From Sea to Shining Sea-America250 Initiative
RFP RELEASE DATE: December 17th, 2025
QUESTION SUBMISSION DEADLINE: January 7th, 2026
PROPOSAL SUBMISSION DEADLINE: January 9th, 2026
Meridian International Center’s IVLP Team is responsible for administering the U.S. Department
of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), a professional exchange program. IVLP
participants from around the world travel to Philadelphia, Pa for the first leg of their U.S.
professional exchange program. On average, Meridian administers projects for roughly 1,500 –
2,000 IVLP participants during a single year. To ensure a comfortable stay for the participants
when they arrive, the IVLP requires hotel accommodation services in Philadelphia, PA.
The U.S. Department of State’s From Sea to Shining Sea Initiative is designed to showcase
American innovation and excellence as we celebrate the semi-quincentennial.
Meridian International Center invites submission of proposals from Philadelphia based hotels for
From Sea to Shining Sea-America250 Initiative. The visitors are traveling under the auspices of
the U.S. Department of State, as are the accompanying Interpreters and Liaisons (I/Ls).
The awarding of this contract is dependent on federal funding from the Department of State.
