May a Signage Fabricator carry a Wayfinding and Signage Design firm for this proposal as a Joint Venture, or will only proposals from single, full-service (Design, Fabricate, Install) firms be accepted?

Yes, a proposal may be presented as a joint venture, or one firm may submit a proposal with the intent of using an approved subcontractor at an appropriate stage of contract.

If a joint-venture is not allowed, would the client consider procuring the design separately from the fabrication/installation?

N/A

As the M/WBE Requirements state that the State has determined an MBE goal of $90,000 and a WBE goal of $90,000, totaling $180,000, the anticipated fabrication and installation costs are anticipated to be around $400,000, and there is a total project budget of $550,000, is it anticipated that only a M/WBE firm will be selected for this project?

No.  MWBE goals can be achieved through any combination of contracting.

Please clarify the extent and level of accuracy of fees and cost breakdowns anticipated at this stage. Generally a signage fabricator cannot provide any costs for signage implementation until the Detailed Design phase of the project, and once the Family of Signage Types and materials have been finalized.

While the exact numbers are not known at this time, we anticipate and expect that the majority of the budget will be used for fabrication and installation.

Is there an anticipated date for installation completion?

The goal is to have the project completed and closed out within 2 years.

Will email-only submissions be accepted?

Yes, but material must be in a format and size that is usable and accepted by standard Chamber technology programs (PDF, Microsoft Office).  If you decide to send via email, we recommend sending it well before the due date to allow yourself time to send hard copy in case of any technological issues. All email submissions will receive an email confirmation of receipt. If you do not receive such confirmation, please contact us separately at jdugo@sichamber.com

Are there architectural drawings for the scope of work available?

No, any potential drawings will not exist until after work is begun on the project.

Is this a public bid? 

No.

For this project, we would partner with a vendor for signage fabrication and installation. As such, we would require that a separate contract be held directly with each party.  Would this be acceptable.

See “Subcontracting and Assignment” under Section V. of the RFP. 

Is there an intended format for promoting local businesses – digital, posters, banners?

This will be determined as the project progresses.  See Appendix B of the RFP for a proposed conceptual starting point. 

Has any previous research been conducted and is there existing data that can be leveraged?

No research specific to this project has been conducted.  However, there is a wealth of data available publicly about the project area, including the Staten Island DRI Strategic Investment Plan and the Downtown Staten Island CDNA. 

What is the expectation of a sustainable wayfinding system – solar or using sustainable materials?

This will be determined during the course of the project.  The consultant will be expected to provide options and recommendations.

Is there an expectation for any lit signs? If yes, in what instances? 

No specific expectations. 

Are there any requirements for Union or Non-Union installation?

No specific requirements.

Are footings included in the implementation?

Any contracted work must be all-inclusive. 

We will only backfill for the footing – no restoration of plantings or hardscape – is that OK?

Any contracted work must be all-inclusive.

Will there be storage / staging areas on site?

To be determined. 

Since there is no set design, should a budget be presented as a ROM or a budget range? 

Either will be acceptable.

As the M/WBE requirements are a goal, is there any distribution requirement? For example, in-house labor to installation.

No specific distribution requirement.

Is the information in Appendix B of the RFP a set direction or is it a suggestion for the design of this project?

It is a recommended suggestion, but other viable alternatives will be thoroughly considered.

Since we cannot carry the scope for our signage fabrication/installation partner, we would require the Chamber to hold a contract with us and a separate contract with their firm – would that be acceptable?

Yes.

Does the 14-month timeline include fabrication & installation?

Yes, bearing in mind that this is an estimated goal and potentially subject to change.

Will current signage design drawings and specifications be available upon award?

A. There are no current signage design drawings and specifications for this project.  It is assumed that qualified respondents to this RFP would have some familiarity with existing state and local signage specifications, which may be relevant for some proposed signage locations when ultimately defined by the consultant team and the SI Chamber.

Will the "DRI Foundational documents” be available upon award?

DRI Foundational documents are available now at https://link.edgepilot.com/s/f0c13a69/Y2Y0wIV3qU_yqNwdFWyhgw?u=https://www.ny.gov/programs/downtown-revitalization-initiative

Please confirm that the Chamber will contract directly with the chosen fabricator and they will be responsible for obtaining all required permits, etc. 

See “Subcontracting and Assignment” under Section V. of the RFP.  A separate contract with a chosen fabricator would be considered.  Any contracted work must be all-inclusive.

What process might exist to determine who might be listed in a business directory?

The Chamber will provide specific direction and assistance with this aspect of the project at the appropriate time.  It is not anticipated that this process will take any significant amount of time or resources.

