PS Small Order Purchase RFP Historic Tour Development 18 August 2026_.pdf

July 2026 revision 1

WATER DEPARTMENT

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR

FAIRMOUNT WATER WORKS HISTORY CONSULTANT

DEVELOP AND EXECUTE PROGRAMS/TRAININGS HIGHLIGHTING SITE

HISTORY

Mayor Cherelle Parker

Benjamin Jewell, Commissioner, Philadelphia Water Department

The City of Philadelphia

RESPONSE DEADLINE:

No later than 5 pm Local Philadelphia Time on September 29, 2026

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:

All proposals must be submitted electronically to the correct contract opportunity established for this RFP (identified by opportunity number) through eContract Philly at https://philawx.phila.gov/econtract/

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Contents

1.1 Values

1.2 Contracting with the City of Philadelphia

1.3 Contacting Us

2. SERVICES WE ARE LOOKING FOR

2.1 Overview

2.2 Project Details

Services

Compensation

Project Schedule

3. HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR RESPONSE

3.1 RFP Schedule

3.2 What You Must Include in Your Response

4.1 Overview

4.2 Selection Process

4.3 Award

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1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Values

The City of Philadelphia is committed to ensuring all businesses have access to contracting opportunities with the City and seeks to promote the economic development of small and local businesses.

1.2 Contracting with the City of Philadelphia

The City of Philadelphia (“the City”) has two primary categories of contract opportunities:

Consistent with our values, the City requires that all contractors and subcontractors be in compliance with our laws, regulations, and polices, including:

Please closely review the City’s contract attachments including the standard terms and conditions.

Any contract resulting from this RFP will incorporate and be governed by these documents. You must raise any objections to these standard terms and conditions in your proposal.

Objections are not favored and may be weighed against your proposal and negotiation of proposed objections may extend the contracting time. Additionally, the City need not consider later-raised objections.

IF ELIGIBLE, YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO:

✓ Apply for Local Business Entity (LBE) certification with City’s Procurement Department.

If you provide your LBE status and/or promise to have a Local Impact, this must be used as a positive factor in evaluation and potential selection. Additionally, some opportunities are exclusively reserved for LBE certified businesses.

Includes consulting, legal or creative services and other service types

Includes supplies and equipment and public works

PROCUREMENT PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

CITY BUSINESS

LICENSES AND

PERMIT

REQUIREMENTS

PAYMENT OF CITY

BUSINESS TAXES

OR OTHER

INDEBTEDNESS

OWED TO THE CITY

CHAPTER 17-1300.

PHILADELPHIA 21ST

CENTURY MINIMUM

WAGE AND BENEFITS

STANDARD

1 2 3 https://www.phila.gov/services/business-self-employment/bidding-on-a-city-contract/get-certified-as-a-local-business-entity/ https://business.phila.gov/ https://business.phila.gov/ https://business.phila.gov/ https://business.phila.gov/ https://www.phila.gov/services/business-self-employment/business-taxes/ https://www.phila.gov/services/business-self-employment/business-taxes/ https://www.phila.gov/services/business-self-employment/business-taxes/ https://www.phila.gov/services/business-self-employment/business-taxes/ https://www.phila.gov/services/business-self-employment/business-taxes/ https://www.phila.gov/services/business-self-employment/business-taxes/ https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/philadelphia/latest/philadelphia_pa/0-0-0-296070 https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/philadelphia/latest/philadelphia_pa/0-0-0-296070 https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/philadelphia/latest/philadelphia_pa/0-0-0-296070 https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/philadelphia/latest/philadelphia_pa/0-0-0-296070 https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/philadelphia/latest/philadelphia_pa/0-0-0-296070

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1.3 Contacting Us

For technical questions or concerns connected to this RFP, email eContractPhilly@phila.gov or call

(215) 686-4914.

• Please note the phone number provided is not a live helpline.

• Allow for enough time prior to any application deadline to receive a response to your request. The City will not extend a deadline even if it has not responded to your question or request.

mailto:eContractPhilly@phila.gov

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2. SERVICES WE ARE LOOKING FOR

2.1 Overview

Department

Issuing

The Water Department’s historic Fairmount Water Works - interpretive center seeks a seasoned professional tour(s) developer, program planner with a background in history/historical preservation and environmental education.

Term

The term of the contract is expected to start on or about October 1, 2026.

The City may, at its sole option, amend the Contract to add up to three (3) additional terms, each not to exceed one year.

Compensation Compensation cannot exceed a total of $50,000

Local Business

Criteria

Both Local Impact and certified Local Business Entity status can be considered positive factors in evaluation. Local Impact is considered employing City residents or performing work in the City.

Services

Through this RFP, the City is seeking a contractor to perform the following services:

Develop, train, document and execute programs, tours centering on the history of the Fairmount Water Works.

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2.2 Project Details

Services

Overall goals and objectives

Research 19th century Phila history, urban infrastructure and neoclassical architecture. Write accurate, engaging and dynamic tour scripts and thematic itineraries. Create specialized programs for varied audiences (i.e., school groups, adult tourists and engineering buffs).

