AMENDMENT #1 MMH RFQ Q&A.pdf

RFx 3140003951

AMENDMENT #1

Museum of Mississippi History Exhibit Updates Questions Answers

8/30/2024

Question MDAH Response

What is the anticipated budget for the design portion of this project, and is there a anticipated production budget?

At this time a budget hasn't been determined. MDAH will work with the selected designer to see what is realistic.

Does the MDAH anticipate including audiovisual upgrades

(hardware, design, and/or programming) in the updated exhibits?

What portion of this work will be under this contract vs. others?

Yes, AV development/design will take place in this contract. A separate contract for hardware will be issued after a separate bid process.

Is there a target schedule for this project? MDAH would like to ideally complete the project in the 2025 calendar year.

What kind of input is the MDAH looking to gather from Tribal

Nations and what will the contractor's role in that community work be?

MDAH has been consulting with our Tribal partners for a year on this space. We have the general topics to be covered. MDAH will lead discussions with help from selected designer to enhance the narrative, approve design, and artifact selection.

Do you have a budget range for the project? Do you have a budget range for the WOW feature?

At this time a budget hasn't been determined. MDAH will work with the selected designer to see what is realistic.

Can architectural changes be made to open up the space, or is the area visible in Attachment E the area we have to work with for the lobby attention grabbing piece?

MDAH is open to all possibilities.

It looks like the ceiling next to the theater is higher, then drops down over the touch screens on the left. Can the ceiling on the left be opened up to accommodate a larger sculptural element?

MDAH is open to the possibility if ductwork is not in the way.

What is the structural ceiling height? The ceiling is drywall and building plans aren't readily available.

There is one large HVAC vent and 3 smaller ones, so we assume it is full of ductwork. There are 3 different height levels, the area by the sliding doors is 8.5ft, the area above the touch screen is

9ft, and the area above the entrance to the theatre and fast track is

12ft. The selected designer will have access to any plans needed.

9 Can we repurpose the left wall where the touch screens are? Yes, MDAH is open to all possibilities.

Can the Wow element be outside or extend outside the entrance vestibule into the lobby?

Yes, MDAH is open to all possibilities.

RFx 33140003951

Museum of Mississippi History Exhibit Updates Questions Answers

8/30/2024

Most of the proposed changes to the first peoples gallery are graphic panel changes. Is there room/budget for a more dramatic exhibit redesign e.g. media experiences?

The space is small, but MDAH is open to AV enhancements.

Should the design include technical systems specification and equipment list and installation estimates?

Final design should have estimates for all. But a separate integrator will be hired after a bid process.

Since the existing casework in the First Peoples Gallery is to remain in place, are there any constraints or limitations regarding modifications to the casework? For example, can new lighting or

AV elements be integrated into the casework, or must these be external additions?

MDAH is open to internal case modifications.

For scriptwriting and label development, is there an existing content strategy or narrative framework that we should follow, or will this be developed in collaboration with MDAH and Tribal partners?

the label development and style will follow that of the rest of the

Museum of Mississippi History. The Tribal partners will review final text to ensure accuracy.

Could you clarify the extent of digital interactivity that is expected for the exhibit in the First Peoples Gallery? For example, are interactive touchscreens, augmented reality elements, or other digital engagement tools encouraged, or is the focus primarily on static displays and traditional AV elements?

MDAH is open to additional AV components. The space is limited, so AV should be limited.

The RFQ mentions an innovative use of technology and techniques as part of the evaluation criteria. Are there specific technologies or platforms that MMH is hoping to build or already has experience with?

No, this is viewed as just innovative ideas the designer has brought to past projects.

Will the AV systems need to integrate with any existing systems within MMH, or will new systems have to be implemented?

Yes, the AV will need to be integrated with the existing system.

Are there specific accessibility standards that need to be followed beyond the general guidelines?

no.

Are there language requirements for the labels and exhibit content, such as bilingual or multilingual support? If so, what languages need to be included?

We will want to include the Tribal languages especially at the

Origins stories/Storytelling area.

Museum of Mississippi History Exhibit Updates Questions Answers

8/30/2024

Will any media content (e.g., images, videos) be provided by

MMH, or will the designer be responsible for creating new media assets?

The designer will be responsible for creating all media assets.

Will the content of the exhibit be static, or does MMH anticipate regular updates? If updates are required, how often does the museum anticipate updating content after installation?

Content will be static; but design elements should be easily moveable for maintenance issues.

What assumptions should we make regarding the scope for a

Content Management System? Does the museum staff expect to often update content?

Staff should be able to update content.

Does the museum have an IT team that can be trained on the hardware and CMS?

Yes.

