Recommendation_to_Award2513_Seating_Replacement_RFP.pdf

This is a recommendation to award document for RFP 2513, a stadium seating replacement project at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, involving the Tampa Sports Authority. The project encompasses removal of existing seating and installation of new fixed and telescopic seating across the lower bowl, club level, and upper seating bowl, totaling 62,609 seats comprising 61,361 regular-capacity seats and 1,248 ADA-accessible seats. Fixed seating specifications include Type 1 chairs with 19-inch minimum seat width for general sections and Type 2 chairs with 21-inch minimum seat width with padded marine-grade vinyl upholstery for club-level sections. The south endzone retractable seating system will be replaced with electrically operated, forward-folding telescopic stands featuring 2-horsepower motors, three-phase 208V AC power, wireless control systems, and automatic limit switches. A mandatory pre-proposal meeting was held prior to posting, with Addendum 1 issued on July 22, 2026, five days before the proposal due date of July 28, 2026. Shop drawings, seating charts, and a seating manifest are due within 30 days of seating bowl completion.

All seating must comply with NFPA 101 Life Safety Code and ADA accessibility standards, with exterior-grade plastic components including UV inhibitors and non-corrosive fasteners. The contractor must provide 2 percent extra stock of seats, backs, standards, cup holders, hinge components, and fasteners; 5 percent row identification plates; and 30 percent fabric for upholstery components. Warranty requirements include 12 months general coverage post-substantial completion, 10 years for structural components, 5 years for hinges and plastic components, and 2 years for upholstery. The contractor must maintain full occupancy coordination, provide 72-hour advance notice for operations-affecting activities, and comply with restrictions on utility interruptions and noise. Six alternates are available, including deductive options for custom paint logos, folding chairs, and rigid platforms, and add alternates for QR codes and aisle lighting. Evaluation criteria emphasize cost, quality, installation methodology, timeline, experience with comparable stadium projects, financial stability, bonding capacity, and overall value, with prevailing wage requirements applied where applicable.