Tasks, milestones, or deliverables

Written master scripts tailored for 30, 60, and 90-minute time slots. Curated talking points focusing on specific angles like 19th century engineering, architecture, modern day related infrastructure/systems. Quick reference protocols for unexpected site disruptions, weather changes, construction path blocks.

Organization and personnel requirements

5+ years’ experience in developing tours for adults, families and students.

Technological requirements Basic computer skills required. High developed communication skills, written and spoken.

Reporting requirements Monthly reporting to accompany invoice submission.

Compensation

Applicants are required to provide a cost proposal in their response which includes:

• A line-item breakdown of the costs for the specific services and work products proposed.

• A price that includes all costs, such as administrative or fringe costs, proposed to be charged to the City.

Cost proposals typically are:

• Fixed price, where payment is not based on time or resources expended, or

• Hourly rate, where payment is based on time or resources expended.

Compensation Not to exceed $50,000 for a contract resulting from this RFP.

Cost Proposal Type Fixed price

Terms of Payment Monthly Invoicing

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Please note travel costs are reimbursable only if approved by the Department and in accordance with current City policies; commuting costs are not reimbursable. The City has adopted the Federal

Government Maximum Per Diem rate.

Project Schedule

Quarter 1: Design & Research (Months 1–3)

• Tasks: Research pumping station archives, map safe walking routes, and draft master tour scripts.

• Deliverables: Master Script Matrix (30, 60, and 90-minute options) and Historical

Fact Sheets.

• Milestone: Core tour scripts approved.

Quarter 2: Build & Production (Months 4–6)

• Tasks: Produce physical guide materials, write training manuals, and configure self-guided tech.

• Deliverables: Printed Guide Visual Flipbooks, Official Tour Guide Manual, and

Evaluation Rubrics.

• Milestone: All training assets finalized; first volunteer cohort selected.

Quarter 3: Staff & Volunteer Training (Months 7–9)

• Tasks: Run history lessons, practice group control, and conduct live route dry-runs.

• Deliverables: Guide Training Syllabus, Peer Review Forms, and Signed-off

Onboarding Checklists.

• Milestone: Cohort completes practice runs; final certifications issued for solo guiding.

Quarter 4: Launch & Optimization (Months 10–12)

• Tasks: Open tours to the general public, monitor guide performance, and build out public program materials.

• Deliverables: Public Tour Schedule Grid, Monthly Visitor Dashboards.

• Milestone: Year 1 data review completed.

https://www.gsa.gov/travel/plan-book/per-diem-rates https://www.gsa.gov/travel/plan-book/per-diem-rates

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3. HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR RESPONSE

3.1 RFP Schedule

RFP Posted September 8, 2026

Pre-Proposal Meeting

(if applicable)

This may be mandatory or optional.

N/A

Site Visit (if applicable) N/A

Applicant Questions Due

Applicants must submit questions regarding this opportunity by September 15, 2026, by 5:00 pm local

Philadelphia time to Karen.Young@phila.gov

Answers Posted on eContract

Philly September 18, 2026

Proposals Due September 29, 2026, by 5:00 pm local Philadelphia time

Applicant Interviews, Presentations

(City Discretion)

N/A

Applicant Selection September 30, 2026

Contract Execution October 1, 2026

Commencement of Work October 1, 2026

The above dates are estimates only. Notice of changes in the pre-proposal meeting date, time or location, and due date for Applicant questions will be posted on eContract Philly. Should the

Department change the date for the Application submission, a notice/Addendum will be posted on eContract Philly.

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3.2 What You Must Include in Your Response

1. Introduction

2. Company Profile

3. Company contact information

4. Proposed Scope of Work, addressing all items in Section 2 and describing how the

Applicant will meet project requirements

5. Proposed Schedule

6. Cost Proposal

7. Project Personnel Statement of Applicant’s Qualifications/Relevant Experience

8. References

9. Written Statement of Financial Capacity from independent source and at least one current financial document (audited or unaudited financial statements, bank statements or references, Form 990)

10. Stated exceptions to terms and conditions, if any, and reasons for the request

11. Local Business Certification and justification and/or documentation

12. Provide the following statement: “If awarded this contracting opportunity and this contract opportunity is valued at or over $99,000 or the amount expected to be realized by the Applicant is at or over $99,000, the Applicant will provide all Transparency in

Business disclosures required by Section 17-1402(1)(b)(.4) of the Philadelphia Code prior to contract conformance.”

Applicant Proposed Scope of Work responses should be limited to 5 pages.

3.3 Response Requirements

Online Submission Required by the Application Deadline

You must apply online through eContract Philly to be considered for this contract opportunity. The

City will not accept responses in any other format.

If you are not already registered with eContract Philly, you must first register for an account before you can apply to this opportunity. Note that each legal entity must have a separate account; you may not utilize or repurpose another entity’s account for this application.

A Complete Application is Required

Please give yourself as much time as possible to start and complete your online application. The City will not consider proposals that are submitted late.

