Request For Bids
Intensive Historical Property Survey
RFB Issuance Date: October 29, 2025
RFB Due Date: By 4:00 PM on December 12, 2025
Please Submit to:
Village of McFarland
Department of Community & Economic Development
Attn: Kong Thao
Associate Planner
5915 Milwaukee Street
PO Box 110
McFarland, WI 53558
Kong.thao@mcfarland.wi.gov
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Contents
SECTION 1 Purpose .................................................................................................................... 3
SECTION 2 History and Background........................................................................................... 3
SECTION 3 Project Objectives .................................................................................................... 5
SECTION 4 Scope of Work & Project Budget ............................................................................. 5
SECTION 5 Deliverables.............................................................................................................. 6
SECTION 6 RFB Submittal Requirements ................................................................................... 6
SECTION 7 Evaluation Criteria.................................................................................................... 8
SECTION 8 Method & Timeline of Selection .............................................................................. 9
SECTION 9 Terms and Conditions ............................................................................................. 10
SECTION 10 RFB Exhibits............................................................................................................. 11
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SECTION 1 Purpose
The purpose of this Request for Bids (RFB) is to receive competitive bids from qualified
consultants who are interested in completing a comprehensive survey of properties in the Village
of McFarland. The intent of the survey is to review new properties to be considered as local
historical properties consistent with the Village’s code on Historic Preservation, Sec. 62-393 –
Historic Preservation Purpose. The properties listed shall meet the Village’s designation criteria
in Sec. 62-394. Historic Structures and Sites Designation Criteria.
SECTION 2 History and Background
The Village of McFarland is located adjacent to the southeast side of the City of Madison in Dane
County. The January 1, 2025 population of McFarland is estimated at 9,737 residents. US
Highway 51 serves as the main connection point between the cities of Madison and Stoughton.
The Village of McFarland has 75 permanent employees supplemented by seasonal, temporary,
and part-time employees when necessary. The Village’s primary departments include
Administration, Community & Economic Development, Fire and Rescue, Library, Public Works
(including Parks and Utilities), Police, and Senior Outreach. More information about the Village
is available at www.mcfarland.wi.us.
In March 1991, the Landmarks Commission designated 18 properties as locally designated
historic properties. Later in 2019, through annexation to the Village, 5979 Siggelkow Road,
Waubesa School was added. There of the properties are listed as part of the State and National
Register, including 5923 Exchange Street (McFarland House), 6003 Exchange Street (Edwards-
Larson House), and 5979 Siggelkow Road (Waubesa School). There are also two Native American
Mound Groups (Siggelkow Park Mound Group and Lewis Mound Group) list as part of the
National Register.
Historic McFarland – A Walking Tour
Originally published in 1986 by the McFarland Historical Society, this handbook documents the
earliest recorded attempt to identify historic properties in the downtown area of McFarland. The
handbook includes related background information on each property, who lived there,
architectural significance, and a map. Not all properties in this handbook were deemed
appropriate to designate as historic properties under the Village’s Historic Preservation
Ordinance in 1991. The publication was updated in 2016.
Story Map
This digital tool is a helpful interactive alternative to the handbook. The tool includes current
historically designated properties on an interactive map. Now in a digital format, users can access
this interactive map through their phone while scrolling through the properties. The link can be
found on the Landmarks Commission’s committee page. Viewers can click on icons over each
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property to read more about their history. The tool is a modern take on a resourceful document
and flexible to updates as needed.
Certified Local Government, 2019
The Village of McFarland has been a member of the Certified Local Government (CLG) Program
and local partner in the Federal Preservation Program since 2019. In 2026, this will mark 7 years
as a CLG member. The Village would not be able to receive grant funding for the CLG Grant if not
a member.
Division 62-II-6 Historic Preservation (Village Zoning Code)
This section of the Village’s Zoning Code provides regulations specific to locally designated
historic properties. The Village does not maintain any Historical Districts. Designated historic
properties are not all centrally located, however they are more apparent within the Village’s
Downtown area and along Exchange Street.
Project Supporting Plans
The following list of Village plans are provided to the consultant for added background
information relating to initiatives and recommendations to expand historic preservation efforts.
• 2017 Comprehensive Plan:
o Chapter 3 – Culture and Community Character
Initiative #3 (pages 26-27). Reinvigorate McFarland’s Historic
Preservation Efforts. A range of efforts, like updating a historic building
inventory or becoming a Certified Local Government, could further
distinguish McFarland as a village with history.
Objective #2: Advance heritage preservation and link to quality of life and
prosperity.
Village Project Staff and Committees
The Community & Economic Development Department oversees administration of the historic
properties in the Village. The Department consists of the following four positions: Director,
Associate Planner, Community Development Specialist, and Building Inspector (contracted). The
Village also uses a contracted Village Engineer. The Associate Planner, Kong Thao, will serve as
the Village’s Project Manager and will be the primary liaison with the consultant team. The
Director will serve as Project Supervisor. Due to the nature of the survey, the Associate Planner
and Director are available for regular reviews of the consultant team’s survey progress.
The Village’s Landmarks Commission will provide additional project oversight. Project updates
will begin at the staff level with the consultant before updates are provided to the Landmarks
Commission. The Landmarks Commission does not hold regular meetings and are scheduled as
needed. The Landmarks Commission has historically met at 4:00 PM. Village Staff may assist with
scheduling to ensure quorum and no conflicts with other scheduled meetings. The Village Staff
team do not anticipate additional input from other Village committees and boards to be required
through the project process except for final review and acceptance of the consultant’s final
report by the Village Board. The Village is currently utilizing a hybrid of in-person and Zoom
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public meetings. The Consultant should anticipate a combination of in-person, remote, or hybrid
meetings throughout the planning process.
SECTION 3 Project Objectives
Broad objectives for this project include, but are not limited to:
1. Build-off the work completed as summarized in the prior section to provide a
comprehensive historic survey of properties in the Village.
2. Improve recognition of historic properties, leading to preservation of the Village’s culture
and heritage.
3. Utilize Sec. 62-394 Historic Structures and Sites Designation Criteria along with consultant
expertise, and the Architecture-History Survey Manual to review and assess properties
within the Village to determine eligibility for historic designation.
4. To engage with Village Staff, the Landmarks Commission, property owners and the public
to provide information regarding the project purpose, survey methodology, and survey
findings.
5. Maintain compliance with the terms of the Memorandum of Agreement between the
Wisconsin State Historic Preservation Office and the Village, attached as Exhibit A to this
Request for Bids.
SECTION 4 Scope of Work & Project Budget
In addition to the requirements in the Scope of Work described in Exhibit B of the RFB, the
selected Consultant shall providing the following services:
1. Staff Meetings. The consultant should anticipate a sufficient number of meetings with
Village staff to develop the comprehensive survey of historic properties. This should
include an initial project kickoff meeting to determine the project schedule and public
engagement plan, periodic project check-in meetings, and meetings prior to Landmarks
Commission or public engagement meetings. Staff meetings may be held remotely.
2. Landmarks Commission Meetings. The consultant should budget for at least three
meetings with the Landmarks Commission to review key elements of the survey. The first
meeting should serve as a project kickoff to introduce the consultant to the Commission
and public and to explain the purpose of the study, project schedule, survey methodology,
etc. An additional meeting shall be held to review the results of the draft survey report
findings. A final meeting shall be held to review the final survey report. Attendance at
Landmarks Commission meetings may be completed remotely.
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This page summarizes the opportunity, including an overview and a preview of the attached documents.