Professional Design, Engineering, and Consulting Services

Request for Proposals
#2024-21-M
Professional Design, Engineering, and Consulting Services
Architectural Design
Interior Design / FFE
Structural Engineering / Forensic
Mechanical / Electrical / Plumbing / Fire Protection Engineering
IT / AV Engineering
Civil Engineering
Landscape Design
Vertical Transportation Consulting
Lighting Design
Acoustic Design
Cost Estimating
Code & Accessibility Consulting
Permit Expediting
Food Service Design
Parking Design / Traffic Consulting
Sustainability Consulting
Building Envelope Design
Signage / Graphics Design
METROPOLITAN PIER AND EXPOSITION AUTHORITY
JULY 13, 2026

TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTIONS:
I. DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION
II. BACKGROUND INFORMATION & OBJECTIVES
III. SCOPE OF SERVICES AND REQUIREMENTS
IV. RFP PROCESS AND SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
V. EVALUATION CRITERIA
VI. CONDITIONS, DISCLAIMERS, DISCLOSURES
VII.REQUIRED FORMS
EXHIBITS:
1. RFP TIMELINE
2. FORM OF AGREEMENT

SECTION I. DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATIONS
DEFINITIONS
The following terms in this Solicitation shall be defined as follows:
"Agreement" or "Contract" means the Agreement that is to be entered into between the
Authority and the selected Proposer pursuant to this RFP.
"Authority" means the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority.
"Consultant" refers to the Proposer that is selected to provide the Services and will enter into
the Agreement or Contract with the Authority
"Include" Whenever the term "include" (in any of its forms) is used, it means "include, without
limitation."
"Laws" means City, State and Federal statutes, ordinances, codes, rules and regulations.
"MBE" means Minority Owned Business Enterprise.
"MPEA" means Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority.
"Proposal" means all materials submitted in response to this RFP.
"Proposer" or "Provider" or "Respondent" means the firm(s), individual(s), corporation(s),
partnership(s) and joint venture(s) that submit Proposals pursuant to this RFP.
"Responsive" Responsiveness is determined by the Authority and relates to compliance with the
provisions of the solicitation, including specifications, and contractual terms and conditions.
Conformity in material respects or substantial compliance suffices, although absolute or precise
conformity is not required. The Authority reserves the right to reject any Proposal that it deems
materially non-responsive.
"Responsible" Responsibility is determined by the Authority and relates primarily to the ability of
a Proposer/Bidder to successfully carry out a proposed contract, and whether the Proposer/Bidder
has the character, reputation, and integrity to receive an award. The Authority may determine in
its sole discretion that a Proposer/Bidder, otherwise able to perform, who has been convicted of
a felony, or violation of the public procurement requirements of any federal or state governmental
entity, is not responsible and therefore disqualified from the RFP process. Other considerations
bearing on a determination of responsibility can include experience, past performance, business
and financial capabilities, skills, technical organization and reliability. Some of the mechanisms
available to measure a Proposer's/Bidder's responsibility are the utilization of reference checks,
vendor performance on previous contracts and availability of financial credit information.
"RFP" means this Request for Proposals, including all Exhibits and addenda.
"Selected Proposer" or "Successful Proposer" or "Successful Contractor" means the
Proposer selected for award of an Agreement.
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The Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA)
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"Task Order" refers to a defined scope of work falling under the general scope of services of the
Agreement for which the Consultant and MPEA will agree upon a price proposal and scope before
any services are performed.
"Trade Reference" means a reference concerning the creditworthiness of the Proposer given by
another business that extends credit to the Proposer, such as a supplier.
"WBE" means Women Owned Business Enterprise.
INTERPRETATIONS
A. Any headings in this RFP are for convenience of reference only and do not define,
limit, control or affect the meaning of the RFP provisions. In this RFP, unless the
context otherwise requires, the terms "hereby," "herein," "hereof," "hereto,"
"hereunder" and any similar terms used in this RFP refer to this RFP. All section
references, unless otherwise expressly indicated, are to sections of this RFP. Words
of any gender shall be deemed and construed to include correlative words of the other
genders. Words indicating the singular number shall include the plural number and
vice versa, unless the context shall otherwise indicate. All references to any exhibit
or document shall be deemed to include all supplements and/or amendments to any
such exhibits or documents entered into in accordance with the terms and conditions
of this RFP and such documents. All references to any person or entity shall be
deemed to include any person or entity succeeding to the rights, duties, and
obligations of such persons or entities in accordance with the terms and conditions of
this RFP.
