The City of Casper, in partnership with the Fort Caspar Museum Association, invites proposals to develop a Fort Caspar Museum feasibility study. The objective is to conduct a comprehensive assessment regarding the feasibility of the acquisition of a donated Pony Express collection with an estimated value of $1.5 million. The study will assess the viability of accepting the collection, specifically related to impacts to visitors and operating expenses, as well as explore factors critical to the museums success with or without the new collection. This includes a current evaluation of and future planning for the museum and historic grounds to ensure residents and visitors have access to desirable, diverse, and sustainable museum experiences. The City of Casper and Fort Caspar Museum have a unique opportunity to acquire the largest known collection of Pony Express items, with an estimated value of $1.5 million. The purpose of the feasibility study is to inform decision-making regarding acceptance of the Pony Express collection by providing relevant data and analysis concerning the Citys return on investment. The study will consider factors such as the cultural and historical significance of the collection; estimated visitor and revenue impacts; level of expansion to the museum needed to store and display the collection; expansion construction estimates; and ongoing operating costs. Proposals can be accepted on-site weekdays during our open hours, and personnel will be available for delivery signatures if needed. Copies of related studies can be submitted in hard copy or via separate email. Preference will be given to the consultant that can demonstrate expertise in museum and collection feasibility studies at the most competitive price. Representatives from the City of Casper and the selected consultant may refine a final scope of work. At a minimum, the feasibility study should include: 1. Collection Valuation: o Describe the value of the donated collection based on historical significance, rarity, and market trends. 2. Visitor Impact Assessment: o Analyze the potential increase in museum visitors resulting from the new collection. o Estimate economic impact on the local community (e.g., tourism revenue, job creation). 3. Expansion Necessity and Size: o Assess the need for additional space to store and display the acquired collection. o Recommend an optimal expansion size based on projected collection growth. 4. Staffing Requirements: o Determine staffing needs for managing the museum operations post-acquisition. o Consider curatorial, administrative, and visitor services roles. 5. Construction and Ongoing Costs: o Evaluate construction costs for the proposed expansion. o Estimate ongoing operational expenses related to the expanded facility. 6. Return on Investment (ROI): o Quantify the potential ROI from increased visitors, enhanced reputation, and community engagement. o Provide a cost-benefit analysis. 7. Current Operations Assessment: o Review existing museum operations, including visitor experience, programming, and amenities. o Identify areas for improvement. 8. Market Analysis: o Study the local and regional market to identify untapped opportunities. o Evaluate fee structures and recommend adjustments if necessary. 9. Funding Mechanisms: o Identify possible funding sources (grants, sponsorships, donations) to support the museum's goals and objectives. February 19-March 15, 2024 Contract Negotiation and authorization Summer 2024 Project Completion All written questions shall be submitted to Zulima Lopez at zlopez@casperwy.gov by 4 p.m. local time, Monday, January 22, 2024. The answers to these questions will then be posted as an addendum to this RFP on the City of Casper website: (http://casperwy.gov/business/rfps_public_notices/) by 5 p.m. local time on January 29, 2024. The City of Casper reserves the right to re-negotiate or terminate the contract if there is a significant (50%) change in the Consultants key personnel or with any change with the Consultants Project Manager. In addition, the City may remove any key personnel from the Consultants team if that person is deemed unsuitable or a hindrance to the cooperative completion of the project. The method of Contractor Selection has not been Determined at this time.