Long Range Interpretive Plan for Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, Saint Paul, MN, (Reference 140P6024Q0058)
The National Park Service (NPS) is conducting a market survey to determine the interest and capability of contractors for a possible upcoming project. All costs associated with providing information in response to this market survey shall be the responsibility of the firm. Any information submitted is voluntary. The Contracting Officer will make an acquisition strategy determination based on the results of this market survey.
The work will largely take place at Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, Saint Paul, MN. A summary of the work follows:
The Long Range Interpretive Plan aims to provide a comprehensive strategy for interpreting the significance of MISS’ resources, including the Mississippi River, its landscapes, ecosystems, cultural heritage, and recreational opportunities. The plan will encompass a vision for interpretation, audience analysis, thematic interpretation, interpretive techniques, media and technology integration, evaluation methods, and implementation strategies. The plan will cover a timeframe of 10 years with an implementation strategy for the first five years. While the goal is to create a plan for the entire park corridor, special focus is to be set on the Mni Owe Sni (Coldwater Spring) as the only current NPS managed site, and the “Bdote” area in general in anticipation of the proposed River Learning Center.
• Conduct an inventory and assessment of MISS’ existing conditions. Highlighting current interpretive strategies and facilities. Outline current natural, cultural, and historic resources based on existing plans and data.
• Review existing interpretive materials, programs, audience trends and facilities within the park.
• Conduct interviews and focus groups with key internal stakeholders to determine status of interpretive program and future goals.
• Identify overlapping programs, identify opportunities for collaboration/partnership, and identify gaps (program offerings and program locations) in programming.
• Research audience and visitor groups and identify trends, challenges, and opportunities for each audience segment.
• Identify visitor experience goals that align with visitor use patterns at MISS.
• Identify challenges and issues affecting the facilitation and implementation of interpretation and education programs.
• Identify any resource issues that may need to be addressed using interpretive strategies.
• Inventory current MISS formal education programs and identify content areas and themes to be developed in anticipation of River Learning Center.
• Evaluate existing staffing levels and structure and identify additional staffing requirements needed to fully implement the recommendations of the long-range interpretive plan.
Deliverables
• Interim Plan: A summary of research, vision and goals, and themes for MISS staff to review and comment.
• Draft Plan: A draft of the complete plan with all deliverables except the look book of waysides that will be commented on by MISS staff.
• Final Plan: Deliver a comprehensive Long Range Interpretive Plan in both digital and printed formats including all notes and data collected during the process.
• Waysides Look book: a portfolio of example waysides and their locations for at least three of the interpretive themes.
• Presentation: Present the final plan to key stakeholders and the MISS leadership team.
The NAICS code for this project is 541720 - Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities, with a small business size standard of $28M.
Contractors must be registered as a small business and any socio-economic groups represented in SAM (System for Award Management) under NAICS code 541720 to be considered/confirmed.
All scope of work documents will be provided if/when the government proceeds with a formal solicitation.
Interested firms must complete the attached Sources Sought Market Survey.
This market research is being conducted to acquire additional information about potential contractors that may be interested in performing this work. This is not request for quote (RFQ) and does not constitute any commitment by the Government to issue any solicitation. All interested firms must respond to future solicitation announcements separately from responses to this market survey. Any solicitation that may be issued will be posted on SAM.gov.
All responses must be submitted via email not later than 1200 CDT, July 15, 2024 to email address james_bissaillon@nps.gov and include the reference number (140P6024Q0055) in the email subject line.
