New mexico historic women marker program

The New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs is procuring continued professional services for the New Mexico Historic Women Marker Program through a sole-source contract with the New Mexico Women's Forum Inc., with proposals due September 9, 2026. This is a sole-source procurement based on the vendor's unique 20-year history developing the program and its status as the only organization in the United States to have developed a highway marker program of this nature.

The scope encompasses marketing and promotion, collaboration with the New Mexico Tourism Department and Department of Transportation, website enhancement and social media management, educational curriculum development and implementation aligned with Public Education Department standards, speaker development and oral history creation, and archival preservation in partnership with UNM's Southwest Research Center. Deliverables focus on broadening accessibility, engagement strategies, and statewide implementation of existing educational materials. The program currently recognizes over 120 women and includes K-12 curriculum, traveling exhibits for public libraries, and archives at UNM.

The contract value is $220,664 (before tax) for a two-year term running August 2026 through August 2028, with funding appropriated through House Bill 2, Section 5 (120) from the 2026 Regular Session. The New Mexico Women's Forum Inc. holds SHARE Vendor Number 0000063990 and is located in Albuquerque. The sole-source determination was posted for the required 30-day protest period and approved by the State Purchasing Agent on August 6, 2026.