C1554011 Interactive Diorama Exhibit

The California Department of Parks and Recreation, specifically the Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area (SVRA), is seeking a professional firm to design, fabricate, and install an interactive diorama exhibit for the Discovery Center. The project requires creating a comprehensive exhibit approximately 10' wide, 6' deep, and 8' tall, focusing on desert wildlife with taxidermy mounts and/or replicas of local species. The exhibit must incorporate a minimum of six multimedia interactive components, along with exhibit graphics, custom cabinetry matching existing Discovery Center fixtures, and appropriate lighting. Contractor qualifications include a mandatory minimum of 7 years of visitor center design experience, completion of 5 interpretive projects over 1,000 square feet within the past 6 years, and a collective 25 years of interpretive exhibit design experience among project personnel. The Request for Proposals (RFP) was posted on April 8, 2016, with sealed proposals due by 5:00 PM on April 28, 2016, and an optional pre-proposal conference scheduled for April 20, 2016. The contract term is 12 months from the Notice to Proceed date, with the State providing natural history specimens and photographic archive access.

The procurement includes specific set-aside designations and business preferences, with a 5% small business preference and a mandatory 6% Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) participation goal. Potential bidders must be prepared to provide all necessary labor, materials, tools, and equipment for the project's successful completion. The maximum budget allocated for this project is $50,000, which represents a relatively constrained funding envelope for a comprehensive interpretive exhibit. Contractors will need to demonstrate significant experience in museum and visitor center exhibit design, with a focus on creating engaging, educational experiences that highlight local ecological environments. The evaluation criteria will likely emphasize technical capabilities, design innovation, experience with similar projects, and the ability to meet the specific requirements outlined in the RFP. While no incumbent vendor is mentioned, the project appears to be part of an ongoing effort to enhance the interpretive capabilities of the Ocotillo Wells SVRA Discovery Center.