REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
Consultant for Mobile Museum & Media Lab “Green” Van Conversion
Organization: The Natural History Museum (NHM)
Project: Design of Mobile Museum & Media Lab
Position Independent consultant
Location: Remote. NHM is based in the Seattle area. Local candidates and those with prior experience working with vendors in the region are encouraged to apply, however all U.S.-based applicants will be considered.
Timeline:
• Proposals will be accepted on a rolling basis until position is filled,
with an application deadline of December 30, 2024
• Project start date: Early January, 2025
• Project completion: March 7, 2025.
Project Overview
The Natural History Museum, a Pacific Northwest-based traveling “museum without walls”, seeks proposals from qualified consultants with expert knowledge in bespoke van /vehicle upfitting and conversions that prioritize renewable energy technologies and sustainable/green building design. The consultant will be tasked with developing the final specifications, budget, and implementation blueprint for our new “Mobile Museum & Media Lab”.
The contract will involve:
• Conducting a thorough needs assessment
• Researching and advising on emerging technologies, innovative design solutions, and cost considerations
• Developing a comprehensive plan that includes proposed processes, timelines, selection of vendors, technologies, and materials, and tiered budget scenarios.
The consultant will translate The Natural History Museum’s vision into an actionable implementation plan that will enable us to raise the remaining capital funds and move into the build-out phase.
Pending successful completion of this contract and confirmation of funding, there is potential for an expanded role to manage the implementation phase of the project.
Background Context
The Natural History Museum is a touring “museum without walls” with a mission to connect communities, scientists, and museums to address critical environmental and social challenges. A small nonprofit organization based in the Seattle, WA area, traveling is core to our work—to meet with collaborators, produce onsite multimedia and collaborative art, and exhibit movement-aligned art, installations, video projections, and socially engaged art-activism projects in communities across the country, including in rural areas and tribal lands.
Our vision for a mobile museum facility includes a media production lab for staff to work in the field and with communities, and a trailer to transport exhibition materials and equipment, including our 30’ wide open-air exhibition and IMAX-style film projection venue. We anticipate the vehicle upfit will need to be based, at minimum, on a high roof extended cab cargo van and a 14–18′ long trailer. The mobile museum (incorporating converted vehicle and trailer) will need to be equipped with modular interior components for flexible use, including for art and exhibition displays, small group meetings, media production (we have mobile media production and editing equipment to incorporate), secure storage compartments, convertible sleeping quarters, and transport of as many as 5-6 ppl (including driver).
Our goal is for the mobile museum to reflect our environmental mission and values; we aim to prioritize design choices that incorporate renewable and energy-efficient technologies and materials. As a traveling museum, the facility will also need to reflect the visual identity of the Natural History Museum in interior and exterior design, while accommodating the interlocking needs for work/exhibit display and travel/accommodations in a relatively compressed space.
Required Expertise
• Proven track record in van and/or RV conversions, including extensive knowledge of off-road vehicle modifications, towing requirements, and custom vehicle builds
• Expertise in green design, renewable energy technologies and materials, and environmentally friendly vehicle modifications.
• Understanding of off-grid electrical systems and interior retrofitting for sound-recording and other technologies.
• Experience with vendors in both the van conversion and off-grid renewable energy/ green products and services.
• Research and project planning experience, particularly for complex mobile facilities projects.
Additional: familiarity with sustainability assessments and/or certification in relevant sustainable building practices is desirable but not required.
Scope of Work
The consultant will:
1/ Consult on Vehicle Conversion
• Gather requirements; conduct needs and risks assessments; and map out goals, limitations, priorities, and wish lists for the mobile museum and media lab.
• Provide expertise on all aspects of van conversions, including for towing heavy loads (14–18’ trailer), off-road capabilities, and interior and exterior custom modifications for multi-use functionality
• Research/ brainstorm/troubleshoot options based on NHM’s vision, budget constraints, and project requirements.
• Collaborate with NHM Project Team (Creative/Media Director; Visual/Graphic Designer, Executive Director, and Operations Manager) to identify the options and potential trade-offs, translating the complex technical information into clear terms for non-experts.
2/ Provide a Green Design Blueprint:
• Research current/emerging technologies to ensure mobile museum design is optimized for energy efficiency and minimal environmental impact
• Identify appropriate renewable energy technologies, such as solar panels, battery systems, and energy-efficient appliances to reduce the environmental footprint
• Recommend sustainable materials for interior and exterior customization that also accord with the mobile museum design aesthetic
3/ Develop Detailed Project Plans for 2-3 budget scenarios:
• Define and map out options for upfitting a van and trailer, based on project specifications, design requirements, and current/emerging green technologies
• Calculate anticipated energy reductions through use of green technologies and build-design
• Provide a report with recommendations and a break-down of proposed project implementation plan scenarios (including detailed specifications (materials, equipment), prices, proposed process/timeline, vendors, and budget).
Request for Proposals
Please Include:
• Your contact information and any links to a website, LinkedIn, Instagram, or other site that features your work or work history.
• A summary of your qualifications and how you approach and structure each phase of design projects.,A list of relevant past projects and references from at least 2 previous clients.
• A detailed cost estimate and proposed timeline (including deliverables) for your services.
Deadlines
Proposals will be accepted on a rolling basis until position is filled, with a submission deadline of December 30, 2024. The project will begin January 6, 2025 and be completed by March 7, 2025.
Submission Instructions
Proposals should be submitted to jobs@thenaturalhistorymuseum.org
with Subject Line: Mobile Museum RFP
