Pier 26 Estuarine Research and Education Center

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1 REQUESTS FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST Pier 26 Estuarine Research and Education Center Issued by: Hudson River Park Trust in association with NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and NYS Department of State Release date: April 18, 2014 Submission due date: July 18, 2014

2 Dear Colleagues, We are thrilled to invite you to participate in this distinctive opportunity to create and operate a research and education center at Hudson River Park's Pier 26 in the Tribeca neighborhood of Manhattan. Hudson River Park would not exist today were it not for the vital role it plays in protecting nearly 400 acres of critical estuarine habitat. Fifteen years ago, a coalition of respected environmental organizations urged the Governor and Mayor to support the creation of the Park as a means to protect this irreplaceable natural resource. As a result of their efforts, the New York State Legislature set forth a blue print for the Park which officially designated the Park waters as an Estuarine Sanctuary - the only urban sanctuary waters in New York State and called upon the Hudson River Park Trust (Trust) and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) to protect it. Since that time, the Trust, NYSDEC, the NYS Department of State (NYSDOS) and others have been planning for the creation of an Estuarium - a place where everything from high level research to citizen science can be combined to promote the protection of and awareness of the Park s 400-acre Estuarine Sanctuary and surrounding water system. With nearly $10 million now secured for the design and construction of the Estuarium building, the time has come to seek out an organizational partner with enough inspiration and capacity to convert the Estuarium vision into reality. Without a doubt, what makes this opportunity so unique and also so prized is the facility s planned location. Pier 26 provides the ideal combination of access and exposure. With millions of people living, working and attending schools in lower Manhattan, the site also provides limitless exposure, providing key stakeholders a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to showcase their work and engage and educate millions of park users. With the right partner organization at the helm, the Estuarium will attract national and even global attention. We encourage visionary institutions, either alone or in consortium with each other, to propose an implementation plan that strengthens their own organizational missions while also achieving the Park s overarching goal of facilitating a deeper understanding of its Estuarine Sanctuary. The possibilities to combine rigorous field research and compelling environmental education at this site are nearly boundless. We look forward to receiving your proposals, Madelyn Wils Joe Martens Cesar A. Perales President & CEO Commissioner Secretary of State Hudson River Park Trust New York State Department New York State of Environmental Conservation Department of State

3 SUMMARY OF OPPORTUNITY The Hudson River Park Trust (Trust), a New York State public benefit corporation responsible for developing, operating and maintaining Hudson River Park and its 400 acres of dedicated Estuarine Sanctuary, in coordination with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) and the NYS Department of State (NYSDOS), is seeking proposals from organizations to establish and operate the Estuarium, a center for research, education and public discovery at Hudson River Park s Pier 26 in Manhattan, New York. As envisioned, the Estuarium would combine compelling research, educational programming and engaging displays to increase scientific and public understanding necessary for effective management, stewardship and protection of the Hudson River Estuary and surrounding water system. Science and outreach about climate change, sustainability and other related concepts about the broader environment are consistent with this vision. The Pier 26 site is positioned within the lower Hudson River Estuary and offers direct water access. It is situated within a newly built segment of the Park at N. Moore and West Street (Route 9A) in Manhattan s quickly growing Tribeca neighborhood. With a steady flow of millions of people utilizing the Park s walkway and adjacent bikepath, this highly visible and accessible location will provide a one-of-a-kind opportunity for scientists and educators to inform and engage the public about their work. The Trust currently has access to approximately $10 million in dedicated funds for design and construction of the Estuarium building. It is expected that these funds would be applied to the design and construction of a core and shell facility structure, though respondents may suggest alternatives as part of their proposals. The Trust will work in partnership with the selected respondent to develop design drawings and schematics for the core and shell structure. 2

