Folklorist

The Montana Arts Council (MAC) is conducting a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) numbered MAC-RFP-2023-001R to procure professional Folklorist services. The solicitation was released on September 9, 2022, with proposals due by October 3, 2022, at 2:00 PM MDT. The selected Folklorist will support cultural and historical documentation efforts for the state, focusing on heritage preservation and community cultural assessments. Potential offerors must complete several prerequisites, including submitting client references, a comprehensive cost proposal, and demonstrating specific professional qualifications related to cultural and heritage work. Evaluation criteria include a potential 5% additional points for compliance with Executive Order No. 12-2016 regarding Equal Pay for Montana Women, suggesting a strong emphasis on equitable hiring practices. The RFP covers professional service commodity codes spanning Montana History Foundation Agreements, Community Tourism Assessment, and Heritage Preservation & Development. Offerors will be expected to provide a detailed proposal addressing the specific scope of services outlined in the solicitation.

While no specific set-aside designations or restrictions on respondent types were explicitly mentioned in the provided documentation, the RFP suggests a preference for highly qualified cultural heritage professionals. Payment terms are structured as Net 30 with 0% initial payment, and contractors are expected to submit their total funding request as a lump sum. The solicitation does not specify an exact contract value or budget range, indicating that cost proposals will drive the financial aspects of the contract. No incumbent vendors or existing contractors were identified in the available materials. The contract appears designed to engage a specialized professional who can contribute to Montana's cultural documentation and preservation efforts. Potential bidders should carefully review all documentation, particularly the cost proposal requirements and professional qualifications needed to be considered for this opportunity.