Is there an existing show control system in the museum that we would integrate with or should we plan to specify a new system?

Integration with the current AMX system is desired.

What level of detail is expected for the exhibit documentation and graphics from the designer? Should this include detailed drawings, renderings, and mockups, or will high-level concept graphics suffice for review and approval stages?

Some mockups for approval of how things are progressing and then high-level concept graphics for review and approval.

How many on-site visits are anticipated throughout the design and installation phases? Will travel costs for these visits be covered or reimbursed by MMH?

3-4 trips throughout project. Travel expenses should be included in cost in submittal.

What level of involvement and collaboration is expected with

Tribal partners during the design phase?

MDAH will be the contact with Tribal partners, they will review the design, but MDAH makes final decisions.

Are there specific communication protocols or regular meetings that the design team should plan for?

No special protocols or meetings at this time.

Can you confirm that the answers to all questions will be posted on August 30th? There is a statement within the RFP document that states they will be included as an amendment on Sept 18 which is the day the submission are due – will it be handled both ways on both dates?

All answers will be provided by 8/30. You must sign all amendments and submit them on 9/18 with other qualifications

Museum of Mississippi History Exhibit Updates Questions Answers

8/30/2024

Will there be any preference given for a firm that performs the needed services in-house versus having to assemble a team of subs? For minority or woman-owned businesses? For local, and/or in state firms?

All submittals will be evaluated based solely on the criteria in the

RFQ.

Would you be willing to share the number and names of the other firms invited and/or that have indicated they are participating?

Four firms submitted questions. No firms were invited nor have any indicated that they are participating.

How is your organization structured for approvals? What is the customary approval process and typical review timeframes?

The museum division director is taking lead on this project.

Approvals will go through her. Our Tribal partners prefer a 30 day turnaround when they are asked to review material, when appropriate—mainly content. This can be reduced if needed.

How will your Board and/or community groups or stakeholders interact and affect this project?

MDAH will schedule meetings with our Tribal partners who will play an active role in the content development.

Is there any mandate to go with the lowest bidder? No. Cost is scored at 20%. The formula is A/B x 20 - where A equals lowest cost received, B equals offeror's cost, and 20 is the highest score possible.

Are you able to share an overall project dollar target range of implementing the outcomes of the “wow” feature at the entrance and the updates to the First Peoples Gallery?

At this time a budget hasn't been determined.

Are you able to provide a target timeframe for the Planning and

Design portion to be completed? For the overall project to be done?

We would like to begin the planning in January. The project would ideally be done within 2025 calendar year.

How would the approach for this project be similar to how you’ve handled past initiatives of this nature? What, if anything, may have changed with your organization?

MDAH has worked closely with our Tribal partners over the last several years. MDAH will continue to lead the interaction with the Tribes with the selected designer being an active participant in the meetings.

How would you describe your organization’s previous collaboration on previous initiatives involving outside consultants/resources? What do you believe has worked well?

What would you like to avoid occurring?

MDAH has had several initiatives with outside consultants.

MDAH is receptive to consultant's input. It works well when an honest conversation is able to be held with the end result in mind.

Museum of Mississippi History Exhibit Updates Questions Answers

8/30/2024

The packet includes some helpful visuals of the current space, however, would you be able to provide a hard square footage number of the project area, and/or a clouded floor plan with dimensions prior to the bid submission?

Approximate square footage of the introductory "wow" area is

475 sf. The First Peoples Gallery is approximately 725sf.

The packet goes into detail on the work to date on what could/should change in the First Peoples Gallery; are you looking for a fabricator to simply execute that plan or are you wanting a design firm to use that as point to start from and develop a new and/or broader or additional viable direction?

MDAH wants a design firm to use the topics as a starting point to develop the scriptwriting and research graphics. Yes, the graphic style will need to match that of the rest of the Museum of

Mississippi history.

The packet does not seem to reference how any potential changes to the First Peoples Gallery could affect the Introductory film – would this be a separate scope of work to revise it or would the film’s current narrative tone and content somehow need to impact the future rework in the gallery in some way?

The Introductory film shouldn't be affected.

The packet does not go into as much detail about the design of the “wow” feature, but this could conceivably be the larger portion (in time, scale and dollars) of the project – if that is a shared view, how do you want firms to reflect that in their response?

MDAH is open to all possibilities. There are no preconceived opinions about what this should be.

For increased clarity, are you asking for firms to submit potential designs of the “wow” entry feature as part of their submissions?

If so, will these be considered a trade secret and treated confidentially as per the guidelines, or will they be released as public record?

MDAH does not expect potential designs in the submittal.

Previous projects that have a "wow" feature are welcome.

Acknowledgement of Questions and Answers

Signature Date