REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ) FOR GENERAL CONTRACTING SERVICES - DENVER ZOO - ASIAN TROPICS
10 JUNE 2009
The Denver Zoological Foundation, Inc. (DZF) is seeking the submission of qualifications from General Contractors to provide pre-construction and construction services for the construction of the new Asian Tropics Exhibit to be located at Denver Zoo, 2300 Steele Street, Denver, CO 80205.
The project consists of the redevelopment of approximately 10 acres of existing zoo exhibits and service areas. The new exhibit will house Asian elephants, one-horned rhinos, Malayan tapirs, clouded leopards, white cheeked gibbons, and several other Asian species.
Denver Zoo is interested in demonstrated experience in the construction of complex projects in congested areas. Examples of completed work addressing issues of utility relocation, project phasing, coordination of scheduling, LEED certified projects, virtual construction modeling and cost control are important.
Interested parties may obtain complete RFQ packages from Denver Zoo’s Office of Planning and Capital Projects and are encouraged to send an email to asiantropics@denverzoo.org or call (303) 376-4834 in order to request the RFQ. Copies of the RFQ may also be downloaded.
The selection process for the General Contractor will be through the review of submissions in response to the RFQ, followed by interviews of short listed candidates, and an invitation to bid to selected candidates. Qualifications shall be received at Denver Zoo no later than 2:00 pm. Mountain Daylight Time, on Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at the Office of Planning and Capital Projects.
New Video!
Later this spring, areas within Denver Zoo will be transformed by unique artifacts direct from Thailand. Just a few weeks ago, zoo staff unloaded an entire shipping container of cultural and historical items that will find a future home in Asian Tropics.
The purchases were part of a multi-faceted trip last June by Public Programs Director Brad Parks, Curator Dale Leeds, Zoo Volunteer Joanna Scott Picher, and Seth Frankel, a partner with ECOS Communications, a Boulder design firm creating educational graphics for Asian Tropics.
The trip allowed our team to develop a greater understanding of Asian culture and local efforts and challenges in conserving endangered animals. With this research, we’re now investigating potential new conservation partnerships, and how we can play a greater role in helping some of the world’s most threatened wildlife.
According to Curator Dale Leeds: “My personal opinion at this point in time is that Thai elephants in human care might have a secure future. With quality management and recent increases in successful breeding, it is possible that their population could be stabilized. The wild population, however, is in a much more dire situation. We were exceptionally lucky to see wild elephants on this trip. With ever increasing human population, increasing human/elephant conflict, and continual loss of habitat, wild elephants are in real trouble. This is why Denver Zoo’s contributions to elephant conservation are so important. We are just scratching the surface of the work that will continue to grow over time. We will continue our good work with our elephants here; we will continue our work to resolve human/elephant conflicts in their native lands; and we are all looking forward to even greater possibilities to protect a future for elephants and other Asian wildlife to come with the new Asian Tropics exhibit.”
SITE WORK UNDERWAY!
Denver Zoo currently is finalizing its plans for Asian Tropics, a landmark exhibit which will occupy 10-acres on the southern edge of the zoo. In order for this highly anticipated project to begin in 2009, the zoo is performing several preparatory measures. Because these are happening primarily in behind-the-scenes service areas, you may not notice the activity taking place!
The zoo must relocate or rebuild many of the service facilities currently housed at the future site of Asian Tropics. These include facilities for concession deliveries, waste management, general storage, grounds equipment, and hay storage. All of these operations will move from their current
location on the south side of the zoo to a new location bordering the northwest zoo boundary. Construction is scheduled to be completed on these buildings by late spring 2009. The zoo then will undergo a thorough
“house-cleaning”, moving existing operations to their new homes, and relocating all materials to new locations. This is an exciting step in preparing for Asian Tropics construction.
What is Asian Tropics?
Imagine watching majestic Asian elephants care for their young, Indian one-horned rhinos cooling off in a shallow stream, acrobatic gibbons swinging overhead from tree to tree, fishing cats diving for their next meal and the piercing stare of a black leopard, all from the center of an Asian village. These, and a host of other experiences, soon will be possible without leaving Denver. Asian Tropics will be the new home for some of the zoo’s most beloved animals in addition to a number of important new species.
Occupying 10-acres on the southern edge of the zoo, Asian Tropics’ expansive complex will allow visitors to explore and discover the rich history of animals in Asian culture, their complicated relationship with humans and the efforts of Denver Zoo and its partners around the world to protect their futures.
The map below shows the 10-acre Asian Tropics exhibit in its location along the southern edge of Denver Zoo.
Imagine watching majestic Asian elephants care for their young, Indian one-horned rhinos cooling off in a shallow stream, acrobatic gibbons swinging overhead from tree to tree, fishing cats diving for their next meal and the piercing stare of a black leopard, all from the center of an Asian village. These, and a host of other experiences, soon will be possible without leaving Denver. Asian Tropics will be the new home for some of the zoo’s most beloved animals in addition to a number of important new species. 
