSALS
Architectural Services
25 Leonard Street, Norwalk, CT

Sound Communities Inc., an affiliate of the Norwalk Housing Authority, is seeking qualification packages and proposals from architectural firms with experience in affordable multifamily housing and new construction for a 12-unit, 3-story residential development in Norwalk, Connecticut.

KEY INFORMATION

RFQ Release Date: June 26, 2026

Submission Deadline: Proposals must be submitted on or before Friday, July 17th at 5:00 PM EST. Submissions received after the deadline will not be considered.

Submission Process: Proposals must be submitted by email to Sophie Stewart at sstewart@soundcommunitiesct.org. No hard copies please.

Questions / RFIs: Written questions must be submitted by email to Sophie Stewart at sstewart@soundcommunitiesct.org no later than July 3rd, 2026

I. INVITATION TO SUBMIT PROPOSALS

Sound Communities Inc. (Sound), an affiliate of the Norwalk Housing Authority (NHA), is soliciting proposals from architectural firms with experience designing affordable multifamily housing, with a preference for experience in new construction and federally funded projects.

Sound is seeking an Architect of Record for 25 Leonard Street, a proposed 3-story, 12-unit affordable housing development on a 7,031 SF parcel in Norwalk, Connecticut. The project is funded in part by a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Connecticut Department of Housing (DOH). Additional funding sources are to be determined.

The goal of this engagement is to advance the project through site plan approval by the City of Norwalk's Planning & Zoning Commission by October 2026, with subsequent phases of design services through construction document completion and contract administration during the construction period.

A qualified firm will have experience in zoning review, schematic design, design development, construction documents, contract administration, and compliance with HUD and DOH multifamily design standards.

Sound reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals or any part thereof, to waive defects or technicalities, and to award the contract to the respondent deemed most responsible and qualified, which may not necessarily be the respondent proposing the lowest fee.

NOTE: Any contact related to this procurement with staff or board members of Sound Communities or NHA, other than the designated contact person listed above, may result in disqualification of a proposal.

II. ABOUT SOUND COMMUNITIES

Sound Communities Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in 2020 as the development arm of the Norwalk Housing Authority (NHA). Sound exists to redevelop NHA's aging public housing stock and create high-quality, affordable housing in Fairfield County, Connecticut. Recent projects include Oak Grove (69 affordable units and a Learning Center) and Meadow Gardens (59 affordable units and a Learning Center), both financed using Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) and state grants.

Sound Communities' team includes a Vice President of Development, Development Project Manager, Project Coordinator, and Property Manager. Sound Communities' board of directors includes NHA's Executive Director, Deputy Director, and Finance Director.

III. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: 25 LEONARD STREET, NORWALK, CT

Sound proposes to develop a new 3-story, 12-unit affordable multifamily residential building at 25 Leonard Street, Norwalk, CT on a 7,031 SF parcel zoned CD-4 (Urban Center Community District). No variances are anticipated; the proposed building should be consistent with as-of right zoning.

Proposed Unit Mix

All first-floor units must be ADA Adaptable - Type B. Common areas may include a community room, vestibule, mail/package room, mechanical/electrical rooms, trash rooms, and bicycle storage. Sustainability features may include rooftop photovoltaics, Energy Star fixtures, sensor-controlled lighting, and native plantings.

The project is subject to applicable requirements of HUD, DOH, DEEP, SHPO, the City of Norwalk, and the International Building Code. These agencies dictate standards for procurement, environmental review, prevailing wages, and other regulatory compliance that will apply throughout design and construction.

IV. SCOPE OF SERVICES

The following generally describes the services the selected firm will be required to perform. The firm may procure and manage subconsultants with requisite experience for certain disciplines. Subconsultants currently expected to be contracted through the Architect of Record include MEP engineer, structural engineer, and landscape architect. The site/civil engineer will be procured directly by Sound Communities.

1. Review zoning regulations and site constraints; participate in meetings with the City of Norwalk Planning & Zoning Department to get feedback on site plans and schematic designs.

2. Prepare site plan and all design documents required for site plan approval submission to the City of Norwalk, with a target approval date of October 2026. Coordinate with the separately-procured civil engineer, Sound Communities' zoning attorney (if applicable), and relevant city departments (DPW, Transportation and Parking, WPCA, utilities, Fire Marshal, etc.).

3. Advance drawings through Design Development, incorporating Sound Communities feedback and owner-selected sustainability and energy efficiency standards.

4. Present design to the Norwalk Housing Authority Board of Commissioners and, as needed, to other stakeholders or public bodies.

5. Review and provide feedback on third-party hard cost estimates.

6. Prepare complete Construction Documents conforming to applicable codes, HUD requirements, CHFA design standards, and CT DOH guidelines. Provide specifications reflecting relevant requirements, standards, and product availability.

7. Supply forms and certifications required for project funding applications through HUD, DOH, and other sources as applicable.

8. Assist in the bidding and award of the construction contract, including review of bid documents and contractor submissions.

