Museum Staffing RFI_FINAL_04.03.26.pdf

Sources Sought Notice: CGSS26-COCO41-004

THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD

NATIONAL COAST GUARD MUSEUM – NEW LONDON, CT

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION / SOURCES SOUGHT

FOR MUSEUM STAFFING AND OPERATIONS SUPPORT

THIS REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) is issued as part of market research.

Responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the U.S. Government to form a binding contract. The purpose of this RFI is to identify qualified and experienced vendors capable of providing comprehensive staffing and operational support for the National Coast Guard Museum. It does not constitute a solicitation, a request for competitive proposals. and shall not be construed as a commitment by the government. However, responsible, interested parties may identify their interest and capability by responding to this request for information. The Government will consider all information received prior to the closing date of this request. Responses in any form are not offers and the government is under no obligation to award a contract, or agreement as a result of this announcement. No funds are available to pay for preparation of responses to this announcement. Any information submitted by respondents is strictly voluntary.

A decision by the Government not to fulfill this requirement based upon responses to this request is solely within the discretion of the Government. There are no commitments by the Government to issue any solicitations, agreements, award or awards, or to be responsible for any monies expended by any interested parties before award of a contract for the efforts mentioned above. Information provided herein is subject to change and in no way binds the Government to make an agreement, solicit for or award a contract. No telephone responses will be accepted.

If a competitive solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) website. It is the responsibility of interested parties to monitor this site for additional information.

BACKGROUND

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) is preparing for the opening and operation of the National Coast Guard Museum (NCGM) in New London, Connecticut. The NCGM will serve as the national showcase for the history and missions of the U.S. Coast Guard, honoring the legacy of its service members and inspiring future generations. To ensure a world-class visitor experience and professional management of its collections, the USCG is seeking information on potential sources to provide comprehensive museum staffing and operational support.

PROJECT SCOPE / REQUIRED CAPABILITIES

The USCG is seeking information from vendors with proven expertise in museum operations. Specifically, we are interested in companies that have experience providing contracted staffing and management for cultural institutions, particularly other museums in the New England region.

Core areas of expertise required include, but are not limited to:

• Curatorial and Collections Management:

• Professional curation services, including exhibit research, design, and installation.

• Collections management, artifact handling, preservation, and cataloging in accordance with museum best practices.

• Visitor and Guest Services:

• Management of daily visitor operations, including ticketing, information services, and volunteer/docent coordination.

• Ensuring a positive, safe, and engaging environment for all guests.

• Education and Public Programming:

• Development and execution of educational programs and curriculum for various audiences, including K-12 school groups, families, and adults.

• Creation of engaging visitor experiences, guided tours, and interactive exhibits.

• Management of school and group visit scheduling and logistics.

• General Operations Support:

• Event management for special functions, lectures, and community days.

• Exhibit Maintenance and Technical Support

• Audiovisual (AV) and Media Systems Maintenance: Expertise in diagnosing and resolving issues with multimedia displays, interactive touchscreens, projectors, audio systems, and specialty lighting.

• Information technology (IT) Systems Management: Management of the dedicated IT hardware and software that drives museum exhibits, including media servers, single-board computers, and associated operating systems. .

INFORMATION REQUESTED

Interested parties are requested to provide a capabilities statement that addresses the following:

1. Company Profile:

• Company name, address, point of contact, and socioeconomic status, if applicable (e.g., Small Business, Woman-Owned, Veteran-Owned, etc.).

2. Relevant Experience:

• A detailed description of your company’s experience providing staffing and operational support to museums or similar cultural institutions.

• Please provide at least two (2) specific examples of past (within 10 years) or current contracts, including the name of the institution (preferably in the New England region), the scope of services provided, and the duration of the contract.

3. Capability Narrative:

• A narrative describing your company’s approach and capabilities for each of the core areas listed in the Project Scope section (Curatorial, Visitor Services, Education, and Audio Visual).

• Describe your process for recruiting, training, and managing specialized museum personnel. Describe retention strategy, polices, and programs.

4. Business Model:

• A brief overview of your business model (e.g., providing full outsourced teams, supplementing existing staff, etc.).

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

Please submit your response via email to the point of contact listed below by 15 April 2026. Responses should be no more than ten (10) pages in length with standard 1-inch margins.

Name/Title:

Captain John Adams, NCGM Program Manager

Email Address:

John.c.adams2@uscg.mil