REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) STATE 0000000253SL,1: Exhibit Consultation, Planning, Design, Development, and Procurement/Production

The Missouri Department of Conservation, in partnership with the Department of Natural Resources, has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP STATE-0000000253SL) seeking qualified vendors for comprehensive exhibit consultation, planning, design, development, and procurement/production services. The solicitation, posted on January 12, 2026, with a response deadline of February 5, 2026, calls for specialized expertise in creating engaging, educational exhibit elements primarily for the Shoal Creek Conservation Education Center located in Jefferson City, Missouri. The scope includes the development of immersive features such as terrarium walls, center exhibit spaces, and interpretive graphics, all designed to meet strict compliance standards including the 2018 International Building Code (IBC), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) guidelines. Proposals must deliver cohesive designs that enhance visitor experience and provide detailed itemized budgets alongside creative solutions. Additional informational materials provided outline operational data from multiple Missouri nature centers, including their opening dates, locations, renovation histories, and annual visitation statistics, offering a broader context of the Department’s network of facilities. This information, while not directly tied to the solicitation, helps frame the scale and diversity of Missouri’s conservation education efforts. Interested parties are encouraged to communicate with the primary contact, Cody Ling, for further details. The project represents an important initiative to update and modernize conservation exhibits, aiming to support environmental education and public engagement through innovative, accessible, and well-crafted interpretive environments.