Fabrication and Installation of Exhibit Components and Graphics

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is for the fabrication and installation of exhibit components and graphics for the "Alive in Many Hands" exhibition at the Library of Congress. The exhibition is scheduled to open in September 2026 in the SW Curtain Gallery of the Thomas Jefferson Building.

• Fabrication, graphics, delivery, and installation of exhibit components and graphics.

• Generation of shop drawings and engineering drawings.

• Site visits for meetings, dimension measurements, and installation.

• Delivery of exhibit elements to the site.

• Installation of new and existing exhibit elements.

• Provision of light track services for exhibit components and ambient lighting.

• Project management for scheduling, site management, fabrication, and installation.

• Adherence to museum quality standards for displays and graphics.

• Compliance with structural engineering requirements, including load calculations and adherence to building codes.

• Compliance with electrical requirements, including UL listed equipment and wiring diagrams.

• Production and installation of graphics based on provided electronic files.

• Delivery of materials and samples for review and approval.

• Fabrication of components to fit existing service elevators or stairways.

• Installation of carpet tile flooring.

• Development and delivery of an Operations Manual.

• Contract Type: Firm-fixed price.

• Period of Performance: Base period begins 04-30-2026 and ends 02-01-2027.

• Proposals must be submitted via email by March 17, 2026, 2:00 PM EST for questions and by the solicitation due date for proposals.

• Proposals must be submitted in two volumes: Technical Proposal and Price Proposal.

• Evaluation will be based on Technical Approach, Management Approach, Corporate Experience, Past Performance, and Price, with non-price factors being significantly more important than Price.

• Offerors must demonstrate experience with at least three (3) recent projects of similar size and scope.

• This acquisition is UNRESTRICTED.

• The solicitation includes numerous FAR and local clauses related to contract administration, security, information systems, federal records, employee fitness, key personnel, conduct, and more.

• Key attachments include the "Alive in Many Hands Design Package" (J-1), "Alive in Many Hands Graphic Schedule" (J-2), and "Alive in Many Hands Graphics Package" (J-3).

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is the 100% Final Design Package, Book 1 of 2: Spatial/ 3D Design for the "Alive in Many Hands" exhibition at the Library of Congress. It details the spatial design, layout, materials, finishes, and specific exhibit components.

• Sheet Index: Lists all drawings included in the package, covering plans, elevations, details, schedules, and renderings.
• Abbreviations Key & Symbols: Provides definitions for common abbreviations and symbols used throughout the design documents.
• Area Plans & Exhibit Plans: Outlines the layout of exhibition areas (Welcome, Sharing, Foodways, Play, Work, Place, Sustaining) and the placement of exhibits.
• Dimension Plans & Electrical Plans: Details the spatial dimensions and electrical outlet placements for the exhibition.
• Elevations & Renderings: Visual representations of the exhibition spaces from various perspectives.
• Material & Finish Schedules: Specifies the materials, colors, and finishes to be used for different components of the exhibition.
• Case Typologies: Details various display case types (Type 1, Type 2, Type 3) with specific dimensions, mounting, and artifact placement information.
• Graphics & Artifact Backer Details: Provides specifications for graphic panels, framed artifact backers, and other display elements.
• Welcome Wall Details: Specific design and construction details for the main welcome wall.

This package serves as the definitive guide for the design and fabrication of the "Alive in Many Hands" exhibition. Bidders involved in fabrication, installation, graphic production, or AV integration will need to consult these detailed drawings and specifications to understand the scope of work, materials, dimensions, and aesthetic requirements.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is the "100% Final Design Package | Book 2 of 2" for the "Alive in Many Hands" project at the Library of Congress. It details the graphic design elements, including typography and color palettes, for the exhibition.

• Typography: Specifies font families (Remora Sans, Adelle Sans) and their usage for headings (H1, H2, H3) and body text (B1, B2, B3), including font sizes and styles.
• Color Palette: Provides a set of six PMS (Pantone Matching System) colors (PMS 133C, PMS 5474C, PMS 4140C, PMS 2181C, PMS 7629C, PMS 1615C) to be used in the design.
• Project Components: Details various graphic elements such as "Coming Soon" banners, "Welcome Wall" elevations, "Spine Elevations," "Sharing Folklife" graphics, "Foodways" graphics, "Folklife at Play" graphics, "Folklife at Work" graphics, "Folklife in Place" graphics, "Sustaining Folklife" graphics, and "Window SEGs."
• Dimensions and Substrates: For many components, specific dimensions and substrate materials (e.g., SEG, Sintra, Komacel, Vinyl Wrap) are listed.

This document serves as a detailed design specification for the "Alive in Many Hands" exhibition. Potential bidders involved in fabrication, installation, or graphic production for this project would use this document to understand the visual and material requirements, including specific fonts, colors, dimensions, and the overall aesthetic of the exhibition elements.

Other / Unclassified

This document is a U.S. Department of Labor Wage Determination (No. 2015-4281, Revision No. 35) for the Service Contract Act. It lists prevailing wage rates and fringe benefits for various occupations in the District of Columbia, Maryland (Charles, Prince George's counties), and Virginia (Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Falls Church, Fauquier, Loudoun, Manassas, Manassas Park, Prince William, Stafford counties).

This wage determination establishes the minimum wage rates and fringe benefits that must be paid to service employees working on covered federal contracts within the specified geographic areas. Bidders on opportunities that fall within these areas and are subject to the Service Contract Act must consult this document to understand their labor cost obligations and ensure compliance with federal wage laws. It details rates for a wide range of occupations, from administrative support to technical and protective services, and includes information on health and welfare benefits, vacation, and holidays.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is an Excel spreadsheet detailing the graphic schedule for the "J-2 - Alive in Many Hands" exhibit. It outlines specific graphic elements, their descriptions, quantities, dimensions, materials, and production notes.

