STATE OF NORTH DAKOTA

State Historical Society of North Dakota 612 East Boulevard Avenue

Bismarck, ND 58505

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP)

RFP Title: Interactive Exhibit Design and Fabrication

RFP Number: 701.2026.1

Issued: January 12, 2026

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION ONE – INSTRUCTIONS

1.1 PURPOSE OF RFP

1.2 PROCUREMENT OFFICER CONTACT INFORMATION

1.3 DEFINITIONS

1.4 RFP SCHEDULE

1.5 ASSISTANCE TO INDIVIDUALS WITH A DISABILITY

1.6 SECRETARY OF STATE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS

1.7 BIDDERS LIST REGISTRATION

1.8 STATE PROCUREMENT WEBSITE (SPO ONLINE)

1.9 AMENDMENTS TO THE RFP

1.10 DEADLINE FOR QUESTIONS AND OBJECTIONS

1.11 PREPROPOSAL CONFERENCE OR SITE INSPECTION

1.12 OFFER HELD FIRM

1.13 OFFEROR RESPONSIBLE FOR COSTS

1.14 TAXES

1.15 F.O.B. POINT AND FREIGHT

1.16 PROPOSAL RECEIPT DEADLINE – LATE PROPOSALS REJECTED

1.17 PROPOSAL OPENING

1.18 AMENDMENT AND WITHDRAWAL OF PROPOSALS

1.19 NEWS RELEASES

1.20 CONFLICT OF INTEREST

1.21 ATTEMPT TO INFLUENCE PROHIBITED

1.22 COLLUSION PROHIBITED

1.23 PROTEST AND APPEAL

1.24 SPECIFICATIONS PREPARED BY NON-STATE PERSONNEL

1.25 SUPPLIER REGISTRATION (PAYEE)

SECTION TWO – BACKGROUND

2.1 BACKGROUND INFORMATION

2.2 BUDGET

SECTION THREE – SCOPE OF WORK

3.1 SCOPE OF WORK

3.2 REQUIREMENTS – FARMING SIMULATOR

A. DELIVERABLES

B. ENTERPRISE SPECIFICATIONS

3.3 REQUIREMENTS – INTERACTIVE VEHICLE EXHIBIT

A. DELIVERABLES

B. ENTERPRISE SPECIFICATIONS

3.4 REQUIREMENTS – GENERAL

A. LOCATION OF WORK/TRAVEL

B. STATE-FURNISHED PROPERTY/SERVICES

C. RISK MANAGEMENT

D. PROJECT MANAGEMENT PLAN

E. CONTRACT TERM, SCHEDULE, AND DELIVERABLES – FARMING SIMULATOR

F. CONTRACT TERM, SCHEDULE, AND DELIVERABLES – INTERACTIVE VEHICLE EXHIBIT

3.5 EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

A. Minimum Qualifications B. Experience

SECTION FOUR – PROPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS

4.1 PROPOSAL PREPARATION

4.2 PROPOSAL SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

4.3 PROPOSAL FORMAT

4.4 TECHNICAL PROPOSAL

4.5 COST PROPOSAL

SECTION FIVE – AWARD AND PROPOSAL EVALUATION

5.1 AWARD

5.2 RESPONSIVENESS

5.3 RESPONSIBILITY – SUPPLEMENTARY INVESTIGATION

5.4 EVALUATION CRITERIA

5.5 COST PROPOSAL EVALUATION

5.6 CLARIFICATIONS OF PROPOSALS – DISCUSSIONS

5.7 RIGHT OF REJECTION

5.8 PRESENTATIONS, DEMONSTRATIONS, AND SITE VISITS

5.9 BEST AND FINAL OFFERS

5.10 TIE PROPOSALS

5.11 NEGOTIATIONS

5.12 NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD

5.13 CONTRACT APPROVAL

5.14 EVALUATION DEBRIEFING

SECTION SIX – CONTRACT INFORMATION

6.1 NORTH DAKOTA CONTRACTUAL REQUIREMENTS – BACKGROUND

6.2 STATE CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS – OFFEROR’S PROPOSED CHANGES

6.3 CONTRACT PROVISIONS

A. Contract Type B. Payment Procedures C. Inspection & Modification D. Contract Changes – Unanticipated Amendments E. Purchasing Card

6.4 CONTRACTUAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS – NO MATERIAL CHANGES

6.5 SCOPE OF WORK

6.6 CONTRACT TERM

ATTACHMENTS

Attachment 1 – Technical Proposal Evaluation Worksheet

Attachment 2 – Contract

Attachment 3 – Cost Proposal

Attachment 4 – Photographs & Approximate Measurements of Current Faming Simulator Space

SECTION ONE – INSTRUCTIONS

1.1 PURPOSE OF RFP

The State of North Dakota, acting through its State Historical Society of North Dakota (the STATE) is soliciting proposals to design and fabricate the following interactive exhibits:

1. An engaging farming simulator exhibit for installation in the Inspiration Gallery of the North Dakota Heritage Center and State Museum

2. An interactive vehicle exhibit for installation in the Governors Gallery of the North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum.

Offerors may submit proposals for one or both exhibits:

• Section 3.2 – Farming Simulator Requirements

• Section 3.3 – Interactive Vehicle Requirements

All proposals must address:

• Section 3.4 – General Requirements

• Section 3.5 – Experience and Qualifications

The proposals will be evaluated separately and awarded in the best interest of the STATE. The STATE may award contracts to multiple Offerors.

The STATE may request similar work throughout the term of the contract.

1.2 PROCUREMENT OFFICER CONTACT INFORMATION

The Procurement Officer is the point of contact for this RFP. Offerors shall direct all communications regarding this RFP to the Procurement Officer. Do not add the Procurement Officer to any marketing distribution lists.