9. Provide plans and specifications necessary to secure all required permits and approvals, including zoning permit, demolition permit, and building permit. Incorporate review comments as needed.

10. Provide Contract Administration services through project closeout, including field reports, submittal review, RFI responses, and other duties as needed.

V. SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

Proposals must be submitted electronically by email to sstewart@soundcommunitiesct.org no later than Friday, July 17th at 5:00 PM EST. No hard copies will be accepted.

Sound Communities will not compensate respondents for any costs associated with proposal preparation, appearances, interviews, or travel.

Written questions are the only permitted means of inquiry during the RFP period. Questions must be submitted by email to Sophie Stewart at sstewart@soundcommunitiesct.org no later than July 3rd, 2026. Responses will be distributed to all respondents.

Each submission must include the following:
• Signed Cover Letter on Company Letterhead
• Firm Overview: Firm history, size, office locations, services offered, and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Project Experience (Past 5 Years): Include completed projects relevant to 25 Leonard Street - new affordable multifamily construction, federally funded projects, CT-based projects, DOH-financed projects, and/or HUD-regulated projects
• Client References: Three (3) past client references that may be contacted directly by Sound Communities
• Key Staff Qualifications / Resumes: Written qualifications and/or resumes of key personnel to be assigned to this project

Required attachments:
• Signed RFQ Certification (Exhibit B)
• Signed Debarment Certification (Exhibit C)
• Proposed Fee (Exhibit D)
• Copy of business license(s) and Connecticut registration
• Copies of any federal or State of Connecticut minority- and/or women-owned business certifications, if applicable

VI. SELECTION PROCESS

All proposals submitted by the deadline will be scored by a selection committee comprised of Sound Communities staff. Interviews may be held with the top-scoring firms. References will be checked for finalists.

Criteria Max Points
Company Overview / History 5
Relevant Project Experience 10
Team Qualifications 10
Proposed Fee 10
Signed Certifications 5
TOTAL 40

The Board of Commissioners of the Norwalk Housing Authority must give final approval of the award, as recommended by the selection committee.

VII. TERMS AND CONDITIONS

A respondent may change or withdraw a proposal at any time prior to the submission deadline. All changes or withdrawals must be made in writing. Oral or verbal modifications will not be recognized. Written modifications will not be accepted after the submission deadline.
Sound Communities reserves the right to request clarifications or additional supporting documentation from one or more respondents after the submission deadline.

Proposals shall remain firm for a period of 90 days following the submission deadline.

Proposals shall be considered public information unless the respondent provides a separate letter identifying specific parts deemed confidential or proprietary.

All proposals shall be submitted without any prior understanding, agreement, or accord with any other person submitting a proposal for the same services. By submitting a proposal, the respondent represents that the submission is bona fide, fair, and not the result of fraud or collusion.

The respondent certifies by submission of a proposal that neither it nor any member of its team is debarred, suspended, or otherwise excluded or ineligible for participation in Federal Assistance programs.

Termination for Cause and for Convenience

Sound Communities may terminate a resulting contract, in whole or in part, for convenience or for failure of the Contractor to fulfill its obligations. Termination shall be made by written notice specifying the nature, extent, and effective date. Upon receipt of notice, the Contractor shall immediately discontinue all affected services and deliver to Sound Communities all accumulated materials, reports, and documents.

If termination is for the convenience of Sound Communities, Sound Communities shall be liable only for payment for services rendered prior to the effective date of termination. If termination is for cause, Sound Communities may take over the work and the Contractor shall be liable for any additional costs incurred. Sound Communities shall have exclusive ownership of all information, materials, and documents produced by the Contractor under the resulting contract.

In the event that insufficient funds are appropriated and budgeting or funding is otherwise unavailable in any fiscal period for this Project, then the Development Team shall have the unqualified right to terminate the Work Order(s) or Agreement upon written notice to the Contractor, without any penalty or expense to Sound Communities. No guarantee, warranty or representation is made that any particular work or project will be assigned to any firm(s).

VIII. INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS

The selected Contractor shall furnish evidence of the following insurance coverages from a company with a B+ or better rating in the current edition of Best's Rating Guide. Coverage must be maintained through completion of the scope of work.

Coverage Type Minimum Coverage

Professional Liability Minimum $1,000,000

Comprehensive General Liability (incl. broad form endorsement and    auto - non-owned and hired) Minimum $1,000,000

Workers' Compensation and Employer's Liability $100,000 per        employee / $500,000 policy limit

Automotive Liability (owned vehicles, if applicable) Minimum $1,000,000

Valuable Papers Destruction Policy Amount sufficient to cover loss of originals/reproductions (tracings, blueprints, specs, data, disks, etc.)

The Contractor must provide a copy of each applicable policy to Sound Communities. All insurance policies must include the following as an additional insured:

Sound Communities, Inc.

24 ½ Monroe Street

Norwalk, CT 06854

Exhibit B- RFP Certification- 25 Leonard Architectural Services

Exhibit C- Debarment Certification- 25 Leonard Architectural Services

Exhibit D- Proposed Fee- 25 Leonard Architectural Services