Environmental Center Exhibit Fabrication RFP

Wolf Tree Design

Norrie Point Environmental Education Center, Main Exhibit Room 

Request for Proposals for Exhibit Design, Fabrication, and Installation

1. Overview and Project Background

1.1 Overview

Norrie Point Environmental Center (NPEC) is a unique site situated within Mills-Norrie State Park in Staatsburg, NY. Its picturesque location directly on the eastern bank of the Hudson River offers stunning riverfront views and prime access to the river for research and recreation.

The building, owned by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation (OPRHP), is a historic landmark that was constructed in 1936 for use as a restaurant. It now consists of conference rooms, a classroom, a dedicated exhibit space, a large outdoor patio with direct access to the river, and staff offices. 

Norrie Point was designated as a research reserve site in 1982 as a partnership between the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA). This partnership is known as the Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve (HRNERR). Norrie Point is the home base and research hub for four federally designated wetlands within the Hudson River Estuary Watershed. These four sites (Tivoli Bays, Stockport Flats, Iona Island, and Piermont Marsh) span over 100 miles of the Hudson River between New York City and the Catskills, and include tidal freshwater, intertidal marsh, brackish habitats, and bedrock islands.

Research addresses pressing coastal management issues, including climate change, in order to inform decision-makers on best practices for sustaining resilient habitats. The Reserve provides opportunities for community members to engage in stewardship and fosters an understanding among Hudson Valley residents about the connections between water, land, and people.

1.2 Project Background

In late 2019, Wolf Tree Design was hired to develop an interpretive plan (Appendix A, Interpretive Plan) to update Norrie Point’s interior and exterior exhibits. The team leads of the Norrie Point exhibit project include: Chris Bowser, Rebecca Houser, and Maija Niemisto. After an extended hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the final interpretive plan was completed and ready for implementation in January 2021, at which point staff began in-house work on several smaller areas of the interior space. These spaces radiate from the main room and include the entry, entry hallway, the vestibule of an alternative entrance, and adjoining rooms. Signage was designed and printed within the agency. Additionally, permanent reader rails and animal enclosures were constructed in the both main exhibit room and the auxiliary areas.

The current phase of the project focuses on the first half of the most elaborate exhibit elements in the central exhibit space. As a part of the planning process for the main area, the exhibit team spent 2023 identifying and choosing interactive content that best supported their interpretive goals. Basic artistic sketches of the proposed interactive elements can be found in Appendix B, Exhibit Drawings. Emily Marcet, Senior Interpretive Planner at Wolf Tree Design, is acting as project manager for the 2024-2025 phase. The firm chosen for this fabrication and installation phase may continue into the second half of exhibits to be developed by the internal team in later 2024 without submitting additional proposals, though it is not guaranteed. Installation of the second half is anticipated for 2025-2026.

2. Exhibit Concept

The theme of the interior exhibits at Norrie Point is as follows: “Scientific research, environmental monitoring, and experiential education are needed to understand and protect the Hudson River Estuary Watershed and the communities it encompasses.”

Content areas are heavily student-focused for grades 6-12 and support existing Norrie Point programming initiatives. Engaging students in hands-on science even during non personal interpretive or self-guided experiences remains an important aspect of the project, as comfort with science and opening the possibility of science careers is a strong underlying goal. Because of this, the exhibit team focused primarily on media with aspects involving sensory input in order to create connections with scientific concepts.

As students move around the room, they will be introduced to researchers who focus on the content in assigned areas. The content areas have been split into the following ‘stations’:

• Watershed function (overview and human impacts)
• Climate change (local and global)
• Water quality (assessment and measurement)
• Ecotones & biodiversity mural (from forest to wetland to river)
• Core sampling (historical data and physical methods)

2.1 Watershed Function

A wall-sized magnetic maze allows users to create the journey of water as it travels through a cityscape watershed. The background would be a simplified topographic map with landmarks that users can run their hands over that allows for a tactile understanding of elevation and its relationship to the flow of water. Identified important landmarks include a reservoir, a farm, the Hudson River, a man made dam, and a tributary. 

