Long Term Master Planning Services for Orange County Sailing and Event Center (OCSEC)

The County of Orange, OC Community Resources (hereinafter referred to as “County”), is soliciting proposals from qualified firms (hereinafter referred to as “Respondents”) for Long Term Master Planning Services for Orange County Sailing and Event Center (OCSEC) . Respondents must meet the minimum qualifications and requirements as set forth within the RFP and be capable of providing services identified in the Scope of Work herein.

The proposed schedule below is subject to change. Any changes to the schedule for the RFP process will be issued to all Respondents via addenda on the County's eProcurement Portal .

This is a fully electronic Request for Proposals (RFP). Respondents must submit their proposals online via the County’s online bidding system. Only electronic proposals will be accepted. Facsimile and e-mail proposals will NOT be allowed. For assistance on uploading proposals via County’s eProcurement Portal, please contact procurement-support@opengov.com or https://help.procurement.opengov.com/en/

All questions or requests for interpretations must be received within this solicitation by Thursday, December 4, 2025 , before 2:00 pm as specified in the solicitation. Respondents are not to contact other County personnel with any questions or clarifications concerning this solicitation.

Widely renowned as a waterman’s paradise, Dana Point Harbor offers a unique opportunity in south Orange County to enjoy ocean recreation activities such as sailing, power boating, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding. As the only public watercraft-focused facility in the harbor, the OC Sailing & Event Center (OCSEC) was established in 1985 with the express purpose of providing affordable public access to these experiences. For four decades, OCSEC has served the community with low-cost recreational programs and has been managed by OC Parks since 2017 as part of its 60,000-acre portfolio of public open spaces.

Dana Point Harbor is now undergoing a major revitalization that will significantly enhance the harbor’s capacity, quality, and appeal. A central feature of this effort is a comprehensive walkway system that will connect the Dana Headlands to Doheny State Beach, strengthening pedestrian access throughout the harbor and directly improving OCSEC’s connection to the wider waterfront.

This moment of transformation presents a unique and timely opportunity to reimagine OCSEC’s role as a premier public facility dedicated to sailing and watercraft-based recreation. In order to bring the facility to its full potential, this phase will focus on gathering public input to ensure the center reflects the community’s aspirations and needs. This process will also include engaging with local organizations and community groups to better serve their programming and space requirements. By expanding its offerings, strengthening its connections to the harbor and the broader community, and ensuring it remains an inclusive and vibrant destination, OCSEC can continue to enrich lives and foster a deep connection to the water for generations to come.

The project focuses on the OC Sailing & Event Center (OCSEC) campus, including the area currently occupied by the Cove Room, Pilot House, and Boat House, picnic areas, vehicular and pedestrian entrances/access, and parking areas (the project area excludes the existing docks) as shown in Attachment B. An inventory of existing conditions, descriptions of user groups, and identification of needed improvements has been documented in the Orange County Sailing and Events Center Interim Space Management Plan, completed in March 2025 (see Attachment C).

The project will begin with a feasibility analysis to define the possibilities for maximizing the site and identifying the process to completion based on the level of proposed expansion. A robust public outreach effort will be conducted to identify the needs of the current users and public. Current user groups at OCSEC include both non-profit and for-profit organizations focused on water-oriented recreational activities, as well as general community organizations.

Building on this foundation, the project will develop a range of conceptual alternatives for the OCSEC campus, exploring options from complete replacement of existing structures to major renovations. These concepts will be informed by public feedback, the needs of user groups, and a realistic assessment of opportunities to enhance the site. Renderings will illustrate the potential of the site (note: detailed floor plans and elevations are not to be included at this stage). For each concept, an analysis of revenue generation potential will be prepared, estimating leasable space, current market rates based on comparable local facilities, and the potential for offsetting operational expenses.

The culmination of this effort will result in a fully vetted, community-informed vision that not only honors OCSEC’s longstanding role as a hub for water-based recreation but also reimagines its future potential. The Visioning Plan will serve as a clear, actionable roadmap, aligning design possibilities with public needs, operational sustainability, and regulatory considerations. With consensus around a preferred alternative and a solid foundation of analysis and outreach, the project will be poised to move seamlessly into preliminary architectural and engineering design, setting the stage for transforming OCSEC into a vibrant, inclusive, and modernized waterfront destination.