Asset Manager for Broward Convention Center Hotel

NOTICE OF INTENT TO DESIGNATE SOLE SOURCE/ONE REASONABLE SOURCE
The Purchasing Division is publishing this notice pursuant to the Broward County Procurement Code section, 21.25, Sole Source/Only Reasonable Source, and 21.26, Sole Brand.  The Purchasing Division intends to award a contract without competition if it is determined to be in the best interest of the County.
Determination of Other Interested Vendors The intent of this notice is to determine if there are any other interested and qualified vendors that meet the requirements of this notice.  Any such vendor must submit the following information:   1. The name of the interested party; and 2. A detailed explanation consisting of documentation showing that there are other qualified sources for the identified services herein. 
Scope of Services/Background: The County is requiring an independent Asset Manager, with hotel and associated convention center experience. The Asset Manager will be required to report Hotel's performance (financial and operationally) and provide guidance and recommendations to the County, based on industry knowledge and current statistics (for local and national area for similar sized hotels and for convention center hotels). The Asset Manager will provide independent reporting, including comparison of Hotel's performance metrics documentation, against local and national hotels. The Asset Manager will also need to verify to the County that the hotel is competitively positioned – locally, nationally, and internationally, and must be able to evaluate the County’s hotel against other operators (i.e., ensuring room rates are priced correctly for this area and quality standards are maintained for rating). The Asset Manager must use the County's hotel information and compare to specific-industry data to review and confirm the hotel’s financial performance, including revenues and operating profit revenue streams. Additionally, the County’s Asset Manager must be knowledgeable on convention center operations associated with hotels – the management, bookings, goals, and requirements – to ensure that the County’s hotel and convention center compliments each facility’s operations, and feed strong revenue growth for the hotel, and increase economic impact for Broward County.   
The County is requiring an Asset Manager for operations, but also for pre-opening activities, such as review of hotel governance, review of labor agreements and training standards/programs, negotiations of key operating agreement terms, and other critical activities required for a successful start of hotel operations. The Asset Manager is also required for physical inspections and surveys of the hotel, to ensure preventative maintenance is being performed, warranty or construction claims are evaluated (for any required replacement equipment), equipment standards are maintained, etc.  
Reasonable Source Designation: The County is seeking Most Reasonable Source approval for Asset Manager services by North Star Research Corp dba HVS Convention, Sports & Entertainment Facilities Consulting (HVS). HVS's historical knowledge of the project (to date), established relationships within the project (Omni, County leadership, and MSW), and existing relationships with national and international financial investment entities, banks, rating agencies, and developers.  Additionally, HVS possess a proprietary database of information that will be used in evaluation of County's hotel operations.  
Vendors shall possess experience with:  - Omni flag hotels - Hotels of similar size (800 keys) - Hotels with Convention Centers - Hotels with Five Diamond ratings (AAA) - Independent - not affiliated or owned by an entity currently involved in Broward County's project
Additional Comments: This is a Request for Information (RFI).  This is not a request for pricing or a commitment to purchase. Prospective Vendors are requested to provide information regarding their ability to supply contractual services described or written explanation or other documentation contesting the proposed designation as a Sole Source/Sole Brand.   
Prospective Vendors will be considered only if they provide documentation demonstrating that they are capable of meeting or exceeding the specification requirements stated herein. Vendor responses will be evaluated by the County, and the Director of Purchasing who shall have the authority in establishing the approved equal status of the commodity or service offered by the vendor, which decision shall not be subject to objection, protest, or appeal.