It is recommended that the Mayor and City Commission approve the Resolution authorizing the Administration to negotiate an agreement, pursuant to Invitation to Negotiate (ITN) No. 2024-007-ND, with Friends of the Bass Museum, Inc. for the management and operation of the Collins Park Rotunda.  The Resolution requires that the negotiated agreement be subject to approval by the Mayor and City Commission.

The solicitation is currently under the cone of silence.

Miami Beach’s Collins Park Cultural District is home to a rich tapestry of cultural, performing arts and civic organizations and facilities including the Miami Beach Regional Library, Miami City Ballet, The Bass Museum of Art, the future Collins Park Cultural Center, and the Collins Park Rotunda (the “Rotunda”). The City of Miami Beach commissioned the Rotunda in 1962 as an auditorium for the adjacent library. The space has served various uses, including a venue for art-related special event activations. For example, in 2019, through the City’s Artist in Residence program, the Rotunda served as a community meeting space to discuss issues related to the environment. In 2021, the Rotunda was temporarily used as an artist studio to produce a community-based public artwork that was commissioned through The Bass Museum of Art. Art Basel has also programmed the space with site-specific art installations.

The Rotunda is in the process of being renovated under the management of the Office of Capital Improvement Projects (CIP). On December 13, 2023, the City Commission awarded ITB 2023-321-DF, for the Collins Park Rotunda renovations, with an anticipated completion date of December 2024. The scope of work includes a complete renovation of interior and exterior systems, incorporating Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility requirements, and a new stand-alone building which will house restrooms and mechanical equipment. The renovations are funded, in part, through the Arts and Culture General Obligation Bond, as well as a State of Florida grant.

Once the space is renovated, it is intended to be used as a space for art organizations and artists to create, display and perform. In anticipation of the completed renovations, on December 13, 2023, the Mayor and City Commission authorized the issuance of ITN No. 2024-007-ND to receive and consider proposals for the management and operation of the Collins Park Rotunda. The goal of the ITN process was to engage an organization to develop and implement active arts or cultural uses for the Rotunda, while managing and operating the facility as a first-class, high-quality, state-of-the-art venue.

On December 15, 2023, the ITN was issued and bid notices were sent to firms registered in the e-procurement system as well as interested firms, including local arts and culture organizations identified by staff.

Twenty-eight (28) prospective bidders accessed the advertised solicitation. A voluntary pre-proposal conference was held on January 9, 2024, to provide information to proposers submitting a response. One (1) addendum was issued.  ITN responses were due and received on January 29, 2024.  The City received two (2) proposals from Friends of the Bass Museum, Inc. and HZIP LLC.

On February 2, 2024, the City Manager appointed the Evaluation Committee as shared via LTC # 038-2024. The Evaluation Committee convened on February 15, 2024 to consider the proposal received. The Committee was comprised of Ray Breslin, President, Collins Park Neighborhood Association; Cynthia Casanova, Assistant Director, Parks and Recreation Department; Lissette Garcia Arrogante, Director, Tourism and Culture Department; David Martinez, Director, Office of Capital Improvement Projects; and Elizabeth Miro, Interim Director, Facilities and Fleet Management Department. The Committee was provided an overview of the purpose of the solicitation, information relative to the City's Cone of Silence Ordinance, and the Government Sunshine Law. The Committee was also provided with general information on the scope of services and a copy of each proposal. The Committee was instructed to score and rank each proposal pursuant to the evaluation criteria established in the ITN.  The evaluation process resulted in the ranking of proposers as indicated below (see Attachment A).

1st ranked – Friends of the Bass Museum, Inc.

2nd ranked – HZIP LLC

The Evaluation Committee unanimously deemed Friends of the Bass Museum, Inc. the best-qualified firm to manage and operate the Collins Park Rotunda.  The Evaluation Committee noted that the Bass’s curatorial experience and track record, its sound financial management and operational strengths, as well as its geographic proximity to the Collins Park Rotunda makes the Friends of the Bass an ideal candidate. As proposed by the Friends of the Bass Museum, the curatorial vision for the Rotunda would be one of solo artist projects, immersive installations, and art-and-technology art commissions. The Friends of the Bass would follow a rigorous curatorial research approach while ensuring, as with successful public art, that the programs are of character appropriate for visitors of all ages and backgrounds. The proposal includes thirty-six (36) annual activations, including 1,512 hours of programming annually consisting of exhibitions, performances, artists’ projects, musical events, educational programs, talks, and other cultural events to be be overseen by The Bass’ Director of Special Events & Public Programs. The Evaluation Committee also noted that Friends of the Bass Museum, Inc. is proposing free-of-cost programs to Miami Beach residents and visitors. In addition, the Rotunda would be open to special events and rental opportunities. The proposed hours of operation for the Rotunda would be 12 noon to 6 pm from Wednesdays to Sundays; and evening hours every third Thursday and during special events.

A summary of the top-ranked firm follows:

Friends of the Bass Museum, Inc.

Friends of the Bass Museum, Inc. (The Friends of the Bass) is a local business located in Miami Beach, Florida that has been registered in the State of Florida as a not-for-profit corporation since 1980.  Since 2008, the Friends of the Bass has led The Bass Museum’s rapid institutional growth and refocused its mission and programs to reflect Miami Beach’s emergence as an international art destination. The City has been satisfied with its management and operation efforts of the Bass.

The Collins Park Rotunda management agreement with the selected cultural entity will be compensated on an agreed-upon, fixed management fee. It is anticipated that the selected operator will be responsible for all operational and general maintenance costs, and the City will be responsible for major capital improvements only. However, financial considerations will be negotiated with the selected firm and presented to the Mayor and City Commission for approval.

Based on the foregoing, it is recommended that the Mayor and City Commission approve the Resolution authorizing the Administration to negotiate a management agreement with Friends of the Bass Museum, Inc., the top-ranked proposer, provided that the final agreement be subject to approval by the Mayor and City Commission.

LOBBYIST DISCLOSURE

In accordance with Resolution No. 2023-32857, adopted by the City Commission on December 13, 2023, the following information has been provided by the Administration:

1. Was the Agenda Item initially requested by a lobbyist which, as defined in Code Sec. 2-481, includes a principal engaged in lobbying? No.

2. If so, specify name of lobbyist(s) and principal(s): Not applicable.