PROCUREMENT OFFICER: Erica Houn EMAIL: ehoun@nd.gov

PHONE: 701.328.2327

TTY Users call: 7-1-1

A person or firm interested in submitting a proposal should ensure all communications related to the procurement are only with the designated point of contact. This section does not restrict communication with state officials or any member of the legislative assembly unless the state official or member of the legislative assembly is involved directly with the procurement for which the person is interested or has submitted a bid or proposal (N.D.C.C. § 54-44.4-01.1).

Engaging in unauthorized communication or seeking to obtain information about an open solicitation with any state employee or official other than the responsible Procurement Officer or designee is sufficient grounds for suspension or debarment. (N.D.A.C. § 4-12-05-04(7))

1.3 DEFINITIONS

For the purposes of this RFP, the acronyms and defined terms are as follows:

Acronym or Term Name or Definitions Contractor Entity that has an approved contract with the State of North Dakota CT Central Time Zone NDHC North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum NDIT North Dakota Information Technology OMB Office of Management and Budget RFP Request for Proposal SHSND State Historical Society of North Dakota https://www.ndlegis.gov/cencode/t54c44-4.pdf http://www.legis.nd.gov/information/acdata/pdf/4-12-05.pdf?20130319105642

Solicitation Closing Deadline for receipt of proposals listed in the RFP Schedule SPO Office of Management and Budget, State Procurement Office SPO Online State Procurement Office Online system TPRM Cyber Third-Party Risk Management TPSQ Third-Party Security Questionnaire

1.4 RFP SCHEDULE

EVENT DATE and TIME

RFP issued January 12, 2026 Deadline for submission of Questions and Objections January 26, 2026, by 2:00 PM, CT Solicitation Amendment with responses to Questions issued approximately (if required) January 29, 2026

Deadline for receipt of proposals (Solicitation Closing) February 6, 2026, 2:00 PM CT Demonstrations or presentations approximate. (if required.)

February 16-20, 2026

IT Review/TPRM Assessment, approximate. (If needed.)

February 17-20, 2026

Contract Negotiations (See Section 5.10). February 17-20, 2026 Proposal evaluation completed by approximately February 23, 2026 Notice of intent to award issued approximately February 24, 2026 Secretary of State Registration, if determined to be required. Prior to Contract Signing

Contract start approximately March 2, 2026

1.5 ASSISTANCE TO INDIVIDUALS WITH A DISABILITY

Contact the Procurement Officer, as soon as possible, if an individual with a disability needs assistance with the RFP, including any events in the RFP schedule, so reasonable accommodations can be made.

1.6 SECRETARY OF STATE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS

The North Dakota Secretary of State has registration requirements for individuals and businesses transacting business in North Dakota. If the successful Offeror is determined to have a registration requirement with the North Dakota Secretary of State, they must be registered before the contract award and registration must remain active for the duration of the contract period (N.D.C.C. § 54-44.4- 09.1)

• See the OMB Guidelines to Vendor Registry for more information.

Visit the Secretary of State's Vendor Registration webpage for information on registration requirements and fees. Visit FirstStop, the Secretary of State's business and licensing software, for online form options.

• Check the Business Records database to see if a business is registered.

• Contact Secretary of State's office by email or call 701-328-2900 (choose menu item 2, then option 1).

• If you need to register, fees apply.

• Vendors may need to obtain businesses licenses. See the list of licenses required of businesses in the State of North Dakota. The link includes information on who to contact, application fees, renewal dates, and the legal reference.

1.7 BIDDERS LIST REGISTRATION

Individuals or business entities desiring to be notified of bidding opportunities may apply to be placed on the Bidders List. (N.D.C.C. § 54-44.4-09) Bidders Lists are used to notify vendors when solicitations are issued on the State Procurement Office Online system (SPO Online). Placement on the Bidders https://www.ndlegis.gov/cencode/t54c44-4.pdf https://www.ndlegis.gov/cencode/t54c44-4.pdf https://www.omb.nd.gov/sites/www/files/documents/doing-business-with-the-state/procurement/vendor-reg-guidelines.pdf https://sos.nd.gov/business/vendors.html https://sos.nd.gov/firststop.html https://firststop.sos.nd.gov/search/business mailto:sos@nd.gov https://www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/extension/extension-topics/leadership-and-civic-engagement/business-leadership-and-resources-2 https://www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/extension/extension-topics/leadership-and-civic-engagement/business-leadership-and-resources-2

List does not guarantee a vendor will receive notice of every solicitation (N.D.A.C. § 4-12-05-01). There are no fees to register as a bidder. The online application form requests contact information for the receipt of solicitation notices. The Bidders List application and SPO Online system use commodity codes to identify categories of goods, services, and information technology.

The commodity codes used for this solicitation are: 209-82, 87, 785-44, 906-52, and 967-28 commodity codes.

Visit the OMB website for instructions and the online Bidders List Application:

Bidders List Registration Website

For assistance with Bidders List Registration, contact the State Procurement Help Desk at 701-328- 1728 or infospo@nd.gov.

1.8 STATE PROCUREMENT WEBSITE (SPO ONLINE)

This RFP and any related amendments and notices will be posted on the North Dakota OMB website using SPO Online. Offerors are responsible for checking this website to obtain all information and documents related to this RFP: https://apps.nd.gov/csd/spo/services/bidder/main.htm Select “Recent Solicitations”. Recent Solicitations are listed by close date.

Notices related to this RFP will be sent to the Bidders List for the needed commodity or service and other known potential Offerors.

Offerors not having completed the Bidders List registration may request to receive notices related to this RFP by contacting the Procurement Officer in writing with the following information: RFP title, business name, contact person, mailing address, telephone number, and email address.

