Amendment No 1 for RFI.pdf

Smithsonian Institution RFI# R10SOL199

Amendment No. 1

RFI# R10SOL199

For Revenue Opportunities for Use of the NMAH Lower Level Space

The following terms and conditions are hereby incorporated into RFI #R10SOL199.

A. The following questions and answers to the RFI are hereby made a part of the RFI.

1. Question: What is the timeframe for this project? I.e. If selected, when would development begin?

Smithsonian Response: The Smithsonian has a general working timeframe for this project, with the Smithsonian issuing an RFP in fall, 2010 and trying to wrap up the RFP process in February/March, 2011. The current operator will be in the NMAH Space through early September, 2011, so the earliest a successful operator could get into the space would be the fall, 2011. This is a tentative working schedule and would completely be subject to concepts/ideas/information received from the RFI, time to structure the RFP, negotiations with one or more successful vendors/providers/contractors, type of design/build-out/construction for vendor/provider/contractor(s), etc.

2. Question: How long would the space be available for?

Smithsonian Response: The RFI states that the use of the NMAH Space would be for an initial five (5) year term with options to extend. Provided the operation/s was/were operating to the Institution’s satisfaction, options to extend the term would likely be exercised.

3. Question: Is there a fee to utilize the space, etc.?

Smithsonian Response: This will depend on the responses received and will likely be subsequently addressed in the RFP document.

4. Question: What are your objectives? Are you seeking an educational experience tied into a retail for profit venture?

Smithsonian Response: The objectives of the RFI effort are as stated in sections I(A) and

IV of the RFI document. The Institution realizes that it has a unique offering and would like to receive guidance from industry on profitable revenue-generating uses for the NMAH Space. At this point in time, the Institution is open to all uses provided they are (i) profitable; (ii) viable;

(iii) feasible given the space configuration within the Museum; (iv) practical to implement; and

(v) respect, enhance, and further the specific missions of the Smithsonian Institution and the National Museum of American History.

5. Question: Do you have a specific time frame in American History that you are seeking to fill a void in?

Smithsonian Response: See response for question 1.

6. Question: Is it possible to receive drawings and elevations of the space?

Smithsonian Response: Appendix A.2 is hereby added to the RFI. Please see the attached document which contains additional drawings for the NMAH Space.

7. Question: Is there venting directly in the space for a restaurant?

Smithsonian Response: As stated in section V(D) of the RFI, the NMAH Space is currently in a “warm dark shell” condition. Currently, the NMAH Space is not fitted out for restaurant venting.

Smithsonian Institution RFI# R10SOL199

8. Question: Where are deliveries going to be delivered?

Smithsonian Response: All deliveries to the Museum and the NMAH Space would need to be coordinated with the Museum. Deliveries would initially arrive through the delivery entrance located on the south-side or Madison Avenue-side of the Museum, through the loading dock.

9. Question: Where does trash and recycling go?

Smithsonian Response: All operators/vendors/contractors at NMAH currently have trash/recycling pick up and disposed of by the Smithsonian maintenance staff, at a pro-rata cost to the operator/vendor/contractor. A successful contractor from this RFI/RFP process would also follow this protocol.

10. Question: Would you have a floor plan of the space so we can layout the concepts--also do you know the daily visitor counts?

Smithsonian Response: See response for question 6. Additionally, refer to section VII(A) of the RFI for information about visitation data.

11. Question: It appears from the documentation that the operation that is chosen would be run by the agency chosen, versus run by Smithsonian. Is that correct?

Smithsonian Response: Not necessarily. Please refer to section V(C) of the RFI. Only two examples are listed, however the Smithsonian is open to proposed concepts where the Smithsonian has a larger role in the business operation.

12. Question: What are the sales per square foot for the main store?

Smithsonian Response: The current main store sales per sq ft for this fiscal year is projected slightly above $800 per sq ft.

13. Question: How many transactions does the Café do?

Smithsonian Response: Assuming the question refers to the lower level cafeteria, they are projected to serve in excess of approx. 350,000 “covers”, which is the measurement of cups served.

14. Question: Can vendors use Smithsonian in the name [of the operation]—e.g

“Smithsonian Rare Coin Gallery”?

Smithsonian Response: Any formal use of the Smithsonian name would have to be vetted and approved by executives in the Smithsonian Castle. Any formal use of the museum’s name would have to be vetted and approved by the museum.

15. Question: I was wondering if you had access to information regarding the sales volumes being produced in the cafeteria at located in the basement of the National Museum of Natural History.

Smithsonian Response: The sales volumes in the lower level Natural History café is currently approx. 28% higher than the lower level café at American History at this time.

However it should be noted this variation is affected by many factors, such as other food service available, visitation, exhibition schedules, and construction barriers, etc.

B. All other terms and conditions of the RFI shall remain unchanged and in full force and effect.

END OF DOCUMENT.

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APPENDIX A.2.

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