ALPLM - Citizen City Children's Exhibit Fabrication and Installation

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum (ALPLM), a State of Illinois agency, is requesting bids for fabrication and installation services for the Citizen City Children's exhibit, a permanent 1,000-square-foot interactive installation designed for heavy public use, with bids due August 17, 2026, and a mandatory virtual pre-bid meeting on July 23, 2026, at 11:00 AM Central Time. Attendance at the pre-bid meeting is required; failure to attend or provide name, title, company name, phone number, and email address in the WebEx chat at the meeting's start may result in bid disqualification.

This procurement carries a Business Enterprise Program (BEP) set-aside requiring a minimum of 23% of the total contract value to be awarded to minority-owned, women-owned, or disability-owned certified businesses. Bidders must submit a completed BEP Utilization Plan; failure to do so renders a bid non-responsive. Vendors may self-perform as certified BEP entities, partner with certified subcontractors to meet the goal, or request a waiver with documented good-faith-efforts evidence. The BEP Council reviews all waiver requests and makes determinations within ten business days.

The scope encompasses fabrication and installation of five major exhibit areas featuring interactive components including an audio-visual taxi experience, community-themed installations with graphics and sensory elements, a nature-focused garden area, and multiple interactive stations with integrated lighting, RFID-tagged props, touchscreen systems, and audio systems. Vendors must demonstrate prior experience with museum and cultural institution exhibit fabrication through a minimum of three project references from the past ten years, with at least two demonstrating permanent exhibits designed for heavy public use. The fabricator must designate a single project manager, coordinate with ALPLM's Director of Exhibits and Director of Facilities, and complete all work within twelve months of contract execution. The exhibit must have a minimum operational lifespan of ten years.

Vendor requirements include general commercial liability insurance of $1 million per occurrence with $2 million annual aggregate, auto liability insurance of $1 million per occurrence, workers' compensation insurance as required by law, and performance and payment bonds at 100 percent of the contract sum on AIA Document A312-2010 forms, due within ten business days of contract receipt. All contractor and subcontractor employees must pass security background checks at ALPLM's expense prior to on-site work. Vendors must submit a completed Vendor Disclosure form (either IPG-registered or non-IPG version), Form W-9, and firm fixed pricing with all costs included. Work may be performed at ALPLM between 6:00 AM and 10:00 PM, seven days a week, though some evenings after 5:00 PM may be unavailable due to museum rentals. Payment follows the State Prompt Payment Act; invoicing is due by July 31 for services rendered through June 30 of each year. The vendor is responsible for shipping and transportation costs with FOB Destination pricing included. All work is considered work-for-hire with intellectual property rights assigned to the State of Illinois.