Pre-Bid Communications
Other than for purposes of publicizing the City’s issuance of the RFP, or explaining the administrative procedures associated with the RFP, there shall be no communication between any representative of the City of Chicago (including aldermen) and any party seeking award of the agreement for the acquisition and development of the Old Post Office (respondents) until a Pre-Bid Conference is held. Any such communication shall take place at the Pre-Bid Conference. Upon completion of the Pre-Bid Conference, the Department of Planning and Development (DPD) may elect to answer additional questions through written response. In such cases, all questions that DPD chooses to respond to, and the answers to such questions, shall be shared with all respondents through the Department’s website. No questions will be accepted after the first day of the week that is seven weeks prior to the submission Response Due Date. The aforesaid restriction shall not apply to the owner of the Old Post Office building or any of its affiliates or subsequent purchasers.

Pre-Bid Conference
At the Pre-Bid Conference, respondents may ask any questions and DPD may provide any information it deems appropriate. DPD may furnish pre-determined questions and answers for the benefit of respondents. DPD may invite any party (including aldermen) to participate in any such conference. DPD may hold more than one such pre-bid conference. The Pre-Bid Conference will be held at 1 p.m. on April 14, City Hall, Room 1003A, Chicago.

Post Pre-Bid Conference
After the Pre-Bid Conference, but before submittal to DPD of a proposal, respondents may pose questions by email to DPD. DPD may elect to answer such questions. All such questions and the associated responses will be posted on DPD’s website and will be available for review by all persons. Other than such posting on the website, no questions will be answered in person, or by email, US mail or otherwise. DPD may elect, but is not required to, contact any and all persons or companies solely to advise them that the RFP is available for review as provided herein. DPD intends to advertise the RFP, including by print and any other form of media, electronically and in the DPD lobby. DPD may post any additional information on its website.

Post Submittal
After submission of proposals to DPD, no information about a respondent’s proposal, nor any communications with a respondent, will be shared with, or disclosed to, the public or any third parties by DPD and no other respondent will have any rights to any such information or communications.

Other Information
Minutes of the Pre-Bid Conference will be taken and provided to all respondents when available through the Department’s website. All respondents will be accorded fair and equal treatment at all times.