RFP_32701-25-096_AMD_2.pdf

RFP # 32701-25-096 – Amendment # 2 Page 1 of 9

STATE OF TENNESSEE

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND CONSERVATION

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS # 32701-25-096

AMENDMENT # 2

FOR NATCHEZ TRACE VISITOR CENTER EXHIBIT

GALLERY DESIGN, PRODUCTION, AND

INSTALLATION

DATE: February 28, 2025

RFP # 32701-25-096 IS AMENDED AS FOLLOWS:

1. This RFP Schedule of Events updates and confirms scheduled RFP dates. Any event, time, or date containing revised or new text is highlighted.

EVENT

TIME

(central time zone)

DATE

1. RFP Issued January 27, 2025

2. Disability Accommodation Request Deadline 2:00 p.m. February 3, 2025

3. Pre-response Conference 10:00 a.m. February 4, 2025

4. Notice of Intent to Respond Deadline 2:00 p.m. February 7, 2025

5. Written “Questions & Comments” Deadline 2:00 p.m. February 14, 2025

6. State Response to Written “Questions & Comments”

February 28, 2025

7. Response Deadline 2:00 p.m. March 7, 2025

8. State Completion of Technical Response Evaluations

March 14, 2025

9. State Opening & Scoring of Cost Proposals 2:00 p.m. March 17, 2025

10. Negotiations (Optional) 4:30 p.m. March 18-21, 2025

11. State Notice of Intent to Award Released and RFP Files Opened for Public Inspection

2:00 p.m. March 24, 2025

12. End of Protest Period March 31, 2025

13. State sends contract to Contractor for signature

April 1, 2025

14. Contractor Signature Deadline 2:00 p.m. April 8, 2025

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2. State responses to questions and comments in the table below amend and clarify this RFP.

Any restatement of RFP text in the Question/Comment column shall NOT be construed as a change in the actual wording of the RFP document.

RFP

SECTION

PAGE

QUESTION / COMMENT STATE RESPONSE

1.When is the expected completion date for this Visitor Center? No open dates are in the RFP

Within nine (9) months of the start of the contract.

2.Is this Visitor Center different than the Parkway Natchez Trace visitor Center?

Yes, this is not a National Parks Service unit.

The address can be found here https://tnstateparks.com/parks/natchez-trace

3.Will the notes from the meeting be issued in an addendum with the attendee list?

There will not be an addendum with the attendee list. The solicitation coordinator can share the PowerPoint presentation from the meeting but it is just an overviews of the RFP documents.

4. We understand that the stated budget of $310,000 includes all aspects of the project, including planning, design, fabrication, media production, A/V hardware and integration, delivery, and installation. Can you confirm if this is accurate?

Correct.

5. Can you clarify the role of the exhibition designer in interpretive content development, scriptwriting, and copywriting?

Initial content for development by exhibit designer will be delivered by Tennessee State Parks and final copy approval will be by Tennessee State Parks. Process for development should be part of proposal.

6. The RFP indicates that three references are required and must be submitted using your enclosed form. Out of respect for our past clients' time, we maintain reference letters on file to avoid repeated requests for form completion. While we are not opposed to using your form, would it be possible to defer the submission of references until firms are shortlisted as finalists?

We note that the submission of an insurance certificate is required only after selection, and we view this as a similar step.

The State declines to modify the references requirement in the RFP.

https://tnstateparks.com/parks/natchez-trace https://tnstateparks.com/parks/natchez-trace

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PAGE

QUESTION / COMMENT STATE RESPONSE

7. Can you provide details on the client-side project team, including roles and the primary point of contact?

Amanda Morgan will be acting as Project Manager on the Tennessee State Parks side and will be coordinating subject matter experts and content providers.

8. Given that a site visit is not mandatory, would you be able to provide photos of the space to supplement the floor plan?

See attached photos.

9. Can you describe the construction of the gallery walls?

Dry wall with studs – see attached photos

10 For requirement C.4, the language is unclear. Are you asking for a sample approach for Natchez Trace with renders / sketches form Natchez Trace or are you asking for renderings from an previous project that may reflect the approach we are proposing for Natchez Trace?

“Demonstrate the level of creativity and execution produced by the Respondent by providing an example plan including renderings and photographs from another project similar in size and scope to this

RFP”

As above, a previous project is acceptable.

11. Is there an ideal or required opening date for the visitor center?

Please see response to question #1

12. Are there key milestones for approvals and reviews that we should build into the timeline?

Provide the opportunity for at least three rounds of review ahead of final approval and fabrication. Installation must be complete within nine months of signing the contract.

13. What specific historical or cultural stories do you want emphasized beyond those sub-themes listed (flora/fauna, hydrology/erosion, restoration, co-management) to communicate the primary interpretive theme of “experiencing the lands of Natchez Trace requires walking with the families who lived off the land and discovering how their lives impacted the environment”?

Great Depression, New Deal era, agriculture, forest management, first peoples, history of outdoor recreation, and current management agencies.

14. Can you expand on the interpretive concept of “the families who lived off the land”?

What time periods of history do you aim to cover in this visitor center?

See answer 13

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PAGE

QUESTION / COMMENT STATE RESPONSE

15. Can you clarify whether the middle-grade student target audience is primarily local, tourist, or a mix?

They come from a local audience or people traveling within 150 miles.

16. To what extent does the existing visitor demographic of adults aged 30-50 with at least a high school education overlap with or influence the new target audience of middle-grade students aged 12-14?

Adults 30-50 are accompanying the students aged 12-14.

17.Will there be restrictions on when fabrication or installation can occur (seasonal limitations, visitor center operations)?

Please visit the website for hours of operation. The space is open during these times.

18.Are there partner organizations, Indigenous groups, or other stakeholders that must be consulted?

Tennessee State Parks maintains relationships with appropriate advisory committees who are consulted as part of normal review processes.

19. On the pricing worksheet it does not provide the option for us to propose “options.” Put another way, when designing an exhibition there are many creative ideas on offer. There is a basic approach for which pricing across bidding competitors makes sense.

Beyond that, there may be high value options we want the state to consider but would want to price them separately so as to allow them to choose which ones may be most appropriate.

How can we reflect that in our bidding template?

Respondents must complete Cost Proposals exactly as required by the RFP. The State declines to make any changes to the Cost Proposal as stated in the RFP.

20. In advance of our submission of RFP # 32701-25- 096 we would like to visit the site in Wildersville. The RFP highlights the 13th, 20th and 27th as the only suitable dates for a walkthrough. Are our team members permitted to visit on other days the center is open if we do not require a facilitated tour?

Please visit the website for hours of operation. The space is open during these times. Park Staff will allow you to take any necessary measurements.

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3. RFP Amendment Effective Date. The revisions set forth herein shall be effective upon release. All other terms and conditions of this RFP not expressly amended herein shall remain in full force and effect.