Santa Monica Public Library MLK Auditorium Audio-Visual Enhancements

The City of Santa Monica is seeking proposals from qualified audio-visual (AV) contractors to design, furnish, install, program, and commission enhancements to the Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK) Auditorium at the Santa Monica Public Library, located at 601 Santa Monica Boulevard. The project involves upgrading the existing AV infrastructure with key deliverables including a minimum 10,000 lumens laser projector with WUXGA resolution and 4K support, a new video switching and distribution system with multiple input sources, an audio system with wireless microphones, and a touch-panel control interface. Optional components include speaker system upgrades, an ADA-compliant lectern, assistive listening system, and a PTZ camera. Proposers must hold a current California contractor's license, DIR registration, and comply with prevailing wage requirements. The RFP evaluation will be conducted in two phases: technical qualification screening followed by price evaluation, with proposals scored on technical approach (30 points), qualifications and experience (25 points), product quality (20 points), cost proposal (15 points), and project schedule (10 points). Key dates include a mandatory job walk on January 22, 2026 at 10:00 a.m., questions due by January 26, 2026 at 3:00 p.m., City responses by January 30, 2026 at 3:00 p.m., and proposals due February 12, 2026 at 3:00 p.m.

The solicitation does not specify explicit set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. Contractors must provide a minimum one-year warranty covering installation workmanship and programming, comply with AVIXA standards, and provide staff training and comprehensive documentation. While no incumbent vendors are listed, the project represents the first phase of modernizing the auditorium's technology infrastructure, with an emphasis on maximizing reuse of existing equipment and ensuring forward compatibility with future upgrades. Contractors must maintain comprehensive insurance coverage, including Commercial General Liability of $1,000,000 per occurrence and Automobile Liability of $1,000,000 per accident. The contract will be for one year with a firm-fixed term and no renewal options. Although a specific budget range is not explicitly stated, the project is subject to the City's Living Wage Ordinance, which applies to contracts exceeding $54,200, with a minimum wage of $20.32 for employees. Interested contractors should contact Daniel Soto (Project Contact) at daniel.soto@santamonica.gov or Tina Saloutos (Procurement Contact) at tina.saloutos@santamonica.gov for additional information.