RFP 25022 Sandy Creek Nature Center Exhibit, SPLOST 2020 Project 15

The Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County (ACCGov) is seeking professional services for the Sandy Creek Nature Center Exhibit Design and Installation Project, funded through the SPLOST 2020 Program (Project 15). The procurement involves comprehensive exhibit enhancement for the nature center located at 205 Old Commerce Road in Athens, Georgia, specifically focusing on replacing and updating exhibit graphics and multimedia within coastal and wetland exhibit areas. Vendors are required to submit design proposals including one to three design concepts, with mandatory deliverables including complete design packages, fabrication, delivery, and installation of new exhibit components. A mandatory hybrid pre-proposal meeting is scheduled for April 23rd, 2025 at 2:00 PM ET, with proposals due by 3:00 PM ET on May 8th, 2025. Evaluation criteria will encompass proposal format, vendor experience and references, project understanding, design proposal quality, and pricing. Proposals must be submitted on two separate USB flash drives - one containing the technical proposal without pricing, and another with the price proposal. The project requires careful design of interactive, accessible, and durable exhibits that highlight Georgia's natural environments, with specific requirements for graphic consistency, wheelchair accessibility, and engaging educational content.

The procurement encourages Minority and Women Business Enterprise (M/WBE) participation, with an aspirational goal of 12% involvement. The total project budget is set at $250,000, with a contract payment structure divided into four phases: 10% upon design package acceptance, 20% upon fabrication and delivery, 60% upon installation completion, and a final 10% upon submission of required documentation. The contractor will be responsible for all materials, fabrication, design, installation, and first-year maintenance for normal wear. Insurance requirements are comprehensive, mandating various liability coverages including general liability, workers' compensation, automobile liability, and professional liability. The contract term is one year from final execution, with a total project completion timeline of 90 calendar days after the Notice to Proceed. Existing infrastructure includes a 2000-gallon tank, aquarium spaces, and predefined exhibit zones covering urban, agricultural, sky, woodland, and coastal/wetland environments. Potential bidders must demonstrate significant experience in museum exhibit design, with a focus on creating educational and interactive environmental displays.