SoQ/RFP FHDC Outdoor Classroom Renovation Project - Manhattan, KS

Date Issued: 8/27/2025

I. PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

The City of Manhattan (“City”) requests proposals for design-build services for the Flint Hills Discovery Center (“FHDC”) Outdoor Classroom Renovation Project (“Project”) located at 315 S. 3rd Street in Manhattan, Kansas. A multi-use trail encircles the FHDC and includes 15 interpretive panels that cover a variety of natural, cultural, and historical topics. The current outdoor space has since been branded as the Prairie Garden Terrace and Trail and remains a popular attraction and important element of the FHDC guest experience.

The City seeks a design-build partner to rethink, redesign, and rebuild the outdoor learning space at the FHDC. This Project should be considered both an extension of these existing uses of the outdoor space as well as a purpose-built programmatic space focused on outdoor classroom elements. A preliminary Conceptual Site Plan is attached.

The Project is contingent upon the FHDC Foundation, a private 501(c)3 nonprofit that supports the work and mission of the FHDC, obtaining full funding. The Project has a general maximum budget of $550,000 for both Phase I and Phase II services.

VII. SELECTION PROCESS:

An optional pre-proposal meeting will be conducted at the above time, in the Flint Hills Room of the FHDC located at 315 S. 3rd Street Manhattan, Kansas.

A virtual option via Teams Webinar is also available. To access the meeting virtually, use the following link:

https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/2674288723404?p=8IhAS4uLlbd1i9uymQ

Potential proposers may submit written questions prior to the meeting to Stephen Bridenstine, Flint Hills Discovery Center Director at bridenstine@cityofmhk.com. Additional questions may be posed orally or in writing during the meeting. All questions and answers will be addressed in the meeting minutes or project addenda and will be distributed through Drexel Technologies. The deadline to submit questions is September 10 at 5:00 PM.

A Selection Committee will open and review the Statements of Qualifications (SOQ) to determine which proposers to formally interview. Based upon the quantity and quality of the SOQs, the City reserves the right to short-list the proposers for formal interviewing. After the Selection Committee has selected which proposers to interview, the Selection Committee will open the Initial Price Proposals. The City will return, unopened, the Initial Price Proposals submitted by proposers who are not selected for an interview. The Selection Committee will then conduct formal interviews, rank the proposers, and recommend the highest-ranked Design-Builder team to the City Commission for approval.

Upon receiving a Notice of Award, the successful proposer shall deliver the required insurance documentation to the City within seven (7) days and schedule a project kickoff meeting.

VIII. DIRECTIONS FOR SUBMISSION:

Proposers shall submit six (6) original copies and one (1) electronic copy of the Statements of Qualifications (SOQs) in one (1) sealed envelope and one (1) original, Initial Price Proposal form in one sealed envelope. All documents must be received by the City no later than the above time, at the City of Manhattan, City Clerk’s Office, 1101 Poyntz Ave., Manhattan, KS 66502. Any proposals received after the specified due date and time will be rejected and returned unopened. All expenses for preparing and delivering Project proposals, including subsequent interviews, will be borne by the proposers.