4 ABOUT HUDSON RIVER PARK Hudson River Park is a four mile, 550-acre waterfront park extending from Battery Place to 59th Street along Manhattan s West Side. It is one of the most heavily visited open spaces in New York City, attracting 17 million visits annually. The Park s construction began in 2000 and is now 70% complete. It includes 13 reconstructed piers, ball fields, boathouses, a waterfront esplanade and many landscaped green spaces throughout. The Park was created through the New York State Legislature s enactment of the Hudson River Park Act (Act), a major milestone in the more than 20- year effort to reshape the Hudson River waterfront and reconnect Manhattan neighborhoods to the New York Harbor. The Act created the Trust, a joint City/State entity charged with designing, constructing and maintaining Hudson River Park. The Trust s 13 member Board of Directors consists of five members appointed by the Governor, five by the Mayor and three by the Manhattan Borough President. While capital construction of the Park has been funded primarily with public monies, Hudson River Park, unlike other public parks, does not receive any operating revenue from the City or State of New York. Rather, the Park generates 100% of its annual operating budget privately through rents, fees and private donations. The neighborhoods bordering the Park Lower Manhattan, Tribeca, Greenwich Village, Chelsea and Clinton have the least amount of open space in all of New York City, and the Park has become the beloved backyard play space for children, dog lovers and sports enthusiasts as a result. At the same time, the Park also serves regional visitors from Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten Island, as well as New Jersey and beyond. Through extensive public programming and by providing beautiful, safe open space and access to the water, Hudson River Park has become an integral part of so many New Yorkers daily lives. Hudson River Park is also the venue for the largest free boating program in New York City. Four non-motorized boathouses provide the public with ways to engage with the water directly while learning to kayak, row or sail. Other recreational opportunities include free learn-to-bike classes, the United States busiest bikeway, tennis courts and soccer fields used by 400,000 visitors annually, and numerous designated fishing spots. 3

5 ABOUT HUDSON RIVER PARK S ESTUARINE SANCTUARY Hudson River Park s environmental mission is unique among New York City parks. Unlike other urban redevelopment projects, the Act infused an environmental purpose into nearly every aspect of the Park s planning, design, construction and operation. At the forefront of this effort was the designation of the Park s 400 water acres as an Estuarine Sanctuary - the only legislatively-designated urban estuarine sanctuary in New York State. The Hudson River Estuary is one of the most significant estuarine habitats in the United States. With more than 70 fish species reported in the Lower Hudson River Estuary alone, its aquatic habitat is a diverse ecosystem of regional ecological importance. The Park s Estuarine Sanctuary designation acknowledges the importance of this estuarine ecosystem and the need to provide for public access and management opportunities within the Park s water areas in a manner that promotes and preserves the Estuarine Sanctuary s natural habitat and resources. To this end, the Trust prepared the Hudson River Park Estuarine Sanctuary Management Plan (ESMP) in consultation with NYSDEC. The ESMP guidance document sets forth management policies for the Estuarine Sanctuary with respect to resource protection, public access and recreation, environmental education and research. As set forth in the ESMP, the river and the ecological abundance it supports inform virtually every aspect of the Trust s planning and operations from how to communicate the river s vital ecological role to everyone from school children to the general public, to how to protect this precious resource, and how to make the experience of water as direct as possible for the millions of visitors to Hudson River Park every year. NYSDEC has critical management responsibilities for the Hudson River Estuary, with additional emphasis on Hudson River Park s Estuarine Sanctuary. The NYSDEC Region 2 office is a key regulator in the lower estuary and also co-manages implementation of the ESMP. NYSDEC also coordinates the Hudson River Estuary Program (the Estuary Program) which protects and improves the Hudson River and its watershed guided by a publicly vetted Action Agenda. The Estuary Program includes among its stated goals, to create a coordinated network of sites along the Hudson River Estuary dedicated to estuarine education and research, and to facilitate the development of a network of teachers, educators, and scientists dedicated to using these sites. Perhaps because of its unique estuarine ecosystem, or because of the numerous anthropogenic influences on that ecosystem, Manhattan s Hudson River waterfront has been the subject of numerous scientific investigations and research initiatives. The Trust has encouraged the work of a number of public and private 4

6 institutions to engage in such research within Park boundaries, including: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Army Corps of Engineers, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, New York City Department of Environmental Protection, Cornell University, Rutgers University, Stevens Institute of Technology, Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory, The River Project and The Hudson River Foundation. Most recently, the Trust has collaborated with research faculty at Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory and Stevens Institute of Technology on the installation of a real-time water quality and meteorological monitoring station. Data from this station has been incorporated into the river-wide monitoring network organized through NYSDEC and a consortium of partners called the Hudson River Environmental Conditions Observation System. Planning and design documents for the Park have long provided for the creation of a science and education facility at Pier 26. Years before the Park was formally designated, the former Pier 26 structure hosted a community-based marine science field station established by The River Project. While The River Project s facility was relocated to Pier 40 to enable reconstruction of Pier 26 as a public park, its mission and goals remain as an inspiration for a new, larger scale science and education center. 5