1.9 AMENDMENTS TO THE RFP

If an amendment to this RFP is issued, it will be provided to all Offerors on the Bidders List for the solicitation and to those prospective Offerors who have contacted the Procurement Officer to receive notices related to the RFP. An Offeror shall include in their proposal any required acknowledgements of amendments to the RFP.

1.10 DEADLINE FOR QUESTIONS AND OBJECTIONS

Offerors should carefully review the RFP including all Attachments. Offerors may ask questions to obtain clarification and request additional information, or object to material in the RFP. Questions and objections must be submitted to the Procurement Officer in writing by the deadline identified in the RFP Schedule. If no deadline is specified, questions or objections must be received at least seven days prior to the Solicitation Closing deadline. The Procurement Officer may elect to respond to questions received after the deadline.

Questions and objections should include a reference to the applicable RFP section or subsection. Email is the preferred method of submission with the RFP number and title cited in the email subject line.

Responses to questions will be distributed as a solicitation amendment unless the question can be answered by referring the Offeror to a specific section of the RFP.

1.11 PREPROPOSAL CONFERENCE OR SITE INSPECTION

A pre-proposal conference or site inspection will not be held. Offerors are encouraged to visit the North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum to review the space and take measurements at their discretion.

1.12 OFFER HELD FIRM

Offerors must hold proposals firm for at least 100 days from the deadline for receipt of proposals (Solicitation Closing). The STATE may send a written request to all Offerors to hold their offer firm for a longer period of time.

https://www.ndlegis.gov/information/acdata/pdf/4-12-05.pdf https://apps.nd.gov/csd/spo/services/bidder/searchCommodity.htm https://apps.nd.gov/csd/spo/services/bidder/searchCommodity.htm https://www.omb.nd.gov/doing-business-state mailto:infospo@nd.gov https://apps.nd.gov/csd/spo/services/bidder/main.htm

1.13 OFFEROR RESPONSIBLE FOR COSTS

Offeror is responsible for all costs associated with the preparation, submittal, and evaluation of any proposal including any travel and per diem associated with demonstrations and presentations.

1.14 TAXES

The STATE is not responsible for and will not pay itemized local, state, or federal taxes. Purchases of tangible personal property made by a state government agency is exempt from sales tax. The state sales tax exemption number is E-2001, and certificates will be furnished upon request by the purchasing agency. The contractor must provide a valid Vendor Tax Identification Number as a provision of the contract.

The purchasing agency will determine if services provided under this contract are Form 1099 reportable. The purchasing agency may require the contractor to submit an IRS Form W-9.

The state tax exemption number should not be used by contractors in the performance of a contract.

A contractor or service provider performing any contract, including service contracts, for the United States Government, State of North Dakota, counties, cities, school districts, park board or any other political subdivisions within North Dakota is not exempt from payment of sales or use tax on materials, tangible personal property, and supplies used or consumed in carrying out contracts. In these cases, the contractor is required to file returns and pay sales and use tax just as required for contracts with private parties. Contact the North Dakota Tax Department at 701-328-1246 or visit their website at https://www.nd.gov/tax/tax-resources/ for more information.

A contractor performing any contract, including a service contract, within North Dakota is also subject to the corporation income tax, individual income tax, and withholding tax reporting requirements, whether the contract is performed by a corporation, partnership, or other business entity, or as an employee of the contractor. In the case of employees performing the services in the state, the contractor is required to withhold state income tax from the employees’ compensation and remit to the state as required by law. Contact the North Dakota Tax Department at 701-328-1248 or visit their website for more information.

1.15 F.O.B. POINT AND FREIGHT

All commodities purchased through this contract will be Free on Board (“F.O.B.”) final destination, freight prepaid. Unless specifically stated otherwise, all prices offered must include the delivery cost.

1.16 PROPOSAL RECEIPT DEADLINE – LATE PROPOSALS REJECTED

An Offeror is solely responsible for ensuring their proposal is received by the STATE prior to the Solicitation Closing deadline identified in the RFP schedule regardless of the method of submission. A solicitation amendment will be issued if this deadline is changed. An Offeror may contact the Procurement Officer to inquire whether their proposal has been received. Proposals delivered late will be rejected pursuant to N.D.A.C. § 4-12-08-13.

1.17 PROPOSAL OPENING

A public opening will not be held.

This is a formal sealed Request for Proposal (RFP) process. Proposals will be secured and held unopened until the Solicitation Closing deadline. Per N.D.A.C § 4-12-08-04, the openings may be made public at the discretion of the purchasing agency.

1.18 AMENDMENT AND WITHDRAWAL OF PROPOSALS

Offeror may amend, supplement, or withdraw proposal prior to the Solicitation closing deadline. No changes will be accepted after the Solicitation closing deadline. After the Solicitation closing deadline, Offeror may make a written request to withdraw their proposal and shall provide evidence that a substantial mistake has been made, at which point the STATE may permit withdrawal.

https://www.nd.gov/tax/tax-resources/ http://www.legis.nd.gov/information/acdata/pdf/4-12-08.pdf?20130424100739 https://www.legis.nd.gov/information/acdata/html/4-12.html

1.19 NEWS RELEASES

Offerors shall not make any news releases related to this RFP without prior approval of the STATE.

1.20 CONFLICT OF INTEREST

Under state laws and rules, a state employee or official shall not participate directly or indirectly in a procurement when the state employee or official knows of a conflict of interest. Potential conflicts of interest include state employees or their immediate family members employed by the firm, seeking employment with the firm, or with a financial interest in the firm. Potential conflicts of interest will be addressed in accordance with N.D.A.C. § 4-12-04-04. (N.D.C.C. § 12.1-13-03) Persons employed by the State of North Dakota, or within one year thereafter, may be prohibited from acquiring a pecuniary interest in a public contract or transaction. Offerors should review N.D.C.C. § 12.1-13-02 to ensure compliance and avoid such conflict(s) of interest.

