SE tennessee trade & conference center feasibility study
Closed State & local contract opportunity Posted
- Solicitation number
- RFQ-25-14-0-2025/AR
- State
- Tennessee
- Responses due
Opportunity facts
- Jurisdiction
Opportunity details come from demandstar.com. Updated .
About this opportunity
The City of Athens, Tennessee is seeking a qualified consulting firm to conduct a comprehensive feasibility study for the Southeast Tennessee Trade & Conference Center expansion through a Request for Qualifications (RFQ #25-14). The primary objective is to evaluate the potential expansion of the existing 5,220-square-foot conference center located within the 165-acre Regional Park, with potential inclusion of a branded hotel. Deliverables will include a detailed market demand analysis, assessment of economic opportunities, infrastructure requirements, preliminary design concepts, construction cost estimates, potential operator recommendations, and possible funding sources. The study aims to support the city's goals of enhancing economic development, increasing tourism, boosting hotel occupancy, and creating new jobs. Evaluation criteria for the RFQ will be based on five key areas: company profile (15%), personnel assigned (20%), relevant project experience (25%), client references (10%), and methodology/approach (30%). The proposal submission deadline is September 23, 2025, at 3:00 PM EST, with the City planning to negotiate a contract with the most qualified firm for City Council review and approval.
The RFQ does not explicitly mention specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. The current local context includes 10 hotels with 622 rooms in Athens, which attracts over 200,000 visitors annually. The project is situated near I-75 Exit 49, offering strategic location advantages. While no incumbent vendors are specifically identified, the study will explore potential operators for the expanded facility. Although a precise budget range is not specified in the documentation, the comprehensive nature of the feasibility study suggests a significant professional services investment. The project's ultimate goal is to determine the economic viability of expanding the conference center and potentially adding a hotel, with the potential to generate substantial economic benefits for the community through increased tourism, job creation, and tax base expansion.
Opportunity text
The City of Athens, Tennessee seeks to enhance economic development, increase tourism-including sports tourism-boost hotel occupancy, strengthen the sales and hotel/motel tax base, and create new short- and long-term jobs. One potential avenue for achieving these goals is the expansion of the city-owned Southeast Tennessee Trade & Conference Center, located within the 165-acre Regional Park on Decatur Pike, just 0.5 miles from I-75 Exit 49. The expansion may also include a branded hotel attached to the conference center. The City is seeking a qualified and experienced firm to prepare a market demand and feasibility study and cost-benefit analysis. The study will determine whether expansion of the Southeast Tennessee Trade & Conference Center-and potentially adding a hotel-is justified based on current and projected market conditions, trends, and feasibility. If expansion is found feasible, the study should assess and recommend: • Optimal size and configuration • Required infrastructure • Preliminary design concepts and cost estimates • Potential operators • Possible funding sources
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| SE TENNESSEE TRADE & CONFERENCE CENTER FEASIBILITY STUDY.PDF |
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