6297_RFEI_Community Based Programming at Blue Hills Recreation Center.pdf

Company Name – _________________________

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSED INTEREST

RFEI# 6297

COMMUNITY BASED PROGRAMMING AT THE BLUE HILLS RECREATION

CENTER

City of Hartford Procurement Services Unit

550 Main Street Hartford, CT 06103

DEADLINE: 4:00 P.M./Date: August 21, 2026 Susan Sheppard Purchasing Agent 860.757.9616 smsheppard@hartford.gov

INVITATION TO RESPOND

Dear Sir/Madam:

The City of Hartford (the City) invites responses for:

RFEI #: 6297 SOLICITATION DATE: August 3, 2026

SOLICITATION TITLE: Community Based Programming at Blue Hills Recreation Center

SOLICITATION DESCRIPTION: The City of Hartford (the “City”) is seeking is seeking Expressions of Interest from qualified nonprofit organizations, community-based organizations, educational institutions, and other mission-driven partners interested in utilizing a portion of the Blue Hills Recreation Center to provide community-focused programs and services that benefit residents of the Blue Hills neighborhood and surrounding communities.

SITE LOCATION (if applicable):

RESPONSE DATE: August 21, 2026 RESPONSE TIME: 4:00 p.m.

DEPT. ASSIGNED CONTRACT #:

Sincerely, Susan Sheppard Purchasing Agent

Companies interested in doing business with the City are able to register and maintain their registration via the Internet at:

https://www.hartfordct.gov/Government/Departments/Finance/Procurement/Procurement- Services/Search-for-Bid-Opportunities https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.hartfordct.gov/Government/Departments/Finance/Procurement/Procurement-Services/Search-for-Bid-Opportunities__;!!CBBmrNmIfghdXw!BwBUE_mYRSYXjIjczI4VBZq35O6bmlMZ-XF27-rT5bUn8G3r9uVBBE9eeVbeiaeb1kQ$ https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.hartfordct.gov/Government/Departments/Finance/Procurement/Procurement-Services/Search-for-Bid-Opportunities__;!!CBBmrNmIfghdXw!BwBUE_mYRSYXjIjczI4VBZq35O6bmlMZ-XF27-rT5bUn8G3r9uVBBE9eeVbeiaeb1kQ$

CITY OF HARTFORD

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

TO PROVIDE COMMUNITY BASED PROGRAMING AT BLUE HILLS

RECREATION CENTER

Responses Due by 4:00 p.m. on August 21, 2026

Introduction

The City of Hartford (the “City”) is seeking is seeking Expressions of Interest from qualified nonprofit organizations, community-based organizations, educational institutions, and other mission-driven partners interested in utilizing a portion of the Blue Hills Recreation Center to provide community-focused programs and services that benefit residents of the Blue Hills neighborhood and surrounding communities.

Hartford, Connecticut is a mid-sized city with approximately 124,000 residents. Hartford is the State Capital and is one of the largest employment centers in Connecticut, accommodating over 50,000 employees.

The Blue Hills Recreation Center is a community facility of approximately 4,500 square feet that is currently undergoing renovations, with completion anticipated in October 2026. This Request for Expressions of Interest is intended to identify organizations whose programs and services align with the City's vision of creating an active, inclusive, and vibrant neighborhood resource that meets the diverse needs of the community.

The City will review each Response to determine whether the Respondent satisfies the Project Requirements and Qualifications, based on the Evaluation Criteria set forth in this Solicitation.

Based on this review, the City, in its sole discretion, may establish a shortlist of Respondents.

Only those Respondents selected for the shortlist may be invited to participate in the subsequent phase of the City's selection process.

The selected organization(s) should demonstrate the ability to:

• Provide high-quality, accessible programming for youth, adults, seniors, or families.

• Promote education, workforce development, health and wellness, arts and culture, recreation, or community engagement.

• Increase opportunities for underserved populations.

• Foster partnerships with neighborhood organizations, schools, and local residents.

• Maintain an inclusive environment that reflects the diversity of the community.

