RFP for 25 Leonard Civil Engineering Services
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS/PROPOSALS
Sound Communities Inc., an affiliate of the Norwalk Housing Authority, is seeking proposals from site-civil engineering firms with experience in new construction and infill affordable housing development in Fairfield County for a project located at 25 Leonard Street, Norwalk, CT.
KEY INFORMATION
RFQ RELEASE DATE: August 12th, 2026
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Proposals must be submitted on or before September 14th at 5:00PM EST. Submissions received after the deadline will not be considered.
SUBMISSION PROCESS: Proposals must be submitted via email to sstewart@soundcommunitiesct.org. No hard copies please.
STAFF CONTACT: Questions and requests for information should be directed via email to Sophie Stewart, Project Coordinator, at sstewart@soundcommunitiesct.org by August 27th, 2026
I. INVITATION TO SUBMIT PROPOSALS
Sound Communities Inc. ("Sound"), the development affiliate of the Norwalk Housing Authority ("NHA"), is soliciting proposals from site-civil engineering firms with experience in new construction and infill development in urban settings. Sound is undertaking the redevelopment of 25 Leonard Street in Norwalk, Connecticut, involving the demolition of an existing 1865 structure and new construction of a 12-unit affordable housing building. To be considered, respondents must submit a complete proposal in the manner described below.
A qualified firm will have experience in site planning, topographic surveys, zoning regulations, stormwater management, underground utilities, and infill infrastructure, and will have done work in Norwalk or Fairfield County.
In addition to providing the services above, a qualified firm may be expected to attend and present at meetings of the Norwalk Planning & Zoning Commission.
After review of all factors, including qualifications, past projects, references and proposed fee, Sound reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals or any part thereof, to waive defects, to waive technicalities and to award the contract to the respondent that Sound determines to be the most responsible and qualified respondent, 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 or NHA, other than the staff contact listed above, could result in disqualification of an application.
II. DEVELOPMENT TEAM
Sound Communities Inc. (Sound), a 501(c)3 non-profit organization established in 2020, is 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. Recent projects include Oak Grove, which added 69 affordable units and a Learning Center, and the redevelopment of Meadow Gardens, which will create 59 affordable units and a Learning Center. Both Oak Grove and Meadow Gardens were financed using Low Income Housing Tax Credits and state grants.
Sound's team consists of a Vice President of Development, Project Manager, Project Coordinator and Property Manager. Sound's board of directors includes NHA's Executive Director, Deputy Director and Finance Director.
III. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: 25 LEONARD STREET, NORWALK
Sound is redeveloping a site at 25 Leonard Street in Norwalk, Connecticut, currently occupied by a vacant three-story brick building constructed around 1865. The existing structure is proposed for demolition following completion of hazardous materials abatement. A pre-demolition hazardous building materials inspection performed by Eagle Environmental identified asbestos-containing materials, TCLP-hazardous lead-based paint (43.8 mg/L), presumed PCB-containing caulk, and universal waste requiring abatement prior to demolition.
Following demolition, Sound will construct a new 12-unit, three-story affordable housing building on the site. The project is funded in part through a HUD Economic Development Initiative - Community Project Funding (EDI-CPF) grant and will apply to the Connecticut Department of Housing for additional funds.
Because the existing structure dates to 1865, the project is subject to Connecticut State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) review under Section 106, in addition to a HUD Part 58 environmental review given the federal funding source. The project must adhere to standards and guidelines set by the City of Norwalk, HUD, DOH, and applicable state and local agencies, in addition to international building code and best practices. These agencies also inform policies around procurement, environmental review, prevailing wages, and other regulations that will apply to this project.
A variety of stakeholders are expected to play some role in shaping and advancing this project, including NHA staff, the Mayor of Norwalk, Norwalk Planning & Zoning, Norwalk Economic Development, state and local elected officials, and community members. The Civil Engineering firm should be comfortable presenting concepts to diverse stakeholders and getting buy-in to support the design.
IV. SCOPE OF SERVICES
The following generally highlights the services that the firm will be required to perform.
1) Review existing conditions, property survey, zoning regulations and site constraints, including coordination with the project's architect and engineers to confirm site development feasibility.
2) Coordinate with the lead architect to collaborate on site plan considerations and conceptual designs.
3) Participate in meetings with Norwalk Planning & Zoning, Transportation, Mobility and Parking, and the Department of Public Works to develop a proposed site plan addressing parking, drainage, access, and integration with the surrounding neighborhood.
4) Prepare and submit a site plan application to Norwalk Planning & Zoning, targeted for submission in September 2026, with support from the project's zoning attorney and architect (each procured directly by Sound). This process includes attending at least one public hearing.
5) Prepare a stormwater management report and design in accordance with City of Norwalk and Connecticut DEEP requirements.
6) Coordinate utility connections, including water service (Aquarion Water Company) and sanitary sewer (City of Norwalk Department of Public Works).
7) Prepare and submit registration under the Connecticut DEEP General Permit for Stormwater and Dewatering Wastewaters Associated with Construction Activities.
8) Advance civil drawings to full construction documents, coordinating with the architect, structural engineer, and MEP engineer.
9) Provide plans and specifications required to secure all necessary permits and approvals, including Zoning Permit, Demolition Permit, and Building Permit.
10) Provide services, as needed, to assist in the bidding and award of the construction contract and subcontracts.
11) Provide construction administration services during the construction phase, including review of as-built conditions and preparation of as-built drawings.
V. SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS
Respondents must submit one original and complete proposal no later than 5:00pm EST on September 14th, 2026. Proposals must be emailed to sstewart@soundcommunitiesct.org. No hard copies please.
