South Side Facility Acquisition and Renovation Project

Issued By: SkyART
3026 E. 91st Street
skyartrfp@skyart.org
www.skyart.org

RFP Issue Date: May 1, 2026
Proposal Due Date: July 15, 2026

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW

SkyART is a Chicago-based nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering young people through transformative arts education. Through free, high-quality programming in visual arts, media, and creative expression, SkyART serves youth and communities across Chicago.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

SkyART is pursuing the expansion of its South Side studio through the acquisition and renovation of an adjacent facility to expand program capacity, strengthen long-term sustainability, and establish a dedicated space for youth development through the arts.

SkyART is seeking proposals from qualified firms/individuals to serve as Owner’s Representative and Capital Project Manager for our DCEO-funded facility acquisition and renovation project.

The selected firm will serve as SkyART’s primary project management partner and advisor throughout acquisition completion, design, procurement, construction, compliance management, and project closeout. They will be responsible for budget and cost controls, schedule and risk management, quality assurance, compliance with DCEO BEP and IL Works requirements, and close-out and move-in.

PROJECT OVERVIEW

The project includes:

• Total Project Budget: $1.135M

• Full renovation and buildout of the facility

• Design, engineering, and construction management

• Procurement and contractor oversight

• DCEO Grant compliance management and reporting

PROJECT FUNDING AND COMPLIANCE FRAMEWORK

This project is funded through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and is subject to all applicable state requirements.

The selected firm will be responsible for supporting compliance with:

• Business Enterprise Program (BEP) – 28% utilization requirement

• Illinois Works Apprenticeship Initiative – 10% labor-hour requirement

• Prevailing wage requirements (as applicable)

• DCEO reporting and documentation requirements

• State procurement and audit requirements

While SkyART retains ultimate legal responsibility for compliance, the selected firm/individual will be contractually responsible for planning, implementing, tracking, and reporting compliance activities throughout the project lifecycle.

Failure to adequately manage compliance obligations may result in termination of contract or withholding of payment.

PROJECT SCHEDULE REQUIREMENTS

SkyART is targeting an accelerated project delivery timeline.

• Target construction duration: 6–9 months

• Maximum allowable construction duration: 12 months

Overall project goal is substantial completion and occupancy within approximately 12 months following closing.

Respondents must propose a schedule that demonstrates how these timelines will be achieved.

SCOPE OF SERVICES

The selected firm shall provide full-service Owner’s Representative and Capital Project Management services, including:

Project Planning and Controls

• Facility programming and planning coordination

• Development of project budget controls and reporting systems

• Schedule development and master schedule management

• Risk identification and mitigation planning

• Stakeholder engagement and reporting structure

Procurement and Contracting Management

• Development and management of procurement strategy

• Preparation of bid packages for design and construction services

• Coordination of bid evaluation and contractor selection

• Contract negotiation support and recommendations

• Compliance-aligned procurement planning (BEP/Illinois Works)

Design and Construction Oversight

• Coordination of architects, engineers, and contractors

• Constructability and cost review during design phases

• Schedule and budget monitoring

• Change order review and recommendation

• Pay application review and verification

• Project meetings and reporting

• Completion and closeout coordination

Compliance Management (DCEO / BEP / Illinois Works)

• Development of a comprehensive compliance management plan

• BEP utilization strategy development and implementation

• Illinois Works apprenticeship tracking strategy 

• Contractor compliance onboarding requirements

• Monitoring and reporting compliance throughout the project

• Maintenance of audit-ready documentation systems

• Submission of compliance reporting to SkyART

• Early identification of compliance risks and corrective actions

CONSTRUCTION PHASE REQUIREMENTS (CONTRACTOR COORDINATION)

The selected firm will be responsible for ensuring all construction contracts require:

• Contractor-developed construction schedule

• Identification of critical path activities

• Long-lead procurement planning

• Compliance milestone integration (BEP and Illinois Works)

• Clear sequencing aligned with established target duration

• Schedule risk mitigation strategies

Schedules exceeding 12 months must include a written justification and acceleration plan.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Respondents must demonstrate:

• Minimum 5 years of capital project management experience

• Experience with facility acquisition and renovation projects

• Experience with public-sector or grant-funded construction projects

• Experience managing DCEO, BEP, or equivalent compliance frameworks

• Experience managing construction schedules under accelerated timelines

• Experience working with nonprofit or community-based organizations

Preference will be given to firms with Chicago-area experience and familiarity with adaptive reuse projects.

PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Executive Summary

Overview of firm and project understanding

2. Firm Experience, Qualifications & Relevant Project Experience

Relevant capital project experience and comparable projects including scope, budget, and outcomes

3. Project Team

Key personnel, roles, and availability

4. Project Management Approach

Including:

• Acquisition transition strategy

• Design coordination approach

• Construction oversight methodology

• Reporting and communication systems

5. Compliance Management Plan

Must include:

• BEP implementation strategy

• Illinois Works implementation strategy

• Tracking systems and tools

• Reporting workflows

• Risk mitigation approach

• Staffing structure for compliance oversight

6. Schedule Management Approach 

Must include:

• Proposed master project schedule

• Construction sequencing strategy

• Approach to achieving construction timeline

• Critical path identification

• Risk mitigation and acceleration strategies

• Permitting and procurement assumptions

8. References

Minimum of three professional references

9. Fee Proposal

Including:

• Fee structure

• Assumptions and exclusions

• Reimbursable expenses

EVALUATION CRITERIA

Proposals will be evaluated based on:

• Relevant Capital Project Experience – 25%

• Compliance Management Approach (DCEO / BEP / Illinois Works) – 25%

• Schedule Management Capability & Realism – 20%

• Qualifications of Key Personnel – 15%

• Fee Proposal – 10%

• References – 5%

SkyART reserves the right to conduct interviews prior to final selection.

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

Submit proposals electronically in PDF format to:

SkyART Acquisition and Renovation RFP
operations@skyart.org

Subject Line: RFP Owner’s Representative

RESERVATION OF RIGHTS

SkyART reserves the right to:

• Reject any or all proposals

• Request additional information

• Waive informalities

• Negotiate scope and fee

• Award partial or full scope

• Cancel or modify this solicitation

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

SkyART encourages participation from minority-owned, women-owned, veteran-owned, and locally based firms. SkyART is committed to equitable procurement practices and seeks partners experienced in inclusive workforce development and community-centered project delivery.

South Side Facility Acquisition and Renovation Project

Issued By: SkyART
3026 E. 91st Street
skyartrfp@skyart.org
www.skyart.org

RFP Issue Date: May 1, 2026
Proposal Due Date: Aug. 15, 2026

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW

SkyART is a Chicago-based nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering young people through transformative arts education. Through free, high-quality programming in visual arts, media, and creative expression, SkyART serves youth and communities across Chicago.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

SkyART is pursuing the expansion of its South Side studio through the acquisition and renovation of an adjacent facility to expand program capacity, strengthen long-term sustainability, and establish a dedicated space for youth development through the arts.

SkyART is seeking bids from qualified General Contractors for the renovation of a South Side facility.

PROJECT OVERVIEW

• Project type: Adaptive reuse renovation

• Funding: Illinois DCEO grant

• Delivery model: Lump sum general contracting (preferred)

• Owner’s Representative: separately retained

The project includes:

• Full renovation and buildout of the facility

• Construction management

• DCEO Grant compliance (BEP and IL Works requirements)

PROJECT SCHEDULE REQUIREMENTS

• Target construction duration: 6–9 months

• Maximum allowable construction duration: 12 months

Overall project goal is substantial completion and occupancy within approximately 12 months following closing.

SCOPE OF SERVICES

• Full interior/exterior renovation as defined in bid documents

• Mechanical, electrical, plumbing upgrades

• Accessibility improvements (ADA compliance)

• Life safety and code compliance upgrades

• Finish work and commissioning

• Coordination with Owner’s Representative and design team

BID REQUIREMENTS

Each bidder must submit:

1. Lump Sum Price Proposal

Fully inclusive pricing for defined scope.

2. Detailed Construction Schedule

Must include:

• Critical path

• Long-lead procurement

• Permitting assumptions

• Workforce plan

• Sequencing strategy

• Demonstration of 6–9 month construction capability

3. Compliance Plan 

Must include:

• Business Enterprise Program (BEP) – 28% utilization requirement

• Illinois Works Apprenticeship Initiative – 10% labor-hour requirement

• Prevailing wage requirements (as applicable)

• Certified payroll reporting system

• Subcontractor compliance tracking

4. Risk & Acceleration Plan

• Permitting strategy

• Schedule risk mitigation

• Material procurement plan

EVALUATION CRITERIA

Proposals will be evaluated based on:

• Price – 30%

• Schedule & Speed – 20%

• Compliance Capability – 30%

• Relevant Experience – 15%

• References – 5%

CONTRACT COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS

Selected contractor must comply with:

• DCEO requirements

• Prevailing wage (if applicable)

• BEP utilization requirements

• Illinois Works Apprenticeship Initiative

Failure to meet compliance obligations may result in contract termination.

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

Submit proposals electronically in PDF format to:

SkyART Acquisition and Renovation RFP
operations@skyart.org

Subject Line: RFP Owner’s Representative

RESERVATION OF RIGHTS

SkyART reserves the right to:

• Reject any or all proposals

• Request additional information

• Waive informalities

• Negotiate scope and fee

• Award partial or full scope

• Cancel or modify this solicitation

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

SkyART encourages participation from minority-owned, women-owned, veteran-owned, and locally based firms. SkyART is committed to equitable procurement practices and seeks partners experienced in inclusive workforce development and community-centered project delivery