B. Unless a contrary meaning is specifically noted elsewhere, the words "as required,"
"as directed," "as permitted" and similar words used in the RFP mean that
requirements, directions of and permission of MPEA are intended; similarly, the words
"approved," "acceptable," "satisfactory" or words of like import mean "approved by,"
"acceptable to" or "satisfactory to" MPEA. Words "necessary," "proper" or words of
like import as used with respect to extent, conduct or character of Services specified
shall mean that the Services as outlined in Section III must be conducted in a manner
or be of character which is "necessary" or "proper" in the option of MPEA.
C. Unless a contrary meaning is specifically noted elsewhere, the words "approved,"
"reasonable," "suitable," "acceptable," "properly," "satisfactory" or words of like effect
and import used in the RFP mean reasonable, suitable, acceptable, proper or
satisfactory in the judgment of MPEA.
Master Task Order Agreement for Professional Design, Engineering, and Consulting Services, RFP #2024-21-M
The Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA)
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SECTION II. - BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority, hereinafter referred to as the "Authority" or
"MPEA", is a political subdivision, unit of local government, body politic and municipal corporation
existing under the laws of the State of Illinois pursuant to the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition
Authority Act, as amended, 70 ILCS 210/1 et seq. (the "MPEA Act"). The Authority was
established to promote, operate, and maintain fairs, expositions, meetings and conventions in
Cook County, Illinois.
The Authority is governed by a nine-member Board appointed by the Governor of Illinois and the
Mayor of Chicago. Current Board Members are listed on the Authority's website at
http://www.mpea.com/mpea_board/board.html. The Chairman of the Board is selected by fellow
Board members and a Chief Executive Officer, who is responsible for the day-to-day
management of the Authority, is appointed by the Board.
The Authority owns McCormick Place(R), an exhibition and convention center located at 23rd Street
and Martin Luther King Drive in the City of Chicago, which is managed and operated by a private
convention management company. McCormick Place(R) is North America's premier convention
facility that generates 66,000 jobs and $10 billion in annual economic activity for the City and
State. The McCormick Place Complex ("MPC") comprises four buildings, the South, West, North
buildings, and the Lakeside Center. These buildings have a combined total of more than 2.6
million square feet of exhibit space, and over 600,000 square feet of meeting rooms, making it
the nation's largest convention center. McCormick Place(R) hosts approximately 125-150 events
and attracts more than 4 million trade and public show visitors annually. McCormick Place(R)
features the Arie Crown(R) Theater, a renovated proscenium arch theatre which seats
approximately 4,200. Two separate buildings, the Energy Center and the Corporate Center, are
also part of the McCormick Place campus.
The Authority also owns the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place, a 1,258-room hotel and conference
center located adjacent to McCormick Place. The Hyatt Corporation is responsible for the
operation and management of this Hotel under a management agreement with the Authority. The
two newest facilities were added in 2017: a 1,206-room Marriott Marquis Chicago Hotel and the
10,000 seat Wintrust Arena, a multi-purpose facility that serves as a first-class NCAA basketball
arena, concert venue, and general assembly hall for large business meetings and other major
special events.
In 2010, the Illinois General Assembly passed the MPEA Reform Act - 70 ILCS 210/5.4, as
amended by Public Acts 096-0898 and 096-0899 ("Legislative Reforms"). The Legislative
Reforms authorized a restructuring of the Authority, which resulted in a transformation of the way
business is conducted at McCormick Place(R). The Reforms further solidified McCormick Place's
competitive standing in the convention and trade-show industry and strengthened Chicago's
ability to attract corporate and association business.
Historic Navy Pier(R), the Midwest's #1 tourist and leisure destination that attracts more than 8.6
million visitors a year, is also owned by the MPEA but is now governed and managed by an
independent not-for-profit organization known as Navy Pier, Inc. ("NPI").
Master Task Order Agreement for Professional Design, Engineering, and Consulting Services, RFP #2024-21-M
The Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA)
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OBJECTIVES
The Authority seeks to retain firms to provide various professional Services on an as needed,
Task Order, basis for all MPEA facilities. Consultants will perform, manage, and coordinate the
required project scope of services. The requirements for services will vary according to the
specific needs of each project. Design Services may be required in any type of MPEA facility
including the Exhibit Halls, the hotels, the arena, the corporate offices, garages, surface parking
areas, the physical plant or any of the adjacent outdoor areas. Consultants must be able to
engage other disciplines, either as sub-consultants or directly employed, to support the work.
The Authority requires that all Services of the Consultant be performed with that degree of skill,
care and diligence normally shown by a professional performing service of comparable scope,
purpose, and magnitude.
In accordance with the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority Act (70 ILCS 210/23.1(b)), the
Authority has adopted and maintains a minority and women owned business enterprise
procurement program for any and all work undertaken by the Authority. The Authority's goals for
MBE and WBE participation in the performance of the Services are 25% and 5% respectively.
