Reference number: DCA-2009-SHPO-1 REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL DATE ISSUED: February 19, 2009 SUBJECT: Request For Proposals to Undertake an Intensive Level Architectural/Historical Survey of Selected Movie Theatres, preparation of a National Register Nomination, and a National Register of Historic Places Multiple Property Document relating to movie theatres in Iowa This Request for Proposal (RFP) is a solicitation for an intensive level architectural/historical survey of a minimum of 200 movie theatres and completion of Iowa Site Inventory Forms; the preparation of a Multiple Property Cover Document that develops historic contexts, typologies, and registration requirements for the state's movie theatres and the nomination of a minimum of one movie theatre to the National Register of Historic Places. The project is being undertaken with funding received from the Department of the Interior through Preserve America. The project is to be completed and final products delivered on or before December 1, 2010. The evaluation and award factors for this procurement are set forth in Part IV of the RFP. Sealed offers will be received by the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) of the State Historical Society of Iowa (SHSI) until 4:30 PM CDT, March 24, 2009. A firm fixed price contract is contemplated for this effort. Cost Range and Funding: Proposals will not exceed $43,000. For technical information and a copy of this procurement contact Paula Mohr at (515) 281-6826, e-mail [email protected] or write her at State Historic Preservation Office, 600 East Locust Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50319. Reference number: DCA-2009-SHPO-1 REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS PART I - DESCRIPTION/SCOPE OF WORK/WORK STATEMENT PURPOSE The purpose of this professional services contract is gather historical, architectural, and other descriptive information regarding movie theatres (including drive-in movie theatres) in Iowa. The major work elements under this solicitation are: (1) Development and preparation of a historic context in the format of a Multiple Property Documentation Form (MPDF) that links the movie theatre theme/sub-theme and resource types, period of significance, geographical distribution, and whose ultimate purpose is to guide present and future survey and nomination work; (2) an intensive level survey of a minimum of 200 movie theatres targeted at those with the greatest potential to fill data gaps in what is known about Iowa's movie theatres; and (3) preparation of one (1) National Register nomination to accompany the Multiple Property Documentation Form. The final report of findings will be in the form of the completed MPDF. The products to be submitted under this agreement will be prepared in accordance with Iowa State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) instructions for completing the Iowa Site Inventory Form and applicable National Register nomination guidelines. Copies of these materials may be obtained at: http://www.iowahistory.org/historic-preservation/statewide-inventory-and- collections/index.html and http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/index.htm The OFFEROR will actively consult with staff of the historic preservation office in the State Historical Society of Iowa (SHSI) as necessary throughout the contract period. PROJECT BACKGROUND In the early 1940s, there were approximately 550 movie theatres in operation in the state. One of the goals of this project is to determine how many are extant and establish a historic context for these properties. Through the development of a MPDF this project will establish a framework which will be used to nominate additional movie theatres to the National Register of Historic Places. A secondary outcome of this project will be to broaden the geographic representation of Iowa’s National Register properties, which are concentrated in the eastern part of the state and in urban areas. Because of the importance of the movie theatre in small towns throughout the state, this project will also help focus survey work in under-represented areas and small farming communities. To date, the following movie theatres in Iowa have been listed on the National Register (either individually listed or listed as a contributing resource in a district): 2 Reference number: DCA-2009-SHPO-1 Ritz Theatre, Appanoose County, Centerville Majestic Theatre, Appanoose County, Centerville Cotton Theatre, Black Hawk County, Cedar Falls Malek Theatre, Buchanan County, Independence (pending) Fraser Theatre, Clay County, Spencer Spencer Theatre, Clay County, Spencer IOOF Building, Clayton County, Guttenberg Owsley Block, Davis County, Bloomfield Iowa Theatre, Davis County, Bloomfield Capitol Theatre, Des Moines County, Burlington Orpheum Theatre, Dubuque County, Dubuque