Exhibition Planning and Design

The Washington State Historical Society has issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) seeking exhibition planning and design services for the Washington State History Museums' Great Hall of History permanent exhibition gallery located in Tacoma. The project focuses on creating a comprehensive exhibition that highlights Washington state's innovation, invention, and ingenuity, covering diverse topics such as aerospace, technology, farming, coffee culture, and notable inventions including the Doppler ultrasound and pickleball. Consultants must be licensed to do business in Washington and possess a minimum of three years of experience in exhibition planning, design, and interpretive content development for museums or similar learning environments. The evaluation will utilize a 100-point scoring system, with 60 points allocated to firm experience, 30 points for staff qualifications, and 10 points for schedule. A pre-proposal conference is scheduled for July 28, 2025, via Microsoft Teams, with proposal submissions due on August 15, 2025. The anticipated contract period spans 23 months, tentatively running from August 29, 2025, to July 31, 2027, with potential options to extend for two additional one-year periods.

The RFQ does not explicitly mention specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. The total budget for this project is $323,817, which is part of a larger $1,386,000 project budget that encompasses exhibition planning, design, demolition, electrical work, fabrication, installation, media production, and image rights. The Washington State Historical Society will provide text writing services and maintain a separate budget for image rights. The procurement appears open to qualified exhibition design firms with demonstrated expertise in museum interpretation and design. While no incumbent vendors are specifically identified, the project requires comprehensive design services that integrate multiple elements of historical storytelling and technological presentation. Potential contractors should be prepared to develop an innovative and engaging exhibition that effectively communicates Washington state's historical and contemporary achievements across various sectors.