RFP-25-017-CC Gloucester Museum of History - Exhibition Design

Gloucester County, Virginia is seeking an exhibition design, fabrication, and installation services contract for the Gloucester Museum of History's second-floor gallery. The project involves creating an 800-square-foot permanent exhibition within a historic c.1770 tavern building, with specific requirements for design and implementation. The successful contractor will be responsible for developing interactive exhibit components, preserving the building's historic architecture, and creating free-standing, reconfigurable display systems with minimal impact on existing surfaces. A non-mandatory pre-proposal conference was held on February 20, 2025, at 6539 Main Street, Gloucester, VA, with proposals originally due on February 28, 2025, by close of business. The exhibition must incorporate seven distinct exhibit areas with interactive zones and a custom display system, prioritizing low-tech solutions due to limited electrical infrastructure. Contractors are expected to complete final design tasks including interpretive graphic design, artifact selection, casework design, and interactive exhibit development. The entire project must be completed by September 1, 2025, with a mandatory one-year warranty period following final acceptance.

While specific set-aside designations are not explicitly detailed in the available documents, the procurement appears to be open to professional exhibition design firms with experience in historic museum spaces. The project does not indicate any specific restrictions on vendor type or require participation from disadvantaged enterprises. No information about incumbent vendors or existing technological infrastructure is provided in the procurement documents. The budget and potential award value are not explicitly stated in the available materials. Potential bidders should note the project's unique constraints, including the historic nature of the venue, the preference for low-tech solutions, and the requirement for battery-powered interactive elements where electrical infrastructure is limited. Interested firms should carefully review the technical specifications and architectural drawings included in the RFP, which provide detailed guidance on the expected design approach and implementation requirements for this museum exhibition project.