Users will have the ability to navigate the “water” to different destinations. For example, if there is a dam in the river, users must open the dam in order to allow the water to flow. The interpretive question at this point, for example, may be, “How might a dam affect the wildlife living here?” Room should be left at each important landmark for an interpretive question or brief passage. The goal is to show how a combination of natural features and man-made structures impact the path of water in relation to the use of water by both humans and the environment.

Of special note here is that the center of the wall contains light switches for the entire room. Ideally the switches can be hidden rather than moved, but this is a parameter that needs to be considered.

2.2 Climate Change

A series of profiles that include images or graphic drawings and recorded audio will be displayed alongside the research being done by each individual. By choosing researchers or students who are working on solutions to specific climate-focused issues, we create a connection to guests showing that they, too, can participate in climate mitigation on an individual level.

Audio profiles would include a brief overview of the project described by the researcher themselves and their inspiration for their career choice. Audio should be delivered via handset that either autoplays on pickup or can be started with a button to prevent audio from competing and to maintain a quieter environment for adjacent offices. 

In addition to audio, some method of providing interpretation should be included, currently envisioned as a triangular or rectangular prism for each researcher that spins and has information on all sides, running horizontally across the wall below the main images or graphics.

2.3 Water Quality

This area includes a portion of windows that provides a sweeping view of the Hudson River, as well as a permanent reader rail and countertop. (The countertop runs the length of the entire wall, but the reader rail does not.) Because there are windows along this entire wall, there is only wall space for interpretation or graphics below waist height.

The water quality measurements that have been chosen as most relevant and frequently discussed are: salinity, turbidity, temperature, and dissolved oxygen. These measurements should be defined for deeper understanding, but more specifically, one goal is to show the relationship between these measurements (e.g. dissolved oxygen levels drop when the temperature of the water rises.)

Concentration levels as a concept should be a focus here. One way the team discussed showing levels of concentration is a horizontal spinning tube filled with different colored beads that can be used as a tangible example of ‘parts per million’. Ideally the size of this spinner is large enough to be practical, but small enough to be mounted on the reader rail. While the point is to show how small the measurement of a part per million is, the team discussed different size beads so that finding the rarer colors is not completely impossible. In addition to this tube of beads, a visual representation of concentration has also been discussed, where a series of containers have increasing levels of color to show concentration in this way as well. This could be a static visual, or enveloped in some kind of container that you slide to see the change.

To show turbidity, there should be one or two tubes or panels that can be turned upside down filled with solids and liquid. When spun or turned, the sediment mixes with the liquid and users can watch it settle. Discussion included placing a photo or graphic behind so that users can understand turbidity lowers that clarity of the water, thus impacting light levels, plant growth, and habitat conditions. These will be on the reader rail, so should be sized appropriately.

There should be an allowance for a vinyl graphic affixed to the window that discusses the weather station that can be viewed from here.

2.4 Biodiversity & Ecotones Mural

The largest wall space will be used for a mural that focuses on biodiversity and ecotones. This mural will be 7.5 feet high and just under 18 feet long. The artwork for the mural does not currently exist. Please include the artwork for the mural as a separate line item in budgets, as we will also be looking for an artist and the artwork may end up being provided. 

The mural will include a handful of doors to be opened that will have written interpretation on the interior, but text on the mural itself should be restricted to possible title text.

2.5 Core Sampling

The core sampling area of the exhibit is not on a wall, but rather surrounding a column toward the center of the room. This column will need a facade surround built. The facade should include some type of cabinetry on one side with two to three fabricated core samples that can be pulled up out of the cabinet via handles on top. 

A replica core sample will be affixed to a second side of the column. This core sample includes interpretation about events during the time period for each different layer. Ideally, it’s possibly to pull out a small drawer or interpretive panel slider from the layers for this information.