1.21 ATTEMPT TO INFLUENCE PROHIBITED

Offerors must not give or offer to give anything to a state employee or official that might influence or appear to influence procurement decisions. Suspected attempts to influence will be handled in accordance with N.D.A.C. § 4-12-04-05.

1.22 COLLUSION PROHIBITED

Offerors must prepare proposals independently, without collusion. Suspected collusion will be handled in accordance with N.D.A.C § 4-12-04-06.

1.23 PROTEST AND APPEAL

An interested party may protest a solicitation pursuant to N.D.C.C. § 54-44.4-12 and N.D.A.C. § 4-12- 14-01. When a solicitation contains a deadline for submission of questions and objections, protests of the solicitation will not be allowed if these faults have not been brought to the attention of the Procurement Officer before the specified deadline. If no deadline for questions is specified, protests based upon defects in the solicitation must be made at least seven calendar days before the deadline for receipt of proposals.

An Offeror that has submitted a response to a solicitation and is aggrieved may protest an award or notice of intent to award pursuant to N.D.C.C. § 54-44.4-12 and N.D.A.C. § 4-12-14-02. The protest must be submitted in writing to the Procurement Officer during the protest period, which is seven calendar days beginning the day after the notice of intent to award is issued.

The protestor may appeal the decision of the Procurement Officer to the Director of OMB or designee in writing within seven calendar days after receiving notice of the decision pursuant to N.D.C.C. § 54-44.4- 12 and N.D.A.C. § 4-12-14-03.

1.24 SPECIFICATIONS PREPARED BY NON-STATE PERSONNEL

When a purchasing agency has specifications prepared by someone other than a state employee or official on behalf of the STATE, that person or business entity must be excluded from submitting bids or proposals in accordance with N.D.A.C. § 4-12-06-06.

1.25 SUPPLIER REGISTRATION (PAYEE)

The successful Offeror will be required to complete Supplier Registration, if not already registered as a Supplier. Any individual or business who will be receiving payment from a state agency or higher education institution must complete a registration process to collect important financial and taxpayer information. Payments are generally made by check or automatic clearing house (ACH), and taxpayer information must be collected in compliance with IRS requirements. The State and North Dakota University System (NDUS) have separate financial systems and vendor registration processes.

http://www.legis.nd.gov/information/acdata/pdf/4-12-04.pdf?20140130144222 https://www.ndlegis.gov/cencode/t12-1c13.pdf https://www.legis.nd.gov/cencode/t12-1c13.html https://www.legis.nd.gov/cencode/t12-1c13.html http://www.legis.nd.gov/information/acdata/pdf/4-12-04.pdf?20140130144222 http://www.legis.nd.gov/information/acdata/pdf/4-12-04.pdf?20140130144222 http://www.legis.nd.gov/cencode/t54c44-4.pdf?20130417132347 http://www.legis.nd.gov/information/acdata/pdf/4-12-14.pdf?20130417132435 http://www.legis.nd.gov/information/acdata/pdf/4-12-14.pdf?20130417132435 http://www.legis.nd.gov/cencode/t54c44-4.pdf?20130417132347 http://www.legis.nd.gov/information/acdata/pdf/4-12-14.pdf?20130417132435 http://www.legis.nd.gov/cencode/t54c44-4.pdf?20130417132347 http://www.legis.nd.gov/cencode/t54c44-4.pdf?20130417132347 https://www.legis.nd.gov/information/acdata/pdf/4-12-14.pdf https://www.ndlegis.gov/information/acdata/pdf/4-12-06.pdf?20140130144222

SECTION TWO – BACKGROUND

2.1 BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The mission of STATE is to empower through history. The agency is organized into four departments:

Administration, Archaeology & Historic Preservation, Audience Engagement & Museum, and the State Archives. Between the departments, the agency operates 60 state historic sites and museums throughout North Dakota.

STATE is conducting this solicitation to design, fabricate, and install two interactive exhibits: an engaging farming simulator and an interactive vehicle exhibit. These exhibits are intended to provide immersive, educational experiences for visitors of all ages.

Farming Simulator Exhibit The farming simulator exhibit will be housed in the Inspiration Gallery of the North Dakota Heritage Center and State Museum (NDHC) in Bismarck, ND. Its purpose is to replace the existing simulator, which is no longer meeting our educational and engagement goals. The current simulator consists of a tractor cab, a screen with selections of planting, plowing, harvesting options, and buttons and pull knobs for toddlers to early grade schoolers to interact with. The current solution has several issues that necessitate replacement, including:

• Worn-out, broke, or missing controls

• Outdated software (over 10 years old)

• Pixelated and glitchy graphics

• Lack of ADA compliance, limiting accessibility for all visitors.

The new farming simulator should address these issues by providing a modern, durable, maintainable, user-friendly, and accessible experience. It should educate visitors on North Dakota’s rich agricultural history, traditional and modern farming techniques, and the evolving role of technology in agriculture.

The exhibit should incorporate engaging visuals, intuitive controls, and interactive elements that appeal to diverse age groups while ensuring compliance with ADA accessibility standards.

The proposed solution may either replace the existing tractor simulator or provide a different interactive and engaging experience designed for children ages 3-10. We are open to any agricultural-related concept that effectively communicates North Dakota’s leadership in producing a wide variety of agricultural products. Creativity, innovation, and approaches that inspire curiosity and learning are strongly encouraged.

