TU-2623 - Planetarium Upgrade

Towson University in Maryland is issuing a competitive sealed proposal Request for Proposal (RFP) for a full-service planetarium systems provider to replace the current Spitz SciDome planetarium presentation system and projectors. The successful contractor must supply all personnel, materials, equipment, supplies, installation tools, and hardware necessary to complete the upgrade, with all work to be completed by December 31, 2026. Key deliverables include a comprehensive manifest of all hardware and software with manufacturer information, serial numbers, warranty dates, and expiration dates; compliance with federal, state, and University codes; cabling diagrams and labeling; and hardware warranties ideally covering two years for general components and three years for projectors. The University is also requesting optional quotes for service plans, preventative maintenance agreements, and software upgrades. Evaluation will be based on technical factors weighted at 65 percent and financial proposals weighted at 35 percent, with the contract awarded to the responsible offeror providing the best value. Critical dates include a mandatory pre-proposal conference on May 22, 2026, at 10:00 AM EDT via WebEx; a written questions deadline of May 28, 2026, at 4:30 PM EDT; and proposal submission deadline of June 19, 2026, at 2:00 PM EDT. Shortlisted offerors will be invited to oral presentations following technical proposal review and before price proposals are requested.

The procurement encourages Minority Business Enterprise participation and requires all contractors to comply with Maryland's non-visual access standards, parking regulations, and smoking prohibitions on University property. Contractors must secure commercial general liability insurance of $2,000,000 per occurrence with a $2,000,000 general aggregate limit, name Towson University as an additional insured, maintain workers' compensation insurance as required by Maryland law, and provide evidence of financial capacity and stability upon request. All proposals must include comprehensive affidavits addressing debarment status, non-collusion, bribery convictions, tax payment compliance, conflict of interest disclosures, and adherence to Maryland's commercial nondiscrimination policy. The contract term is one year from the Notice to Proceed date with four optional annual renewal periods at the University's sole discretion, governed by Maryland law with exclusive jurisdiction in Maryland state and federal courts. The contract carries a not-to-exceed price of $11,000,000. The University currently operates the existing Spitz SciDome system and may continue using both legacy and new systems concurrently, retaining ownership of all existing hardware and software.