Industry Day Q and A.pdf

National Museum of the United States Navy

(NMUSN) Industry Day

Questions & Answers

June 4, 2025

Architecture/Engineering/Design

1. What is the overall expected square footage of the National Museum of the US Navy

(NMUSN) building?

200,000-300,000K; 80,000 to 100,000K for exhibits. Naval History and Heritage

Command (NHHC) and Navy Museum Development Foundation (NMDF) are currently working through a right-sizing effort to set the requirements for upcoming contracts.

2. With the museum being outside the fence, what security requirements do you envision for the facility (blast, anti-ram, etc.)?

A security study is planned to be conducted in the near future. The purpose of the study is to identify the security requirements. Security requirements will follow Navy Regulations and Industry Standards.

3. Will the strategic planning scope included in recent RFI be competed separately or included in the scope?

Separate

4. How is the project phased?

The project will have 3 phases. Phase 1 will include approximately 100K square feet of the building of the National Museum and renovating Building 74.

Separately, NMDF may renovate Building 202 for parking and retail as a separately funded project running concurrently with Phase 1. NMUSN has partnered with

Living Classrooms, and they will be incorporated into the National Museum

Campus, which will be Phase 1. Phase 2 will complete the approximately 100 square feet of main museum building and renovate the Event center in building

118. Phase 3 will be the construction of a conference center.

5. What are the selection criteria and evaluation methodology for projects? How do we ensure we get invited to the RFQ?

This is a 2-part Answer:

NMUSN Projects: All government projects will go through a contract vehicle such as Fleet Logistics Command – Norfolk, US Army Corps Engineers (USACE), or

General Services Administration (GSA). All projects will be posted on System for

Award Management (SAM) - SAM.gov. Vendors are encouraged to monitor

SAM.gov for these projects. The selection process will not involve the NHHC, other than our team participating in the validation of the vendor’s technical qualifications for the contract. The holder of the contract vehicle will have a team established to review proposals and make their selection. Their selection will be based on past performance, measurement of vendors understanding of requirement, and fair and reasonable price or realistic cost to perform the requirement.

NMDF Projects: NMDF has hired Orr Partners to handle the contract process for all projects that NMDF is responsible for. Orr Partners will open the projects to all vendors. To be considered, contact Orr Partners to be added to their vendor list.

They will email all vendors on their contact list for their projects and selection will be based on fair and reasonable price or realistic cost to perform the requirement.

6. Where is Building 76 in the process?

Building 76 is located on the Washington Navy Yard. Building 76 is where the

National Museum was located but is currently closed and converted into the

NMUSN Museum Support Center. The building requires renovation. The 35% design has been completed, and the design contractor is currently working on the

65% design. This will be separately funded as a Naval Facilities Engineering

Systems Command (NAVFAC) project.

7. Please clarify the USIC of the term designer vs. Architect. Who is selecting the exhibit designer: NMDF or NHHC?

The building architect will be contracted by NMDF. The Exhibit Designer will be contracted by NHHC. There will be processes in place to ensure close coordination and integration of designs.

Architect: Focuses on the structural integrity and functionality of buildings. They will ensure that the design meets legal codes, safety regulations, and engineering principles. The architect will be contracted by NMDF.

Designer: Focuses on the aesthetic and functional aspects of the spaces, in this case the exhibit spaces. They will design the interior layouts, furniture, lighting, and landscaping.

8. Will the design follow NAVFAC UFC requirements?

Yes

9. Clarify role of NMDF: Plan for building 202 on museum campus? Garage? Stability issues with those buildings?

NMDF is responsible for fundraising and contracting the design and architecture of the building, renovating buildings 74, 118, and 202. Building 202 will be the parking garage on the museum campus. Building 74, 118, and 202 are historic buildings and will require structural integrity issues, but all three buildings are in usable condition for the National Museum Campus.

10. Any set asides preferred over others?

All qualified vendors will be considered for both projects with the National

Museum and with NMDF.

11. How far are you with the architectural/building program?

Currently, this is in the planning stages. Site planning and prep projects are set to be conducted in the near future.

12. Will the exhibit and building designer be working together early? Will the AV and IT be the same contractor to ease integration?

Yes. To ensure this Museum Campus is world-class, it is important to have the exhibit and building designer working together in the early stages. The AV and IT ideally could be the same contractor, however, that will depend on the proposals received during the contract solicitation process.

13. Will there be a main consultant holding rest of design team contracts?

The Orr Partners has been hired by NMDF to contract the building design projects.

Exhibit design will be contracted through NHHC.

14. Visioning Request for Proposal (RFP) separate from master-planning RFP? Firm that does visioning will they be excluded from master planning?

Visioning defines the desired future state of the project and focuses on big-picture goals, values, and long-term aspirations. Master planning is a structured and detailed process that translates the visioning into specific strategies, layouts, and implementation steps that involves site planning, infrastructure considerations, and phased development. Depending on the proposals received during the contract solicitation process, this could be separate RFP’s, however, 2 separate projects for visioning and site planning are currently working their way through the contract solicitation process and will be announced on SAM.gov in the near future. Both visioning and planning contracts will be open to all and will undergo a competitive selection process.