What process determines who gets a business sign?

Community outreach, collaborated on by the Chamber and the consultant.

What is expected of businesses who get a sign and/or listing?

To be determined.

What other DRI projects have been approved to move forward?

See the list of approved projects at www.ny.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/Staten_Island_DRI_Award_Booklet.pdf

Please list all stakeholder entities by name.

To be determined.

What public groups will be involved in the process?

To be determined.

How many stakeholder meetings are expected to be included in wayfinding/branding phase and design phase?

To be determined.

What sort of coordination is required with MTA?

To be determined, but is expected to include obtaining permissions to access and place signage on MTA properties.

How will NYC DOT be involved in the approval process?

To be determined, but could include obtaining permissions to access and place signage on DOT properties.

Does this project need Public Design Commission approval?

To be determined.

Regarding Shiloh Street Sign program, are any analyses or measurements of the program available?

To be determined.

Is safety and lighting specific to wayfinding structures or landscape?

This will be determined during the course of the project.  The consultant will be expected to provide options and recommendations.

In “Objectives," goal #3, are the mediums referenced exclusive to static signage or does that also include maps, digital components, print collateral, etc?

This will be determined during the course of the project.  The consultant will be expected to provide options and recommendations.

The RFP states "establish visual consistency with current signage and wayfinding mechanisms for historic markers." What level of formality applies to these markers and commemorations? Are these vetted by the National Register Criteria for Evaluation?

To be determined.

Does "maintenance plan" refer to changeability of the sign system, and how to change the components?

Yes, as well as long-term durability of the sign system.

Who pays for new signs or maintenance after initial program budget is exhausted?

To be determined.

Will it be required to utilize the WalkNYC maps design?

No, only if determined by DOT on public locations.  However, all new signage should make use of existing and any planned WalkNYC as part of the overall community signage system.

Can LinkNYC be utilized for this project?

Yes, however, there are currently no LinkNYC units in the district.

Are blade and awning add-on approach finalized decisions?

It is a recommended suggestion, but other viable alternatives will be thoroughly considered.

Is there a plan for reconciling new signs with existing densely clustered awning signs?

This will be determined during the course of the project.  The consultant will be expected to provide options and recommendations. 

DOT controls right-of-way signs (bike shadows, etc.).  Is the intent of the signage to indicate access to parking or bike access?

Yes.

Can you please provide the existing Downtown Staten Island logo/brand identity and existing DOT signage and wayfinding?

Existing Downtown Staten Island logo/brand identity may be seen at www.downtownSI.nyc.  Existing DOT signage and wayfinding are publicly available for viewing within the project area.

Can you please clarify how wayfinding and branding can improve safety and lighting consideration for travel? Is this referring to foot, bicycle, or car travel?

To be determined.  It is assumed that qualified respondents to this RFP would have some familiarity with wayfinding’s connection to safety and lighting considerations and can incorporate those considerations (when appropriate) into their recommendations, across all types of travel.

Can you provide more information about the historical aspects of Downtown Staten Island that the Consultant should highlight?

There is a wealth of data available publicly about the historical aspects of Downtown Staten Island, including in the Staten Island DRI Strategic Investment Plan and the Downtown Staten Island CDNA. 

Can you please clarify what research is designated appropriate for this project? Is this referring to traffic control, or creative brand strategy?

To be determined.  It is assumed that qualified respondents to this RFP would have familiarity with appropriate research required to recommend and deliver a wayfinding project.

Will the Consultant be in direct contact with the Chamber and stakeholders? What will the review process consist of? How will the public be engaged for approvals?

Yes, the consultant will be in direct contact with the Chamber and stakeholders.  The specific review process and public engagement is to be determined via collaboration between the Chamber and the consultant.

Please confirm what type of information the Chamber is looking for from the Consultant regarding general neighborhood development, Downtown Staten Island, or neighborhood development specifically related to the Staten Island area?

While it is not required, if the consultant has any existing knowledge of those entities/areas that they deem could be relevant, they should include that information in their proposal.

Can you please provide any photographs or documentation of the existing banners and gobo light installation?

Existing Downtown Staten Island logo/brand identity, including images of banners and gobo light, may be seen at www.downtownSI.nyc and on the @downtownSInyc account on Instagram.

Please advise on how exactly you would like us to provide our project budget and financial breakdown.

Project budget and financial breakdown may be provided in any viewable format (e.g. Excel, Word, PDF, PowerPoint, hard copy) and should include the required information outlined on page 4 of the RFP, under Item III. PRICE, PAYMENT, AND TERM, paragraph 4.  There is no specific layout required.