RFP Primary 10209186 Exhibit Design and Fabrication Services

The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for professional Exhibit Design and Fabrication Services, seeking a qualified contractor to provide comprehensive design, fabrication, maintenance, and installation of museum-quality exhibits and temporary displays for four visitor centers located in Oroville, Gustine, Gorman, and Byron, California. The procurement requires contractors to furnish all necessary labor, materials, tools, equipment, and expertise to develop long-term and event-based exhibits across various California locations. Proposers must submit three quality sample assignments from different clients within the last two years, with sample projects valued between $20,000 and $75,000, which will be evaluated across four categories: functionality, aesthetics, interactivity, and value. The evaluation criteria include a maximum of 228 possible points, with a minimum passing score of 194 points required for contract consideration. Key procurement dates include RFP availability on June 23, 2025, technical questions due by July 1, 2025, proposal submissions due by July 24, 2025, and cost proposal opening on August 18, 2025, with an anticipated contract start date in November 2025 and a contract term of three years.

The solicitation incorporates small business and disabled veteran business enterprise (DVBE) preference programs, which could provide potential incentive calculations that might impact the final award. Proposers must comply with various state requirements, including recycled content certification, civil rights laws, and generative AI disclosure. While no specific incumbent vendors are mentioned, the contract appears open to a range of design and fabrication firms with demonstrable experience in museum and exhibit design. The RFP requires proposers to have significant expertise in developing interactive, high-quality exhibits that can be installed and maintained across multiple visitor centers. Although a specific budget range is not explicitly stated, the requirement for sample projects between $20,000 and $75,000 suggests the potential contract value could be substantial, likely in the range of $100,000 to $500,000 depending on the scope and complexity of exhibit design and fabrication services required by the California Department of Water Resources.