Interactive Vehicle Exhibit The interactive vehicle exhibit will be part of the ND250 exhibit, which commemorates the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States through North Dakota’s story. ND250 is intended to engage a broad public audience and convey complex historical narratives through immersive, accessible, and durable interpretive elements.

The interactive vehicle will provide a hands-on experience reflecting small-town life in North Dakota.

Key features include:

• A prop vehicle, approximately one-third to one-half of a car, with a dashboard

• A windshield screen displaying videos of small-town main streets across North Dakota (videos will be provided)

• A touchscreen interface allowing visitors to watch and hear

• Coned sound speakers to localize sound to the immediate area

• Looping North Dakota hometown images and videos when the exhibit is not in use (images and videos will be provided)

• ADA-compliant chair options for visitors, with flexibility for innovative seating designs.

The exhibit should be engaging, accessible, and educational, encouraging visitors to explore North Dakota communities through an immersive and interactive experience.

2.2 BUDGET

The funds for payment of the farming simulator are already appropriated and identified. The estimated budget for completion of the farming simulator is between $60,000 and $85,000. Proposals priced at more than $85,000 will be rejected.

The funds for payment of the interactive vehicle exhibit are already appropriated and identified. The estimated budget for completion of the interactive vehicle exhibit is between $100,000.

SECTION THREE – SCOPE OF WORK

3.1 SCOPE OF WORK

STATE is soliciting proposals to design, fabricate, and install an engaging, interactive farming simulator exhibit for installation in the Inspiration Gallery of the NDHC.

3.2 REQUIREMENTS – FARMING SIMULATOR

A. DELIVERABLES

The contractor will be required to provide the following deliverables to achieve the objective of this project:

1. Interactive Farming Simulator Software

a. Custom-designed, educational software tailored to North Dakota’s agricultural history and practices.

b. Includes modules or scenarios that represent both historical and modern farming techniques.

c. Realistic, engaging graphics that appeal to diverse age groups and intuitive user flow.

d. Inclusion of weather, crop management, or seasonal cycles to enhance realism.

e. Preferred: self-contained, stand-alone application that does not require connection to the state network for day-to-day functionality.

f. Local admin interface should allow museum staff to adjust settings, run diagnostics, and initiate updates.

g. Provide usage analytics.

h. Backup and Failover Capabilities. Provide a backup copy of the software for quick restoration in case of system failure. Ensure minimal downtime and provide instructions for staff to restore functionality independently.

2. Hardware

a. Durable and ADA-compliant hardware components and controls (e.g., steering wheel, levers, touchscreen) designed for high-traffic use in a museum setting.

Offeror must include drawings and/or pictures of the proposed simulator in their proposal.

b. Preferred: Stand-alone unit capable of running software independently, without reliance on external servers or the State’s network infrastructure.

c. Secure, lockable compartment to house State-provided PC hardware, designed to prevent public access or tampering.

i. Must include easy State-staff access (e.g., service panel or keyed entry) for equipment installation, software updates, and routine maintenance.

ii. Vendor must coordinate with museum staff to ensure compatibility with the provided PC’s dimensions, power requirements, and ventilation needs.

3. ADA-Compliant Design Features

a. Accessibility for users with visual, auditory, or mobility impairments.

b. Inclusion of captions, audio guides, tactile feedback, and adjustable controls.

c. Clear signage and instructions in plain language.

4. Visual & Audio Design Assets

a. High-quality 2D or 3D graphics and animations.

b. Voiceovers, sounds effects, and music where appropriate to enhance immersion.

c. Visual elements designed to represent North Dakota landscapes, crops, and equipment accurately.

5. Education Content Development

a. Content developed or reviewed by subject matter experts in agriculture.

b. Layered content to serve various age groups and knowledge levels.

6. User Interface/User Experience Design

a. Intuitive and easy-to-navigate for all visitors.

b. Consistent design with the rest of the gallery’s aesthetic/branding.

7. Installation and Integration

a. Full installation of the simulator hardware and software in the exhibit space.

b. Coordination with museum team members to minimum disruption during setup.

c. Final walk through and functionality testing.

8. Staff Training

a. On-site training for museum staff on simulator operation and basic troubleshoot.

b. User manual and support documentation provided.

9. Maintenance and Technical Support Plan

a. Ability to provide professional services for enhancements.

b. Ongoing support options (e.g., software updates, hardware repairs, remote troubleshooting).

c. Warranty coverage details.

B. ENTERPRISE SPECIFICATIONS

1. If applicable, the solution will only authenticate state users by integrating with the STATE's

Microsoft Entra ID. A state user is any state official, state employee or other person authorized to act on behalf of the state.

Offeror must describe how the proposed solution will comply with the STATE's State Entity Authentication standard.

2. Offeror must indicate if the proposed solution uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) technology, model, or service.

3.3 REQUIREMENTS – INTERACTIVE VEHICLE EXHIBIT

A. DELIVERABLES

The contractor will be required to provide the following deliverables to achieve the objective of the project:

1. Vehicle Prop and Structure

a. Custom-designed vehicle prop (approximately one-third to one-half scale of a car dashboard and interactive elements.

b. Durable and ADA-compliant construction suitable for a high-traffic museum environment.

c. Structural design that allows for secure housing of electronic components and visitor seating.

2. Windshield Screen and Video Content

a. Integrate STATE-provided videos of North Dakota small-town main streets into the windshield screen.

b. Ensure smooth, high-quality playback, with looping images and videos when not in active use.

c. Enhance video presentation with minor graphics or interface elements as needed for interaction of clarity.

3. Touchscreen Interface

a. Interactive touchscreen allowing visitors to select videos to watch and hear.

b. Intuitive interface suitable for a broad range of ages.

c. Localized control for museum staff to add, remove, or update video content as needed.

