B. Background of the Albany Mounds State Historic Site

5/22/10

Request for Proposals

Master Development Plan

Albany Mounds

State of Illinois Historic Site

A. Introduction

The Friends of the Albany Indian Mounds Foundation (“Foundation”) is issuing this Request for Proposals (“RFP”) for a Master Development Plan for the preservation and interpretation of the Albany Mounds State Historic Site. An Albany Mounds Master Development Plan Oversight Committee (Oversight Committee) whose membership will consist of representatives from the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency (IHPA) and the Foundation, will administer the RFP process and the ensuing contract with the successful proposer. A member of the Oversight Committee will be designated as Project Coordinator.

B. Background of the Albany Mounds State Historic Site

The State of Illinois owns a 233 acre site known as the Albany Mounds State Historic Site. The Site is administered by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. The

Foundation, a non-profit 501 (c) (3) volunteer organization, assists with preservation and interpretation.

The Albany Mounds site is located on the east bank of the Mississippi River 30 miles above the Illinois and Iowa Quad Cities, a metropolitan area with a population of 400,000, and on the southern limit of the modern village of Albany Illinois. It is the largest and one of the most important Hopewell (Middle Woodland) burial mound and village complexes in the upper Mississippi River Valley, and is the only purely Hopewell culture site that the State of Illinois owns and plans to develop and interpret as a major State historic site. It dates to 200BCE to CE300, and originally consisted of 96 burial mounds located on the terraces and bluffs on the east bank of the Mississippi River and the Meredosia Slough, an ancient relict Mississippi river valley that was formed by the Wisconsin continental glacier. Of the 39 mounds that remain at the site, the largest, most important and central mounds are in an excellent state of preservation, and the village site, which fronts the mounds on the terrace immediately above the river and slough for three quarters of a mile, is in good to excellent condition. The remaining mounds have not been explored, and many of those that are no longer on the site were excavated before the areas on which they stood were removed by the construction of the railroad and hwy 84 which now separate the site from the Mississippi River. All of the excavated mounds were constructed by the Hopewell Indian Culture, but road cut exposures and excavations in the village area show not only extensive Hopewell remains, but also significant remains of cultures that existed in this area from 13,000 BCE to the Sauk Indian tribe in historic times. The central portion of the village area was recently purchased by the IHPA, and the individual who sold it retains lifetime use and is committed to its preservation. The site is located in a scenic area, and evokes that sense of place and history that very few places can elicit.

The site has been restored to a natural appearance and a prairie of about one hundred acres established. The site, which is traversed by a regional bike trail, also contains a parking lot, restrooms, picnic shelter, and interpretive signs along mowed walking trails.

C. Contractual Services

The amount of the award is $20,900 and the selected Proposer’s compensation, including costs, will not exceed said amount. The bidders will provide a payment plan, an associated work plan and a proposal describing the nature of a final Master Development Plan for the Albany Mounds State Historic Site.

The plan will address:

The design of an interpretive center that will feature:

1. A museum that emphasizes interpretation of the Hopewell culture at the Albany village and mound site and its place in the Hopewell culture world, but also addresses the other prehistoric cultures represented at the site, the prehistory of Illinois and the upper Mississippi River valley, and the area’s unique Pleistocene glacial geology, natural history, fauna and wildlife.

2. An auditorium with state-of- the-art visual and audio facilities that will be sized to meet the anticipated visitor attendance at the center, archaeological conferences and symposia, and public regional events (on a rental basis). A capacity of 150 seats is suggested.

3. Location that will maximize visual impact and interpretation of the site; minimize disturbance of the archaeology and aesthetic nature of the site by trails, roadways and parking lots; minimize visual pollution by adjacent roads, highways and residential structures; maximize the safety of pedestrians; and be amenable to maximum interpretation in inclement weather when visitors can not walk the site.

4. Exterior architectural design that is in keeping with the nature of the site, the immediate environment, the ambiance of prehistoric interpretation, and unique design that in itself will impress the visitor.

5. Green design.

6. Other features that will enhance the interpretation of the site and enjoyment of the visitor.

The design of trails and rest areas that will fully interpret the archaeological, geological and natural aspects of the Site.

An assessment of the feasibility and desirability of a tower that would provide a full view of the site, the Mississippi River, the Meredosia Slough, and the overall environment.

An assessment of a covered walkway on the shore of the lagoon at the site that would provide a unique pedestrian experience in viewing the archaeological and natural aspects of the site.

Continued or altered utilization of existing facilities, trails, interpretive signs, and bicycle path.

An analysis of the economic impact on the village of Albany and Whiteside County.

An assessment of the flora currently existing at the site, and recommendations for altering it to improve visibility of the mounds from the site of the proposed interpretive center, from passengers in vehicles approaching the site from highway 84 and the Meredosia road, from the trails, to block the view of neighboring visual pollution that would degrade the visitor’s enjoyment of the Site, to preserve existing rare fauna and flora, and to conform to the natural prehistoric flora once covering the site.

An assessment of land acquisition when it becomes available that will preserve archaeological features remaining outside of the current Site boundaries, preserve natural areas, and the aesthetics of the Site.

The plan will consist of a narrative and a set of drawings, renderings and maps that illustrate key site resources and how they would be affected by the recommendations of the Master Development Plan. Selected Proposer will sign an agreement with the Foundation for the purposes of awarding work on the Master Development Plan for Albany.

A contract consisting of the RFP, the proposal, and related authorizations shall be in effect when received by the Proposer’s Representative accompanied by a letter of approval signed by authorized representatives of the Foundation. The Proposer may be an individual, party, association, firm, institution, or branch of an institution having received an approved proposal and letter of approval so authorizing conduct of the project.

