Grand River Ctr RFP Creative SeMEMORANDUM
December 10, 2002
TO:The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM:Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT:RFP for Creative Services for Grand River Center
On November 18, 2002 City Council approved the name Grand River Center for the
new education and conference center. In order to begin marketing and promotion of
this center, an identity package must now be developed. This identity package would
include such items as logo, business card and letterhead design.
Assistant City Manager Cindy Steinhauser recommends City Council approval of a
Request for Proposal for creative development services for the Grand River Center.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
Michael C. Van Milligen
MCVM/jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
MEMORANDUM
December 10, 2002
TO:Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM:Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
SUBJECT:RFP for creative services for Grand River Center
Introduction
The purpose of this memorandum is to request City Council approval of a Request for
Proposal for creative development services for the Grand River Center.
Discussion
On November 18, 2002 City Council approved the name Grand River Center for the
new education and conference center. In order to begin marketing and promotion of
this center, an identify package must now be developed. This identity package would
include such items as logo, business card and letterhead design. Attached is a Request
for Proposals (RFP) to be sent to local creative firms to solicit their proposal to provide
these design services. A committee consisting of representatives from Platinum
Hospitality, the Dubuque Convention and Visitors Bureau and the City of Dubuque will
review the proposals received and make a recommendation. Proposals are due on
January 2, 2003.
Action
The requested action is for City Council to approve the attached RFP.
Cc:Jim Rix, Platinum Hospitality
Sue Czeshinski, Convention and Visitors Bureau
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
November 20. 2002
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
For development of identity package for the Grand River Center
INTRODUCTION
The City of Dubuque, Iowa is soliciting proposals from qualified consulting finns
(referred to in this RFP as Creative) to provide a comprehensive identity package for the
Grand River Center, currently under construction. The Grand River Center is the new
conference and education center being buik at the Port of Dubuque by the City as part of
the America's River project. The Port of Dubuque rests along the Mississippi River and
serves as a gateway to the City of Dubuque and eastern Iowa. The Port of Dubuque is
home to the $188 million America's River project.
Construction is underway for the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium, the
Grand Harbor Resort and Waterpark a 192-room hotel and indoor Waterpark along the
riverfront and a 2000' Riverwalk including an amphitheater. The National Mississippi
River Museum and Aquarium includes: 15 aquariums; Immersion theater showcasing the
Mississippi River's creation, floods, history and underwater life; outdoor wetland
featuring natural and living history exhibits with floating laboratories and classrooms;
stream tables; and an educational overnight program which lets visitors sleep on a "boat
and breakfast" National Historic Landmark steamboat.
The Grand Harbor Resort and Waterpark includes a seven story- hotel with 192 rooms and
a 24,000 square foot indoor waterpark. Phase II includes 150 additional rooms and an
18,000 square foot addition to the waterpark. The Mississippi Riverwalk and Amenities
includes a riverwalk which links the Alliant Energy Amphitheater, the River's Edge
Plaza, a landing for national riverboat excursion companies such as the Delta Queen, boat
docks, public art and an 18-mile bike-hike trail connection to the Heritage Trail. The
total combined public and private investment in these three projects is $188 million. The
America's River project is expected to draw 500,000 visitors per year. The Diamond Jo
Casino, located in the Port of Dubuque draws over 1 million visitors each year. The City
of Dubuque has recently completed master planning and design services for the Port of
Dubuque and an additional $150 million in investments are expected. For additional
information on Dubuque and recent initiatives, please visit the following web sites:
ww~v.dubuquechamber.com
www.greaterdubuque.org
www.am ericasriver.or~
www.traveldubuque.com
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II.CONFERENCE CENTER INFORMATION
The Grand River Center is approximately 174,000 square feet and includes the following:
30,000 square foot exhibit hall;
· 12,000 square foot ballroom;
· 2,000 square foot River Room;
· 12,000 square foot meeting rooms space divided into six rooms;
· 5,000 square foot Dubuque Plaza;
· 13,000 square foot outdoor River Plaza; and
· 12,000 square foot prefunction space.
Also included in the design are approximately 300 undercover and surface parking lot
spaces. Attached is a CD with the exterior rendering of the facility. The prominent
materials used on the building include native limestone, stainless steel or brushed steel as
well as clem' glass. The symbolism of the design is meant to be reflective of the river and
natural elements have been designed throughout the buildings interior and exterior
including the cresting or "whitecap" of the building's exterior. Also attached is a CD that
depicts the graphic sign package for the building.