4. Audio System

a. Coned sound speakers to focus audio within the immediate visitor area.

b. Adjustable volume controls accessible to staff.

c. Clear, high-quality audio for videos and interactive elements.

5. ADA-Compliant Seating and Controls

a. The exhibit design must accommodate ADA-compliant seating. Offerors shall provide and include ADA-compliant seating options as part of their proposal, ensuring that the seating is compatible with the exhibit design, visitor flow, and space constraints. All costs for seating, including delivery and installation, must be included in the proposal price. Offerors may recommend seating styles or configurations to enhance accessibility and visitor experience.

b. Controls and seating designed for accessibility, safety, and comfort for visitors with mobility or other impairments.

6. Visual and Audio Design Assets

a. Integrate provided videos, images, and audio into the exhibit in a seamless and engaging way.

b. Enhance visitor experience with interface elements, prompts, or minor graphics as needed.

c. Ensure all visuals and audio comply with accessibility standards (e.g. captions, audio cues) and ND250 exhibit branding.

7. Installation and Integration

a. Full installation of the vehicle prop, electronic systems, and interactive components in the Governors Gallery of the North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum.

b. Coordination with museum staff to minimize disruption during setup.

c. Final walk-through and functionality testing with STATE staff.

8. Staff Training

a. On-site training for museum staff on operation, basic troubleshooting, and content updates.

b. User manuals and support documentation for ongoing use.

9. Maintenance and Technical Support Plan

a. Plan for ongoing maintenance, software updates, and hardware repairs.

b. Contact information for technical support and response time expectations.

c. Recommendations for minimizing downtime and ensuring reliable visitor experiences.

10. Backup and Failover Capabilities

a. Provide a backup copy of all interactive software and video content for quick restoration in case of system failure.

b. Ensure the exhibit can resume operation with minimal downtime.

c. Provide instructions for staff to restore software and content independently, without requiring connection the STATE network.

B. ENTERPRISE SPECIFICATIONS

1. If applicable, the solution will only authenticate state users by integrating with the STATE's

Microsoft Entra ID. A state user is any state official, state employee or other person authorized to act on behalf of the state.

Offeror must describe how the proposed solution will comply with the STATE's State Entity Authentication standard.

2. Offeror must indicate if the proposed solution uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) technology, model, or service.

3.4 REQUIREMENTS – GENERAL

A. LOCATION OF WORK/TRAVEL

The installation work is to be performed, completed, and managed at the following location:

North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum, 612 E Boulevard Avenue, Bismarck, ND.

B. STATE-FURNISHED PROPERTY/SERVICES

The STATE will provide the following personnel to support the project: Exhibition Production Manager, Audience Engagement and Museums Director, New Media Specialist Supervisor, and a member of the STATE’s IT department.

C. RISK MANAGEMENT

The contractor will take appropriate measures to ensure the safety of their employees, state employees, the public, and property. The contractor must identify any potential risks, issues and problems associated with the project and identify ways to mitigate those potential risks.

D. PROJECT MANAGEMENT PLAN

The contractor will be expected to use appropriate project management to ensure the work is accomplished on time, within budget, and meets quantity and quality standards.

1. The contractor will be required to collaborate with STATE to agree upon the contract schedule, including a work breakdown, schedule of tasks and activities, and progress milestones.

2. The contractor will be required to coordinate with STATE to develop a communication plan.

Any problems or unforeseen events must be communicated timely to the STATE project manager and any changes must be agreed upon between the parties and set forth in a written amendment to the contract. If the STATE requires corrective action, the contractor will be notified in writing.

E. CONTRACT TERM, SCHEDULE, AND DELIVERABLES – FARMING SIMULATOR

1. Contract Term The length of this contract will be from the date of award, approximately March 2, 2026, and will continue for three years, through approximately March 1, 2029, to allow for design, fabrication, installation, testing, staff training, ongoing maintenance, technical support, and any additional services as needed. The interactive farming simulator must be delivered and installed at the North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum by November 2026. See the contract for extension/renewal provisions.

2. Schedule and Deliverables STATE has identified the following deliverables which are significant work products or milestones in the project. STATE requires these deliverables to be addressed in the Contract Schedule, at a minimum. The contractor shall develop a schedule for accomplishing the Scope of Work, including these specific deliverables. The final schedule shall be agreed upon between STATE and the successful Offeror and incorporated into the contract. The approximate schedule for this contract is as follows:

a. Contract start: March 2, 2026

b. “Kick off” meeting/conference call: Week of March 2, 2026

c. Concept development & preliminary design: March 2 – April 15, 2026

d. Contractor submits first draft design / project progress report: April 15, 2026

e. STATE review of first draft / progress report: April 16 – April 30, 2026

f. STATE provides contractor with comments for revision as needed: by May 1, 2026

g. Design review and refinement period: April 16 – May 15, 2026

h. Contractor work period (fabrication and preparation): May 16 – October 31, 2026

i. Installation and testing: November 2026

j. Maintenance, Technical Support, and software updates: December 2026 – March 2029

k. Optional enhancements or upgrades as requested by STATE: throughout contract term

l. Contract Closeout Plan: March 2029

F. CONTRACT TERM, SCHEDULE, AND DELIVERABLES – INTERACTIVE VEHICLE

EXHIBIT

1. Contract Term The length of this contract will be from the date of award, approximately March 2, 2026, and will continue for three years, through approximately March 1, 2029, to allow for design, fabrication, installation, testing, staff training, ongoing maintenance, technical support, and any additional services as needed. The interactive vehicle exhibit must be delivered and installed at the North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum by May 31, 2026. See the attached contract for extension provisions.

