Thomaston Opera House Auditorium Restoration Request for Proposal

This is a Request for Proposal (RFP) issued by the Town of Thomaston, Connecticut for design-build decorative finish restoration services at the Thomaston Opera House located at 158 Main Street. The Town is soliciting sealed proposals from qualified historic restoration firms to develop and execute a final decorative scheme for auditorium wall restoration, including hand-applied plaster repair, painting, stenciling, glazing, and mural work. The scope encompasses auditorium walls from cove molding to floor at both orchestra and balcony levels, building upon completed Phase 1 ceiling restoration and Phase 2a finishes investigations. This design-build engagement requires the selected firm to both develop the decorative scheme and perform the physical restoration work. The proposal submission period runs from August 21, 2026 through September 30, 2026 at 3:00 PM EDT. A mandatory pre-proposal site visit is available by appointment. Vendor questions must be submitted by 3:00 PM on Friday, September 18, 2026 to Richard Sileo, First Selectman, at rsileo@thomastonct.gov. Award is anticipated October 7, 2026, with on-site work commencing January 2027.

Only firms demonstrating substantial experience in historic decorative finish restoration, with at least three comparable projects in landmark theaters or civic buildings, will be considered responsive. Pricing shall be submitted on a lump-sum basis for each defined scope section with hourly rates for additional work. The project is funded through a $2 million state bond authorization via the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development's Community Investment Fund 2030. Connecticut prevailing wage requirements under Statutes Section 31-53 apply, along with affirmative action and equal opportunity employment obligations. State set-aside goals of 25% small business enterprises (SBE) and 6.25% minority business enterprises (MBE) are required. Evaluation criteria include qualifications and comparable project experience (25%), technical approach and work plan (25%), cost (25%), proposed schedule and timeline compliance (15%), and key personnel and staffing (10%). Contractors must provide 100% performance and payment bonds, commercial general liability insurance with $2 million general aggregate limits, workers compensation insurance, and $1 million commercial umbrella liability coverage.