The third side of the column will likely be another audio profile similar to climate change wall, and possibly real or replica coring tools for viewing.

The fourth side of the column has no interpretation planned at this time, and will not have any objects or dimensional aspects affixed to it in order to leave clearance for the path of travel.

3. Target Audiences

School Groups (Students and Teachers, Grades 6-12)

One of Norrie Point’s main audiences consists of school students from throughout the Hudson Valley (primarily middle and high school) and their teachers visiting for field trips. Exhibit elements within the environmental center should support school programs; familiarize students with science career opportunities; and inspire stewardship for the Hudson River Estuary and its unique qualities.

Mixed-Age, Self-Directed Public

Self-directed, mixed-age public visitors coming to the environmental center who are not a part of planned group programming. These could be people visiting Mills-Norrie State park for recreation; non-locals staying in the campground within the park; locals recreating near home for the day; or anyone that comes into the Environmental Center on their own, regardless of whether or not the environmental center was their destination. Often these visitors, especially those in the park for other experiences, are unaware that Norrie Point is open to the public. 

Professional Attendees at Meetings/Conferences

Several times a year, the exhibit room at Norrie Point is utilized during meetings of research, science, or education professionals. Norrie Point sees the updated exhibits in the main room as an opportunity to demonstrate high caliber and engaging science communication technique.

4. Intended Project Outcomes and Measures of Success

When complete, the Norrie Point science and research exhibits are expected to result in the following:

• Creation of a variety of engaging exhibits that will convey the importance of conservation and research of the Hudson River Estuary Watershed.
• Elevation of Norrie Point exhibits to increase accessibility and inclusivity to meet the needs of broader audiences.
• More responsiveness in exhibits to supplement existing and future curriculum where students can ‘see themselves’ in the research.
• Increase student/public sense of value and participation in research methods and stewardship opportunities.
• Exhibits are self-sufficient for visitors without additional on-site staff interpretation.

The success of the exhibit will be measured by the following:

• Effectiveness in conveying the exhibit’s learning objectives.
• Adherence to universal and accessible design best practices.

5. Project Budget

Partial funding for this project is in-hand and additional funding will become available in the next calendar year. Bidders should submit a proposal that includes up to $50,000 in calendar year 2024 with a continuation into 2025 up to another $100,000 for a project total of $150,000. Proposals over this amount will be accepted and reviewed. If deemed imperative to the quality of the exhibits and visitor experience, consideration for additional funding streams will be explored.

6. Project Scope

6.1 Scope 

A. Production of detailed shop drawings for all floor and wall mounted Exhibits as shown in Appendix B, Exhibit Drawings.

B. Fabrication and installation of floor, wall, and ceiling mounted exhibits, graphic displays, hardware, and cabinetry as shown on the Exhibit Drawings, including but not limited to: metal and wood fabrication, acrylic and HPL interpretive panels, media playback devices, sculpted scenic environments, and specimen models of the exhibits outlined in the  Drawings.

C. Production and Installation of AV/Media Materials: The AV & Media production shall include all programming and development, testing, and integration for researcher and scientist profiles. Installation of all AV materials including but not limited to setup, testing, startup, training, and documentation.

6.2 Contractor Responsibilities – Exhibits

The awarded Contractor will be responsible for the fabrication and installation of the exhibit, meeting NYS Building Code, ADA Requirements, and Universal Design best practices, including:

• Preparation of the project schedule based on the desired installation date for review and approval by Wolf Tree Design and the Norrie Point Exhibit Team.

• Create and provide shop drawings for exhibits and provide to Exhibit Designer via submittal for review and approval.

• Exhibit Fabricator shall obtain required construction inspections including structural observation,

intermediate, and final as required by this Contract.

• Provide all submittals, including product data, shop drawings, structural calculations, art proofs,

samples and warranties to the Directors Representative as indicated in technical specifications.

