'Innovation Center' Vendor/Supplier Request for Proposals

Request for Proposals
Regional Innovation Center Operational Suppliers & Vendors
 
Background:
The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut (CCEC), in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut Foundation, is opening a regional “Innovation Center” in downtown New London. The Center will be a newly-renovated entrepreneurial ecosystem, providing foundational incubator programming and office space, as well as daily co-working and meeting solutions. Amenities will include a café lounge, wellness room, two conference rooms, mail and copy room, parking, outdoor courtyard, free wi-fi and more. The Chamber is seeking vendor relationships to support the day-to-day operation of the Center. As a nonprofit membership association, we realize our community companies are the experts in their field and we invite you to visit us, learn more, and provide your proposals.
 
The commercial building is 8,333 square feet and located in an Enterprise and Opportunity Zone in downtown New London. It is within walking distance to the region’s transportation hub, including rail, bus, and ferry connections. The Center was renovated and outfitted by Carlin Construction Co. and Silver Petrucelli & Associates beginning in March 2023, with anticipated opening in summer 2023. The Chamber’s office will occupy a small portion of the building, with the remainder focused on short- and long-term small business and entrepreneur workspace options (including 10 private offices, 12 flex desks, and casual daily workspaces), as well as meeting venues for groups of 4 to 55 people.  The project has the unanimous support of both the Chamber’s and Foundation’s Boards of Directors, and contributions toward its development have come from both public and private sectors.
 
Where:
92 Eugene O’Neill Drive, New London CT 06320
Parking is available on site, or street parking on Eugene O’Neill Drive or Masonic Street.
 
When:
On Thursday, June 29, between 2:00pm and 4:00pm, interested companies can drop by the Center to see and assess the physical space, meet the leadership team to learn more about needs and expectations, and develop a proposal. Any interested parties MUST RSVP to mgilbert@chamberECT.com. Attendance is not required in order to submit a proposal. 
 
Who:
The services we are presently seeking include:

• Signage (interior and exterior)

• Real estate photography

• Janitorial cleaning services

• Landscape maintenance

• Select office & lounge furniture

• Interior décor & art

• Refreshment vending

• Marketing & advertising

• Hardware technology solutions

• HVAC maintenance

• Plumbing maintenance

• Security & surveillance systems

 
Additional Information:
If your industry/area of expertise is not included in the sought list above, please contact us at mgilbert@chamberect.com to discuss options. At this time, we are not seeking proposals for the following services: IT, ISP, legal, insurance, snow removal, waste management, or fire alarm systems.
 
We require one electronic proposal submitted to Megan Gilbert, Vice President, mgilbert@chamberECT.com no later than July 11, 5:00pm. Questions should be directed to this same contact.
 
This RFP in no way obligates CCEC to award an agreement, nor does it commit CCEC to pay any costs incurred in the preparation and submission of a proposal. CCEC will judge on the best value presented and reserves the right to award this proposal based on the initial evaluation of offers without discussions.
 
As a membership association and nonprofit organization, the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut and its Foundation will give priority preference to vendors who belong to the association in good standing. If your company is willing to contribute any amount of estimated fees in-kind, please indicate so in your proposal. All vendors must be licensed to operate in the state of Connecticut.
 
The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut will only respond to RFPs submitted by the deadline date. Responses received after this date and time shall not be accepted and shall be considered non-responsive.