2. Schedule and Deliverables STATE has identified the following deliverables which are significant work products or milestones in the project. STATE requires these deliverables to be addressed in the Contract Schedule, at a minimum. The contractor shall develop a schedule for accomplishing the Scope of Work, including these specific deliverables. The final schedule shall be agreed upon between STATE and the successful Offeror and incorporated into the contract. The approximate schedule for this contract is as follows:

a. Contract start: March 2, 2026

b. “Kick off” meeting/conference call: Week of March 2, 2026

c. Concept development & preliminary design: March 2 – March 15, 2026

d. Contractor submits first draft design / project progress report: March 15, 2026

e. STATE review of first draft / progress report: March 16 – March 18, 2026

f. STATE provides contractor with comments for revision as needed: by March 20, 2026

g. Design review and refinement period: March 20 – March 31, 2026

h. Contractor work period (fabrication and preparation): April 1- May 25, 2026

i. Installation and testing: May 2026

j. Maintenance, Technical Support, and software updates: May 2026 – March 2029

k. Optional enhancements or upgrades as requested by STATE: throughout contract term

l. Contract Closeout Plan: March 2029

3.5 EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

A. Minimum Qualifications Offerors must have the following minimum qualifications in order to be considered for contract award:

• A minimum of three years of demonstrated experience designing and implementing interactive exhibits for museums, science centers, or educational institutions.

• Familiarity with and ability to implement ADA accessibility requirements for interactive exhibits, including physical, visual, and auditory access considerations.

The Offeror must have and keep current any professional licenses and permits required by federal, state, and local laws for performance of this contract. Offerors that do not possess required licenses at the time proposals are due will be determined non-responsive to the RFP and will be rejected.

B. Experience The Offeror must meet the following experience requirements to be considered for contract award. A proposal from the Offeror that does not meet minimum experience requirements will be rejected. The Offeror must have proven project experience installing and configuring at least two completed projects involving custom hardware/software integration for public-facing installations.

SECTION FOUR – PROPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS

4.1 PROPOSAL PREPARATION

The STATE discourages overly lengthy and costly proposals. An Offeror must prepare their proposal using the prescribed proposal format and provide all the requested information; this will enable the proposal to be evaluated fairly and completely. If an Offeror submits more than one proposal, each proposal must be prepared in accordance with these instructions.

Each proposal will include a Technical Proposal and a Cost Proposal prepared in accordance with these instructions. The Technical Proposal and the Cost Proposal must be submitted as separate documents, clearly labeled with the name of the Offeror, and marked “Technical Proposal” and “Cost Proposal.” Costs must not be revealed in the Technical Proposal. Options may be discussed in the technical proposal, but all cost information must be in the Cost Proposal only. DO NOT submit documents that are embedded into proposal documents or that contain links to documents on an external website.

4.2 PROPOSAL SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

Sealed proposals are required; therefore, proposals cannot be submitted by email to the Procurement Officer.

SUBMIT IN PERSON, BY MAIL, OR DELIVERY SERVICE

Offerors may submit proposals in person, by mail, or delivery service. Offerors may email proposals to a third party to place in a sealed envelope and deliver by the Solicitation Closing deadline.

Clearly address all envelopes or packages as follows:

RFP #: 701.2026.1

RFP Title: Interactive Exhibit Design and Fabrication ATTN: Erica Houn State Historical Society of North Dakota 612 E Blvd Avenue Bismarck, ND 58505

The STATE assumes no responsibility for delays caused by any delivery service. Postmarking by the Solicitation Closing deadline shall not substitute for actual proposal receipt by the STATE. The STATE’s time of receipt will be used to determine timely receipt.

COPIES OF TECHNICAL AND COST PROPOSAL

Offeror shall submit 4 copies of their Technical Proposal.

Offeror shall submit one (1) copy of the Cost Proposal in a separate, sealed envelope, clearly labeled “Cost Proposal.”

UPLOAD RESPONSE THROUGH THE STATE PROCUREMENT ONLINE SYSTEM (SPO ONLINE):

Offeror may electronically submit proposals through the State Procurement Office Online system (SPO Online) by the Solicitation Closing deadline.

DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE “LAST MINUTE” TO SUBMIT A RESPONSE. We recommend uploading your response 24 hours prior to the Solicitation Closing deadline.

Offeror must begin the electronic submission process well in advance of the Solicitation Closing deadline to allow for transmission and resolution of any technical difficulties. Be advised that the STATE is not responsible for an Offeror’s failure to timely submit a proposal due to any technical difficulties. If you experience any technical difficulties, contact the Procurement Officer or the State Procurement Office at infospo@nd.gov or 701-328-2740.

mailto:infospo@nd.gov

If documents are in the process of being uploaded when the Solicitation Closing deadline occurs, the upload process will stop. The attempted submission will not be uploaded successfully and is ineligible for consideration. The STATE takes no responsibility for electronic submissions that are captured, blocked, filtered, quarantined, or otherwise prevented from uploading by any anti-virus or other security software.

1. This solicitation is posted on SPO Online at: https://apps.nd.gov/csd/spo/services/bidder/main.htm

2. Select “Recent Solicitations” and find the solicitation. Solicitations are listed by close date.

3. Use “Upload Response” to upload a maximum of five (5) clearly labeled documents before the Solicitation Closing deadline provided in the RFP Schedule.

4. Offeror must upload their Technical Proposal and Cost Proposal in separate files.

5. The maximum file size allowed is 50 MB per file.

6. There is a 50 character file name limitation for the document being uploaded.

7. There is 75 character limit in the TITLE field within SPO Online.

8. All SPO Online field entries must be alphanumeric. Dashes and underscores are allowed; however, the system DOES NOT accept other special characters such as apostrophe, & symbol, quotation marks, etc.

