INVITATION TO BID - OGWS Snow Creek Access Road

Port Townsend Destination Signage & Wayfinding Plan
The City is soliciting proposals from qualified consultants with experience in developing signage and
wayfinding standards and implementation plans. A successful consultant will work with staff and
community focus groups, assess existing wayfinding, and evaluate the visitor experience to develop a
signage and wayfinding implementation plan and standards.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
The City of Port Townsend, Washington (the "City") requests interested parties to submit proposals for the
above referenced Request for Proposals (RFP).
Background
Port Townsend is a small city on the Quimper Peninsula in Jefferson County, Washington with a population
of just over 10,000 residents. It is the county seat of, and the only incorporated city in, Jefferson County. In
addition to its natural scenery at the northeast tip of the Olympic Peninsula, the city is known for the many
Victorian buildings remaining from its late 19th-century heyday, numerous annual cultural events, and as a
maritime center for independent boatbuilders and related industries and crafts. The Port Townsend Historic
District is a U.S. National Historic Landmark District. The city is home to Fort Worden State Park, which holds
numerous cultural organizations in addition to state-managed lodging and camping. Fort Worden, along
with the city's Downtown and Uptown commercial cores, form one of Washington's 25 state-designated
Creative Districts. This designation recognizes areas whose identity and economy have a special emphasis on
the arts.
Scope of Work
The goal for this project is to develop a plan that will provide standards for signage and wayfinding, primarily
geared towards visitors to Port Townsend and highlighting tourism-related assets: business districts,
transportation, the Creative District, and welcome signage. The plan will use styling derived from the City's
Destination Brand, as well as Creative District branding, and the process will incorporate values and goals
from Port Townsend's 20-year Comprehensive Plan. Recommendations should adhere to Port Townsend's
existing sign code, with recommendations for where code updates could be made to accommodate the
evolution of wayfinding and signage in the city. The planning process should involve the Lodging Tax
Advisory Committee, its Signage and Wayfinding Subcommittee, the Equity, Access, and Rights Board,
Stakeholder Focus Groups or other open and accessible stakeholder engagement opportunities, and
relevant City staff.
At a high level, the City seeks to produce a Signage and Wayfinding Plan that includes the following:
* Assessment of existing signage and wayfinding for connectivity between commercial zones,
transportation, and visitor guidance, including Creative District demarcation
* Assessment of Destination Brand recommendations for Signage and Wayfinding (Attachment A)
* Design standards

Designs shall be easy to understand, translate, produce, install, and align with
Destination Brand
Should align with existing City branding requirements, where applicable
Standards include options to be applied city-wide
* Multi-year implementation plan including:
Hierarchy for strategic wayfinding and city-wide priority points for sign placement
Phasing of signage and wayfinding implementation
Strategy for addressing existing signage and wayfinding assets
Key deliverables timeline
* Cost estimates (reference Attachment A - Sample Task Order Form)
Below is a preliminary scope of work for the Destination Signage and Wayfinding Plan that may be modified
based on discussions with selected consultant or team. It outlines the primary tasks but is not intended to be
complete.
Objectives: Provide clear objectives and goals for destination wayfinding and signage for the City of Port
Townsend, including underlying principles and strategies for destination wayfinding and signage.
Assessment and Analysis:
* Engage advisory boards, staff, and stakeholders
* Analyze and evaluate the City of Port Townsend's existing signage and wayfinding system as it
relates to the visitor experience and points of interest.
* Compile a comprehensive inventory of current signage and wayfinding for these areas.
* Identify system gaps or inconsistencies.
* Provide analysis of opportunities for signage and wayfinding that do not currently align with sign
code.
* Provide phased recommendations for addressing deficiencies, updating or removing existing
signage, and identifying opportunities for enhancement and future improvements.
Implementation Plan: Identify and prioritize opportunities and locations for wayfinding improvements,
including recommendations for city-wide applications and integration that can be phased over time.
Design Standards
Sign Types: Develop a categorized list of sign types based on use and intent.
Welcome Signage: Provide design recommendation for new City Welcome Sign or artwork at the
Sims Way and Rainier Street Roundabout
Creative District Signage: Provide recommendation for Creative District signage to replace current
"Art Markers"
Graphics: Use existing Destination Branding for typography, color palettes, iconography, and
branding elements to ensure consistency and clarity.
Materials: Provide recommendations for durable, weather-resistant, and sustainable materials
suitable for long-term outdoor use.

