C -- NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AMERICAN HISTORY PUBLIC SPACE CONCEPT PLAN

Notice Date

October 19, 2000

Contracting Office

Smithsonian Institution, Office of Contracting, 955 L'Enfant Plaza SW, P-114, Washington, DC 20024

ZIP Code

20024

Solicitation Number

T0136SOL0004

Response Due

November 16, 2000

Point of Contact

Dottie Leffler, 202-275-1247, 202-275-1600

Description

Architect/Engineer services sought for preparation of a Public Space Concept Plan that will provide guidance in the use of public spaces within the National Museum of American History, allocating specific spaces on the public floors (the lower level and first through third floors, approximately 350,000 square feet) to the various activities and functions that must be accommodated on those floors. Options to the contract include the design of any modifications to the building and its infrastructure necessary to implement the Public Space Concept Plan. The NMAH building is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places, and the proposed concepts should preserve and reinforce the spirit and intent of the original building design. Once this concept plan is established, these guidelines will shape the future development of the Museum. There is an element of urgency to this project, as current Museum projects cannot progress until they are incorporated into this plan; therefore, it will have to be completed in six months from the Smithsonian's "notice to proceed". The NMAH was built nearly forty years ago to accommodate much smaller audiences than today, with less interactive, technologically modest exhibitions. We anticipate that our audience will significantly increase in size over the coming decade, and changing audience needs and expectations may require significant changes to our current use of space on public floors. This project is intended to provide the Museum with conceptual plans to guide our current and future development. We are particularly concerned with several aspects of this planning effort: how the use of space, within the constraints of the existing building, might best facilitate the orientation of our visitors, physically and intellectually, to the Museum; improved way-finding through signage and clarified vistas; the creation of larger, more flexible exhibition spaces that can accommodate state-of-the-art display techniques and multi-media technology; improved positioning of retail spaces; the capacity of the Museum to comfortably and accessibly accommodate anticipated annual visitation of 10 million visitors in future years; the optimal location of new classrooms and learning centers; identification of reception/orientation space for large groups such as frequent busloads of school groups; the improvement of the Museum's exterior landscaping, hardscape, and fountain in order to present a more engaging appearance to visitors and potential visitors; and the improvement of horizontal and vertical circulation, lighting, HVAC, fire/life safety, security, accessibility, amenities, and an adaptive network infrastructure, as appropriate for a 21st-century museum. Additionally, those museum functions that impact the effectiveness of museum spaces, such as exhibits staging and collections storage areas, must be addressed within the concept plan. Provisions for the recognition of important donors is also a key element in the successful development of the Museum. A contract for the Public Space Concept Plan will be awarded for work to be performed in two phases. Both Phase I and Phase II shall be developed in consultation with the appropriate Smithsonian staff. Additionally, there will be options to proceed beyond Phase II that include preparation of design drawings and specifications suitable to enable the Smithsonian to solicit construction bids and exhibit fabrication bids; and post-contract-award services. The Smithsonian may (or may not) choose to exercise these options upon the completion of Phase II. Phase I, Program and Space Analysis, is conceptual in nature, and includes the development of a program for the optimal use of Museum space, with the advice of a "blue-ribbon panel" of eminent historians, museum officials, and other specialists, and with reference to prior studies conducted at NMAH. The prior studies include information on requirements for retail, life safety, fire protection, visitor amenities, audience surveys, and anticipated exhibition programming. The space analysis must include identification of suitable spaces for two future exhibitions, each 18,000 to 20,000 square-feet: the Hall of American Achievement and the Armed Forces History Hall. Services required for Phase I may include, but are not limited to, the development of this plan on a space program and conceptual level, and provision to the Museum of materials such as charts, bubble diagrams, floor plans, and narratives that will clearly explain all its elements and facilitate decision-making. Phase II, Concept Development, shall include, but is not limited to, the development of two to three different conceptual design solutions based on the program and priorities determined in Phase I, including preliminary cost-estimates and implementation schedules. These alternative designs are to be presented to the Museum through floor plans and/or computer-generated models or other 3-dimensional imaging. These plans should include precise identification of various improvements; the development of a spatial organization plan, including various elements as specified by the Museum; a concept plan for required changes to the building's MEP systems; and inclusion of an adaptive network infrastructure. The Smithsonian Institution will select the A&E firm, award and administer the contract, and supervise performance of the project. Categories of evaluation and associated weight factors to be applied in the A&E selection process are as follows: 1) Project team (35%): Relevant experience of the key individuals and firms on the proposed team; cohesiveness of the team, including prior experience working together; and educational qualifications. The team should include, but is not limited to, an architect, a MEP engineer, a structural engineer, a security specialist, a fire/life safety specialist, an exhibition designer, a multi-media specialist, a landscape architect, and an education or other specialist familiar with museum audiences and their needs and expectations. 2) Organization and Management (20%): Project organization and management methods proposed to control project execution within planned limits of scope, schedule, and budget. 3) Museum Experience (35%): Demonstrated experience of the A&E firm in the successful planning and design of museum facilities; knowledge of issues relating to accessibility, life/safety provisions, historic preservation, and infrastructural improvements to large, heavily-trafficked buildings such as the NMAH. Of particular interest is the quality of the relationship between the A&E firm and the staffs of museums with which it has worked in the past. 4) Other Experience (10%): Demonstrated experience of the proposed project team in successful master planning, facility planning and design, and in the other fields of expertise required by the project, i.e., planning of public areas of assembly, landscape design, and renovations of basic systems of large buildings. Dealing with federal and local review bodies is required background. References indicating the ability to respond quickly to requests for conferences, review meetings, presentations, and consultations are also a requirement. Firms that meet the selection criteria and are interested in this project must submit a technical proposal including standard forms 254 and 255 along with a letter identifying the project by Solicitation Number T0136SOL0004 and OPP Number 0103101 and a brief statement (as described below) by 4:00 P.M., November 16, 2000. Statements should address the firm's approach to planning and design projects involving existing buildings, ability to collaborate with complex organizations and clients having multiple agendas, and capability to complete this project within a short time-frame (6 months). Standard Form 254 should also be included for all A&E firms proposed as participants. All Form 254s are considered current if they are dated twelve months or less prior to the first day of the month of this notice. Do not include a fee proposal at this time. Address all submissions sent by U.S. Postal Service to Lawrence Stuebing, Office of Physical Plant, Smithsonian Institution, 750 -- 9th Street, N.W., Suite 5200, Washington, D.C. 20560. Address all other submissions sent by commercial deliveries to Lawrence Stuebing, Office of Physical Plant, Smithsonian Institution, 750 -- 9th Street, N.W., Suite 5200, Washington, D.C. 20001-4505.

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20001023/CSOL004.HTM (W-293 SN5047J7)