9. DO NOT submit documents that are embedded (zip files), movies, wmp, encrypted, or mp3 files.

10. Offeror will receive an email confirmation from infospo@nd.gov that the upload response was received including the “File Description” for the uploaded files. Review this email to ensure all files were successfully uploaded. If Offeror DOES NOT receive an email confirmation, the upload was NOT successful, and the files will need to be uploaded again. If Offeror does not receive an email confirmation after the reattempt, contact the Procurement Officer or the State Procurement Office at infospo@nd.gov or 701-328-2740.

Visit https://www.omb.nd.gov/sites/www/files/documents/doing-business-with-the-state/procurement/spo-electronic-response-external-job-aid.pdf for the SPO Electronic Response Job Aid which describes how to submit an electronic response.

4.3 PROPOSAL FORMAT

Prepare the Technical Proposal and Cost Proposal in accordance with these instructions.

Technical Proposal – Format the proposal with the following labeled sections:

Section 1 – Cover Letter Section 2 – RFP Amendments Section 3 – Scope of Work Strategy Section 4 – Experience and Qualifications Section 5 – Contract Provisions Section 6 – Open Records and Confidentiality

Cost Proposal – The Cost Proposal must be a separate document. Format the Cost Proposal following the RFP instructions.

4.4 TECHNICAL PROPOSAL

SECTION 1 – COVER LETTER

Proposals shall include a cover letter that includes the following:

https://apps.nd.gov/csd/spo/services/bidder/main.htm mailto:infospo@nd.gov mailto:infospo@nd.gov https://www.omb.nd.gov/sites/www/files/documents/doing-business-with-the-state/procurement/spo-electronic-response-external-job-aid.pdf https://www.omb.nd.gov/sites/www/files/documents/doing-business-with-the-state/procurement/spo-electronic-response-external-job-aid.pdf

1. The name of the Offeror, name of the person to contact regarding the proposal, email address, telephone number, and mailing address.

2. Offerors are instructed to review the “Conflict of Interest” provisions in RFP Section 1 “Instructions.” If the firm, its employees, or subcontractors working on the contract have an apparent or actual conflict of interest, provide a statement disclosing the circumstances of the apparent or actual conflict of interest. Otherwise, provide a statement that your firm, employees, and subcontractors do not have a conflict of interest.

3. The cover letter must be signed by an individual with authority to bind the Offeror. By signing the cover letter, an Offeror certifies that it complies with:

a. All the requirements, terms, and conditions as set forth in this RFP.

b. The requirement that the Offeror’s proposal accurately describes the goods and services being offered to the STATE, and the proposal will be held firm for the period specified.

c. All local, state, and federal laws, rules, code laws, rules, code, regulation, and policies, including those relating to nondiscrimination, accessibility, civil rights, and equal employment.

d. The requirement that this proposal was prepared independently without collusion.

SECTION 2 – RFP AMENDMENTS

Provide signed copies of all Solicitation Amendments issued by the STATE that were required to be acknowledged by Offerors.

SECTION 3 –SCOPE OF WORK STRATEGY

Offeror must review the requirements and deliverables provided in RFP Section 3, Scope of Work.

1. Strategy for Scope of Work Requirements. The Offeror must provide narrative statements to demonstrate their understanding of the scope of work requirements. Explain the proposed strategy to accomplish the scope of work, meet all requirements, and provide the deliverables described in the scope of work within the STATE’s project schedule.

2. Value-Added Options. Offerors may include any optional services or goods that are not required by the STATE but are within the scope of work (e.g., an option for a higher level of service, equipment accessories, extended warranty options, etc.). Describe any value-added options being offered.

3. Location of Work. The proposal must respond to the STATE’s Location of Work instructions within the RFP Scope of Work. Describe where the work will be performed and any proposed travel.

4. State Furnished Property and Services. Provide a detailed breakdown of the Offeror’s expectations for STATE resources that will be needed for the project, including number of staff, qualifications, roles and responsibilities, and time requirements for the various phases of the project.

5. Risk Management. Offerors must describe measures to be taken to ensure the safety of its employees, state employees, the public, and property. Offerors must also identify any pertinent issues and potential problems related to the project and describe how those potential issues and problems could be mitigated.

6. Proposed Schedule and Deliverables. The proposal must provide a timeline for accomplishing the work, in consideration of the STATE’s Contract Schedule within the RFP Scope of Work.

SECTION 4 – EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

Mandatory Requirements. An Offeror must provide information to demonstrate meeting the Offeror Experience and Qualifications Requirement in RFP Section 3, Scope of Work, Experience and Qualifications.

Experience and Qualifications of the Firm Provide a brief history and describe the organization of the firm. Describe the number of years the Offeror has provided the type of work requested in this RFP. Describe specific experience of their firm in completing similar projects. Provide a description of the project, approximate time frame of the project, and contact information for the customer. Offerors may provide letters of reference from customers.

Experience and Qualifications of the Project Team Provide a narrative or organizational chart that describes the organization of the proposed project team. Provide information for key project team members, including:

1. Description of anticipated work they will perform and approximate estimated hours;

2. Resume or description of the relevant education, training, experience, skills, and qualifications;

3. Offeror must provide a designated executive level contact that will act as a point of contact for any issues that need escalation or to discuss the needs of the STATE. This point of contact will be required to participate in any requested demonstration or presentation requested during the RFP process. They will discuss how the contract will be supported and how the Offeror and STATE will work together to ensure a successful outcome;

4. If the Offeror has vacant positions, identify the job description and minimum qualifications for staff members to be recruited;

5.…