Current RFPs and RFQs from the Garment District Alliance.

Pedestrian Barrier Mural

We are is seeking artists interested in submitting their preliminary concepts, qualifications and examples of their previous work to be considered for a temporary street mural on pedestrian walkway barriers on Seventh Avenue in Manhattan’s Garment District

RFP: Temporary Street Mural on Pedestrian Walkway Barriers in the Garment District

Questions and Answers

• Will the artist install the graphics on the cubes where the cubes are being produced?  Or Will it be outdoors at the locations where the cubes will be placed?
  The installation will be on-site.  The cubes are already out on 7th avenue.  GDA will arrange some safety measures when the street side of the cubes are being done.
• Since it's a temporary installation, Do you know the possible duration of the installation?
  It depends on a few variables, including when we can actually start and how the artwork holds up, but it will be between 3 months and a year. ​
• Will the vinyl need to be removed from the cubes and the cubes will be left where they are? 
  ​There is no vinyl on the cubes now.  If you are planning on some vinyl adhesive type material let me know.  We had something like that once before and it began to peel after a short time. You can propose that, but we'll have to take a look at your proposed materials.
• Are the cubes being removed completely?
  There is no plan to move or remove the cubes before, during or after the installation.  Any changes are at the sole discretion of DOT .  At the end of thedisplay period we plan to clean them off and do another installation 
• What is the material of the barriers? Poured concrete? Is there a place to get a sample of the material? 
  Yes, poured concrete coated with a latex paint. We do not have samples available.  I suggest going to the location on 7th avenue in the mid 30s and taking a look at them in person.  All of the cubes are the same.
• How much is the total budget for the project? 
  We are asking the artists to provide a budget based upon their actual costs and fees.  We won't be selecting based upon cost alone, but it will be a factor.  One way to come up with a budget is to look at the size and number of cubes.  There are approximately 68 cubes, and we would like to do the two large sides, so there are about 136 panels at about 5.5' x 3'.  The actual number may vary if DOT changes anything.  A proposer should estimate their cost of paint, supplies,  assistants (rate x hours), insurance, and whatever else you think should be included.  Then and artists fee should be added for use of your work and managing the project.  It could be a percentage based upon the other costs or it could be a flat fee. 
• I am thinking about using vinyl adhesives for the sugar cubes.  Are there any issues with using that medium?
  There are a few things to consider with vinyl. The first is cost:  it will depend on how much of each cube you want to cover, as that impacts material quantity and labor to install. 
  Another issue is peeling.  On a previous installation we had an issue with peeling, for a few reasons. First is the shape of the cubes. They have rounded edges and corners, and an indented band goes around the middle of them, so it was not that easy to make a smooth, seamless "shrink wrap." The edges of the vinyl  peeled.  Some of it seemed to have occurred because of the shape of the cubes, but some may have had to do with the temperature during the application of the vinyl.  Outdoor vinyl needs to be applied when temps have been at least 50 degrees over a few days, preferably higher, and we may have pushed it a little.  Finally, People sometimes picked  at the edges, which increased the peeling.
  As you look into it,  you may find ways to make it easier and less expensive than when the GDA did it ourselves.  For example  if you don't try to cover the whole cube and you install when the temps are right, the chances are much better.  

Plaza Art

We are seeking artists interested in submitting their qualifications, preliminary concepts, and examples of their work to be considered for a temporary art installation.

RFQ: Temporary Public Sculpture on the Garment District Plazas

Previous RFPs

Business Development Collaborative Programming

Please note the deadline has been extended.

The Garment District Alliance is looking to engage qualified entities to develop and deliver programming which would strengthen the apparel manufacturing industry in the District and improve the quality of life and economic vitality of District as part of the Business Development Collaborative.

