Expo Center Market and Financial Feasibility Study

Waukesha County, Wisconsin is issuing Request for Proposal No. 2026008 seeking qualified consulting firms to conduct a comprehensive market and financial feasibility study for the Waukesha County Exposition Center located at 1000 Northview Road. The study will evaluate options for redevelopment, expansion, and modernization of the 135-acre facility, including the Arena (10,000 square feet) and the Forum (approximately 20,000 square feet). Phase 1 deliverables include market and demand analysis, compatible market analysis of available lands, facility feasibility and concepts, and financial and impact analysis. Qualified consultants must demonstrate a minimum of five years' experience in market and financial feasibility and multi-purpose venue usage studies, maintain Wisconsin business registration or register within ten business days of award, provide three professional references from work performed within the last five years, and designate a single project manager for the duration of the contract. Evaluation criteria are equally weighted at 25 percent each for firm qualifications and experience, staff qualifications and experience, project approach and timeline, and cost. Final questions must be submitted by March 17, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. CST/CDT, with proposals due electronically via the Waukesha County Bonfire portal by March 26, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. CST/CDT. Interviews, if required, are scheduled for April 28, 2026, with Finance Committee approval anticipated for May 20, 2026 and contract execution expected in June 2026. The study must be completed by late 2026, with a preferred completion date of September 2026 but no later than December 2026.

The RFP does not specify set-aside designations or restrictions on the types of organizations that can respond, nor does it indicate disadvantaged enterprise requirements. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are listed in the available documentation. Consultants must provide a lump-sum "not-to-exceed" cost for Phase 1 only, with all expenses including personnel costs, travel, communications, and reimbursable items included in the proposal fee with no additional compensation. The successful consultant must maintain commercial general liability insurance (including errors and omissions) with limits of not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence and aggregate, workers' compensation insurance with $100,000 per accident limits, and automobile liability insurance with $500,000 combined single limits, with Waukesha County named as an additional insured. No specific budget range or award value is disclosed in the RFP materials.