7 ABOUT THE PIER 26 SITE Pier 26 is located at the far west end of N. Moore Street in Tribeca and is accessible by automobile, subway, bus or bicycle. The Tribeca section of Hudson River Park extends 1.5 miles from Canal Street to Chambers Street and includes Piers 25 and 26, as well as ten acres of open land and seven acres of recreational amenities to date. This section of the Park has received several awards for innovative and sustainable landscape design, including an inaugural award from the National Parks Service s Designing the Parks Awards for Site Design by Mathews Nielsen. The design team also received an award from the American Society of Landscape Architects, New Jersey Chapter. Currently nearing completion in this area is a new non-motorized boathouse/restaurant building on the eastern end of Pier 26 which is expected to open in The recently reconstructed Pier 26 marine structure measures 841 feet in length and feet in width. An adjacent over-water platform measures approximately 203 in length and 54 feet in width. Pier 26 is designed for 350 pounds/square foot (psf) including 100 psf required for people and vehicles. The pier was not designed for the requirements of any particular building. Some additional pile work could be required depending on the building s program and design. While the marine structure of Pier 26 has been recently reconstructed, the pier deck itself, west of the new boathouse/restaurant space, remains in an unfinished state. For example, it does not have a finished deck, landscaping or utilities. At present, there are no design plans or financing in place for this unfinished portion of Pier 26. It is anticipated that the pier deck will remain in an unfinished state with intermittent programming until funding becomes available. The Trust will retain responsibility for advancing the design and construction of the remainder of the pier deck, including coordination of the proposed Estuarium center in partnership with the selected operator. The reconstructed pier has timber and Yokohama fendering sufficient to dock two 100 steel vessels, one 200 vessel or some combination of smaller vessels. The pier design includes a pumpout pit and electrical hookups for multiple vessels. There is a launch for kayaks and other non-motorized boats. The Act prohibits fill and dredging in Park waters except for navigational purposes. Bathymetric studies from 2012 showed that at Mean Low Water, depths along the north side of Pier 26 ranged from 9 feet near the bulkhead to up to 15 feet at the western end of the pier. A schematic drawing of the site is attached as Appendix 2. Additional photos of the Pier 26 site are attached as Appendix 3. 6

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9 PROJECT GOALS AND LIMITATIONS This RFEI seeks an entity to operate the Estuarium. The overall objective in establishing the Estuarium at Pier 26 is to provide a setting for research, education and public discovery that will contribute to the increased knowledge and understanding of the Hudson River Estuary and surrounding water system as well as our broader environment. The overarching vision for the facility is outlined in the Vision Statement found in Appendix 1. In summary, the key goals include: - The Estuarium should have a primary scientific focus on the Hudson River Estuary and its surrounding water system. Natural science and environmental policy topics focusing on the broader environment, such as climate change, sustainability, renewable energy and nonpoint-source pollution have a significant impact upon the estuarine system and would also be deemed appropriate and relevant additional programmatic topics. - The Estuarium should integrate its science and research activities with an education and outreach mission aimed at reaching a diverse audience including both the general public including walk-in visitors and organized school and other groups. Respondents could achieve this goal in a number of different ways. An important component for engaging both casual and organized visitors is providing internal (and possibly external) space dedicated to relevant and topical displays and exhibits, perhaps including the presentation of live estuarine species in a small aquarium-like setting. Some examples of additional methods to engage the public include but are not limited to: hosting public programming, lectures and demonstrations; and operating an open research space that allows the public to learn from and interact with science professionals while they are engaging in their work. - The Estuarium should be operationally self-sufficient. It should have its own operating budget and longterm plan for acquiring the funds necessary to meet its operational funding needs on an ongoing basis. The operator of the facility will be expected to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Trust and with NYSDEC to assure that the project goals are continually being met. Submissions can be creative in proposing a combination of specific programmatic elements for the Estuarium that address the respondent s organizational needs and mission while also achieving the above-stated goals. Partnership and collaboration among organizations is welcome but not required. 8