Legel Building, Floyd County, Charles City Windsor Theatre, Franklin County, Hampton Avery Theatre, Hancock County, Garner (pending) Masonic Temple Theatre, Henry County, Mount Pleasant Englert Theatre, Johnson County, Iowa City First Trust & Savings Bank, Johnson County, Oxford Garden Theatre, Keokuk County, Sigourney Fox Theatre (Strand), Lee County, Fort Madison Paramount Theatre, Linn County, Cedar Rapids Ideal Theatre, Linn County, Cedar Rapids Commercial Building, Linn County, Central City Neff Block, Linn County, Mount Vernon Orpheum Theatre, Marshall County, Marshalltown Broadhead-Widl Building, Marshall County, Marshalltown State Theatre, Marshall County, State Center Colonial Theatre, Mitchell County, Osage Watts Theatre, Mitchell County, Osage Onawa IOOF Opera House, Monona County, Onawa King Opera Block, Monroe County, Albia Alex Long Building, Monroe County, Albia Theatre, Monroe County, Albia Second Knights of Pythias Hall and Opera House, Muscatine County, West Liberty Theatre, Muscatine County, West Liberty Theatre, Muscatine County, West Liberty Theatre, Polk County, Des Moines Strand Theatre, Poweshiek County, Grinnell Mississippi Hotel/RKO Orpheum Theatre, Scott County, Davenport Camelot Theatre, Story County, Nevada Alderman Building/Palace Theatre, Story County, Nevada 3 Reference number: DCA-2009-SHPO-1 Grand Auditorium and Hotel Block, Story County, Story City Wieting Theatre, Tama County, Toledo Clark Theatre/Hardin Building, Taylor County, Bedford Whiteley Opera House, Van Buren County, Bonaparte New Orpheum Theatre, Woodbury County, Sioux City Northwood Theatre Building, Worth County, Northwood The Multiple Property Documentation Form and National Register nomination to be produced by this project are intended to serve as a basis for establishing a "model approach" to surveying and nominating movie theatre properties. This report will provide the historical and architectural background or context for the movie theatre in Iowa from the days of the nickelodeons in the late 1890’s to the decline of drive-in theatres and the spread of multiplexes in the mid-1970s. The Multiple Property Documentation Form will be used as the basis for establishing historic contexts and National Register eligibility and nomination requirements for future survey and nomination efforts, and as necessary, be amended to reflect changing perspectives and additional historical information that comes to light. III. PROJECT SPECIFICS The work will consist of the following components: 1. INTENSIVE SURVEY A. Research Design 1. Within 60 days of signing the contract for this project, the Contractor will submit a revised research design prepared in accordance with appropriate state and federal standards and guidelines. B. Research The research phase of the project will rely on information contained in the following reference sources: 1. Background research that builds on information generated by previous movie theatre nominations, surveys of commercial districts, historic context documents prepared for local surveys and related MPDFs. See especially, but not limited to, Footlights in Farm Country: Iowa Opera Houses MPS and Iowa's Main Street Commercial Architecture MPS 2. Given the need to make the broad scope of this project manageable in terms of time frame and budget, it is expected that bulk of research for the field survey will be focused on the list 4 Reference number: DCA-2009-SHPO-1 of movie theatres in the state’s inventory. Completed survey forms for movie theatres and research files will be made available to the Contractor. 3. Similar survey/nomination efforts by other states. (See www.cr.nps.gov/nr/research for the National Register Information System (NRIS) database and list of Multiple Property Document submittals.) 4. Other secondary sources at research libraries on the history and development of movie theatre building types. C. Follow Up Recording and Evaluation of Sites 1. Field Work The Contractor will conduct an intensive survey of a minimum of 200 selected on the basis of their potential to develop more fully the historic context by contributing to a broader understanding of Iowa's movie theatre history and by filling in data gaps identified in the research design and in the course of carrying out the project. Potential contractors are encouraged to focus their efforts on the potentially eligible properties, but may select others with the approval of SHPO staff. Contractors are encouraged to consult with local historic preservation commissions during the course of this project, especially when surveying properties within their respective jurisdictions. These commissions maintain inventories and may be a source of useful data. Some have expressed strong interest in and support for historic movie theatres and may be willing to provide volunteer and other support for contractors