Request for Proposals
Construction Services
Project Name: Venom
I. PROJECT OVERVIEW
(A) Project Description
The Akron Zoological Park is requesting interested firms to submit a proposal to provide construction services as a Contractor/Construction Manager-at-Risk for the Venom project. The submission will include a guaranteed maximum price proposal in addition to other information that is necessary for the zoo to evaluate and select.
Construction budget: $235,000
Schedule: Substantial completion by 4/1/2027
Architect/Engineer: TC Architects
The Venom Project is a renovation of the existing Curious Creatures exhibit located in the Komodo Kingdom building. Space is approximately 6,000 sq ft, with 3,000 being guest space and 3,000 being a keeper space that houses the tanks and LSS equipment.
(B) Project Delivery
Construction documents are complete, and the zoo expects to receive the building permit before the selection of the Contractor. Consequently, preconstruction phase services will not be required; however, the zoo desires a partnership based on a trusted relationship, always giving the greatest consideration to the zoo’s best interest. The project will utilize the AIA A102 Agreement.
(C) Contractor/CM Selection
The Contractor/Construction Manager shall be selected using “best value criteria,” in which the award is based upon a combination of qualifications and price considerations. Qualifications include competence to perform the required management services including evidence of any history of similar work; ability to manage the required workload and provide qualified personnel, equipment, and facilities; past performance as reflected by the evaluation of previous clients with respect to factors such as control of costs, quality of work, and meeting deadlines; and financial responsibility as evidenced by the capability to provide a surety bond equal to one hundred percent of the GMP sum. The Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) should address the above items, described in more detail in “D” below. In addition, the SOQ should include brief statements regarding how your firm will address the following:
Local participation. In an effort to encourage participation in the project to the benefit of those who support the zoo, the zoo will consider the firm’s place of business in, or drawing of workforce from, Summit County (or contiguous counties) as one of the selection criteria.
Sustainability. The project will not seek LEED certification. However, an important part of the zoo’s mission is the conservation of not only wildlife but of resources. The zoo will consider the proposing firm’s experience with conservation measures on other projects, and proposed measures on this one, as one of the selection criteria.
1. Selection Schedule
- Advertisement: May 4, 2026
- Pre Bid Walkthrough: May 11, 2026
- Receive Submissions: June 1, 2026
- Potential Interviews: Week of June 7th
2. Communication. Firms considering responding to this RFP are strictly prohibited from communicating with any member of the zoo’s staff, as all questions should be directed to the person identified in Section “III” herein.
3. Cancellation and Rejection. The zoo reserves the right to cancel this solicitation at any time for any reason and to reject all submissions. The zoo shall have no liability to any proposer arising out of such cancellation or rejection. The zoo reserves the right to waive minor variations in the selection process.
(D) SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Proposers are requested to submit the following information in response to this RFP, organized numerically corresponding to the list below. Brevity is encouraged. Please do not include information that does not directly address the items described above and below.
1. Business. Identify the business form of the contracting entity. If the proposed form of entity is a joint venture, please identify each venture and its respective percentage of participation. Provide a summary, on two pages or less, describing why your firm/team is the most qualified for the project.
2. Bonding/Insurance. Provide evidence of capacity to provide bonding as stated above and a copy of the firm’s certificate of insurance showing the firm’s current limits of liability for commercial general liability, employer’s liability, business automobile liability and professional liability.
3. Similar Experience. Provide descriptions of, names, addresses and telephone numbers of references for projects where your firm (or top firm principal or officer) has led or managed the construction of a project similar in scope and complexity as the project. Please note projects delivered as Construction Manager-at-Risk.
4. Personnel/Staffing. Provide a project organizational chart containing the names and titles of the proposed staff for the project. For every person listed on the chart, provide a one-page resume highlighting relevant experience and identify the phase(s) of the project to which the individual will be assigned and the percentage of that individual’s time to be devoted to the project. As part of this section, indicate in detail your local hiring plan.
5. Management Systems. Describe the record-keeping, reporting, monitoring and other information management systems that the firm would propose to use for the project. Describe the scheduling and cost control systems the firm would propose to use for the project, and the project management software that your firm uses or has experience with.
6. Self-Performed Work. Indicate whether the firm intends to self-perform any work on the project, and if so, the nature of the work and the capability to self-perform.
7. Pricing Proposal. Include a divisional breakdown of your GMP estimate, including the proposed fee (as a percentage of construction costs). Include proposed maximum mark-ups on any change order work for 1) direct self-performed work, 2) subcontracted work, and 3) subcontractors' work – self-performed and sub-subcontracted. Include any subcontractors you intend to utilize for each division of work.
8. Safety. Describe the firm’s safety program and history to ensure safe working conditions for workers and the surrounding public.
9. Schedule. Provide a schedule reflecting the firm’s proposed plan to complete the work.
10. Other Considerations. Describe the firm’s willingness to accept liquidated damages and experience with such provisions on other similar projects.
(E) INSTRUCTIONS FOR DELIVERY AND DEADLINE
1. Three (3) copies of the submission and one (1) electronic copy must be submitted in sealed envelopes clearly marked “Proposal for Construction Services for the Venom Project” and delivered to:
Savannah Patterson, Capital Projects Administrator
c/o Akron Zoological Park
505 Euclid Avenue
Akron, OH 44307
2. Questions must be in writing and directed to Savannah Patterson, Akron Zoological Park, Capital Projects Administrator, email address at s.patterson@akronzoo.org. The cut-off date for all questions is 12:00 p.m. local time on Friday, May 15th, 2026. Answers to all questions shall be in writing and shall be sent to all firms that have received this RFP.
3. Submissions must be received at the address listed above (Akron Zoo Welcome Center Reception office) by 12:00 p.m. local time on Monday, June 1st, 2026.
4. Bid Documents can be obtained starting at 3:00 p.m. local time on Monday, May 4, 2026 from SE Blueprint using this link.