10 FACILITY DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION PARAMETERS The Estuarium s footprint (enclosed portion only) is capped by the Act at approximately 10,000-12,000 square feet. With a maximum height limit of two stories, the indoor facility could be up to approximately 20,000-24,000 square feet in total. Please note that while the overall enclosed footprint is restricted, respondents may wish to propose concepts for use of semi-enclosed, publicly accessible areas on the balance of the pier such as shade structures and outdoor work spaces that could allow for additional programmatic space; the Trust will consider such requests as part of the design process for the remainder of Pier 26. The Estuarium is on a pier which is subject to coastal weather. Designs should consider and incorporate features which minimize the impact from coastal storms. Currently, the Trust has access to approximately $10 million in dedicated funds for the design and construction of the Estuarium, which the trust estimates is sufficient to build a modest one-story structure. It is expected that these funds would be applied to the design and construction of a core and shell facility structure, though respondents may wish to propose alternatives as part of their proposals. Respondents are encouraged but not required to propose additional funds for design and construction of the Estuarium with the understanding that the Trust does not have access to such funding. If respondent plans to propose programming for the Estuarium that would require constructing a core and shell facility that would cost in excess of $10 million, respondent should identify its plan for obtaining the additional capital construction funds. The Trust will work in partnership with the selected respondent to develop design schematics and drawings for the core and shell structure. The selected respondent will be responsible for outfitting the structure s interior space and associated programmatic fixtures in accordance with the agreed upon uses and program for the space. LEASE CONSIDERATIONS Pending a successful lease negotiation with the selected respondent and the satisfaction of all necessary review and approval processes, the Trust may, consistent with the Act, offer a lease arrangement for the Estuarium of up to 30 years. While the Trust is generally looking for proposals which contemplate such a long-term arrangement, respondents can propose a shorter operational term if desired. Lease review and approval processes include but are not limited to approval of the selected proposal and lease by the Trust s Board of Directors. Any lease term in excess of 10 years is considered a significant action under the Act and as such must undergo a public hearing and review process. In addition, while the concept of a research and education facility at Pier 26 is contemplated in the Park s overall Final Environmental Impact Statement dated May, 1998, it is possible that additional public approvals may be required depending upon the type of physical facility and program planned. 9

11 CONSORTIUMS Partnerships and other types of consortium arrangements for the operation, management and funding of the Estuarium are encouraged. In the event an association of entities is proposed to operate the facility, a single entity must be identified as the lead organization for purposes of the selection process and eventual lease. SUBMISSION CONTENT AND PROCESS SUBMISSION CONTENT 1. Identification of Project Team. Proposal should provide identifying information about respondent s organization and all other organizations that make up the development team. Please designate the Proposal s primary point of contact and include that person s name, address, phone number and address. 2. Qualifications and Statement of Organizational Capacity. Please provide team qualifications and experience. Such information should include but is not limited to: a description of respondent s relevant project experience indicating organizational and financial capacity to establish, outfit and operate a scientific research and public outreach facility; and a description of respondent s currently funded scientific research and public outreach initiatives. 3. Description of Proposed Organizational Framework for the Project. Please describe the proposed organizational framework for the Estuarium including all known project partners. If your proposal anticipates having multiple organizations involved in operating the facility, please clearly identify the lead organization and describe how operations would be coordinated between entities. Proposals should provide preliminary details about the Estuarium s day-to-day operations. Ideally, the facility should remain open year-round and have the capacity to accommodate both weekday and weekend visitors, though respondents could consider reduced public hours in the winter if necessary. Respondents should indicate the number and experience of the staff they plan to commit to the project and what percentage of their time if relevant. Respondents should also state their willingness to collaborate with additional programming partners. Such programming partners could include the Trust and NYSDEC, both of whom conduct educational programming and maintain critical management responsibilities over the Park s Estuarine Sanctuary. Additional programming partners could also include local environmental and educational partners such as The River Project or nearby schools. 4. Detailed Narrative of Programmatic Elements. Please provide a detailed narrative describing the programmatic elements of your proposal. Proposal narrative should include a detailed description of 10

