Exhibition Design Services

This document is a solicitation for a firm-fixed-price contract for "Treasures: Creative Process Exhibit Design Services" for the Library of Congress. The selected contractor will be responsible for providing expert creative design services for an upcoming exhibition, "Inside the Creative Process." This includes planning consultations, concept design, design development, and final exhibition design, adhering to museum-quality, conservation, and security standards. The exhibition will feature approximately 120 high-value original objects. Key deliverables include developing three initial design concepts, refining a chosen concept through iterative processes, and producing a final design package with detailed plans, renderings, and specifications for new fabrication (to be procured separately). The contractor will also design promotional materials and provide layouts for a second rotation of objects. The contract period runs from February 2026 to January 2028, with the exhibition opening scheduled for October 2027. Special requirements include adherence to accessibility standards (ADA, ABA, Section 508), specific material prohibitions for conservation, and strict security protocols for deliveries and personnel, including background investigations and IT security training for all contractor staff.

The document "Treasures Gallery - Design Services" pertains to design services for the Library of Congress Treasures Gallery, specifically referencing "Attachment J-1 - Draft Floor Plan 6-14-2024." The repeated mention of this attachment across multiple pages indicates that the primary focus of the document is the detailed floor plan for the gallery, likely for bidding purposes. This suggests the document is part of a Request for Proposal (RFP) where potential contractors would need to review and utilize the provided floor plan for their design submissions. The consistent

The National Park Service (NPS) Programmatic Accessibility Guidelines for Interpretive Media (Version 2.4, October 2019) outlines comprehensive standards for ensuring accessibility across all NPS interpretive media, including publications, exhibits, audiovisual programs, tours, wayside exhibits, signage, and web-based content. It emphasizes compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Director’s Order #42, mandating that all new and existing programs, facilities, and services are accessible to individuals with physical, sensory, or cognitive disabilities. Key areas covered include design principles for mobility, visual, hearing, and cognitive impairments; detailed specifications for captioning, audio description, assistive listening systems, tactile exhibits, typography, and lighting; and guidelines for interpretive planning, budgeting, and evaluation. The document stresses early integration of accessibility in project planning to avoid costly retrofits and promotes universal design principles to provide equitable experiences for all visitors. Accountability for accessibility rests with superintendents and the Harpers Ferry Center.

This document, J-5 - 030ADV26R0007, details responses to offeror questions regarding a federal government RFP for the "Inside the Creative Process" exhibit at the Library of Congress. The solicitation is for an exhibition design firm to create a new exhibit, including two rotations of objects. Key information provided includes the Library's intention to provide budget details at the kick-off meeting, a refusal to consider interagency agreements, and clarification on the scope of work. Specifically, fabrication, AV systems design, and lighting design are excluded, while media development is not, though contractors must incorporate existing media elements. The Library confirmed that content, including narrative and image permissions, will be provided in-house. The document also addresses administrative aspects like proposal submission requirements, past performance questionnaires, and the completion of SF1449 and Section K forms.

This document contains revised responses to 106 questions from offerors regarding RFP J-8 - 030ADV26R0007, concerning the "Inside the Creative Process" exhibit for the Library of Congress. Key points clarified include: the budget will be shared at the kick-off meeting; the solicitation is full and open, not an Interagency Agreement; fabrication is excluded from the current scope; funding is available; and the Library will provide all content, including narrative and object checklists. The exhibition will feature two rotations of objects, sharing an overall graphic approach. The Library will obtain all necessary permissions and copyrights. Offerors must follow specific proposal formatting, pricing, and submission guidelines, including completing the SF1449 form and providing past performance questionnaires. The document also details what media, AV, and lighting components are included or excluded, and clarifies responsibilities for security and other design elements.

Amendment 0002 for Solicitation 030ADV26R0007, issued by the Library of Congress Contracts and Grants Directorate, provides Attachment J-8, titled "Revised Responses to Offeror Questions." This amendment, dated December 23, 2025, modifies the original solicitation by updating the responses to offeror inquiries. It ensures that all other terms and conditions of the solicitation, as previously amended by Amendment 0001, remain unchanged. The document also includes a comprehensive list of attachments, such as draft floor plans, program guidelines, past performance questionnaires, and deliverables price schedules, indicating a thorough and structured approach to the solicitation process. The purpose of this amendment is to provide updated information to potential offerors, thereby clarifying any ambiguities and facilitating a more informed bidding process.

