BDC Issues RFP For Design Build Firm For Convention Center Hotel

Baltimore, MD (March 11, 2005) – The Baltimore Development Corporation (BDC), on behalf of the City of Baltimore, today issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a qualified Design Build firm to develop a 750-room Convention Center Headquarters Hotel on city-owned lots 6A/7A bounded by Pratt, Howard, Camden, Russell and Paca Streets in the Inner Harbor West Urban Renewal Area.

The RFP, which is being conducted in two phases (pre-qualification and proposal), requires respondents to be pre-qualified to advance to the proposal phase.

The pre-qualification phase will determine if a respondent possesses the experience and financial capability to serve as the Design-Builder for the project. By 12 noon on March 22, 2005, respondents must submit financial and other documentation to demonstrate their experience and financial capability to satisfy the requirements and objectives of the RFP. The selected Design-Builder will enter into a contract with the project’s architect for design services, and be responsible for a scope of work that will include the establishment and approval of a pre-construction budget; management of the design team; preparation of a hotel room mock-up; progress meetings and coordination of design approvals with BDC and other project participants; and development of a schedule from pre-construction to substantial completion that satisfies both construction and financing requirements. BDC will notify all respondents, in writing, by 12 noon on March 25, 2005, if they have pre-qualified.

Only pre-qualified respondents can submit a response under the proposal phase. All proposals must provide a clear and concise demonstration of the respondent’s capability to satisfy the requirements and objectives of the RFP which include: proposed staffing of the design-build team by function and percentage of time dedicated to the project; resumes of all senior and on-site project managers; a schematic budget estimate; a proposed schedule; and a MBE/WBE plan for all aspects of the design-build contract. Closing date for receipt of proposals is 12 noon on Monday, May 9, 2005.

In addition to BDC, the hotel development team includes: RLJ Development, LLC/Quadrangle Development Corporation, Hilton Hotel Corporation, and RTKL Associates, Inc.

A copy of the RFP can be downloaded from BDC’s website at www.baltimoredevelopment.com.

All questions or inquiries regarding this RFP should be directed to Irene Van Sant, Project Analysis Director (ivansant@baltimoredevelopment.com) or Arlisa Anderson, Senior Project Analyst (aanderson@baltimoredevelopment.com) at 410-837-9305.