For this RFP respondents must complete the MBE / WBE Business Profile and make a
commitment to meeting the goals at the time a task order is issued.
The Authority also encourages the participation by Business Enterprises owned by People with
Disabilities (BEPD) and accepts the certification issued by the City of Chicago, Cook County, and
the State of Illinois.
Master Task Order Agreement for Professional Design, Engineering, and Consulting Services, RFP #2024-21-M
The Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA)
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SECTION III. - SCOPE OF SERVICES
PROFESSIONAL DESIGN, ENGINEERING, AND CONSULTING SERVICES
Consultant will provide Design, Engineering, or Consulting Services on an as needed, Task Order
basis for MPEA owned facilities. Consultant will perform, manage, and coordinate the required
project scope of services. Consultant shall hold the appropriate credentials and/or licensing for
the work to be performed and permitted. The requirements for services will vary according to the
specific needs of each project. Services may be required in any type of MPEA facility. Consultant
may be required to engage, or be engaged by, other disciplines as sub-consultants to support the
project.
Consultant shall designate a primary liaison, who is expected to become familiar with the MPEA
facilities and will act as the day-to-day resource for MPEA for questions. MPEA may require
advice and consulting services on an ad hoc basis for existing facilities and systems; MPEA will
pay consultant on an hourly basis for these Services. Additionally, MPEA may require assistance
to address an emergency situation.
TASK ORDERS
For all projects, the MPEA and Consultant will negotiate and execute a Task Order before any
Services may commence. Each Task Order will include, at a minimum:
1) Detailed Task Order scope of services, including deliverables, and a project schedule
with milestones;
2) Designated Project Lead and Project Team (including all subcontractors), staffing plan
including staff hours, assignments of key and support staff members, allocated time on
the project, and project organizational chart;
3) Detailed Fee Proposal including staff, hourly rates, estimated hours, titles, and
reimbursable expenses;
4) MBE and WBE compliance plan with executed letters of intent and current certifications;
for multi-disciplinary Task Orders, the 25% MBE and 5% WBE participation goals must
be met.
Consultant will be required to review any as-builts, existing maintenance and other reports, and
perform necessary site visits to thoroughly understand all existing conditions for each proposed
design project before submitting a Task Order proposal.
For task orders that require Contract Documents, services should include, but are not necessarily
limited to:
1. Any preliminary assessments including but not limited to scope definition, preliminary
Opinion of Probable Cost, design and construction schedules, zoning and building code
analysis.
2. The Consultant, or their sub-consultant, will provide the MPEA with a written Opinion of
Probable Cost for the construction services for the specific project, or, when requested, a
full cost estimate from a consultant estimator.
Master Task Order Agreement for Professional Design, Engineering, and Consulting Services, RFP #2024-21-M
The Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA)
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3. Design and prepare the Contract Documents for the specified project, including but not
limited to any detailed written specifications and drawings required for the project.
4. The stamped Contract Documents prepared by the Consultant will be submitted by the
consultant or consultant's subcontractor to the authority having jurisdiction obtain all
appropriate permits and used for an Invitation for Bids ("IFB") or a Request for Proposal
("RFP") to obtain contractor's pricing for the specific project. Consultant shall indicate in
proposal if they are self-certified with the City of Chicago.
5. The Consultant will answer any bidder requests for information ("RFI") and clarification
during the bid phase and issue any addenda needed.
6. The Consultant will assist the MPEA's selected construction contractor with obtaining the
appropriate permits and incorporate any comments from the authority having jurisdiction
into the final Contract Documents.
7. The Consultant will answer construction contractors RFIs, provide clarifications during
construction phase, will review any request for change orders with MPEA, and review shop
drawing and submittals.
8. The Consultant will provide visits to the project site to inspect and verify that the
construction contractor's work is in compliance with the Contract Documents through final
completion of construction.
9. Consultant and MPEA will agree on minimum deliverables for each specific project before
executing a Task Order. These include, but are not limited to -
a. Provide the MPEA an electronic copy (in PDF AND CAD format) of the Contract
Documents, and record drawings of the construction work.
b. Review post construction close out documents, including but not limited to, as-
builts and O+M manuals submitted by the construction contractor and incorporate
them into MPEA master files.
c. Upon request, establish a FTP site to maintain and transfer files.
GENERAL PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS
1. The Consultant shall perform all professional services required in a satisfactory manner,
as determined by the MPEA or its designated representative.
2. The Consultant will identify all specialty consultants that will be required for performance
of the Services. The Consultant will retain the specialty consultants at the request of the
MPEA.
