Los Portales Museum and Visitor Center Operations and Management for the El Paso County, Texas

The County of El Paso is seeking qualified proposers to operate and manage the Los Portales Museum and Visitor Center under RFP 26-015 Addendum 1, with a submission deadline of June 25, 2026, at 9:00 PM. Proposals must be submitted exclusively through the Ion Wave e-Bid platform or delivered in person to the El Paso County Purchasing Department; emailed or faxed submissions will not be accepted. The contract term runs from September 1, 2026, to August 31, 2027, with the possibility of three one-year extensions subject to approval by the Commissioners' Court. Performance is limited to El Paso County, Texas, and all work must comply with applicable local, state, and federal regulations, including adherence to Texas Historical Commission and American Alliance of Museums standards. The award will be made based on a best-value trade-off methodology, evaluating technical merit on a 100-point scale alongside price, with factors including historic preservation expertise, visitor engagement, exhibit quality, performance reporting, accessibility, community outreach, volunteer and partnership management, digital services, references, and employee health insurance coverage. Required attachments include a Conflict of Interest Questionnaire, Certificate of Interested Parties, Proof of Insurance, W-9, Safety Questionnaire with Civil Litigation Certification, References, Health Insurance Benefits Questionnaire, and Code of Ethics Training Affidavit. Contractors must maintain specific insurance levels including $100,000 per occurrence general liability, $1 million umbrella coverage, and workers’ compensation as required by law, with the County named as co-insured and notified 30 days prior to any policy changes. Additional requirements include daily sign-in/out for staff during business hours, restricted after-hours access via badge, immediate response to emergency requests within four hours, complete site cleanup upon completion, prohibition of using County trash receptacles, and indemnification of the County against all claims arising from contract performance. The County retains sovereign immunity and does not waive any legal protections under Texas law. All amendments and responses to questions will be posted publicly on Ion Wave, and it is the responsibility of each respondent to monitor the portal for updates prior to submission.