• Fabrication of exhibit, as per contract documents and approved shop drawings including

management of any fabrication subcontractors, if applicable. Exhibit Fabricator to provide fabrication of exhibit structures, mounting, and installation of exhibits and graphics including structural and electrical connections as applicable.

• Provide a written installation plan. Installation plan must outline the likely method of installation based on the conditions at the site.

• Provide a written maintenance plan which outlines both sustainability and maintenance requirements based on the materials required.

• Protection of installed work and existing conditions during the performance of the work.

• Removal of all construction debris from the project site.

• Closeout submittals, such as warranties, as-builts, maintenance material as per technical

specifications.

7. Proposal Requirements and How to Submit

Proposals must include the following in this order and conform to the format detailed below:

1. Summary of your firm’s background, resources, and relevant experience (max 2 pages).
2. Examples from past projects of a similar size and scope. If possible, these should include projects carried through to installation. If projects of similar size and scope have not been completed by the firm, then include examples that are felt to be the most relevant in demonstrating your firm’s ability to complete this project (maximum 5 pages).
3. Statement of firm’s design philosophy and capabilities. What arrangements have worked out best for you on past projects? In what areas of design and fabrication do you excel?  What experience does your firm have in science communication and interactive science exhibits? (maximum 3 pages).
4. References from past projects of a similar size and scope, preferably matching those projects used as examples in B (above) (1 page).
5. Proposed schedule  including project stages, milestones, and payments (maximum 2 pages).
6. Current workload. If selected as the design/fab for this project, how does it fit into your firm’s current scheduled activities? (1 page).
7. Names and resumes of key personnel that will be directly involved in the project (maximum 2 pages per person).
8. Supporting materials of the firm’s choosing (maximum 10 pages). (Not to exceed the equivalent of ten 8.5” x 11” pages if including brochures or catalogs).

Format

1. One signed original and four (4) complete copies of the proposal must be delivered to Wolf Tree Design by September 4, 2024 at 3:00pm EST.

2. The five (5) copies should be sealed in one package with the following clearly marked on the outside of the package: “Norrie Point Exhibit Proposal.”

3. All pages (which should be 8.5” x 11”) should have margins of at least 1” on all edges and should not use font smaller than 10 pt. Sheets printed on both sides will be counted as 2 pages.

4. Proposals should be collated as noted above.

5. Proposals that fail to match this format will be rejected.

8. Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be judged primarily on the submitting firm’s past success in creating engaging science exhibits on time and within budget. Preference will be given to the proposal that Wolf Tree Design feels will best help achieve the Project Outcomes and Measures of Success noted above.

9. Schedule of Deadlines and Expected Date of Award

Friday, August 9, 2024. 3:00pm EST

Firms planning to submit a proposal must email Wolf Tree Design indicating their intention to do so. This email should include the name, address, telephone, and email of the person responsible for preparing the proposal.

NOTE: All firms that have notified Wolf Tree Design of their intent to submit a proposal will be copied by email the answers to any project-related questions submitted by other firms preparing their own proposals.

Friday, August 16, 2024, 3:00pm EST

All project-related questions must be received by the Wolf Tree Design by 3pm EST.

Thursday, August 29, 2024, 3:00pm EST

Sealed proposals must be received by Wolf Tree Design by 3pm EST.

Friday, August 30, 2024

All proposals will be unsealed.

Friday, September 13, 2024

Firms selected for interviews will be contacted by this date.

Monday, September 23, 2024

Interviews of short-listed firms will begin.

Notification of the firm selected to participate in the project made by the end of September.

10. Project Personnel

Questions about project or proposal submission requirements should be addressed to:

Emily Marcet, Senior Interpretive Planner

Wolf Tree Design

44 Alfred Place

Walden, NY 12586

(814) 359.6426

Or by email to emily@wolftreedesign.com  (preferred)