12 research, outreach, education and exhibit initiatives and activities proposed for the Estuarium, including the extent to which exhibits with live estuarine species could be accommodated. 5. Proposed Physical Layout of the Facility. The Trust will work with selected respondent on the overall design and construction of the Estuarium building to ensure the structure is consistent with both the overall design plan for Pier 26 as well as park-wide Design Guidelines. Nevertheless, respondents should propose an initial concept for the anticipated facility, including preliminary concepts for scale and design elements considered essential to achieve its proposed programming. This description should include an estimation of proposed allocation between research space versus public education and public exhibits. If ancillary pier areas are considered essential or optimal for particular programming concepts, please identify and describe. If the respondent anticipates designing and building a structure that would exceed the currently available $10 million, respondent should identify its strategy and capacity for securing the requisite funding. 6. Proposed Operational Budget. Proposal should identify respondent s financial capacity to outfit and operate the Estuarium. Please provide a detailed description of the estimated yearly operational budget needed to achieve your proposed programmatic elements, as well as a supplemental budget outlining the estimated costs of fitting out and equipping the facility for the proposed programming (e.g., furniture, equipment, aquaria, technology, etc.) Respondent should also indicate its organizational (or partnership s) ability to meet this yearly operational budget for the duration of the proposed term. Please distinguish between currently available operational funds and anticipated future funding sources, such as grants, endowments, or other means. 7. Project Schedule. Proposal should include a proposed timeline for advancing construction of the facility based on respondent s readiness to assume subsequent operations, recognizing that the Trust will be responsible for implementing all core and shell construction. Please indicate whether proposal anticipates a phase-in period for any programmatic elements. SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS 1. Five (5) hard copies and an electronic copy of your proposal must be submitted by 5:00 pm on Friday, July 18, Hard copies should be delivered to: Hudson River Park Trust Pier 40 2 nd Floor 353 West Street New York, NY Attn: Nicolette Witcher, Vice President of Environment & Education 11

13 For submittal of hard copies, please mark each copy of your submission with RFEI Proposal for Pier 26 Estuarium. Please place all submittals in a sealed envelope or other container. Mark the sealed envelope/container with RFEI Proposal for Pier 26 Estuarium and the name of the development team. 3. You must also provide a copy of your proposal electronically in PDF form to Pier26rfei@hrpt.ny.gov. All electronic submissions should request confirmation of receipt by the Trust. 4. Respondents may, by prearrangement, submit electronically only prior to deadline and deliver hard copies within 24 hours thereafter. Contact Pier26rfei@hrpt.ny.gov to request such a submission. 5. If you have a physical disability and cannot deliver your hard copy application to Pier 40, please contact Pier26rfei@hrpt.ny.gov at least 48 hours prior to the deadline and special arrangements will be made for you. SITE INSPECTIONS The Pier 26 site area is publicly viewable for inspection by walking along Hudson River Park s Pier 25 and looking north. Tours of the Pier 26 site may be conducted on a periodic basis depending upon the number and timing of inquiries. To schedule a site visit, please contact Pier26rfei@hrpt.ny.gov. Interested respondents are advised to request site visits as early in the process as practical via and they will be contacted via return with the date and time of the next tour. QUESTIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS All questions regarding this solicitation should be directed to the designated contact person for this solicitation, Nicolette Witcher, Vice President of Environment & Education at Hudson River Park Trust, at Pier26rfei@hrpt.ny.gov. Please do not telephone or contact any other staff or board member regarding this solicitation. Answers to questions (without identifying the name of the inquiring party), and any technical addenda issued in connection to this RFEI, will be posted on the Trust s web site at and available to all. Such postings will be deemed incorporated into this RFEI. Respondents are solely responsible for monitoring the Trust s website for all such postings. Thursday, July 3, 2014 is the last date to submit questions. 12

