Museum Collections Data Definitions

This is an official pre-solicitation notice of a forthcoming Request for Proposals (RFP) solicitation.

This solicitation will request proposals for the next phase of the Institute of Museum and Library Services' (IMLS) Museum Data Collections project.  Currently, IMLS' contractor for the Museum Portal, International Information Associates, is pre-populating the database with base-line data on museums from lists compiled from multiple sources and developing the basic architecture.  Over the course of the next six months, IMLS must work in close cooperation with the museum community on the final design of the portal functionality; the development of  standardized metrics for the portal data and to develop a roll out strategy for individual institutions and the public to crowd-source museum data. To assist in the planning and coordination of this phase of the project the agency seeks a contractor to:

 •·         Develop a comprehensive review guide of existing institutional data sources on US museums and museum participation. 

 •·        Select a number of individual museum directors, research and evaluation leaders and other interested stakeholders from the museum community to offer their individual opinions on technical matters. 

 •·         Provide a final report to IMLS .

 The estimate price range for this solicitation is $50,000 to $80,000.  Details will be provided upon issuance of the solicitation document which will be made available on or about June 7, 2010 with proposals anticipated to be submitted on or before July 7, 2010.