15. What services/disciplines are expected to be rolled under the A/E contract?

This is still to be determined; however, the possible services/disciplines could be design & planning, construction oversight, cost estimation & documentation, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance.

16. What will start first: exhibit design or architecture?

Currently NMUSN is working on identifying the potential exhibits and exhibit spaces. Ideally, exhibit design and architecture would start before or around the same time to ensure maximum efficiency is met throughout the construction process.

17. Are there (or would there be) considerations for offsite construction/manufacturing methods for the building?

Yes, there could be considerations for this, but it hasn’t been determined yet. This will be determined by the design concepts that are submitted by the architect.

18. Will it be the construction company contractor’s responsibility to receive sub-contracting prices for other services such as de-installation, crating, transportation, storage, etc. of artifacts and exhibition goods?

No. Construction will be the responsibility of NMDF, and artifact handling will be the responsibility of NMUSN.

19. Building commissioning verifies the efficiency of the HVAC, electrical plumbing systems.

Will building commissioning be provided by the US Navy, the General Contractor or some other group?

Yes, US Navy.

Collections

20. Will the artifact handling/transport install, and any associated artifact rigging be contracted directly with the museum/NHHC or sub-contracted under the

GC/Construction Company?

This will be determined during the planning phases as macro artifacts will have to be considered during the design and construction processes. Micro artifacts will more than likely be handled by NMUSN.

21. Will there be volume and floor load for movement path for future flexibility to allow collections changes?

Ideally, yes. This will be considered during the design process and implemented to ensure maximum flexibility for changes to exhibits in the future.

Contracts

22. Since the contracting vehicles could be varied, will NHHC/NAVFAC be sharing future solicitations with this vendor group for consistency purposes? We were confused about the three phases that Orr Partners is leading (with NAVFAC support) and whether all phases will be under one contract. It appears the Living Classroom building is already underway and not really part of this project. Is that correct? (This project was in today's

Washington Business Journal as well.)

Attendees are encouraged to look on sam.gov in accordance with FAR 5.101 which states proposed contract actions will be posted on the Government Point of

Entry (sam.gov). Attendees are therefore encouraged to look there for all NHHC procurement actions. Although the Living Classrooms project is going to be part of Phase 1 of the NMUSN Campus, that project is being contracted separately from NMDF and NMUSN.

23. How can a firm who is better at “best value” contracts have more success in LPTA bids when the customer doesn’t reveal a budget or IGE information?

FAR 52.215-1 (Instructions to Offerors-Competitive Acquisition) describes how the government will review provided bids for competitive acquisitions. FAR 15.304(d)

All factors and significant subfactors that will affect contract award, and their relative importance shall be stated clearly in the solicitation (10 U.S.C. 3206(b)(1) and 41 U.S.C. 3306(b)(1)) (see 15.204-5(c)). The rating method need not be disclosed in the solicitation. The general approach for evaluating past performance information shall be described. We recommend you review the material in this FAR site and tailor responses as appropriate.

24. What are the small business goals for the procurement? Will the goals only be at the small business level or subcategories like Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small

Business (SDVOSB), etc.

All projects that fall under the responsibility of NMUSN will be posted on SAM.gov and all vendors are encouraged to submit a proposal. Small businesses are always considered. Yes, all subcategories will be considered.

25. What contract vehicle will be used for Visioning?

The initial visioning contract is currently planned through Indefinite

Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) through USACE. Additional visioning contracts will be required, as next year’s effort will likely cover only a portion of the overall need.

26. What is the timing for the visioning?

This Fiscal Year 2025-2026

27. Will any contracts be sole sourced?

On a case-by-case basis. Depending on the requirement, certain procurements could be sole sourced, but proper justification will be required.

28. In the Request for Quote (RFQ) & Request for Proposal (RFP) process, will the architect be requested to put the consultant team together i.e. structure, mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP), acoustics, lighting, etc.?

Yes.

29. Do we access the RFQ through ORRs website? Are you looking at use of a full as built model for post occupancy building management?

Typically, the architect leads the design process and will assemble a consulting team that includes structural engineers, MEP engineers, acousticians, lighting designers, and other specialists.

Use sam.gov to access planned navy procurements.

30. Will you use the seaport NxG contract vehicle?

NMUSN will defer to the decision of the relevant contracting officer on what type of contract will be used, however, we will use the contract vehicle that best suits the requirements.

31. Will there be a draft RFP? What’s the timing of that and the final solicitation?

NMUSN Projects: During the Solicitation Phase of the contract process, the RFP will be posted on SAM.gov. Typically, the RFP is posted for 30 days, but it will vary depending on the type of contract. During this time, vendors have the option to ask clarifying questions, which responses will be shared with all on SAM.gov

NMDF Projects: Most RFPs will allow 30-90 days for vendors to submit proposals.

32. Will the UFC requirements be applied to all products (example – switchgear, lighting, etc.? Will buy America requirements as well?