• Areas: The graphics are organized by exhibit area (e.g., Welcome, Sharing, Foodways, Play, Work, Place, Sustaining, Windows, Spine).
• Graphic Details: Each entry specifies the graphic type (e.g., Printed Theatrical Muslin, SEG, Vinyl Wrap, Acrylic, Wallpaper), description, quantity, and dimensions (Width x Height in inches).
• Materials & Production: Details on the materials used (e.g., Theatrical Muslin, SEG, Vinyl, Acrylic, Komacel, HPL, Polycarbonate) and production methods (e.g., Direct Print to Fabric, CNC Cut and Painted, Direct print to acrylic) are provided.
• Specific Notes: Some entries include specific instructions regarding color matching, finish, or coordination with fabricators.

This schedule is crucial for any vendor responsible for producing or installing exhibit graphics. It provides precise specifications for each graphic element, including size, material, and type, which are essential for accurate bidding, material procurement, and production planning. Bidders should review this document to understand the full scope of graphic requirements for the "Alive in Many Hands" exhibit.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "Attachment J-4 - Brand Name or Equivalent Salient Characteristics," lists specific brand-name items or their approved equivalents that meet the salient characteristics required for the opportunity. Bidders must ensure their proposed products or services meet these specifications.

• Section Reference: Corresponds to specific sections within the Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS).
• Item/Model: Lists the brand-name product or model number.
• Salient Characteristics: Details the essential features, performance requirements, and compliance standards that the item must meet. This includes material composition, performance metrics, and adherence to conservation standards (e.g., Conservation Oddy tests).

This attachment is critical for bidders to understand the precise material and performance specifications required for certain components of the procurement. It guides the selection of acceptable materials and equipment, ensuring compliance with conservation and performance standards. Bidders should carefully review each listed item and its characteristics to determine if their proposed solutions meet these requirements or to identify suitable equivalent products.

Other / Unclassified

This document, "J-5 AOC Design Standards 2-26-2018 (160 Pages)", is an order from the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) establishing minimum design standards and criteria for the design, repairs, alterations, modernizations, renewals, and construction of facilities under the AOC's jurisdiction. It applies to all projects commencing on or after its effective date of December 26, 2018. This manual is an update to the August 2012 version of the AOC Design Guide and includes significant changes and improvements.

This document serves as a comprehensive set of design standards and criteria that potential bidders must adhere to when undertaking projects for the Architect of the Capitol. It outlines detailed requirements across various disciplines including general requirements, historic preservation, sustainable design, security, structural design, shell, architecture and interior design, fire protection, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, building automation, communications, exterior horticultural and irrigation, sitework, and more. Bidders should consult this document to understand the specific technical, regulatory, and quality expectations for any project within the AOC's jurisdiction, particularly concerning historic preservation, sustainability, and adherence to numerous codes and standards.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Past Performance Questionnaire designed to gather information from previous customers to assess a contractor's suitability for providing services to the Library of Congress. It is critical for the proposal evaluation process.

• Contractor Information: To be filled in by the respondent.
• Rating Guidance: Defines performance levels from Outstanding to Unsatisfactory, with specific criteria for each.
• Narrative Explanations: Required for Marginal, Unsatisfactory, or No ratings.
• General Information Section: Requires details about the respondent's company, contract number, period of performance, and contract value.
• Questionnaire Section: A series of questions (1-10) to rate the contractor's overall management, quality of products/services, project management effectiveness, timeliness, report submission, sub-contracting effectiveness, personnel competence, communication, ability to perform within costs, and any terminations/rescheduling due to performance issues.
• Comments Section: For additional remarks.

This questionnaire is crucial for potential bidders as it outlines the specific areas of past performance the Library of Congress will evaluate. Bidders should understand these criteria to prepare their proposals and potentially gather supporting documentation or references. The deadline for returning the completed questionnaire is April 2, 2026, by Noon (Eastern Time), sent to Olexiy Levchuk (olevchuk@loc.gov) with a copy to Moji Adejuwon (moad@loc.gov).

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a price schedule (Attachment J-7) for the opportunity, requiring offerors to provide firm fixed prices for each deliverable. Proposals lacking prices for all deliverables, except those marked as Not Separately Priced (NSP), will not be accepted.

• Firm Fixed Price: Offerors must provide a price for each deliverable.
• Not Separately Priced (NSP): The Kick Off Meeting (C.3.2) is marked as NSP.
• Deliverables and Due Dates:
  • Site Protection Plan (C.3.5): Due within ten (10) business days of the initial site visit.
  • Samples (C.3.5): Due 2026-05-15.
  • Detail Drawings (C.3.3): Due 2026-05-20.
  • Production Inaugural Installation (C.3.4-C.3.9): Production period from 5/25/2026 to 8/15/2026.
  • Delivery Inaugural Installation (C.3.10.1): Due 2026-08-17.
  • Installation Inaugural Installation (C.3.10.2): Installation period from 8/17/2026 to 8/28/2026.
  • Punchlist (C.3.10.3): Due 2026-08-20.
  • Delivery - 6 month graphics rotation (C.3.7.5): Due 2027-02-01.

This attachment is critical for proposal preparation. Bidders must carefully review each deliverable, its associated requirements (referenced by paragraph number), and its due date. A firm fixed price must be assigned to every item except the NSP item. Failure to comply will result in proposal non-acceptance.