Convention_Center_RFQ_-_Vendor_Responsibilities.docx

This is a vendor responsibilities document for Request for Proposal RFP-26-160 issued by the City of St. Petersburg, Florida, for a comprehensive feasibility study evaluating the viability of a proposed convention center in downtown St. Petersburg. The consultant will manage all aspects of the feasibility study from kickoff through final delivery, including coordinating with the project manager and participating in regular status meetings and briefings. Key responsibilities encompass stakeholder engagement through identification, scheduling, and conducting interviews, focus groups, and surveys with meeting planners, associations, local businesses, public agencies, and tourism partners, as well as collecting market, economic, and demographic data. The consultant must prepare interim findings, draft reports, and a final comprehensive feasibility study report with editable digital files of all presentations, graphics, reports, tables, and models, along with presentation materials for elected officials, committees, and public meetings. The vendor must attend and present findings at public meetings and workshops as requested and respond to questions from elected officials, stakeholders, and the public. Proposals must be submitted electronically as a single continuous PDF document not exceeding 100 pages by April 30, 2026, at 3:00 p.m.

Qualified proposers must demonstrate a minimum of five years of experience completing five similar feasibility studies or market analyses for public-sector clients within the past ten years and maintain key personnel including a project manager and substitute project manager each with a minimum of five years of applicable experience. The City will evaluate proposals on four criteria: Qualifications and Experience of Firm and Staff (35 points), Project Approach (40 points), Cost Analysis (10 points), and Business Enterprise Program Outreach and Utilization (15 points). Preference is given to certified Small Business Enterprises, Minority Business Enterprises, and Women Business Enterprises, with consideration for demonstrated commitment to inclusive subcontracting and utilization of Tampa Bay Region-based businesses. The selected consultant must maintain commercial general liability insurance of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate and commercial automobile liability of $1,000,000 combined single limit. The contract term commences upon execution and continues until completion of the study and final acceptance by the City, with the City reserving the right to terminate the agreement at any time for convenience upon thirty days' written notice or immediately for cause. No maximum budget is specified, and the City requests complete cost information and fee proposals for evaluation purposes.