RFP: Business Development Collaborative Programming

• Program Targets Template (Excel file)
• Program Budget Template (Excel file)

Deadline for Questions: January 5, 2021
Deadline for Submission of RFP Proposal, Program Targets and Program Budget: January 20, 2021 at 12:00 PM

Questions regarding the RFP must be in writing and should be submitted via email to jscupp@garmentdistrictnyc.com by the Question Submission Deadline. Answers will be posted below. 

Questions

1) The section entitled Collaborative Impact Model reads "The Proposal should include a description of program partners and how the Proposer can collaborate with other Program Managers to coordinate on joint efforts, share lessons learned and add to the collective..." Making this happen seems to be a job for the program administrators, Resilient Cities Catalyst (RCC). I don't know what we could promise here without the agreement of the other program managers.

We want to encourage collaboration as it strengthens the overall objectives of the program. For this question, we are eager to hear specific ideas about how and in what ways collaboration with other Special Programs may amplify the impact of your proposed programming. At the same time, we understand that in some cases, the opportunities to collaborate may not be identifiable at this time or that direct collaboration may not be practical. At the very least, those selected for the program will be expected to attend group meetings and share such non-proprietary information as identified in their individual agreements.  RCC will encourage and facilitate collaboration, support and lessons learned across Special Programs.

2)  Does the order of the sections matter?  Under New or Existing Programming the proposer is asked to describe in detail how the program meets GDA’s goals.  Won't that be repeating what has already been covered in earlier sections?

Keeping responses in order of the RFP will be most helpful to us.  This section was included because it addresses specific issues relating to new or returning programs and we understand that you may need to repeat some information included in the earlier sections.   

3) Where are the GDA goals they listed? The template says choose from the drop down-- but there is no drop down. 

The drop-down has been fixed.

The four specific program goals are listed on page 5, sections 1.5 and 1.6 of the RFP, and include: 1) Gathering insights on District workforce and business needs; 2) Strengthening the capacity of District businesses, entrepreneurs and workforce; 3) Building community among District businesses; and 4) Elevating the profile of the District. The goals are also listed as a drop down in cells A34-36 of the Program Target Template. 

Please note that the four goals are aimed at supporting the overarching objective of the program, which is to "Strengthen the apparel manufacturing sector and other sectors in the District and the competitiveness of the neighborhood’s workforce and industry, and improve the quality of life and economic vitality of District." 

4)  A number of places in the RFP show the GDA's concern that multiple business sectors be targeted-- including the fashion industry.  Does this mean we cannot propose a program that would only be of interest to fashion companies? 

Generally correct.  We understand that businesses from various sectors may not be interested in a particular program, but in accordance with guidance from the City, it should be marketable and marketed to more than one sector.

Industry Beneficiaries: BDC Programs are intended to benefit fashion manufacturers and the fashion industry as well as other types of businesses in the Garment District, as dictated by the City.  BDC Programs should target multiple business sectors, which are able to benefit from the program. This is because BDC Programs are funded by BID assessments that are collected from all types of properties and businesses in the District. Examples include:

• Trainings that could be utilized by employees employed in multiple sectors.
• Working with Garment District businesses from multiple sectors to address workforce development and training needs.
• Trainings consisting of subcomponents tailored for employees of different types of businesses.
• Back-office improvements that could be used across sectors.
• One-to-one consultation that can be customized to the recipient.
• Trainings that are relevant to multiple sectors.
• Trainings consisting of subcomponents tailored for different types of businesses.

5) Can expect that similar funding will be available in Year 2 or should we aim to reduce or increase the scope of our programming?

As of now we are operating on the assumption that we will have the same funding available for the overall Business Development Collaborative programming and there has been no indication from our board that this should change.  You should submit the proposal at a level you are comfortable with and that makes sense.  Remember that we can always adjust the amount when we negotiate the agreement.  

6) Can we submit two proposals if they are for different projects?

You can submit more than one proposal.   Our review committee will be considering each proposal on merits in relation to the GDA goals and how the programs relate to each other in the collaborative model.