REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS – INTERPRETIVE REDESIGN, QUAY AND SHIP

The Ship Hector Society is seeking the services of a company with significant experience in the creation of a comprehensive shovel ready, detailed plan for the Interpretive Redesign and Ship Hector Restoration overall project.

Destination Eastern and Northumberland Shores (DEANS) will manage the RFP process on behalf of the Ship Hector Society. The proposed renewal of Ship Hector and Hector Heritage Quay represents an important opportunity to improve the overall quality of the visitor experience to ensure it meets the standards needed to maintain the site’s status as a key visitor destination for the Northumberland Shore and . This work will enhance the tourism appeal and create a fresh experiential attraction. Once complete, the attraction will be a stronger tourism economic generator and be operationally sustainable.

Interested bidders are invited to submit a proposal to: Attn. Cindy MacKinnon, Managing Director, Destination Eastern and Northumberland Shores PO Box 55 New Glasgow, Nova Scotia B2H 5E1

Deadline for submissions Proposals should be received no later than noon on Wednesday, April 28th in a sealed envelope identified on the outside as “Hector Proposal” to the address above, or, via a password- protected read-only PDF file to [email protected]

Background Almost 250 years ago, 171 survivors of a harrowing 11-week transatlantic journey that departed , came ashore at , Nova Scotia. The courageous survivors of the Ship Hector and their stories of perseverance have created an incredible opportunity to share this history with the world and acknowledge those that aided in the Ship’s arrival.

The Ship Hector and the Hector Heritage Quay is a highly visible and popular presence on the Pictou waterfront. Construction of a replica of the Ship Hector and the Hector Heritage Quay on Pictou’s waterfront began in 1990. Ten years later, in 2000, the Hector was launched and has since become a regional tourism leader and icon for the Northumberland Shore and Nova Scotia. In 2010 the Ship and the Quay were purchased from the Town of Pictou by the Ship Hector Society and have been operating as a not for profit with registered charity status.

The average attendance at the site exceeds the average attendance among all other heritage attractions in the region by over 5,000 and although pre covid numbers for other regional attractions dropped by 10%, the Ship Hector increased significantly by 36%. This further demonstrates that the Hector Heritage Quay site is a vital tourism attraction with potential to attract more international markets than they currently do with the proposed renewal.

The Ship Hector Society is made up of a dedicated Board of Directors who oversee the daily operation of the site. This 12-person Board plays a vital role in the Hector’s success and compliments the group of volunteers who put countless hours into working at the site during peak tourism times.

Goals of the Ship Hector Society 1. Ensure the survival and best use of the Ship Hector. 2. Ensure the Hector Heritage Quay remains a tourism icon on the Northumberland Shore. 3. Build awareness of the importance of the Ship’s history and preserve its story. 4. Develop and strengthen partnerships. 5. Build a solid financial base.

Statement of Purpose The proposed renewal of Ship Hector and Hector Heritage Quay represents an important opportunity to improve the overall quality of the visitor experience to ensure it meets the standards needed to maintain the site’s status as a key visitor destination for the Northumberland Shore and Nova Scotia. This work will enhance the tourism appeal and create a fresh experiential attraction. Once complete, the attraction will be a stronger tourism economic generator and be operationally sustainable.

Deliverables The purpose of this Request for Proposals is to hire a consultant to provide a shovel ready, detailed plan for the Interpretive Redesign and Ship Restoration. This plan will include engineered drawings complete with a budget for the project. The overall project will be completed in time to celebrate the 250th Anniversary in September of 2023. The project tasks outlined below are meant to provide a base for our vision of the project, we encourage and welcome additional concepts and tasks.

