27-03 Sale of 327 Main Street ad.pdf

City of Norwich Department of Finance – Purchasing Agent Phone: (860)823-3706 100 Broadway, Room No. 105 Fax: (860)823-3812 Norwich, CT 06360 E-mail:kklein@cityofnorwich.org

Request for Proposals

RFP 27-03

The Purchasing Agent, City of Norwich, will receive proposals for the purchase and development of land in Norwich. This parcel was formerly subdivided into two separate lots. These lots were merged into one lot by a resolution passed by the Norwich City Council on March 2, 2026 (Attachment A). This property is now known as 327 Main Street. Proposals will be received until 2:00 P.M. prevailing time on November 24, 2026 at which time they will be opened on the Procurement website and be available to view. All proposals are to be submitted via the City of Norwich Procurement Portal on the following website:

City of Norwich Procurement Portal

The project documents may be downloaded from the following website:

City of Norwich Procurement Portal

Addenda, if any, will be posted on the website listed above. All bidders, prior to submitting their bids, should check the websites to ensure they have received all issued addenda.

The City of Norwich reserves the right to reject and all bids, in whole or in part, to waive minor irregularities in the bidding and to award the bid to other than the low bidder if deemed in the best interest of the City.

No Bidder may withdraw its bid within sixty (60) days of the bid opening date. Should there be reason why the contract cannot be awarded within the specified time, the time may be extended by mutual agreement between the City and the designated, qualified low bidder.

All final awards of the bid shall be in compliance with the City of Norwich Code of Ordinances §7-46 – Delinquent Tax Setoff Against Money Due Bidder or Contractor.

All bidders must submit bids/proposals through the City Procurement Portal.

Responding bidders must ensure that employees and applicants for employment are not discriminated against because of their race, color, religious creed, age, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity or expression, intellectual disability, mental disability or physical disability, including, but not limited to blindness, unless it is shown by such bidder that such disability prevents performance of the work involved.

An Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Minority/Women's Business Enterprises are encouraged to apply.

This contract is subject to state set-aside and contract compliance requirements

Karl J. Klein Jr.

Purchasing Agent mailto:kklein@cityofnorwich.org https://norwichct.bonfirehub.com/portal/?tab=openOpportunities

PROPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS

RFP 27-03

Purchase and Development of 327 Main Street

The following instructions and specifications shall be observed by all proposers:

Time and Place of Bid Opening Proposals will be received on November 24, 2026 at 2:00 P.M. online at:

https://norwichct.bonfirehub.com/portal/?tab=openOpportunities Proposals will not be allowed after the time and date of the opening.

Availability of Documents Vendors are advised that all documents related to this project are only available online at the following web address:

https://norwichct.bonfirehub.com/portal/?tab=openOpportunities

Addenda If additional information becomes available or changes are made to the documents, an addendum will be issued not later than 5 days prior to the opening date. All addenda shall become part of the Contract Documents.

It is incumbent on the Vendor to ensure that it has received all issued addenda by checking the websites listed above. Failure of any Vendor to receive any such addendum shall not relieve it of the obligations under its proposal.

Notice of any addendum will be posted on the following website:

https://norwichct.bonfirehub.com/portal/?tab=openOpportunities

Questions Questions regarding this bid must be submitted through the Procurement Portal at:

https://norwichct.bonfirehub.com/portal/?tab=openOpportunities no later than November 16, 2026 at 5:00 PM EST. Answers will be provided no later than the end of business 5 days prior to the bid opening as an addendum.

Instructions Proposals must be submitted to the City of Norwich Procurement portal at:

https://norwichct.bonfirehub.com/portal/?tab=openOpportunities Proposals will not be accepted by mail, in person or by email.

All forms and associated documents must be uploaded through the procurement portal.

Sales and Use Tax Vendors are reminded that the Connecticut State Sales and Use Tax and associated Federal taxes are not applicable under this contract, and therefore these taxes are not to be included in the price.

Under the terms of Connecticut Agencies Regulations §12-426-18, Contractors and Subcontractors, the contractor may purchase materials and supplies as are to be installed or placed in projects being performed under these contracts and will remain in such projects after completion, including tangible personal property that remains tangible personal property after its installation or placement, without payment of the tax and shall not charge any such exempt organization or agency any sales or use tax thereon.

Definitions For the purposes of these documents:

The word “City” means the City of Norwich, CT.

The word “Proposer” or “Vendor” refers to the party or parties submitting a proposal to perform the work to be done or materials to be furnished under the Contract, the legal representatives of such party or parties.

https://norwichct.bonfirehub.com/portal/?tab=openOpportunities https://norwichct.bonfirehub.com/portal/?tab=openOpportunities

Certificate in Good Standing Any corporation whose proposal is being considered for acceptance by the City may be required, if requested, to provide a “Certificate of Good Standing” from the Office of the Secretary of State for Connecticut.

Acceptance/Rejection of Proposals The City may reject proposals which are incomplete, conditional, obscure, contain additions not called for, erasures or corrections not initialed, or which contain alterations or irregularities of any kind. The City may rightfully waive informalities. Determination of the best interest of the City shall include consideration of active or pending civil litigation between the City and any firm (or its subcontractors or suppliers) submitting a proposal to the City.