Accessibility Standards: Compliance with ADA and universal design best practices, including font
size, contrast ratios, tactile elements, and placement for visibility and usability by all users.
Messaging: Include essential information requirements for each sign type, hierarchy of information,
translations based on City of Port Townsend demographics and best practices.
Cost Estimate: Provide a cost estimate for each type of sign, design, fabrication, installation,
and ongoing maintenance. Cost estimates under the contract will be authorized by
Attachment A - Sample Task Order Form.
Local regulations:
https://cityofpt.us/planning-community-development/page/signs
Term
The City intends to enter into an agreement starting winter 2026 with a mutually agreed-upon end
date, and no option for renewal.
Consultant Estimate
Based on the above-outlined scope of work, the City estimates that total costs for this project, including
community engagement, site analysis, a key deliverables timeline, not to exceed $25,000. With this
estimate, please provided an itemized cost breakdown. (Attachment A - Sample Task Order Form)
Proposed Timeline
The following table outlines the anticipated schedule for this RFP process. The City reserves the right
to modify or reschedule milestones as necessary.
Item Date
RFP Announced October 1, 2026
Proposals Due October 23, 2026
Evaluation of Proposals October 23-November 6, 2026
Interviews (optional at City discretion) November 9-13, 2026
Consultant Selected November 20, 2026
Contract Negotiation November 30 - December 4, 2026
City Council Approval (if required) December 7, 2026
Main Task Order Timeframe December 2026-March 2027
Proposal Due Date/Time
TBD. The City must receive proposals no later than said date and time.
Proposal Submittal Procedures
Please email proposals to kgoodman@cityofpt.us

Response Requirements & Format
All costs for developing a response to this RFP are the obligation of the respondent and are not
chargeable to the City. The respondent must bear all costs associated with the preparation of the
submittal and of any oral presentation requested by the City. All responses and accompanying
documentation will become property of the City and will not be returned. Proposals may be
withdrawn at any time prior to the published close date, provided notification is received in writing
to the below listed City agent(s). Proposals cannot be withdrawn after the published close date.
Proposals must include all information requested and meet all specifications and requirements
outlined in this RFP. The following submittals must be part of your proposal; if any are not included,
your proposal may be judged as non-responsive. A committee will evaluate the submitted proposals.
During the evaluation process, the City reserves the right to request additional information or
clarification from firms responding to this RFP.
A complete response will include:
1. Executive Summary & Overall Approach - Summarize your proposal and include your
firm's qualifications and contact information.
2. Methodology - Explain your approach to assisting the City in advancing its goals and priorities.
3. Describe your project management approach and methodology for completing this
project. Additionally, provide a description or vision of the anticipated final
deliverable.
4. Describe your strategy for proposed public involvement/notification.
5. Qualifications and Project Lead & Team - Identify the individual you propose to assign as lead
and all members of the project team. Include a statement of qualifications and/or resume for
each member.
6. Experience - Describe your experience leading strategic initiatives and efforts to further your
clients' goals, preferably with cities. Experience should demonstrate how you have helped further
your clients' goals and priorities.
7. References - Include a list of references, with contact information, of at least three (3) current
contracts, within the last three (3) years. Municipal references are preferred. The City reserves the
right to contact references without prior notification.
8. Cost - Provide a price estimate for the tasks identified in the Scope of Work. (Attachment A) Price
estimate may include number of hours, hourly rate of all named team members, and total cost of
each task. Any expenses that are to be included as part of your proposal must be listed as
separate line items and must include both the total anticipated expenses to be claimed and
nature of the expenses (such as: office supplies, lodging, meals, etc.).
9. Work Samples - Provide samples of documents you have produced that are similar to the
documents your firm would provide under this contract.

