Master Planning Project - The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, Connecticut

This is a Request for Proposal (RFP) solicitation issued by The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, a cultural institution in Connecticut, seeking qualified consulting teams to develop a comprehensive ten-year master plan. The master plan will align with the Aquarium's "Aquarium Without Walls" strategic initiative and provide a phased, financially viable roadmap supporting the organization's vision, mission, and growth objectives. The scope encompasses strategic planning and implementation across three major site components: facility updates to the existing 140,000-square-foot building (constructed in 1988 within a historic 1867 ironworks structure); development of a dedicated annex within Manresa Wilds on Manresa Island (13,000 square feet, potentially expandable to 39,000 square feet); and creation of a riverfront annex adjacent to the Aquarium on the Norwalk River (accessible upon completion of the Walk Bridge Project in 2031). The project is structured in five phases: Discovery & Assessment, Visioning & Experience Framework, Concept Development, Financial Modeling & Phasing, and Final Master Plan, with deliverables including a comprehensive master plan document, site plans, concept visuals, business plan with financial models, implementation roadmap, and board presentation materials. The solicitation opened June 26, 2026 at 11:30 a.m. EDT, with vendor questions accepted through July 1, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. EDT and proposals due July 17, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. EDT. Vendor presentations are scheduled August 3-7, 2026, with vendor selection on August 14, 2026 and contract execution by August 28, 2026. The project timeline is constrained to 6-8 months.

The maximum fee proposal cannot exceed $300,000. There are no set-asides or eligibility restrictions; the solicitation is open to all vendors. Proposals will be evaluated on approach quality and clarity, relevant experience with aquariums and cultural institutions, creativity and vision, team qualifications, and cost-to-value ratio. The top two-to-three finalists will be invited for in-person interviews. Funding is provided through a Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development grant, which reserves the right of review prior to contract finalization. Consultants must submit a minimum of three references from the past five years and provide certificates of insurance naming The Maritime Aquarium as additional insured. Contact for questions is Dave Truedson, COO, at dtruedson@maritimeaquarium.org or 203-852-0700.