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Use the Below Submission Checklist

This is a tool to help you to submit a complete, accurate, responsive, and on time application.

DOES MY RESPONSE MEET THE PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS?

Did you submit the proposal before the stated deadline in RFP Section 3.1?

Did the proposal explain how Applicant meets the goals and objectives, tasks, milestones, and deliverables, and other requirements described by the Department under “Services” in RFP Section 2.2?

Does your cost proposal meet the requirements under “Compensation” in RFP Section 2.2?

Does your cost proposal meet the requirements under “Project Schedule” in RFP Section

2.2?

Does your proposal meet the overall format and content requirements described in RFP

Section 3.2, including the independent Statement of Financial Capacity” and the page limit?

If applicable, was the Local Business Certification and justification and/or documentation provided in the proposal?

Does your application provide the mandatory statement: “If awarded this contracting opportunity and this contract opportunity is valued at or over $99,000 or the amount expected to be realized by the Applicant is at or over $99,000, the Applicant will provide all Transparency in Business disclosures required by Section 17-1402(1)(b)(.4) of the Philadelphia Code prior to contract conformance.”

Did you review the entire RFP and Contract Attachments, including the Terms and

Conditions?

◼ Did you state any objections to these document Terms and Conditions? You must raise any objections to these standard terms and conditions in your proposal. Objections are not favored and may be weighed against your proposal;

additionally, the City need not consider later-raised objections.

Was the proposal submitted electronically through eContract Philly?

Was the proposal submitted under the correct opportunity number?

Was the application signed by clicking on the “submit” button at the conclusion of the eContract Philly submission process?

Was the individual who signed the application an authorized signatory for the Applicant?

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4. HOW WE SELECT A CONTRACTOR & AWARD

THE CONTRACT

4.1 Overview

After the proposal deadline, a diverse panel will review the submitted, complete and eligible proposals. In some cases, the finalists may be contacted for an interview or other final selection step. Once the department managing the RFP selects an Applicant, the Applicant will be notified and will enter into negotiations with the department.

4.2 Selection Process

Although, cost to the City is a material factor, it is not the sole, or necessarily the determining factor, in proposal evaluation. If the City chooses to make an award of a contract from this RFP, the City may, at its sole discretion, award such contract to a person or entity other than the responsible

Applicant submitting the lowest price when the City determines, in its sole discretion, it is most advantageous to the City and in the City’s best interest to do so.

To select an Applicant for this contract opportunity, the City uses the below standard criteria in its selection process.

1. Superior ability or capacity to meet particular requirements of contract and needs of City

Department and those it serves

2. Eligibility under Code provisions relating to campaign contributions

3. Superior prior experience of Applicant and staff

4. Superior quality, efficiency and fitness of proposed solution for City Department

5. Superior skill and reputation, including timeliness and demonstrable results

6. Special benefit to continuing services of incumbent, such as operational difficulties with transition or needs of population being served

7. Benefit of promoting long-term competitive development and allocation of experience to new, local, or small businesses

8. Lower cost

9. Administrative and operational efficiency, requiring less City oversight and administration

10. Anticipated long-term cost effectiveness

11. Meets prequalification requirements

12. Applicant’s certification of its Local Business Entity/Local Impact status

The Department cannot communicate with other Applicants not selected for the opportunity about their proposals until after an agreement is finalized

The Department is not obligated to debrief an unsuccessful Applicant on why we’ve made the decision not to select them for award.

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4.3 Award

The City will post a notice on eContract Philly once the City decides which Applicant will be awarded the contract. There is no waiting period before the contract may be executed.

If selected for award, the Applicant will have to comply with laws, regulations, polices in order to be eligible for award of the contract and to maintain the contract after award.

WHAT ARE MY RESPONSIBILITIES IF I’M AWARDED THE CONTRACT?

Have an active Business Income and Receipts Tax (BIRT)

Account Number.

REGISTER HERE.

Have an active Commercial Activity License (CAL) Number REGISTER HERE

Obtain a Philadelphia Tax and Regulatory Status and Clearance

OBTAIN A TAX

CLEARANCE

CERTIFICATE HERE

Meet the Campaign Contribution Disclosures Requirements

INFORMATION ON

DISCLOSURE/ELIGIBILITY

IS HERE

{If the awarded contract is valued at or over $99,000} Submit all

Transparency in Business disclosures

TRANSPARENCY IN

BUSINESS REGULATIONS

ARE HERE

Comply with the 21st Century Minimum Wage and Benefits

Ordinance

CURRENT LIVING WAGE

RATE CAN BE FOUND

LOCATED HERE

If applicable, comply with federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

SEE TERMS AND

CONDITIONS IN THE

OPPORTUNITY

INFORMATION

https://ework.phila.gov/revenue/ https://www.phila.gov/services/permits-violations-licenses/get-a-license/business-licenses-permits-and-approvals/get-a-commercial-activity-license/ https://www.phila.gov/services/payments-assistance-taxes/get-tax-clearance/ https://philawx.phila.gov/econtract/ https://www.phila.gov/publications/transparency-in-business-regulations/#/