Professional Management Services for Century II

The City of Wichita is considering engaging in a professional management services agreement with a professional management firm that would oversee the operations of Century II (CII).

Post COVID-19, there will be a “new normal” for the convention, meetings and community events industry, and a private operator will bring with them in-depth knowledge regarding how best to position the operation of Century II in this new reality. This knowledge and expertise is not something that City staff currently possess.

The expertise of a private operator will provide guidance on how to right-size the operation going forward.

The City of Wichita anticipates that the shift toward a professional management services model will help reduce, and potentially eliminate, the on-going operating support the City provides Century II. This support is currently around $2.5 million annually. Once the City receives responses to the Request for Proposals, there will be a better understanding of the potential cost savings.

Solicitation processes utilize a number of techniques to help ensure competitiveness and broad outreach to interested firms. The purchasing department and project team will review registered vendor bid lists to ascertain if any currently registered firms provide these or similar services, the RFP will also be advertised online through the City’s website and published in the local newspaper. The team will also research firms that currently provide these services around the country and include them in the bid list. Any firms that wish to participate may provide a response to the RFP.

The process will consist of a 2-phased approach:

• Phase 1 (RFQ) will require interested firms to submit their qualifications to ensure that they have the professional capability and capacity to fulfill the obligations of managing Century II. A Selection Committee will review these responses and select firms to move to phase 2.
• Phase 2 of the process will invite selected vendors from phase 1 to respond to the RFP package, which asks for extensive and detailed information regarding every aspect of operating the facility.

The official RFQ/RFP package will be released after citizen feedback is considered.

The goal is to publish the RFQ/RFP package during the first quarter of 2021.

Century II is not closing.

The City will maintain responsibility for ownership of the facility as well as associated maintenance costs.

The City Council recently approved the first $250,000 installment of $2.2 million in Century II maintenance to be spent in the coming years.

The City of Wichita is not selling Century II to any outside entity. The City wants to transfer the management of operations to an experienced firm within the field that has the experience and capability to most effectively and efficiently manage the facility, while the City maintains its ownership.

No, the City will still own the building and ensure proper maintenance. Hiring a professional management firm to manage the day-to-day operations of the facility is fiscally prudent and professionally efficient. A professional management firm has the skills and experience that the City does not currently have on staff to effectively manage the facility in the most cost efficient manner to benefit the City and taxpayer interests.

General maintenance and upkeep of the facility are the responsibility of the selected firm in compliance with industry standards. Selected firm will work closely with City staff to protect the City’s interest.