Kalispell Police Department is looking for a partner to help it move forward with a new law enforcement training center that includes a live-fire shooting range and shooting simulator.

A request for proposals went out Wednesday. Submissions are due by 2 p.m. July 31.

The police department has $750,000 in grant money available for the project. The money was awarded by the U.S. Department of Justice in 2009.

“Originally we applied for over $6 million of federal funding. We were awarded $750,000, so we had to look for a partner to help us with property, bricks and mortar and facility upkeep,” Kalispell Police Chief Roger Nasset said.

“We have a couple gun manufacturers and a current shooting range interested as potential partners, but we felt it was fair to put out an RFP so anyone who is interested could apply.”

Nasset said he envisions a multijurisdictional law enforcement training center with a shooting range and shooting simulator that also allows public use.

“All we require are those two components and 24-hour access. What they have outside of that range and the room for the shooting simulator will be up to them, within reason.”

Kalispell Police Department already has secured one extension to use the federal grant funds, which are set to expire in September 2013.

“We would like to be up and running by that time,” Nasset said.

“There is potential for another extension on the grant, but the sooner the better. We’d like to do it this fall but that all depends on the partnership we can come up with out of this deal. I would hate to lose this great opportunity.”

A five-member evaluation committee will review proposals, with the highest-ranked firm recommended to the city manager and Kalispell City Council for a contract award.

The request for proposals is online at www.kalispell.com/clerk/projects_open.php.

Reporter Tom Lotshaw may be reached at 758-4483 or by email at tlotshaw@dailyinterlake.com.