Withdrawal of Proposal Submitted Any bid may be withdrawn prior to the designated date and time for receipt of proposals. Proposals may be withdrawn ninety (90) days after the opening if no award has been made by the City. If the City does not award a contract within ninety (90) days after the opening, all proposals will be null and void, except this time may be extended by mutual agreement of the City and the selected vendor.

Award Execution The firm whose proposal is accepted will be issued a “Notice of Award.” The Vendor will be required to execute the “Notice of Award,” and provide a certificate of insurance that meets the requirements in section 15 of the Standard Bid Contract Terms and Conditions, within ten working days from the date the Notice of Award is issued.

Freedom of Information All proposals shall be made available for public inspection, in accordance with the provisions of Connecticut General Statutes § 1-210, Freedom of Information. Copies of any information resulting from any proposal opening are generally not available until a contract has been awarded or a purchase order is issued.

Non-Collusion The individual signing the proposal hereby declares that no person or persons other than members of its organization are interested in this proposal or in the contract proposed to be taken; that it is made without any connection to any other person or persons submitting a proposal for the same work and is in all respects fair and without collusion or fraud; that no person acting on behalf of or employed by the City of Norwich is directly or indirectly interested in the supplies or work to which they relate or will receive any part of the profit or any commission therefrom in any manner which is unethical or contrary to the best interests of the City of Norwich.

By submitting a bid to this RFP, the vendor certifies they are not on a state or federal debarment or suspended list and are not prohibited from performing any state or federal work.

Purpose The City of Norwich is seeking proposals for the purchase and development of 327 Main Street, formally 323- 327.

This parcel was formerly divided into two separate parcels. These parcels were merged into one property by a City Resolution on March 2, 2026. (Attachment A)

Proposal Requirements

1. Name, address, and experience of owner/entity

2. Proposers are expected to explain the use of the property including date(s) for development.

3. Each proposer may be required to make a presentation to the City regarding its proposal.

4. Proposers will provide a price and conditions for the purchase. It is expected that the sale of the parcel will not be for a value less than the assessed value of the property.

5. Proposers will describe any funding sources utilized for the purchase and intended use of the property, including state and/or federal funding and any terms and conditions of such funding.

6. Proposers will provide an expected schedule for the implementation of the subsequent reuse of the property.

7. Proposers will address parking in context with the proposed reuse of the property.

Selection Criteria The City’s selection committee will evaluate all aspects of each proposal based on the selection criteria provided in this document. Proposers are encouraged to provide as much detail and background information as deemed appropriate to fully present your proposal. A determination as to which proposal meets the needs of the City shall rest with the City’s selection committee. In making its final decision, the City’s selection committee may accept or reject any or all proposals, in whole or in part, or waive minor irregularities if it is deemed in the best interests of the City.

The following criteria shall be used to evaluate all proposals:

A. Appropriate Use: Proposals that specify appropriate uses will be favored. Taxable uses, in general, are favored. Housing, if any, shall be at a mixed-use commercial and residential and shall have sufficient amenities and quality to remain viable for the foreseeable future.

B. Design: The visual appearance of the site and the compatibility of the parcel with nearby properties is of great importance and proposals that address this concern will be granted more favorable consideration. The site is in the Downtown Norwich National historic district. It is expected that the proposer will comply with current planning, zoning, building code and other regulations.

Where the proposer believes there are conflicts, it should explain the trade-off made and a recommended solution. Economic reasonableness shall be considered, but individual economic capacity is not a valid reason to defer standards.

C. Feasibility: Proposals that demonstrate strong feasibility will be given more favorable consideration.

Proposals that include a specific end use for the properties will receive more favorable consideration.

D. Proposer Qualifications: Proposers with experience in developing similar projects, with the ability to secure financing, and the credentials to carry out the project will be given more favorable consideration.

E. Operations: Proposers who demonstrate projects with a strong track record of performance and ownership will be preferred.

F. Economic Impact: Economic impact is measured in terms of the overall benefits/burdens to the City and will include property taxes, long term project viability and the need for community support.

G. Purchase Price: The total purchase price and any terms and conditions that are associated with the purchase shall be stated in the response to this RFP. Purchase price will be considered only after the other selection criteria have been satisfied. The City may negotiate a potential price prior to selection. The highest price received from the RFP shall be considered for discussion.

Interested parties are advised that State of Connecticut General Statutes §7-163e requires the City council to conduct a public hearing on the sale prior to final approval of the sale.

H. The test fit studies included in this solicitation are preliminary in nature and are meant to show possible development scenarios. The studies do not document exact requirements or configurations for any parcel or building. Any entity who engages the parcel for development and/or use is wholly responsible for verifying compliance with all requirements of authorities having jurisdiction for any work they choose to pursue.

Other Award Considerations The City’s selection committee may reject any or all proposals for such reason they may deem proper. In acceptance of proposals, the City’s selection committee will be guided by consideration of the interests of the City. The City’s selection committee also reserves the right to negotiate further with one or more purchasers as to any features of their proposals and to accept modifications when such action will be in the best interests of the City. Review of proposals will include an assessment of the proposer’s financial capacity and status of current and/or past due taxes or liens due. Current and/or past taxes or liens due to the City (inclusive of water and sewer services) will preclude award to such an entity making a proposal.

Purpose