This is a service / maintenance or supply contract in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Contact the soliciting agency for additional information.

The Philadelphia Department of Commerce, through the Targeted Storefront Improvement Program (TSIP), is seeking proposals from qualified architectural firms to provide professional design and technical assistance for storefront improvement projects throughout Philadelphia. Commerce anticipates selecting up to three firms to support storefront assessments, conceptual designs, permit-ready construction documents, permitting coordination, and limited construction support. Questions due: September 10, 2026, by 5:00 p.m. Anticipated contract start: November 2026 Questions must be submitted by email to the contact info below by September 10, 2026, at 5:00 PM. Please use the subject line "TSIP Architectural Design Services RFP Questions." The Philadelphia Department of Commerce (Commerce), through the Targeted Storefront Improvement Program (TSIP), seeks proposals from qualified architectural firms to provide professional architectural design and technical assistance services for storefront improvement projects throughout Philadelphia. TSIP invests in facade improvements, accessibility upgrades, storefront renovations, and related exterior improvements that strengthen neighborhood commercial corridors and support local economic development. Selected firms will work collaboratively with Commerce, community development corporations and other corridor partners, business and property owners, contractors, permit expeditors, and City agencies throughout project implementation. Commerce anticipates selecting up to three qualified firms through this RFP and assigning work through project-specific task orders. The selected firm(s) must be prepared to perform some or all of the following services for individual storefront assignments. Commerce will define the authorized services in each task order; no work outside an approved task order may proceed without prior written authorization. Phase 1 - Existing Conditions Assessment o Participate in project kickoff and coordination meetings. o Conduct site visits, field measurements, and photographic documentation. o Document relevant site, facade, storefront, and accessibility conditions. o Identify apparent code, zoning, accessibility, historic-review, and permitting considerations Phase 2 - Concept Design o Prepare conceptual storefront and facade designs responsive to the approved program scope. o Recommend appropriate materials, colors, signage, lighting, and accessibility improvements. o Present concepts to Commerce and project stakeholders and incorporate authorized feedback. Phase 3 - Design Development o Refine the approved concept, dimensions, assemblies, finishes, and key details. o Coordinate design decisions with Commerce, the business/property owner, contractor, and permit expeditor. o Support value engineering and alignment with the available project budget. Phase 4 - Construction and Permit Documents o Prepare permit-ready drawings, including existing and proposed elevations, plans as needed, architectural details, schedules, specifications, and code information. o Coordinate structural or other specialty disciplines when required and authorized. o Ensure documents are internally reviewed for completeness and quality before submission. Phase 5 - Cost and Permit Coordination o Review contractor estimates for general consistency with the approved design and identify material scope gaps. o Coordinate with the assigned permit expeditor and respond to agency comments. o Revise drawings as needed to support permit issuance within the authorized scope. Phase 6 - Construction Support o Respond to requests for information and clarify design intent. o Conduct limited site observations when authorized; observations are not continuous inspection or control of construction means and methods. o Participate in punch-list review and project closeout when included in the task order. Phase 7 - Project Coordination and Scope Management o Attend required meetings and provide timely status updates in the format requested by Commerce. o Promptly notify Commerce of issues affecting scope, budget, schedule, site access, partner responsiveness, or permitting. o Coordinate all scope modifications through Commerce. No additional services or scope changes may be performed without prior written approval. o Maintain organized project records and submit requested documentation at project milestones and closeout. Reservation of Rights The City reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to: o Reject any or all proposals and reissue, extend, revise, supplement, replace, or cancel this opportunity before execution of a final contract. o Reject a proposal that is incomplete, nonresponsive, conditioned, ambiguous, not compliant with applicable law, or otherwise not in the City's best interest. o Waive a defect or deficiency that the City determines is not material. o Request or permit amendments, modifications, clarifications, omitted information, or corrections after submission. o Award some, all, or none of the work; issue notices of intent to contract; and negotiate price, scope, staffing, schedule, or other terms with one or more applicants. o Conduct simultaneous or sequential negotiations and discontinue or reopen negotiations at any time before contract execution. o Require presentations, reference checks, site visits, financial or technical investigations, and review of projects performed by an applicant. o Rescind a notice of intent to contract and elect not to enter into a contract when the City determines that doing so is in its best interest. All questions concerning this RFP must be submitted in writing by email to Zainab Mahdi, TSIP Manager, at Zainab.Mahdi@phila.gov no later than September 10, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Applicants must use the subject line "TSIP Architectural Design Services RFP Questions." Questions received after the deadline may not be considered. The method of Contractor Selection has not been Determined at this time.