3. The Consultant shall identify and obtain any required permits, licenses and inspections, if
any, required for the Contract Documents.
4. The Consultant shall coordinate with public agencies, utilities, railroad entities and all other
parties either involved in the obtaining of Permits or otherwise impacted or affected by the
design and construction requirements.
5. The Consultant shall participate in all required meetings and prepare all documents and
presentations as necessary to receive public agency and governmental approvals of any
kind.
Master Task Order Agreement for Professional Design, Engineering, and Consulting Services, RFP #2024-21-M
The Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA)
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6. The Consultant shall maintain properly qualified and sufficient numbers of staff to support
the project(s) in a manner acceptable to the MPEA.
7. The Consultant firm shall cooperate with MPEA's staff, legal, financial, design and
construction consultants and any designated Owner's Representative and all other
consultants or designated representatives at all times during the development of the
project(s) as necessary to complete the project(s) in a manner satisfactory to the MPEA.
8. The MPEA will furnish the Consultant with the following if available: digital files, prints,
and/or reproducible copies of existing surveys, drawings, plans and specifications as
required for the Consultant's reference.
9. The Consultant shall designate a management representative authorized to act on behalf
of the firm with respect to the services to be performed. This representative shall be
authorized to deal directly with the MPEA and any designated Owner's Representative
and to promptly render decisions pertaining to all matters relating to the project(s) and the
services to be performed. Such representative shall be subject to the prior written
approval of the MPEA, and may be removed by the MPEA, for any reason, at any time.
TERM
The Agreement will begin on the Effective Date, and unless sooner terminated in accordance with
the contract, ends November 30, 2029.Prior to the conclusion of the current Agreement's term,
the Authority has the sole option to renew the contract for up to an additional two years..
Master Task Order Agreement for Professional Design, Engineering, and Consulting Services, RFP #2024-21-M
The Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA)
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SECTION IV. - RFP PROCESS AND SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
RFP PROCESS
The Proposer's written response indicating which professional service(s) are being offered and
the associated detail of experience and expertise of the Proposer to perform Professional
Design, Engineering, and Consulting Services, is due no later than 12:00 pm (CST) on
Tuesday, August 4, 2026.
Requirements and procedures for providing submittals in response to this RFP are described
herein. RFP documents will be available for downloading at the MPEA website at www.mpea.com
under the link "Doing Business" beginning on Monday, July 13, 2026. The Authority requests that
all Proposers that choose to download and print the document from the MPEA website contact
the MPEA, DEPARTMENT OF PROCUREMENT by email, referencing RFP #2024-21-M
Professional Design, Engineering, and Consulting Services to
mpeaprocurement@mpea.com to register Proposer's company as a document holder.
If it becomes necessary to revise or amend any part of this RFP, including the due dates, the
Authority will publish a revision by written addendum on its website and notify all prospective
Proposers who have registered as a document holder and provided the Authority with valid
contact information. It will be the responsibility of the Proposer to obtain all such addenda and to
acknowledge receipt of any addenda that has been issued. (If none are issued, indicate "NONE"
on REQUIRED FORM A, Form of Transmittal Letter.)
Proposers are to contact only the MPEA Procurement Department at
mpeaprocurement@mpea.com concerning this RFP and should not rely on representations,
statements, or explanations other than those made in this RFP or in any written addendum to this
RFP.
The Authority will accept questions, in writing via e-mail, until 12:00 PM Central Time, on
Tuesday, July 21, 2026. Questions should be submitted in writing to
mpeaprocurement@mpea.com. A summary of questions received, noted without source, and
answers will be issued as an addendum on the MPEA procurement website by end of business
day on Friday, July 24, 2026, unless otherwise posted.
RFP submittals are due no later than 12:00 Noon Central Time, on Tuesday, August 4, 2026.
Interested parties must submit an electronic version (PDF and/or Word) of its proposal via email
to mpeaprocurement@mpea.com, or via a secure file sharing platform such as Dropbox or similar,
before the deadline. The email must reference the RFP #2024-21-M. The electronic copy must
include Required Form F as a separate PDF.
At this time MPEA is suspending receipt of hard copies.
Based on the responses submitted, the Authority may select a short list of Proposers for further
consideration and may elect to conduct oral interviews with short-listed Proposers.
A timeline showing the key dates for the RFP process is provided as Exhibit 1.
The responsibility for submitting a response to this RFP on or before the stated time and date will
be solely and strictly that of the Proposer. The Authority will in no way be responsible for delays
caused by any other entity or by any occurrence. Proposals received after 12:00 PM Central
Master Task Order Agreement for Professional Design, Engineering, and Consulting Services, RFP #2024-21-M
The Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA)
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