CAAM IFB No. 25232_Exhibition Design Services

The California African American Museum (CAAM) has issued an Invitation for Bid (IFB No. 25232) for comprehensive Exhibition Design Services, targeting qualified exhibition design contractors to provide end-to-end design services for multiple museum exhibitions from July 2025 to June 2028. The project encompasses design services for approximately 10 exhibitions across five gallery spaces totaling 14,900 square feet, requiring contractors to execute full-scope design work including conceptual design, design development, construction documents, fabrication and printing supervision, installation supervision, and exhibition close-out. Bidders must demonstrate 10-15 years of museum exhibition design experience, have completed at least three museum projects in the past year, and possess expertise in spatial planning, graphic design, and sustainable material integration. The bid response deadline is June 23, 2025, at 1:30 PM PST, with a proposed contract award date of July 1, 2025, and a contract start date of July 15, 2025. Evaluation criteria will likely focus on design expertise, past project portfolio, technical capabilities, and comprehensive cost proposals for exhibition design services across the three-year contract period.

The solicitation includes specific provisions for small business and disabled veteran business enterprise (DVBE) participation, with potential incentives up to 5% for DVBE involvement. Contractors must maintain a minimum of $1,000,000 in general liability insurance and comply with state contracting regulations. While the total contract value is not explicitly stated, bidders are required to provide detailed per-exhibition design costs for each contract year. The procurement appears open to a wide range of design firms that can meet the specified qualifications, with particular emphasis on supporting diverse business participation. The contract structure suggests a flexible, project-based approach that allows CAAM to engage exhibition design services on an as-needed basis across multiple exhibitions, potentially accommodating varying scope and complexity of museum display requirements.