In submitting a response to this RFP, the respondent acknowledges that Sound will not compensate the respondent for any submission or contract negotiation costs, including costs for preparation, appearances, interviews, and/or travel expenses.
To maintain a fair and impartial competitive process, written questions will be the only opportunity for respondents to inquire as to form and content. Sound will only answer written inquiries received by e-mail before the RFI deadline of August 27th, 2026. Please send inquiries to Sophie Stewart at sstewart@soundcommunitiesct.org.
Each submission must contain the following information:
1) Signed Cover Letter on Company Letterhead
2) Firm Overview - detailed explanation of the firm's history, size, office locations, services offered, and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
3) Project Experience Past Five (5) Years - include projects that have been completed and are relevant to 25 Leonard Street (i.e. infill affordable housing, Fairfield County, historic site redevelopment, etc.)
4) Client References - a list of three (3) past clients that may be contacted directly by Sound
5) Written Qualifications and/or Resumes of Key Staff to be assigned to 25 Leonard Street
6) Proposed Fee and Terms, including hourly rates
Attachments:
•) Signed RFQ Certification (Exhibit B)
•) Signed Debarment Certification (Exhibit C)
•) Proposed Fee (Exhibit D)
•) Copy of business licenses 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 on or before the submission deadline will be scored by a selection committee made up of Sound staff. Interview(s) will be held with the top-scoring firms.
Criteria Max Points
Company Overview/History 10
Relevant Project Experience 25
Team Qualifications 25
Fee and Terms 25
Signed Certifications 15
Total 100
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
The respondent may change or withdraw a response at any time prior to the response submission deadline. All changes or withdrawals shall be made in writing. Oral/verbal changes, modifications, or withdrawals will not be recognized and will be disregarded. Written modifications will not be accepted after the RFQ Submission Deadline.
Sound reserves the right to request clarifications of information submitted and to request any necessary supporting documentation or information of one or more respondents after the RFQ Submission Deadline.
Submissions shall be firm for a period of 90 days following the RFQ Submission Deadline.
Submissions shall be considered public information unless advised otherwise by the respondent. The respondent shall include a separate letter stating which parts of the submission are deemed confidential and/or proprietary information not to be released.
All submissions shall be made without any prior understanding, agreement, or accord with any other person submitting a qualification package for the same service. By delivering a response to this RFQ, the respondent represents that their submission is in all respects bona fide, fair, and not the result of any act of fraud or collusion with another person engaged in the same line of business or commerce.
The respondent certifies by submission of a proposal that it is not a debarred, suspended, or ineligible contractor by any Agency of Federal or State government. No proposal received from a debarred, suspended, or ineligible contractor will qualify for award.
Termination for Cause and for Convenience
Sound may terminate this contract in whole, or from time to time in part, for its convenience or the failure of the Contractor to fulfill the contract obligations (cause/default). Sound shall terminate by delivering to the Contractor a written notice of termination specifying the nature, extent, and effective date of termination. Upon receipt of the notice, the Contractor shall: (1) immediately discontinue all services affected (unless the notice directs otherwise), and (2) deliver to Sound all information, reports, papers, and other materials accumulated or generated in performing the contract, whether completed or in process.
If the termination is for the convenience of Sound, it shall be liable only for payment for services rendered before the effective date of the termination.
If the termination is due to failure of the Contractor to fulfill its obligations under the contract (cause/default), Sound may (1) require the Contractor to deliver to it any work described in the Notice of Termination; (2) take over the work and prosecute the same to completion by contract or otherwise, and the Contractor shall be liable for any additional cost incurred by Sound; and (3) withhold any payments to the Contractor, for the purpose of set-off or partial payment, as the case may be, of amounts owed to Sound by the Contractor. In the event of termination for cause/default, Sound will be liable to the Contractor for reasonable costs incurred by the Contractor before the effective date of the termination. Any dispute shall be decided by the Contracting Officer.
Sound shall have exclusive ownership of all proprietary interest in, and the right to full and exclusive possession of all information, materials and documents discovered or produced by Contractor pursuant to the terms of this Contract.
In the event that insufficient funds are appropriated and budgeting or funding is otherwise unavailable in any fiscal period for this Project, then Sound 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. No guarantee, warranty or representation is made that any particular work or project will be assigned to any firm(s).
VIII. INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS
The Contractor shall furnish evidence of the following forms of insurance from a company with B+ or better rating in the current edition of Best's Rating Guide which must be maintained through completion of the scope of work.
1) Professional Liability: Minimum Coverage $1,000,000
2) Comprehensive General Liability with broad form Comprehensive General Liability endorsement and auto (non-owned and hired): Minimum Coverage $1,000,000 per occurrence and $5,000,000 in aggregate including umbrella and excess liability
3) Worker's Compensation and Employer's Liability: per statutory requirements by applicable law; minimum coverages $100,000 each employee, $500,000 policy limit
4) Automotive Liability (owned vehicles), if applicable: Minimum Coverage $1,000,000
5) Valuable Papers Destruction Policy in an amount sufficient to cover loss or damage to originals or reproductions, whether they be tracings, blueprints, specifications, manuscripts, data, disks, etc.
6) The Contractor must provide a copy of each applicable policy to the Authority. Insurance coverage must be maintained until completion of the project. All insurance must include the following endorsements:
Certificate Holder:
Sound Communities, Inc.
24 ½ Monroe Street
Norwalk, CT 06854
Additional Insured:
Norwalk Housing Authority
24 ½ Monroe Street
Norwalk CT 06854
Exhibit A Survey
Note: A copy of the property survey may be requested via email to sstewart@soundcommunitiesct.org.
Exhibit B- 25 Leonard Civil Engineering Services
Exhibit C- Debarment Certification- 25 Leonard Civil Engineering Services