RFP No. 256134 Interpretive Planning, Historical Research, and Content Development Services

The City of Salem, Oregon is requesting proposals for interpretive planning, historical research, oral history collection, and interpretive content development services for the Fairview Park Phase 1 Interpretive Space under RFP No. 256134, with proposals due June 26, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. local time via Equity Hub's Bid Locker.

The scope encompasses three primary tasks: conducting existing conditions and historical inventory research; developing an interpretive plan framework following National Park Service guidelines; and implementing the interpretive plan with fabrication-ready files and evaluation methods. The interpretive space will be located at the northern end of Fairview Park adjacent to Lindburg Road SE and will address the site's layered history, including Indigenous Kalapuya homelands, early Euro-American settlement, and the Fairview Training Center (1907–2000). The contractor must deliver inclusive, multi-sensory, trauma-informed, and culturally respectful storytelling. The anticipated project timeline includes 30% schematic design by September 2026, 60% design development by December 2026, and 95% construction documents by May 2027, with target construction bidding in June 2027.

Proposals will be evaluated on a 150-point scale: team qualifications (10 points), demonstrated interpretive planning experience (10 points), approach to trauma-informed interpretation (10 points), experience with Tribal governments and culturally sensitive histories (15 points), public engagement approach (15 points), quality of proposed strategy and understanding of project complexities (30 points), experience with media and past work examples (10 points), ability to meet schedule constraints (10 points), cost proposal (30 points), and references (10 points). The City will not necessarily award to the lowest cost proposer and reserves the right to conduct interviews and negotiate final scope and price.

The contract is structured as a Personal Services Agreement with a term of one year from the effective date, renewable for up to four additional one-year terms upon mutual written consent. Payment terms are Net 30 days. The successful proposer must obtain and maintain commercial general liability insurance with a combined single limit of not less than $2 million per occurrence and Errors and Omissions professional liability insurance with combined single limits of not less than $2 million. Annual rate adjustments may be requested, not to exceed the percentage change in CPI-U. Notice of intent to award is anticipated for July 7, 2026, with agreement award on July 21, 2026 and notice to proceed on July 27, 2026.