HomeMy WebLinkAboutAnswer to RFP Question re TCC's Gateway Visitor Center 1-27-23To: Jefferson County Tourism Coordinating Council, at tcc@enjoyolympicpeninsula.com
From: Mark McCauley, County Administrator, at mmccauley@co.jefferson.wa.us
Date: January 27, 2023
Subject: TCC’s Questions Related to RFP REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS - Olympic Peninsula Gateway Visitor
Center Jefferson County, Washington
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Re. Questions regarding this solicitation must be submitted in writing to Mark McCauley, County
Administrator, at mmccauley@co.jefferson.wa.us. Answers will be provided in writing to the
requestor, or provided in amendment(s) to the solicitation. The final date to submit questions is
January 27, 2023 at 4:30 p.m. Pacific Standard Time (PST).
Please see the responses to TCC’s questions below highlighted in gray.
1. Under current Gateway VIC contract with JCHS it states; “WHEREAS, management of the visitor
center will be at no cost to the GATEWAY VISITOR CENTER with all reasonable expenses being paid
for by the COUNTY”, and in Section 3. RESPONSIBILITY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, Subsection 5. “The
GATEWAY VISITOR CENTER assumes no responsibility for the maintenance and upkeep of the
Gateway Visitor Center. The COUNTY shall keep the Center and the entries immediately adjacent
thereto in a neat, clean and safe condition, maintain the glass of all windows and doors thereof, and
maintain the Center and entries thereto in a good state of repair. The COUNTY shall also maintain
and repair the electrical and other utility systems within the Center together with the roof, exterior
walls and foundations thereof.”
Question – a. Does Jefferson County propose to carry over these same commitments with the newly
selected operator of the Visitor Information Center? Yes, Jefferson County will carry over these same
commitments to any new operator selected.
2. WSDOT has announced plans to construct a roundabout at the intersection of Hwy 104 & SR19 in
2023-24. Related Questions:
a. What is the footprint and construction impacts (timeline) of this project as they relate to the
Olympic Peninsula Gateway Visitors Center? WSDOT’s website has a visual that is supposed to
represent the Hwy 19-104 roundabout but it actually shows the 104/Shine/Paradise Bay
roundabout. Based on the drawing however the roundabout doesn’t appear to adversely affect
access to the Visitor Center. Here is a link:
https://wsdot.wa.gov/construction-planning/search-projects/sr-104-sr-19-intersection-safety-
improvements
b. How might WSDOT’s 2023-24 potential construction access closures – or even potential lack of
parking access due to staging of roundabout construction equipment and/or workers - be factored
into RFP’s General Scope of Required Services of “Maintains an opening schedule of 290-300 days a
year, 10am to 4pm”? This is unknown as of yet. The Visitor Center operator will not be penalized for
not meeting the 290-300 day annual target if WSDOT detours traffic to other roads.
c. What are the state of Jefferson County’s current conversations with WSDOT to explore leveraging
roundabout construction at the intersection of Hwy 104 & SR19 to improve, or even relocating the
Olympic Peninsula Gateway Visitors Center to the previously identified County property across SR19
from 93 Beaver Valley Road? (Note: These archived plans for relocation include true “Gateway”
quality facilities and amenities such as public restrooms and sustainable surfaces supporting
regional Park n Ride and Rest Area uses.) There have been no discussions of this nature. The cost of
realizing earlier concept plans which move the visitor center across the highway is prohibitive
without substantial funding from outside the county.
d. What is the County’s position of considering the Olympic Peninsula Gateway Visitor Center’s
infrastructure needs as an eligible priority for receiving unallocated County American Rescue Plan
Act (ARPA) Funds https://media.avcaptureall.cloud/meeting/c57bedc9-aa73-4808-970d-
e60286b4a85c (agenda document 15:17)? – deadline for proposals: January 31, 2023
The deadline is actually February 10 – there were two dates on the original notice – which has been
corrected. The county will consider all requests for ARPA funding once they are received using the
criteria included in the request for proposals.
e. How has the County initiated the process for leveraging available Rebuilding American
Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) discretionary grant funding
https://www.transportation.gov/RAISEgrants, designated for transportation projects that have
significant local or regional impact and will improve safety and equity, in support of regional Park n
Ride and Rest Area uses at the intersection of Hwy 104 & SR19? – deadline for applications:
February 28, 2023 The county is considering this grant source but hasn’t yet decided to apply.
Thank you.
TCC Gateway RFP special committee:
Bethany Smith, Bill Roney, Crystie Kisler, Steve Shively, Tim Caldwell, Tim Rensema.
Diana Smeland – TCC Chair