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Request For Proposals

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Exterior Play Pad Area

Project Overview:

The Connecticut Science Center seeks to engage a Contractor/Firm for the design and installation of approximately 2,500 - 3,300 square feet of roof terrace outside the southeast corner of the building for a children’s play space. The space will be accessed directly from the museum's “KidSpace” as part of the museum experience and not open to the public. In addition to creating a beautiful and engaging space, the design of the area shall respond to several specific concerns including safety (falls/roof edge), security (restricted access for the general non-paying public), means of egress, acoustics, structural load management imposed on the roof top plaza by play equipment, planting, and guard railings.

Project Scope:

The timeline will be determined in consultation with the selected Contractor with a completion date of April 1, 2026. We will look to the selected Contractor to help build out a detailed conceptual design, schematic design and installation schedule based on the outlined tasks of the project including acoustic fencing, rooftop structural requirements, egress needs, approved surface materials, and drainage requirements.
The awarded contractor will provide the following:

  • Lead exhibit development and design working sessions with Connecticut Science Center staff and, through regular communications and meetings, to further refine the physical form of the playscape exhibit, content, and the visitor experience.
  • Develop and regularly update the playscape and facility cost breakdowns of the total fixed budget, to be used as a decision-making tool.
  • Provide copywriting for all playscape graphic panels and labels.
  • Maintain a list of image rights, scripts, and component lists.
  • Produce preliminary (or, “proof-of-concept”) prototypes of interactive components and visitor experience possibilities, as needed.
  • Produce construction drawings, as needed, for installation and fabrication

For More Information, Review the document

Instructions for Submitting Proposals:

The request for proposal (RFP) process will work as follows:

  1. RFQ/P will be posted to the Connecticut Science Center website https://ctsciencecenter.org/about/rfp/
  2. A copy of the RFQ/P can also be obtained electronically by emailing Patty Faulds, Vice President of Programs & Visitor Experience at pfaulds@ctsciencecenter.org
  3. RFQ/P will officially open for bids 12:00pm/Noon/EST on February 4, 2025 and will remain open for bids until 5:00pm/Est on March 18, 2025.
  4. Questions about this RFQ/P will be accepted until 12:00pm/Noon/Est on February 24, 2025, and must be submitted in writing to Patty Faulds. All questions and corresponding answers will be posted to the RFQ/P page on the Science Center’s website https://ctsciencecenter.org/about/rfp/ for all potential bidders to review. Responses to all questions will be posted by 3PM on February 26, 2025.The Connecticut Science Center is not responsible for any emails that are rejected, lost or undelivered.
  5. Any updates or changes to this RFQ/P will be posted to the RFQ/P page on the Science Center’s website. Any potential bidder is responsible for monitoring this page for updates until the proposal deadline.
  6. Interested bidders must notify their intent to submit a proposal to Patty Faulds, Vice President of Programs & Visitor Experience at pfaulds@ctsciencecenter.org by February 20, 2025, to schedule a site visit.
  7. A pre-proposal site visit will be scheduled individually for all potential bidders to tour the building, ask follow-up questions, or glean more insight into the scope of the project.
  8. All bid proposals are due in full by 5:00pm/EST on March 18, 2025. Any proposals received after the deadline will not be considered.
  9. After the RFQ/P process closes, the Connecticut Science Center will review all proposals submitted based on the “Proposal Guidelines & Evaluation” criteria outlined in this RFQ/P and will invite selected companies to participate in an interview and presentation. Following the interview/presentation period the Science Center will select a company to proceed with and award the project to.

Send Bid:

All bids should be sent directly to the contact below either electronically or by mail (or both). If sending a hard-copy proposal, please also include a thumb drive with the electronic copy as well. All bids, regardless of how they are being delivered, must be received by 5:00pm/EST on March 18, 2025. The Connecticut Science Center is not responsible for any mailed or emailed proposals that are rejected, lost, or undelivered.

Patty Faulds
Vice President of Programs & Visitor Experience
Connecticut Science Center
250 Columbus Boulevard Hartford, CT 06103
Email: pfaulds@ctsciencecenter.org

IMPORTANT FILE

Conceptual Design Document Official RFP Document