RENTAL OF OFFICE SPACE
NEW REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGENCY GREATER SAINT JOHN
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP)
GROWTH HEADQUARTERS
Date of Issue: February 23, 2021
INTRODUCTION
ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILE: NEW REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGENCY FOR GREATER SAINT JOHN
The New Regional Economic Development Agency for Greater Saint John (Agency) is a game-changer - a singular economic development entity with greater impact and alignment to propel growth for the Greater Saint John region.
This new, innovative approach to regional economic development aligns the key players in the ecosystem focused on economic growth leading efforts to increase population, jobs, investment, and visitors to the region. The vision brought together the mandates of Discover Saint John, Develop Saint John, and Economic Development Greater Saint John into one organization with one mandate, one budget, one board, and one leader. The Agency is designed to scale and will be one of the largest regional
economic development agencies in Atlantic Canada.
PURPOSE OF THE RFP:
The Agency is in search of space that will give it community profile while bringing together the new team and key strategic partners in economic development. This will be the Agency's headquarters for growth - an innovative, flexible, and collaborative environment ideal for hosting regional, national, and international companies and leaders.
This Request for Proposals (RFP) is being undertaken to identify new or existing space available and to analyze lease costs, to provide the Agency with its current and potential future office space needs. This RFP is meant to invite the presentation of leasing options for evaluation, consideration, and negotiation with the Agency.
The Agency is requesting written proposals to lease office space in our region's central business development area - Uptown Saint John.
TERMS & CONDITIONS
Please prepare proposal(s) based upon the following terms and conditions:
1) BUILDING: Please state name, address and general description of the building.
2) BUILDING OWNERSHIP: Please detail the structure of ownership of the property, identifying all principals and partners.
3) PREMISES:
PART A: TWO (2) YEAR LEASE, EFFECTIVE SUMMER 2021
To allow the Agency time to develop strategic plans and identify other partners that could be co-located to assist with efforts to grow our community, the Agency is looking for an initial term of 24 months.
The optimal solution for the Agency is to identify space that will likely have existing improvements that will be easily adaptable for our use. We are looking for approximately 8,000-10,000 usable square feet of good quality office space.
The ideal configuration would have a combination of dedicated offices, communal workspaces, four (4) meeting rooms, a board room with a capacity for 25. In addition to the office and meeting space, onsite storage, a kitchen/staff lounge, and staff washrooms are also required. Space must comply with federal agency requirements (ie. accessibility).
Please specify the rentable square feet resulting from gross up factor for the building. Please provide scale drawings of the proposed in CAD format and PDF.
PREMISES - PART B: 5 YEAR LEASE WITH UP TO TWO 5 YEAR RENEWAL OPTIONS, EFFECTIVE SUMMER 2023
To leverage investment in new developments, an initial 10-year term may be considered.
The Agency is interested to understand the opportunities for longer term options for space. As the Agency responsible for supporting growth and investment in our region, the Agency is interested to learn how our tenancy could leverage and be a catalyst for either investment in new development projects or significant reinvestment in existing properties.
We are looking for approximately 10,000-16,000 usable square feet of good quality office space. The ideal configuration would have a combination of dedicated offices, communal workspaces, four (4) meeting rooms, a board room with a capacity for 25. In addition to the office and meeting space, onsite storage, a kitchen/staff lounge, and staff washrooms are also required. Space must comply with federal agency requirements (ie. accessibility).
Please specify the rentable square feet resulting from gross up factor for the building. Please provide scale drawings of the proposed in CAD format and PDF.
Proponents are invited to submit proposals for Part A, Part B or both.
4) RENT CONCESSIONS: Please provide details of any concessions you are able to offer, including free rent, moving allowance etc.
5) TENANT IMPROVEMENT ALLOWANCE: Please provide details on any tenant improvement allowances available to the Agency. Please specify current condition of the Premises (ie: type and condition of lighting, ceiling, interior walls, HVAC, flooring etc).
6) HOLDOVER: The Agency will have the right at the expiration of the lease, and upon 60 days written notice, to extend the lease for no more than six months, under the same terms and conditions including rental rate.
7) EXPANSION OPTIONS: Please provide details on options for the Agency to expand the premises during the term on the lease.
8) SUBLET & ASSIGNMENT: The Agency shall have the right at any time to sublease or assign all or any portion of the Agency's Premises to any unrelated entities with Landlords consent, which will not be unreasonably withheld.
9) HEATING, VENTILATION & AIR CONDITIONING: Landlord shall provide heating, ventilation and air conditioning as required for the Agency's comfort, use and occupancy from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
10) CLEANING: Landlord shall, at its sole cost and expense, clean the Agency's Premises five days per week pursuant to cleaning specifications to be agreed upon and made part of the lease. Please provide the Landlords current specifications.
11) BUILDING SECURITY: Please provide a description of the Building's security procedures and systems.
12) PARKING: Describe type and amount of parking - surface or garage included in the base rent and additional costs (if any).
13) SIGNAGE: Please specify what exterior and/or interior signage opportunities exist for the Agency.
14) LEASE FORM: Please provide a copy of the current standard lease form with your proposal.
OPTIONAL BIDDER REGISTRATION
An optional bidder registration will be available for those interested in receiving information updates during the open period of the RFP. This in an option only to prospective bidders and is not a requirement.
Bidders list will not be disclosed until after the final closure date for the bid process. Bidders can register by submitting an email to marcy@discoversaintjohn.com stating your interest and return email address for communications.
QUESTIONS
All questions must be directed to marcy@discoversaintjohn.com. The questions and responses will be circulated to all registered bidders. No phone contacts for questions.
PROPOSAL SUBMISSION
The issuing of this request for proposal does not constitute an offer to lease and the Agency reserves the right not to enter into any lease as a result of this process.
Please submit proposal(s) by email to marcy@discoversaintjohn.com by 4:00 p.m. AST, March 17, 2021 and use one of the following as your subject line:
- Proposal for Growth Headquarters - Part A
- Proposal for Growth Headquarters - Part B
- Proposal for Growth Headquarters - Part A + B
Thank you in advance for considering our request and addressing each of the items in this request for proposals.
You and your teams are important partners in growing our region and the Agency is excited to discuss opportunities to work together to increase population, jobs, and investment in our community.
All submissions will become the property of the Agency.
EVALUATION
Eligible proposals will undergo an evaluation process that includes assessment (based on assessment criteria) by a committee comprised of the CEO and select staff. Assessment criteria may include, but not be limited to, location, visibility and profile, additional leveraged investments, strategic community impact, quality, improvement allowance and incentives. The committee may elect to short list proponents as deemed necessary. Proponents may be asked to provide additional information or
details for clarification.
This is a tender notice only. In order to submit a bid, you must obtain official tender documents from the New Brunswick Opportunities Network, another authorized tendering service or as indicated in the tender notice.