III. PROPOSAL SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
The proposal shall include the following information and shall be organized in the
manner specified below.
Letter of Transmittal
A cover letter signed by an authorized representative of the firm briefly outlining the
firm's understanding of the work. The cover letter must contain a commitment to
provide the services described and the name, address, telephone number, and fax number
and emall of the consultant's primary contact person. Please also include a summary of
the firm's understanding of the project.
Qualifications of firm(s)
· List the names of the anticipated project manager and other key personnel associated
with the project. A resume of their qualifications and experience should be attached
along with the percentage of time each person is anticipated to devote to the project.
Describe the name and location of any subconsulting firms that will be used by the
f'mm in the design of the walkway and amenities. Please identify the approximate
percentage of work that would be performed by each of these firms. Include the
experience and qualifications of the subconsultant firm and their key personnel in
working on similar projects.
Describe the experience of the firm in conducting projects of a size similar to this
project. Include previous projects with similar budgets and deadlines and whether the
firm met the established criteria.
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Include a project list with contacts for all similar projects that have been completed in
the past 3 years. Identify the key personnel who worked on the referenced projects
and who are expected to work on this project.
Provide information on the limits of insurance carried by the firm. See attachment B
for the minimum amounts required by the City of Dubuque.
Discuss the firm's ability to integrate this project into the frrm's present workload.
Scope of Services
Please provide a proposed scope of services that addresses the following:
The City of Dubuque, Iowa is soliciting proposals from Creative firms to provide a
comprehensive identity package for the Grand River Center, currently under construction.
The scope of services should include logo development and artwork for collateral
material including but not limited to letterhead, business cards, billboards, brochures,
print advertising and Intemet usage.
Deliverables, including but not limited to:
· Design layout in graphic board;
· Elevation drawings of identity on the Grand River Center in graphic board; and
· Style booklet
Proposed Project Schedule
Provide a project schedule outlining the time period and estimated completion date of the
proposed scope of work for creative services.
Fees and Compensation
Provide a proposed cost plus expenses budget for completion of the scope of services
with cost breakdowns by scope element. Quotation of fees and compensation shall
remain firm for a period of at least 90 days from the proposal submission deadline.
Please provide the proposed cost for each budget under separate cover. Initial
screening will be done by the selection committee without the benefit of knowing the
proposed fee for services.
IV. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
An unbound original plus nine copies shall be received in the City Clerk's Office, 50
West 13th Street, Dubuque, Iowa 52001 by 4:30p. m. CST Thursday, January 2, 2003.
Each consultant assumes fult responsibility for delivery and deposit of the completed
proposal package on or before the deadline. The City of Dubuque is not responsible for
any loss or delay with respect to delivery of the proposals.
All proposals become the property of the City of Dubuque and will not be returned.
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The City of Dubuque reserves the right to reject any and all proposals or portions of
proposals and to negotiate changes with any consultant.
The City of Dubuque is not liable for any cost incurred by any consultant prior to the
execution of an agreement or contract, nor shall the City of Dubuque be liable for any
costs incurred by the consultant that are not specified in any contract.
The City of Dubuque is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.
V.EVALUATION CRITERIA
Proposals will be screened to ensure that they meet the minimum requirements of the
proposal format. A selection committee consisting of representatives from the City of
Dubuque, Dubuque Convention and Visitors Bureau and Platinum Hospitality will
evaluate qualifying proposals. Factors to be considered by the committee include the
following:
· Qualifications and experience of firm and any subconsultants;
· Qualifications and experience of the principal consulting staff and of subconsulting
staffwho will work on the project;
· Understanding of project scope and level of interest;
· Approach to completing scope of services including creativity and problem solving;
· Responsiveness and compatibility between consultants and the City;
· Ability to communicate;
· Proposed schedule required to complete project; and
· Proposed cost to complete project.
Consultants may be invited to an interview with the selection committee prior to committee
selection.
Questions regarding this RFP should be directed to Cindy Steinhauser at 563-589-4110
telephone, 563-589-4149 fax or csteinha~ci .tyofdubuque. org.
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