14 EVALUATION CRITERIA AND PROCESS A review panel including Trust, NYSDEC and NYSDOS staff will screen all proposals to ensure that they meet the requirements of this RFEI. Proposals will be evaluated on the respondent s demonstrated ability to implement both the program and the administration of a facility of this nature. Respondents are encouraged to submit collaborative proposals involving more than one institution; however, the principal responsible entity must be identified, and the roles of partners and their qualifications for that role must be clearly defined. The review team will evaluate the proposals based upon the following criteria (100 points total): 1. Objectives (0-20 points) To what degree does the proposal adhere to the stated goals and objectives expressed in the RFEI and Estuarium Vision Statement (Appendix 1)? 2. Performance Capability and Experience (0-20 points) How qualified is the respondent to accomplish the proposed project given its experience, qualifications, financial capacity, existing facilities and resources. Number and experience of staff assigned to operate the Estuarium? Is there assurance that the qualified people identified in the proposal will be assigned to this project? Does respondent have experience administering a facility of this nature? Are relationships with any proposed collaborating entities clearly defined? 3. Program Design (0-15 points) Is the description of program elements and organizational framework clear and well-defined? Are the anticipated program results realistic? To what degree do the proposed programs accomplish the respondent s stated objectives and vision? 4. Preliminary Facility Design (0-10 points) Are the respondent s goals and ideas for the facility compatible with the surrounding pier, Estuarine Sanctuary and Park? Will they enhance Trust and community objectives balancing quality programming and public open space? Will the project design accommodate the varied program objectives of the facility? Will the project use appropriate design for storm surge and flooding resilience? Will the project incorporate interactive public exhibits, such as aquaria of local organisms, at an appropriate scale? Does the project team have relevant design experience? 5. Appropriate and Cost-Effective Budget (0-15 points) Is the proposed budget reasonable to accomplish objectives? Is the justification in explaining the need for resources for this project adequate? Does the project make cost-effective use of existing programs and resources? To what degree does the project leverage funds from other organizations or provide matching funds? 13

15 6. Funding Commitments (0-15 points) To what degree are promises of financial commitments provided for start-up construction as necessary and operations? Does the applicant demonstrate financial capacity such that financial commitments can be counted upon? Does the applicant have a history of successful and sustainable fund-raising at the scale needed for this project? 7. Timeline and Project Schedule (0-5 points) How quickly can the applicant implement the project? Is the timeline realistic? GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS 1. The Trust may, in its sole discretion, elect to accept responses after the submission deadline. It is anticipated that the Trust may require interviews with one or more of the respondents. The Trust may elect to conditionally select a submission or submissions within 180 days after the submission deadline, should such submission(s), in the Trust s sole discretion, satisfy all of the criteria listed. Each submission thereof shall be considered an open firm offer for said period or any extension of said period up to 30 days. The timing of the selection may differ depending upon the degree to which further information on individual submissions may be required or other factors that the Trust may consider pertinent. Incomplete or non-responsive proposals may, in the Trust s sole discretion, be immediately eliminated from consideration. 2. The Trust reserves the right to change the submission date, postpone or cancel this RFEI or reject all proposals, if in its judgment it deems it to be in the best interest of the Trust to do so. 3. Where it is found that certain proposals set forth programmatic elements that appear to complement each other, the Trust may, in its sole discretion, invite particular respondents to work together on a combined proposal for the project. 4. All RFEI submission materials become the property of the Trust. The Trust shall not be liable for any costs incurred by respondents in the preparation of proposals or for any work performed in connection therein. 5. The Trust is subject to the New York State Freedom of Information Law ( FOIL ), which governs the process for the public disclosure of certain records maintained by Trust. (See Public Officers Law, Sections 87 and 89.) Proposal submission material will generally be made available for inspection and copying upon written request, except when exempted from disclosure under the FOIL. Respondent may request that the Trust exempt all or part of its proposal from public disclosure in accordance with one or more of the exemptions set forth in Section

16 6. State Finance Law Sections 139-j and 139-k apply to this solicitation. This law (1) governs permissible communications between potential respondents and the Trust or other involved governmental entities with respect to this solicitation during the procurement process; (2) provides for increased disclosure in the public procurement process through identification of persons or organizations whose function is to influence procurement contracts; and (3) establishes sanctions for knowing and willful violations. Compliance with this law requires that (1) all communications regarding this solicitation, from the issuance of this solicitation through final award and approval of any resulting contract be conducted only with the designated the contact person(s); (2) the completion by respondents of the Disclosure of Prior Non-Responsibility Determinations Form and the Affirmation of Understanding of an Agreement pursuant to State Finance Law Form, copies of which are attached to this solicitation as Exhibit E and are also available on the Trust s website at and (3) periodic updating of such forms during the term of any contract resulting from this solicitation. A copy of the Hudson River Park Trust s Procurement Lobbying Guidelines is available online at the Trust s website: All potential respondents are solely responsible for full compliance with this law. Neither this summary nor the referenced Guidelines is a complete presentation of State Finance Law Sections 139-j and 139-k. Please refer to NYS Office of General Services for full regulations. Respondents are responsible for submitting completed Procurement Lobbying forms with their RFEI proposals. These forms should be downloaded from the Hudson River Park - Bids and Business Opportunities webpage. 7. The successful respondent may be required to complete and submit both a VENDEX Questionnaire and a New York State Contracting Questionnaire. For more information on vendor responsibility requirements visit (NYC Vendor Responsibility Requirements) and (NYS Vendor Responsibility Requirements). Only selected respondent will be required to complete these forms. 15