Project Tasks 1. Technology/Digitization - Digital transformation technology - Outdoor LED screen and projection telling story of the landing and the indigenous story along with the journey. - Outdoor interactive Amphitheatre - Tactile elements for a simulated interactive ship launch with rotating displays that tells the stories of the descendants and could also be used as a revenue generator for other events. - LED displays with original launch displayed crowd cheering with sound effects of the ship entering the water. - Cameras and screen for webcast so the site can be digitized for the world to experience a teaser to lure them to visit the actual site, increasing economic growth. - Virtual assets – each interpretive panel will need to be digitized to create a virtual 360 innovation space. - Interactive display on the 1st floor inclusive of a giant iPad for moving people throughout community. - An interactive app with a QR code that will provide a scavenger hunt type of experience with the Hector Heritage Quay site. - Improved Wi-Fi access for visitors - The second floor of the Interpretive Centre will feature the Voyage and showcase the indigenous story – all new LED screens, start in Scotland and arrive in Pictou, feel like you are on a boat and experiencing the waves, etc. Screens will also feature audio visual galleries with rotating exhibits. - Animatronics and holographs will go from the floor to the ceiling depicting the journey and the story. - Captain’s room interactive experience - using digital displays feel like you are the captain steering the ship, capture the experience on camera for a souvenir that is available in the gift shop on our way out. - Props will add to the display and be available in the gift shop. - Below deck life as a passenger LED screen and video - 3D screen and digital mapping to feel like you are in the ocean sailing the ship. 2. Innovation - Ship Building Exhibit- demonstrations showing methods of ship building, participation, and smaller builds for interactive demos with school aged children. - Cultural heritage documentation and interpretation outline of the Ship and its story. - Assess development opportunities for linking arts, culture, and wilderness areas. - Demonstration space – LED screens will feature a ‘how to…” theme. Knot making, etc. - Artistic display with rendering from a local artist. 3. Cultural story - Virtual experience in the carpentry and blacksmith shop to create a telling/product hands-on experience. development - Will need safety features such as plexiglass, forge work, etc. - Revenue generating opportunities – meeting space and interpretive ideas. 4. Ship restoration - Review completed restoration of the Ship Hector project list to ensure consistency with interpretive proposal. 5. Interpretive Centre - Retaining wall, create a viewing deck with accessible platform. redesign - Windows, doors, roof, and fascia - External lighting - Furniture and benches - use coiled rope for seating areas for authentic ship building site that adds to the experience. - Washroom upgrades – need to be fully accessible . 6. Accessibility - Elevator 7. Marketing - Social media development - Branding pieces - Signage – capture the story of the Indigenous partnership with the Scottish settlers and the community.

Outcomes The outcomes of this project include. - Innovative story telling of the landing and the partnership with the indigenous community. - Digitization of the site and its story. - Opportunities for authentic interactive and immersive experiences. - Economic growth as a stronger tourism icon for Northumberland Shore and Nova Scotia with a long term goal of national recognition. - Restored Ship Hector with virtually maintenance free materials. - Increased revenue generating opportunities. - Community engagement. - Appreciation for this authentic tourism experience and it is cultural story as a signature tourism attraction. - Enhanced visitor tour opportunities and increase in visitation. - Feature educational component within the school system. - Strengthen partnerships with Indigenous community. - Recognized as a provincial tourism icon.

Reporting The successful company will formally report to the Managing Director of DEANS who will work with the steering committee of the Interpretive Redesign and Ship Restoration.

Schedule Consistent with the need for a possible comprehensive consultation process and the creation of a detailed plan, DEANS is interested in having the proposed project completed within two months of an award of contract.

Selection Process The selection process will be undertaken by DEANS via the steering committee using a scoring matrix method. The steering committee will be made up of the Co-Chairs of the Society and 2 other Board members and one external committee member.

Proposal Requirements Please submit your proposal exactly as outlined below. 1. Provide a cover letter describing why you believe your company is best qualified to conduct the work (max 500 words). 2. Provide information that will clearly demonstrate the proven capacity of your company to complete the Interpretive Redesign and Ship Restoration. 3. Provide letters of reference for two projects that your company has completed within the last four years that most closely match the project. 4. Provide a CV for each member of your team as it relates to their role in your proposal. 6. Provide a quotation for completing the project that includes: • The number of days required per team member or other staff to complete the work based on the proposed workplan. • The per diem of the team members and other staff as needed • All other expenses, including but not limited to, overhead charges, out-of-pocket expenses, and applicable taxes etc. • Your terms of payment should you be selected as the successful proposal. Please note that total of all these services will be considered the contract amount which cannot be exceeded if a contract is awarded to your company.

Additional Information Requests for additional information will be considered if submitted in writing via email to [email protected] . Please note that answers provided to any such request for additional information will be shared with all other RFP respondents, but that the identity of who requested the information will not be shared.

Budget The Ship Hector Society will accept competitive bids for this phase of the overall project. The lowest bid will not necessarily be the successful bid as other factors will be taken into consideration.