Design Inaugural Exhibitions for Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino

Amendment / Modification

This amendment provides responses to additional bidder questions regarding the solicitation for the development of the initial concept plan and design for the inaugural exhibitions at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino (NMAL).

Key clarifications include:

• The stated 80,000 sq ft museum area refers exclusively to exhibition space and does not include reception, ticketing, café, or circulation spaces.

• The base building Architect/Engineer (A/E) is responsible for filing life/safety and egress plans with the Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).

• The Exhibit Design team is expected to coordinate with the A/E and reflect relevant life/safety systems in exhibition plans, but it is clarified that the Exhibit Design team is not expected to file items such as display cases, wall panels, or interactive experiences with AHJs.

• "Stamps" on A/E drawings refer to stamps of licensed architects and engineers, and these stamped drawings will be filed with the design team's architect and engineer as the applicant(s) of record.

• Technical Proposal – B.2. Services – Exhibition Footprint, Page 3

• Technical Proposal – C.3. Design Considerations – A/E, Page 11

• Questions & Answers #26 and #42

• The deadline for proposal submission via e-mail remains May 18, 2026, 9:00 am EST.

• All other contract terms and conditions of RFP 33330226RF0010004 remain in effect.

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to additional bidder questions regarding RFP 33330226RF0010004 for the development of the initial concept plan and design for the inaugural exhibitions at the National Museum of the American Latino (NMAL).

• Question 1 (Cost Proposal - Subcontractors): Bidders inquired whether subconsultant fees could be provided as a line-item breakout within the cost proposal, or if subconsultant staff hours also needed to be broken out separately. The Smithsonian clarified that a line-item breakout for subconsultants will suffice.
• Question 2 (Subcontracting Prohibition): A bidder found the previous response regarding subcontractors and cost estimation unclear, specifically concerning the prime contractor's role. The Smithsonian clarified that the same issue with cost estimation applies to prime contractors as it does to subcontractors.

These clarifications provide specific guidance on cost proposal structure for subconsultants and reiterate the cost estimation prohibition for prime contractors, which may affect how bidders prepare their proposals.

Amendment / Modification

This amendment to RFP 33330226RF0010004 provides responses to bidder questions and makes a change to the RFP language regarding the development of the initial concept plan and design for the inaugural exhibitions at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino (NMAL).

Key updates include:

• Past Performance: Added to page 66, Section L.5.1 Technical Proposal, item 4) Past Performance, to clarify that information utilized to assess past performance will be obtained from the Contractor, calling references, and other past performance information from sources identified by the Contractor.

• Bidder Questions & Answers: Addresses numerous questions from bidders regarding:

