RFP 27-14 Hilo Urban Trails Content and Experience Development

The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority is seeking qualified firms or individuals to provide professional services for the Hilo Urban Trails Project. The objective of this initiative is to enhance visitor orientation and encourage walkable, multimodal exploration in greater Hilo by developing a comprehensive trail framework. The selected contractor will be responsible for creating interpretive content, storytelling, wayfinding recommendations, and both physical and digital participation materials designed to engage visitors with local businesses, cultural institutions, and community assets. This is a trade-off award solicitation with a maximum fixed-price ceiling of 225,000 USD, funded by the U.S. Economic Development Administration for a performance period spanning October 2026 to May 31, 2027. Proposals are evaluated on a 100-point scale, with the highest weight placed on the proposed approach (40 points), followed by experience, qualifications, and past performance (20 points each), price (15 points), and references (5 points). To be eligible, contractors must provide state and federal tax clearance certificates, a certificate of good standing, and a certificate of compliance from the Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. Submissions must be uploaded via the HIE PRO portal by August 31, 2026, and must adhere to strict formatting guidelines, including a 50-page limit for the primary proposal volume.