The Library of Congress (LOC) has issued a Past Performance Questionnaire (Attachment J-7 -- 030ADV26R0007) to gather information on contractors bidding for exhibit design services. This questionnaire is critical for evaluating proposals, as past performance is of considerable importance to the acquisition. The document outlines a rating system (Outstanding, Good, Satisfactory, Marginal, Unsatisfactory) for assessing contractor performance across various criteria, including overall management, quality of products and services, project management effectiveness, timeliness, quality of subcontracted efforts, personnel competency and communication, and cost performance. Respondents are required to provide narrative explanations for Marginal, Unsatisfactory, or No ratings and are encouraged to supplement their knowledge with judgments from others in their organization. The completed questionnaire, including general company and contract information, must be returned via email by noon on January 16, 2026, to Olexiy Levchuk (olevchuk@loc.gov) and Moji Adejuwon (moad@loc.gov).

Attachment J-6, part of RFP 030ADV26R0007, outlines a revised deliverables price schedule for an exhibition project at the Library of Congress, spanning from late 2025 to early 2028. The document details a series of required deliverables and their due dates, for which offerors must provide firm fixed prices. Key deliverables include a kick-off meeting (not separately priced), presentation of concept design options, a comprehensive design development package, final exhibition design and production deliverables in two parts, options for an exhibition brochure design, and final exhibition design and production package part two. The schedule also covers fabrication and installation, including written feedback on shop drawings and documentation of the exhibition opening, and finally, the presentation of final case layouts and production deliverables for a second rotation. This schedule ensures a structured approach to the exhibition's development and implementation, requiring detailed proposals for each phase.

Amendment 0001 to solicitation 030ADV26R0007, issued by the Library of Congress Contracts and Grants Directorate, details modifications for the "Treasures: Creative Process Exhibit Design Services" contract. Key changes include extending the offer due date to January 16, 2026, and adjusting the Period of Performance (POP) begin date from February 18, 2026, to February 23, 2026. The amendment also revises sections B.2 (PRICE/COST SCHEDULE), C (DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK), F.2 (SCHEDULE OF EVENTS/DELIVERABLES), and J (LIST OF ATTACHMENTS). New attachments J-5, J-6, and J-7 provide responses to offeror questions, a revised deliverables price schedule, and an updated past performance questionnaire, respectively. The exhibit design services involve developing three concepts for an exhibition of approximately 120 objects, followed by iterative design development and final design packages. Deliverables include detailed layouts, graphic designs, and production-ready files, with strict adherence to accessibility, material, and conservation standards. Key personnel requirements for the contractor include a Principal/Creative Director, Graphic Designer, and 3-D Designer, each with five years of relevant experience. Proposals must be submitted via email in two separate volumes (Technical and Price) by the new deadline.

The Library of Congress (Library) issued Attachment J-3 -- 030ADV26R0007, a Past Performance Questionnaire, to evaluate contractors for exhibit design services. This two-page document, dated 11-18-25, is critical for proposal evaluation. It requests current or previous customer feedback on a contractor's performance using a rating scale: Outstanding, Good, Satisfactory, Marginal, and Unsatisfactory. The questionnaire requires narrative explanations for Marginal, Unsatisfactory, or "No" ratings. It covers general information such as the contractor's name, contract details, and specific questions regarding overall management, product/service quality, project management effectiveness, timeliness, personnel competence, communication, and cost performance. Responses are due by noon (Eastern) on January 5, 2026, to Olexiy Levchuk and Moji Adejuwon.

The document, Attachment J-4 – 030ADV26R0007, outlines a deliverables price schedule for an exhibition design and production project, likely for a federal government Request for Proposal (RFP). It details various deliverables with specific due dates, emphasizing that proposals must price each deliverable except those marked as "Not Separately Priced (NSP)." Key deliverables include a kick-off meeting, concept design presentations (with three options for exhibition designs, graphic styles, and cost estimates), design development package presentations (iterative designs, renderings, display schedules), and final exhibition design and production deliverables presented in two parts. Further deliverables include options for an exhibition brochure design, production files for signage and advertisements, digital photographs documenting the exhibition installation, and a final package for a second rotation of layouts and production. The project culminates with the opening of the Creative Process exhibition in October 2027 and a final deliverable package for Rotation #2 by January 2028.