1475-25-R-RFQF-00006

The Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH) has issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for an exhibit design and build project for the Natchez Tribal History Center (NTHC) located in Natchez, Mississippi. The procurement seeks an exhibit firm to comprehensively research, design, fabricate, and install exhibits across 4,420 sq ft of exhibition space, including an 830 sq ft introductory media space and a 3,590 sq ft exhibit gallery. The project requires an all-inclusive design/build contract encompassing content research, image research, copyright permissions, exhibit design, A/V development, scriptwriting, label development, lighting, fabrication, and installation. Minimum qualifications mandate that offerors have 7 years in business and provide 3 reference projects similar in scope or size. The evaluation process will utilize a 100-point scale, with 40 points for technical factors, 25 points for cost factors, 20 points for management factors, and 15 points for an interview. The project is scheduled to begin in August 2025, with a contract end date of December 31, 2027, and a targeted opening date of 2027, with the RFQ response due by May 21, 2025.

The RFQ does not explicitly specify set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. The total project budget is $3.5 million, with the primary objective of preserving and presenting the history of the Natchez Indians and the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians site, which is a National Historic Landmark. The project emphasizes collaboration with MDAH staff, Tribal partners, and the project architect, Eley Guild Hardy Architects. While no incumbent vendors are mentioned, the procurement requires a vendor capable of working closely with tribal advisors to develop a comprehensive educational narrative about the Natchez people and their historical site. The successful contractor will need to demonstrate significant experience in museum exhibit design, cultural interpretation, and collaborative historical storytelling. Proposers should be prepared to integrate complex historical narratives with engaging multimedia and interactive exhibit elements that effectively communicate the cultural significance of the Natchez Indians.