East side plaza signage

The Town of Manchester, located in Hartford County, Connecticut, is seeking creative sign design proposals for the East Side Plaza, a new linear neighborhood park surrounding the former Nathan Hale school site. The procurement, identified as RFP #25/26-20, requires the design, production, and installation of six distinct signs, including a main park identification sign, parking lot identification signs, a park pedestrian entrance sign, a Cottage Street Archway entrance sign, and a Community Gardens parking lot identification sign. The project will be located at 160 Spruce Street and requires vendors to develop signage that reflects the park's aesthetic and design characteristics. Evaluation of proposals will be conducted using a weighted criteria system: budget (20%), design/overall feel (30%), and incorporation of site design and materials (50%). A mandatory pre-bid meeting is scheduled for September 29, 2025, at 9:00 am, with questions due by October 7, 2025, and proposal submissions required by October 10, 2025, at 11:00 am. Proposals will be assessed by a committee, with cost being only one factor in the award decision.

The contract is subject to the Town of Manchester's Living Wage Ordinance, which mandates that contractors with service contracts exceeding $25,000 pay eligible employees a living wage of $17.78 per hour with comprehensive health care benefits or $26.07 per hour without such benefits. Vendors must provide comprehensive insurance coverage, including general liability and workers' compensation policies, with the Town of Manchester named as an additional insured. While no specific set-aside designations or disadvantaged enterprise requirements are explicitly mentioned, bidders must complete a Living Wage Certification Form declaring their status as a covered employer or qualifying for an exemption. Potential exemptions include organizations with fewer than 25 eligible employees, contracts valued under $25,000, and certain nonprofit organizations exempt from federal income taxation. Though a specific budget range is not disclosed, the comprehensive requirements and multi-sign project suggest a moderate-scale municipal infrastructure investment focused on creating a cohesive and welcoming neighborhood park environment.