Smithsonian Institution Licensing Agent
Closed Solicitation Posted
- Solicitation number
- 33330225RT0010035
- Agency
-
Smithsonian Institution
- Responses due
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- NAICS code
- 54199 All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Place of performance
- Washington, District of Columbia, United States
- Points of contact
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The Smithsonian Institution, through Smithsonian Enterprises (SE), is seeking a strategic licensing agent to develop and manage its consumer products and promotional licensing program across North America. The selected contractor will be responsible for growing the Institution's licensing footprint, increasing revenue, and creating meaningful brand extensions that align with the Smithsonian's mission to "increase and diffuse knowledge" while leveraging its iconic brands and collections. The licensing agent must have a strong licensing network and demonstrated passion for impactful, mission-driven products that connect to the Institution's science, history, art, and culture focus. Interested parties must first contact Tori Garnett at garnettt2@si.edu to request and sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement before receiving the full Request for Proposals (RFP), which will be available on or about June 18, 2025. The RFP process requires disclosure of confidential business information, and all proposals must be submitted by the July 18, 2025 deadline to be considered for evaluation.
This opportunity carries no set-aside designation and explicitly states it is not a federal contract, therefore not governed by federal procurement procedures. The initial contract term is structured for three years with an option to renew for an additional three-year period, creating a potential six-year engagement. The program will target various consumer demographics across all retail tiers, drawing on the Smithsonian's reputation for authenticity, trust, education, and memorable family experiences to create both evergreen and high-exposure licensing partnerships. Performance will take place at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC, with the selected agent working to reach the Institution's goal of connecting with every home in America. No incumbent contractors or specific award values are mentioned in the solicitation, though the focus on revenue generation and licensing expansion suggests significant commercial potential for the selected partner.
Notice text
Synopsis:
The Smithsonian Institution, through Smithsonian Enterprises (SE), is seeking a strategic licensing agent to grow and manage its consumer products and promotional licensing program across North America. Rooted in the Smithsonian’s mission to “increase and diffuse knowledge,” the Program will leverage its iconic brands with the potential to include specific museums and program offices. SE aims to expand its licensing footprint, increase revenue, and deliver meaningful brand extensions through partnerships that connect products to the Institution’s mission and collections.
The selected agent will have a strong licensing network and a passion for impactful, mission-driven products. The initial contract term is three years, with an option to renew for another three. This is a unique opportunity to leverage one of the United States’ most beloved and respected heritage brands, and an institution rooted in science, history, art, and culture.
Based on Smithsonian’s immense collections, the Program will create both evergreen and high-exposure licensing and promotional partnerships. It will draw on the Institution’s ethos of authenticity, trust, education, and memorable family experiences. In line with Smithsonian’s mission to reach every home in America, it will target a variety of consumer demographics across all tiers of retail.
This is not a solicitation for a federal contract and is therefore not governed by federal procurement procedures.
The RFP will be available on or about June 18, 2025. Please note: The Smithsonian anticipates the need to disclose certain confidential information about its business activities during the RFP process. As a result, we will require that requestors sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement prior to receiving a copy of the RFP. If your company is interested in working with the Smithsonian to develop the Program, please contact Tori Garnett via email at garnettt2@si.edu to request a copy of the non-disclosure agreement. Proposals are due on July 18, 2025. Requested materials must be submitted by the deadline in order to be considered.
Thank you for your interest.
Place of Performance:
Smithsonian Institution
Primary Point of Contact: Secondary Point of Contact:
Tori Garnett, OCon&PPM Kitty Whitehead, SE
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| NDA_RFP Licensing Agent.docx | DOCX document |
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