Available Space Space within the recreation center will be made available through a shared-use arrangement. The final allocation of space, scheduling, and operational requirements will be established in collaboration with the selected organization(s) during the negotiation process.

Attached to this Request for Expressions of Interest are floor plans identifying the available and usable spaces within the recreation center. These plans are provided to assist interested organizations in understanding the facility layout and the spaces available for shared use.

Interested organizations should describe:

• The amount of space requested.

• Days and hours of operation.

• Estimated number of participants served.

• Equipment or facility requirements.

• Staffing plan.

Eligible Respondents

Eligible applicants include:

• 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations

• Community-based organizations

• Educational institutions

• Arts and cultural organizations

• Health and human service providers

• Workforce development organizations

• Other organizations with demonstrated experience delivering community programming

Submission Requirements

Responses should include:

1. Organization Overview

• Mission and history

• Years in operation

• Organizational structure

2. Proposed Program

• Description of services

• Target population

• Program goals and expected outcomes

• Proposed schedule

3. Experience

Relevant experience managing community programs Examples of similar projects Community partnerships

Staffing

• Key personnel

• Qualifications

• Volunteer involvement, if applicable

4. Financial Capacity

• Funding sources

• Annual operating budget

• Ability to sustain programming

5. Community Impact

• Expected benefits to Blue Hills and surrounding community.

• Methods for measuring success

6. References

• Three professional or organizational references.

Evaluation Criteria

Expressions of Interest will be evaluated based on:

• Alignment with community needs and City priorities

• Quality and innovation of proposed programming

• Organizational experience and capacity

• Demonstrated community partnerships

• Financial sustainability

• Ability to maximize community use of the facility

Selection Process Submission of an Expression of Interest does not constitute a commitment to award space or enter into an agreement. Selected respondents may be invited to participate in interviews, provide additional information, and negotiate the terms of a facility use agreement.

Submission Deadline EOIs must be submitted no later than August 21at 4:00PM.

Submission Method Responses should be submitted electronically in PDF format on the City of Hartford electronic bidding site at www.hartfordct.gov/procurement/purchasing (click on current solicitations and then bid opportunities):

Attn: Susan Sheppard Procurement Agent City of Hartford smsheppard@hartford.gov http://www.hartfordct.gov/procurement/purchasing mailto:smsheppard@hartford.gov

Questions Questions regarding this RFEI should be submitted in writing on the City of Hartford electronic bidding site at www.hartfordct.gov/procurement/purchasing (click on current solicitations and then bid opportunities)

The City of Hartford reserves the right to reject any or all submissions, request additional information, modify the scope of this solicitation, or cancel this request at any time.

http://www.hartfordct.gov/procurement/purchasing

Crosskey Architects

LLC

750 Main Street

Hartford, CT 06103 T: (860) 724-3000

Copyright 2015 Crosskey Architects, LLC

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First Floor Plan Interior floor area = 2,806 SF

TEEN CENTER

840 SF

CORRIDORLOBBY

JANITOR

KITCHEN

150 SF

CORRIDORMEN’S

RESTROOM WOMEN’S

RESTROOM

E-GAMING ROOM

355 SF

CLOSET

WORK

ROOM

CONFERENCE

OFFICE

OFFICE

STAFF

TOILET

SERVER

STAIR 1

Crosskey Architects

LLC

750 Main Street

Hartford, CT 06103 T: (860) 724-3000

Copyright 2015 Crosskey Architects, LLCLower Level Floor Plan

Interior floor area = 1,506 SF

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H ill s R ec re at io n

Ce nt er

Le ba no n

St re et , H ar tfo rd , C on ne ct ic ut

Ci ty o f H ar tfo rd

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COMMUNITY ROOM

840 SF

STORAGE

109 SF

CRAWL SPACE

MECHANICAL

STORAGE

48 SF

CORRIDOR

CRAWL SPACE

STORAGE

70 SF

UNISEX

TOILETSTAIR 1

CRAWL SPACE