The Buy America Act is most relevant for supplies. The decision on the applicability of the Buy America Act will be made by a contracting officer.

Exhibits

33. Will there be a bid for American 250 exhibits issued in 2026? How does that allow time to design and build an exhibit to open in 2026?

NMUSN will be in award of a contract for American 250 most likely under an existing USACE IDIQ, within the next two months. We are building upon an existing exhibit design. It is expected that the vendor will be under an accelerated timeline for completion.

34. Does NHHC know which contracting vehicle will be used to select the exhibit designer?

This has not been determined as of yet; however, the solicitation will be posted on

SAM.gov once it is determined and goes through the contracting process.

35. Have you considered virtual exhibits including but not limited to virtual reality, models through Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR), underwater photogrammetry, and large format footage? I’m asking as one who has worked on many such projects with iconic wrecks.

Yes, absolutely. NHHC has capabilities for LIDAR. Photogrammetry would not be contracting that. As part of having a world-class museum with the best advances in technology to tell the history of the Navy, all virtual exhibit capabilities will be considered.

36. Will exhibit design be bid separately from architecture?

Yes.

37. When will the exhibit design be bid?

Approximately 2027, but could shift as future requirements can change

38. Will media be bid with exhibit design (as part of the same team)?

Yes

39. Who will be responsible for creating the stories/initiatives for all of the exhibits?

NMUSN Staff, however, there may be options for contracting out portions.

40. Will one or multiple vendors be chosen for the creation of content and digital experiences?

This will depend on the requirements.

41. Will there be an overarching brief for digital experiences/content required for all exhibits?

Yes, but this will be a future brief as the requirement has not been finalized

42. How will existing buildings need to be modified to accommodate the exhibits?

The new museum will be a whole new building. The exhibits will be within the new building. The existing buildings will be used as follows: Building 74 will be retail, building 118 will be an Event and Conference Center, and 202 will be used for parking.

43. Will the museum design contract include the exhibit spaces and conference center or will those be separate contracts?

Exhibit space will be within the new museum building and the Event Center will be in Building 118. The conference center requirements are not yet validated; these will be separate contracts.

General

44. Will you be releasing a list of today’s attendees?

Yes. This list can be found on SAM.gov with all other documents from this event.

45. Will slides be posted on Sam.gov?

Yes. The briefs can be found on SAM.gov with all other documents from this event.

46. What is the plan for the SECNAV briefing?

The brief for Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) is being developed. The date for conducting the brief has not been established but will be scheduled with his office.

47. You mentioned SECNAV needs to be briefed? How about the White House?

The immediate plan is to brief the SECNAV and then the Chief of Naval Operations

(CNO) when the new CNO is in place. After that, Congressional briefings will be conducted. At this time, there is not a White House brief planned, but that could change based on the results of the SECNAV, CNO, and Congressional briefs.

IT/AV

48. How large will the scope of work be for Information Technology (IT) solutions?

This can’t be answered as of right now, but we recently conducted an IT study that will help identify the scope.

49. Please explain the anticipated AV design effort. Will Audio Visual (AV) for exhibits be integrated (at least conduit) into the design package? How will AV for education/offices/ticketing be integrated into base design?

The museum will have world class exhibits and it is expected that the AV will be world class, as well. It is ideal if all aspects of the new museum are brought on early in the planning and design phase to ensure maximum efficiency of designing and building the new National Museum. AV for education, offices, and ticketing has not been determined, but anticipation will be for advanced technological displays and interactives.

50. IT study to establish requirements; does that encompass security needed for museum?

What about A/V?

AV was not included in the IT study. There is a separate project for a security study that we anticipate will be solicitated on SAM.gov during this Fiscal Year

(2025).

51. Who is responsible to set technical requirements that enable cellular phones to have quality service into the new museum?

This is yet to be determined; however, it will be a requirement to have quality cellular phone service throughout the whole museum and the museum campus.

52. Have you selected a technology consultant or engineer to set requirements for IT and telecom infrastructure?

Development of requirements is forthcoming; have not chosen an engineer

Navy Museum Development Foundation/Orr Partners

53. Will the Architecture/Engineering (A/E) project solicitation be solely for the museum or for the other elements (retail, garage, event center, etc.)?

This has yet to be determined. There is a possibility that there may be separate

A/E contractors for each phase of the construction of the National Museum

Campus.

54. How does NMDF envision acquiring IT and operation technology (OT) support as part of its coordination role?

IT and Operation Technology Support will be established early in the design phase to ensure maximum efficiency is achieved in the construction of the new

National Museum and Campus.

55. When will the AE RFQ/RFP released for the main museum building?

Currently, it is expected that the Architect Design will be solicited in the 2nd

Quarter of Fiscal Year 2026.

56. When does Orr Partners anticipate releasing the RFQ for A/E services? Approximately how many firms will be invited? What is the estimated cost of construction for the museum?

There is no cap on the number of firms that will be invited. It is estimated that

Phase 1 will be $255M, Phase 2 will be $277M, and Phase 3 will be $68M. These amounts are estimated and may vary depending on inflation and right sizing.