OMSI District Identity Plan & Waterfront Education Park
The OMSI District is a new 24−acre mixed-use neighborhood and community destination on the Willamette River in Portland’s Central City. The Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (CRITFC) and the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) are seeking a Design Team to lead two interrelated projects: development of the District Identity Plan (DIP), which will establish the visual and interpretive identity of the district, and design of the Waterfront Education Park (WEP), a signature public park on the Willamette River that will celebrate Tribal presence and create a place of healing, learning, and ecological connection for all.
CRITFC was formed by four sovereign Tribal nations — Yakama, Warm Springs, Umatilla, and Nez Perce — to protect treaty fishing rights and restore the Columbia River Basin. OMSI is one of the nation’s leading science museums, inspiring curiosity and learning for millions of people across the Pacific Northwest. The two organizations have partnered since the 1980s, guided by shared values and a commitment to science, environmental education, cultural inclusion, reciprocal relationships, stewardship, and public engagement. The OMSI District represents the most ambitious collaboration to date.
What We’re Looking For
We are seeking a Design Team with demonstrated experience in culturally specific, community-engaged design — with a meaningful and credible approach to centering Tribal and Indigenous voices throughout the design process. The team should include relevant experience across district identity, environmental graphic design, landscape architecture, and waterfront park design, and must include or partner with a Portland-based firm experienced in City of Portland entitlements and Design Review.
Our intent is to reengage the selected team for subsequent DIP and WEP phases enabled by future fundraising. This initial phase is a 2.5−year design engagement with a start date in spring of 2027.
Key Dates
10.09.26
LOI Brief issued publicly
10.26.26
Letter of Interest (LOI) Due 5 PM PST
Full RFQ/RFP Package released on a rolling basis upon LOI submission
Open House at OMSI 5 PM PST | In Person
10.30.26
Virtual Q&A 10 AM PST
11.20.26
RFQ submissions Due 5 PM PST
12.11.26
Shortlist notified
02.05.27
RFP submissions Due 5 PM PST
02.16−23.27
Interviews at OMSI Portland, OR
03.19.27
Team Selected
How to Participate
The full LOI / RFQ / RFP package will be released on a rolling basis when you submit your Letter of Interest. The LOI is a one-page registration: firm name, contact information, and a brief statement of interest.
Submit your LOI by October 26, 2026 to receive the full package and all respondents will be included in the shared matchmaking directory. You do not need a full team to submit an LOI to receive the materials.
LOI’s to be emailed to: OMSIRFP@omsi.edu and register your submission on the website below.
Questions? Please use the following form to submit any questions regarding the Waterfront Education Park Request for Proposals to our team.