  • Negotiating contracting terms and conditions (deviations vs. exceptions).
  • Participation in future projects and potential conflicts of interest for team members and subcontractors.
  • SAM registration requirements for subconsultants.
  • Subcontractor participation on multiple proposals.
  • Proposal submission format, file size, page size, and orientation.
  • Technical proposal content, including approach, visuals, and past performance requirements (project size, age, and subcontractor involvement).
  • Competitive range and presentation selection.
  • Evaluation criteria weighting.
  • Team composition preferences.
  • Subcontractor performance for minimum requirements.
  • Teaming arrangements.
  • Pricing and fee splits.
  • Submission of set fees vs. rough-order-of-magnitude estimates.
  • Travel and per diem for unpriced options.
  • Payment schedules.
  • Project budget allocation for renovation vs. exhibition design.
  • Inclusion of base building, structural, MEP, and fire/life/safety cost estimates.
  • Budget allocation across exhibition components.
  • Guidelines for "Smithsonian Facilities Architect-Engineer Information Center Documents."
  • Insurance requirements for subcontractors with lesser scope.
  • Likelihood of site identification by the concept design phase and architectural interventions.
  • Building assumptions for concept design without a defined building.
  • Management of scope, schedule, and redesign efforts.
  • Building architectural design and construction schedule.
  • Consideration of specialist architects for historic buildings.
  • Division of responsibilities between architecture and exhibition design teams.
  • Requirement for a base building A/E firm on the Exhibition Design Team.
  • Licensing requirements for DC architects and engineers.
  • Typo clarification for "Schematic Design" vs. "Design Development."
  • Anticipated phasing and optional extensions.
  • Use of technology and AV/technology integrators.
  • Guidelines for image and media licensing.
  • Sustainability standards and certifications (LEED, WELL).
  • Inclusion of sustainability advisors.
  • Management of sustainable design.
  • Duration of interim design coordination and fundraising milestones.
  • Inclusion of media assets and graphics in pricing.
  • Formal review processes and Smithsonian team review timelines.
  • Field measurement and temporary staff.
  • Addition of named personnel beyond key personnel.
  • Use of Revit and Sketch-up in lieu of Vectorworks.
  • Duration of virtual working sessions and design presentations.
  • Location and cost coverage for research/benchmarking trips.
  • Deliverables at the conclusion of phases.
  • Clarification on fabrication and installation services scope.
  • Security consultant inclusion.
  • Quality Control expectations.
  • Life Safety and Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) filings.
  • Codes, Standards, and Regulations for fire extinguishers, strobes, and exit signs.
  • Accessibility specifications and bilingual exhibition context.
  • Daylight studies.
  • Accessibility standards beyond ADA compliance and prototyping.
  • Cost estimating procedures.
  • Detail for fundraising packages and donor recognition.
  • Inclusion of façade and exterior building mounted lighting.
  • Site lighting and anticipated size.
  • Inclusion of exhibition display cases and integrated exhibition lighting.
  • Responsibility for lighting design intent, controls, and integration.
  • Engagement of lighting design in concept vs. SD phase.
  • Drupal-based or equivalent platform for media delivery.
  • "Bespoke" vs. core NMAL Guides for exhibition graphic identities.
  • Graphic production scope.
  • Hierarchy of authority for media production.
  • Clarification of "system scheduling."
  • Known risks, constraints, or sensitivities.
  • Visitor testing on core messages.
  • Role of artists, cultural practitioners, and non-traditional collaborators.
  • Interpretation of exhibition messages (galleries vs. thematic threads).
  • Development and curation of exhibition content.
  • Curatorial framework and narrative structure.
  • Client-generated content document status.
  • Visitor experience innovation (immersive, participatory, digital).
  • Balance between object-based and media-driven experiences.
  • Integration of physical exhibitions and public programming.
  • Role of the education department.
  • Digital extensions of the exhibition experience.
  • Anticipated makeup of the core working group and reporting process.
  • Collaboration with other Smithsonian museums.
  • Visible storage, rotating content, or "living archive" strategies.
  • Role of advisory groups and community engagement.
  • Scope of responsibilities for exhibit developers.
  • Clarification on scriptwriting, image research, and acquisition.
  • Responsibility for content generation and narrative structure.
  • NMAL's responsibility for content development vs. contractor scope.
  • Interpretation services scope.
  • Content structure, exhibits, and visitor journey responsibilities.
  • Provision of all content by the museum.
  • Responsibility for gallery/exhibit scripts.
  • Lead responsibility for content generation.
  • Artifact mounting responsibility.
  • NMAL team's role in research, scripts, translations, and copy editing.
  • Contractor's role in workshopping concepts, text hierarchies, image research, and acquisition.
  • NMAL reliance on exhibition designer for integration, staging, drawings, and mounting systems.
  • NMAL collections team role in mount types.
  • Community stakeholders and engagement.
  • Anticipated density of objects and total number of artifacts.
  • NMAL's collections and future acquisitions.
  • Key artifacts or macro-artifacts.
  • Visitor evaluation background, qualifications, and scope.
  • User expert involvement in testing.
  • Visitor research and testing guidance.
  • Definition of success for inaugural exhibitions.
  • Consideration of extending questions deadline.
  • Proposal submission format (SF-330 vs. Section L.4).
  • Proposal submission deadline and effect on contract terms.

• Section L.5.1 Technical Proposal, 4) Past Performance

• Numerous sections related to technical requirements, proposal submission, evaluation, and scope of work.

• The amendment clarifies numerous aspects of the RFP, impacting how bidders should prepare their proposals, understand requirements, and structure their submissions. Specific deadlines and contract terms remain in effect unless modified by this amendment.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This Request for Proposal (RFP) from the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of the American Latino (NMAL) seeks proposals for the design of its inaugural museum experience. The goal is to develop a concept plan and design for state-of-the-art exhibitions that will illuminate the American story and celebrate the Latino experience. The contract is expected to be awarded in September 2026.

• Develop a "Concept Design" to inform the museum's exhibition experience and architectural program.

• Provide professional and technical exhibition design services through 100% design development, including fabrication, space preparation, and installation.

• The design must be attractive, engaging, accessible, educational, sustainable, functional, and durable.

• Incorporate specific design considerations such as life safety, barrier-free design, energy conservation, accessibility (ADA/ABA compliance), sustainable design, durability (20+ years), and ease of maintenance.

• Deliverables include concept design, schematic design, final design, and fabrication administration.

• A firm fixed-price contract is anticipated for the 10% Concept Design.

• Priced options for additional design phases (Schematic, Final Design, Fabrication Administration) will be assessed as a percentage of the fabrication budget.

• The estimated total exhibition fabrication and installation budget is between $100,000,000 and $130,000,000. This budget excludes exhibition design, collections acquisition, fine arts shipping, and conservation.

• Proposals must be submitted via email no later than May 18, 2026, 9:00 am EST to Debra Berke (berked@si.edu).

• Technical and business proposals must be submitted as two separate files.

• Requests for extensions cannot be granted.

• Evaluation will be based on technical factors (approach, management plan, firm profile/personnel, past performance) and business/cost factors. Technical factors are considered more important than cost.

• Offerors must demonstrate experience designing at least three complete museum or complex museum exhibits within the past seven years, integrating objects, images, and multimedia.

• Each example exhibit must have a footprint of at least 35,000 sq./ft., with at least one over 45,000 sq./ft.

• At least one example must be fabricated and completed.

• Subcontractor performance cannot satisfy the prime contractor's minimum requirement.

• Vendors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) by August 15, 2026.

• The RFP includes numerous attachments covering brand guidelines, accessibility, security, conservation, and more.

• Questions regarding the RFP are due by April 13, 2026, 9:00 am EST.