Accessibility Assessment at Paul Smith’s College Visitor Interpretive Center

Paul Smith’s College of Arts and Science (“the College”), an equal opportunity employer, is accepting bids from qualified vendors to conduct an accessibility assessment of the Paul Smith’s College Visitor Interpretive Center (“VIC”) valued at twenty-two thousand, five-hundred and fifty dollars (US $22,550).

This project is funded in part by a grant awarded to Paul Smith’s College from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Adirondack Park Community Smart Growth Program through appropriations from the New York State Environmental Protection Fund (EPF). The selected contractor will contract solely with Paul Smith’s College and will not have a contractual relationship with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation or the State of New York.

The selected vendor will furnish all labor, materials, equipment and services necessary to complete an accessibility assessment at the Paul Smith’s College Visitor Interpretive Center in accordance with this solicitation and the executed agreement and following all applicable best practices. The work shall include at a minimum:

1. A comprehensive accessibility assessment of the VIC lodge, access to the lodge and nearby trail system based on compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) through the most recent standards announced by the Architectural Barriers Act (“ABA”), NYS Building Code, and the International Building Code (“IBC”).
2. Application of Universal Design’s seven principles evaluating facilities, routes, visitor access, programming, and recommended improvements.
3. Development of 10-20 large-format color posters, either 18” x 24” or 24” x 36”, presenting accessibility improvement options for public review and discussion.
4. Facilitation of one public listening session at the VIC lodge to include flyers, handouts and meeting materials.
5. Coordination with the College Communications Department to create an online questionnaire and promote public engagement opportunity through a press release and social media.
6. Preparation and delivery of 20-30 full-color, high-quality final reports containing:

• Assessment findings;
• Recommended improvements;
• Prioritization of recommended projects;
• Estimated costs associated with recommended improvements.

The project location, facility description, and project-focus areas are provided in Appendix B: Site and Project Information.

**Bids must be submitted electronically as one consolidated PDF file to contracts@paulsmiths.edu no later than 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time on December 8, 2026.** The email subject line must read: Bid Submission – [Bidder Name] – VIC Accessibility Assessment

The total bid price must not exceed **$22,550**. The bid must include a lump-sum project price and an itemized cost breakdown.

The Project must be substantially completed by **June 1, 2027**. Bidders shall submit a proposed schedule that demonstrates their ability to meet this date.

The College will select the award to the lowest-priced responsive and responsible bidder / award to the responsive and responsible bidder offering the best value, based on the following criteria:

1. Qualifications and experience
2. Technical approach and work plan
3. Price
4. Schedule

The College shall be named as an additional insured on the successful bidder’s liability insurance policies on a primary and noncontributory basis, together with a waiver of subrogation in favor of the College.

Bids must remain an effective offer, firm and irrevocable, for at least forty-five (45) calendar days from the due date.