MODIFICATION
99 -- PARTNERING FOR VISITOR CENTER
- Notice Date
- 2/20/2003
- Notice Type
- Modification
- Contracting Office
- NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, Code 210.I, Greenbelt, MD 20771
- ZIP Code
- 20771
- Solicitation Number
- NASA-SNOTE-021227-001
- Response Due
- 2/28/2003
- Archive Date
- 2/18/2004
- Point of Contact
- Lourdes F. Carson, Associate Division Chief, Institutional Programs, Phone (301) 286-6871, Fax (301) 286-0237, Email Lourdes.F.Carson@nasa.gov
- E-Mail Address
-
Email your questions to Lourdes F. Carson
(Lourdes.F.Carson@nasa.gov)
- Description
- NASA GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER VISITOR CENTER REQUEST FOR OFFERS (RFO) OPEN CONFERENCE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS February 18, 2003 QUESTION: Can you provide information on what Goddard Phase 2 categories of funding will be provided to continue the Visitor Center (VC) and Educator Resource Center (ERC)? ANSWER: Goddard will not provide funding for the Visitor Center operating expenses. Funding may be provided in the context of services purchased by GSFC (e.g., tours, conference space). If so, this will be done by separate arrangement, not directly through the Agreement. If the ERC is considered part of the final agreement then funding for those services would be under a separate agreement. QUESTION: Is the funding amount going to be fixed or set per activity? ANSWER: The amount of funding may be based on services procured through a separate procurement arrangement (e.g., tours, conference space). GSFC has a continuing need to provide public access to the Visitor Center and its programs. QUESTION: Why is the government requiring commitments from vendors up front with no known return on investment? ANSWER: Based on the feedback from the 2002 Request for Information (RFI), the commercial sector considered the commercialization of the Visitor Center a viable opportunity. QUESTION: How would current visitors feel about being charged? ANSWER: Ultimately, that answer is a marketing responsibility of the bidders. Based on the feedback from the 2002 RFI, the commercial sector considered the commercialization of the Visitor Center a viable opportunity. We understand that the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Center, Spaceport USA, was previously free to the public. The operator now charges a fee. QUESTION: How much more property would be available to the vendor and would it be limited to this building? ANSWER: We encourage offerors to propose creative and innovative approaches. The successful offeror is not limited to the use of the existing buildings and property. QUESTION: Would the Center be open to improving visibility on the Center for tours? For example, there is now a small window in the Building 7/10 Clean Room for viewing- can that be changed? ANSWER: We will consider all creative approaches proposed by offerors. It is likely there may be negotiations before a final agreement is reached. QUESTION: How many visitors are school children? ANSWER: School children have represented 80 to 85 percent of the visitors since September 11, 2001. QUESTION: Can you put together information including number of visitors and annual dollars spent? ANSWER: Visitor Center Statistics 2000-2001: General (walk-ins) 34419 School Groups (by appointment) 9804 Public Groups (by appointment) 5547 Special Events 2790 Last year we spent $450,000 on the contract. However, the Government anticipates a self-sustaining effort. Offerors should not assume the same level of Government commitment. QUESTION: Should one assume that the successful bidder would have access to all Goddard property? ANSWER: The successful offeror's access to Goddard's property is contingent upon need, security, and safety regulations. This matter is subject to negotiation. QUESTION: Is the vendor responsible for the paved area and access road to the Visitor Center? ANSWER: NASA would prefer that to be the case but it is up to the offeror's judgment. QUESTION: What is the status on closing Soil Conservation Service Road? ANSWER: Currently, procedures are underway to implement the Facilities Master Plan. There is a published environmental announcement ( <A HREF="http://gsfc-facilities.gsfc.nasa.gov/index.html"> http://gsfc-facilities.gsfc.nasa.gov/index.html</A> ). The design process has begun. While the specific closure date is not fixed now, it is currently anticipated to be at least a year from now. The expressed intent of the Center is to combine both campuses without Soil Conservation Service Road separating them. The Visitor Center is expected to remain outside the NASA Goddard Security fence. QUESTION: Will access to Visitor Center be off Soil Conservation Service Road or another road? Will the entrance be off Greenbelt Road? ANSWER: Access to the Visitor Center will be subject to negotiations. QUESTION: Would vendor employees be badged? ANSWER: Yes, vendor employees will be badged based on the need to implement Visitor Center functions on Center. QUESTION: Are you open to suggestions for the Gift Shop revenues? ANSWER: Yes, we are open to suggestions for the Gift Shop revenues. QUESTION: What is the net return from the Gift Shop for the past 3 years? ANSWER: Information is not available as of this time. QUESTION: Can the Visitor Center Gift Shop and the Center GEWA employee store be consolidated? ANSWER: It will be considered if proposed in the context of recognizing the Goddard Employee's Welfare Association. QUESTION: Can we assume funds from other Federal and state business partners could be used to implement a proposal? ANSWER: NASA will consider all usable, creative solutions aimed at meeting the objectives of the announcement, within the bounds of any appropriations law restrictions. QUESTION: Is the Visitor center part of the Center's Partnering and Outreach Zone? ANSWER: Not at the present time. QUESTION: The disaster has helped us think of a potential name. Does anything prevent us from using the term "Columbia Memorial?" ANSWER: We do not see any legal restrictions at present. As a policy matter, we will consider it if proposed. QUESTION: Can photographs and movies be made of GSFC by the vendor? ANSWER: We will consider all creative approaches proposed by offerors. QUESTION: Is there any advice on funding mechanisms? ANSWER: No. QUESTION: Can additional questions be submitted? ANSWER: You may submit questions until February 21, 2003. QUESTION: Who is the single point of contact? ANSWER: Lourdes F. Carson Associate Division Chief, Institutional Programs Phone: 301-286-6871 Fax: 301-286-0237 E-mail: Lourdes.F.Carson@nasa.gov
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