The Proposer’s representative may be an individual designated by the Proposer in the proposal and authorized to answer on behalf of the Proposer. Such Representative shall be available at all times throughout the duration of the work period for communication concerning any aspect of the work. The Proposer’s Representative must be responsible for the conduct of the entire project and closely involved with all phases of the work. Prior written approval from the Project Coordinator is required for a change in Proposer’s Representative. Written notice must also be given if the Proposer’s Representative is to be absent from the contract work for more than two continuous weeks, or if there is to be a substantial reduction in the effort devoted to the project by the Proposer’s Representative.

D. Mandatory Proposer Requirements

A description of the nature of the proposed Master Development Plan and how it fulfills requirements set forth in other sections of this RFP.

A plan of work must include a description and schedule for each phase of the project, a proposed sequence of meetings to review the project’s progress, and a payment schedule.

Selected Proposer will need to conduct one public hearing at Albany, IL.

The Proposer will provide resumes outlining the education, training, and relevant work experience of all professionals to be engaged in the project.

A declaration of intent to complete the work with the proposed period and for the proposed cost will need to be submitted.

Proposers must answer all the questions in this RFP relating to the specific services they are seeking to provide.

Responses to this request should set forth the specific manner in which proposers will satisfy each requirement noted in this RFP and any other information they believe is relevant.

Proposers must provide a list of at least three previous and/or current government clients or accounts for which they have provided Master Development Plans, which are considered identical or similar in nature to the specifications and requirements described herein.

Proposers must, at the time of this proposal, or prior to that time if required by law, be an established business firm with all required licenses, bonding, facilities, equipment, and trained personnel necessary to perform the work as specified in this RFP. The Foundation reserves the right to require proof of said requirements within ten calendar days from the date of the request.

The Proposer must have five years of experience performing like services as described in this RFP for like volumes.

The proposal must be accompanied by a transmittal letter that designates the name, address and telephone number of the person or persons available for contact concerning the proposal, and who are authorized to make representations on behalf of the Proposer’s organization. Each bidder must submit a cover letter that includes a summary of the Proposer’s ability to perform the services described in this RFP; a statement that the Proposer is willing to perform those services and enter into a contract with the Foundation and the signature of a person having the authority to commit the Proposer to a contract.

Responses must be submitted in a sealed envelope or package bearing the title “Request For Proposals for a Master Development Plan for Albany Mounds, State of Illinois Historic Site” and the proposers name and address. The package must include a signed original and five copies of the response along with a signed original and five copies of the price. Also provide one digital copy of the proposal.

The Proposer must provide a brief statement indicating their qualifications to deliver the services sought under this Request for Proposal.

Included should also be the background and organizational history, including number of years in business, location of offices, whether there have been any mergers, acquisitions, or sales of the company within the last ten years. If so, provide an explanation of the relevant details.

An organizational chart showing the staffing lines of authority for the key personnel who will be providing/implementing the Master Development Plan must be included.

The Proposer must provide a statement as to whether there is any pending litigation against the company, and if such litigation exists, attach an opinion of counsel as to whether the pending litigation will impair your performance in the contract under this Request for Proposal.

Documentation of financial responsibility, financial stability, and sufficient financial resources to provide the scope of services to the Foundation must be provided. The document should include a description of your organization’s size, longevity, and client base.

Proposers must submit information regarding Compensation under a separate, but attached, cover.

Proposers must submit a fully executed Other Contract and Procurement Related Information Forms. (Disclosure Form B, attached)

Proposers must submit a fully executed Taxpayer Identification Number Form.

References must be provided.

E. Master Development Plan—Mandatory Components & Requirements

1. Purpose

The purpose of the Master Development Plan will be to guide the development of the Albany Mounds State Historic Site. The plan will provide a framework for decision making in the areas of:

Preservation and Interpretation Physical Development

Program Development Resource Management

Marketing and Tourism Strategies Infrastructure Requirements

The Master Development Plan should provide overall direction for management as it pursues development and programs that seek to preserve and protect the cultural resources and provide meaningful interpretation to visitors.

2. Components

The three components for the Master Development Plan shall include, but are not limited to: assessment, overall management strategies and recommendations.

(a) Assessment: Provide the following:

· A description of the site, leading to the identification and assessment of its cultural significance and of the values of different interest groups upon which the significance is based.

· An assessment of the condition of the site and its ability to adapt without significant loss of value.

· An assessment of the existing conditions of the site and the pressures affecting it, its management context, user groups and stakeholder interests.

· An assessment of public programs.

· An assessment of the Economic impact of the site on local and regional economies

(b) Development Strategies: Development strategies should identify the key issues for the site, set out the desirable long term vision with medium ad short term goals; develop and give reasons for appropriate solutions and provide frameworks within which both long and short term policy decisions can be taken with respect to the directions outlined in part “C. Contractual Services”.

© Recommendations: The Plan recommendations should contain a summary of the major considerations addressed by the Plan. It should state the preferred policies for each aspect of the site’s operation, preservation and development.

· Recommendations should be prioritized and phased as per the overall vision for how the site may or should change.

· Recommendations should include staffing plans necessary to implement change.

3. Other Requirements

(a)Methodology: The Master Development Plan should be prepared through a process that is both consultative and educational, identifying the issues that need to be addressed and gaining the necessary support to carry out the Plan. Stakeholders will need to be involved in this process. The Proposal should outline the Proposer’s proposed methodology for preparation of the Plan and how they intend to identify and include the various stakeholders.