17 APPENDIX 1 Vision Statement for an Estuarium on Pier 26, Hudson River Park, Manhattan A. Vision Statement The Estuarium on Pier 26 should be designed and programmed to engage a diverse audience through the integration of rigorous research, field collection of data and compelling education in order to build on the scientific and public understanding necessary for effective management, stewardship and protection of the Hudson River Estuary and surrounding water system. B. General Operating Considerations 1. Facility must serve diverse groups. In addition to serving researchers and their vessels, the facility should incorporate both weekday programs for structured groups such as school and community groups, and weekend programming for walk-ins from the nearby park esplanade and other visitors from all five boroughs and beyond. 2. Programming and exhibits must reflect the dynamic setting of the Pier 26 site. Programming should be informed by accurate, up-to-date research, while scientific information should be presented using effective educational pedagogy. Exhibits and displays should be routinely updated or replaced to reflect current themes and issues. 3. Estuarium programming should foster improved river stewardship. Through research, education and conservation activities, the Estuarium should contribute to improved stewardship of the Hudson River Park Estuarine Sanctuary and surrounding waters. In light of recent experiences with extreme weather and storms, operators of the facility are encouraged to include some emphasis on the issue of sea level rise, climate change and the interaction of coastal ecosystems with human communities in the context of predicted change. C. Functions of the Estuarium 1. Marine and Estuarine Research & Data Collection Examples of this function could include: Providing a facility and setting to support rigorous scientific research and data collection that will inform management of the Estuarine Sanctuary and surrounding water system, including study of the effects of sea level rise and climate change. Providing a platform for the deployment of remote sensing instrumentation, and for the management and distribution of retrieved data. Integrating research with education in a manner that allows the public to interact with scientists and more fully appreciate the scope, process and value of their work. Facilitating use of the Estuarium as a research field station serving many scientific institutions either through onsite visits or remote transmission of data. Supporting visiting research vessels and scientists conducting field work in the New York Harbor. 16

18 Creating collaborative research opportunities. Through education programming, assisting scientist in communicating their findings and knowledge to the public, as required by the National Science Foundation and other donors. Facilitating citizen science projects that contribute to research. 2. Education Programs About the Estuarine Environment Examples of this function could include: Providing high quality experiences to inform the public about the estuarine waters and living resources of the Hudson River Estuary and the Sanctuary in particular. Designing formal, structured programs for school classes, with special emphasis on grades K-12 (following local and state learning standards), college courses, organized group visits and the interested public (lectures, for example). Providing for access to the water from Pier 26 for supervised groups, using floating docks and getdowns. Providing informal education experiences for walk-in visitors. Designing education offerings that link to and provide insight into ongoing research at the facility. 3. Engagement through Exhibits/Displays Examples of this function could include: Professionally designed and produced educational exhibits to capture the attention of the walk-in visitor, including aquaria and touch tanks of Hudson River organisms. Material focusing on the Estuarine Sanctuary s ecology and relationship to the larger Hudson-New York Harbor Estuary and its watershed. 17

19 APPENDIX 2 Pier 26 Schematic Drawing 18

20 APPENDIX 3 Aerial Figure view 1 Aerial of lower view Manhattan of southern with Manhattan Pier 26 in with the Pier foreground 26 in the (2011) foreground (2011) 19

21 Figure 2 - Aerial view of the Tribeca segment of Hudson River Park (2011) 20

22 Figure 3 - View of Pier 26 from Pier 25 (2013) 21

23 Figure 4 - View of restaurant/boathouse construction, eastern end of Pier 26 (2013) 22

24 Figure 5 - Aerial view of Pier 26 (2011) 23

25 Figure 6 - Pier 26 fendering system (2013) 24

26 Figure 7 - View from Pier 26 looking south (2013) 25