10. Business Name - Proposals must be made in the official name of the firm or individual under
which business is conducted (showing official business address) and must be signed by a person
duly authorized to legally bind the person, partnership, company, or corporation submitting the
proposal. A corporation must indicate place and date of incorporation.
11. Business License - Provide a statement to the effect that you understand and agree to obtain a
City of Port Townsend business license as a requirement for performing these services. If your
place of business is not located within the City limits, but you or your agents will be physically
coming into the City to conduct business, call on clients, or provide services, you will need a Port
Townsend business license.
12. Valid Time Period - Provide a statement indicating the number of calendar days the proposal
shall be valid (the City's minimum number of days is 60).
Selection and Award
All interested parties are requested to provide a response containing all required elements herein to
the City by the deadline given. A selection panel comprising voting and non-voting members of the
Lodging Tax Advisory Committee and the Committee's staff liaisons will review and evaluate all
proposals, with the intention of selecting a Consultant who provides a proposal that, in the opinion of
the City, provides the best value (receives the highest score, as determined by the evaluation criteria
listed below). If the selection panel; so chooses, respondents may be invited for an interview to
supplement their submission. This panel's decision will be approved by the City Manager before a
contract is executed.
Evaluation Criteria Weight
Proposed Fees/Cost. 50
Qualifications - show a comprehensive organizational chart (or similar 15
explanation of team member roles and responsibilities), including summaries of
key team members. Team member qualifications, particularly those of Lead
Consultant, are important.
Relevant Project Experience - demonstrate Consultant/team experience with 15
relevant projects similar in scope and size. Emphasis is placed on both the Lead
Consultant's experience and on the number of months/years the same
consultant team/staff has worked together.
Project Understanding - demonstrate project understanding, including how the 10
team plans to address challenges unique to this project.
Project Approach - develop a project-specific approach to managing and 10
delivering this project.
TOTAL 100 pts
During evaluation, the City may consider the following:

* References - history of errors and omissions via reference checks
* Quality of previous performance
* Ability to meet contract deadlines
* Staff availability for the project
* Responsiveness to solicitation requirements
* Compliance with statutes and rules relating to contracts or services
* Strength and stability of the firm
* Technical experience and strength and stability of proposed subconsultants
The City reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and to waive any irregularities or information
in the evaluation process. The final decision is at the City's sole discretion and respondents to this
request have no appeal rights or procedures guaranteed to them.
The City reserves the right to re-evaluate firms who were not originally short-listed at any time before
the determination of a finalist is made. Upon notification of an intent to award, the City reserves the
right to limit the period of contract development to thirty (30) days, after which time project award
may be rescinded. The City has the option not to award a contract at the end of this process.
Terms and Conditions
The City reserves the right to amend terms of this RFP to circulate various addenda, or to withdraw
the RFP at any time, regardless of how much time and effort firms may have spent on their responses.
Terms of the agreement are outlined in this solicitation and include the following documents, which
are incorporated herein by this reference:
* This RFP
* Attachment A, Destination Brand Style Guide and Wayfinding Recommendations
* Attachment B, Professional Services Agreement (boilerplate)
Contracting notice:
Upon selection of Consultant, the City intends to enter into an agreement using its standard
Professional Services Agreement which shall be used to secure these services. A copy of this document
is attached, as Attachment C and will be the governing document. No changes or deviations from the
terms set forth in this document are permitted without the prior approval of the City.
Performance Criteria
Consultant shall perform in accordance with the terms and conditions as stated herein and in
accordance with the highest standards and commercial practices. Charges of poor
performance/service against the Consultant shall be documented by the City and submitted to the
Consultant for corrective action. Continued poor performance shall be deemed a breach of City
requirements and shall be the cause for immediate termination of services.
Proposed Personnel
Consultant agrees to provide all professional staff necessary to perform the scope of work, including
key individuals named in Consultant's proposal. These key personnel shall remain assigned for the

duration of the contract, unless otherwise agreed to in writing by the City. In the event Consultant
proposes to substitute any key personnel, the individual(s) proposed must demonstrate similar
qualifications and experience as required to successfully perform such duties. The City shall have the
sole right to determine whether key personnel proposed as substitutes are qualified to work on the
project. The City shall not unreasonably withhold approval of staff changes.
Insurance and Business License
Consultant must maintain insurance and Port Townsend business license as outlined in the Professional
Services Agreement (Attachment B). Prior to performing any services, Consultant shall provide the City
a standard ACORD Form 25 Certificate of Insurance, naming the City as Additional Insured. Failure of
the City to demand such certificate or failure of the City to identify a deficiency in the insurance
documentation shall not be construed as a waiver of Consultant's obligation to maintain such
insurance.
Invoicing and Payment
Consultant may invoice the City no more frequently than once per month for work completed.
Invoices shall contain an itemized listing of all expenses. The City will make payment to Consultant
within thirty (30) days after receipt and approval of said invoices.

Attachment A:
Brand Destination Style Guide and Wayfinding Recommendations

Port
Townsend
BrandTouch(TM)
Manual
Order comes from simplicity. Inside, you will
find the simple rules that guide the Port
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PREPARED BY
GREENVILLE, SC | MILFORD, DE
ben@arnettmuldrow.com

Brand guidelines should The Brand
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Consistency is key, especially
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essentially a
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2
Port Townsend BrandTouch(TM) Manual