C--Martime NWR Interpretive Exhibit Services
INTERIOR, DEPARTMENT OF THE.DEPARTMENTAL OFFICES.FWS CONTRACTING ACTIVITY · Response deadline: Mon, 09 Nov 2026
What the government is buying
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), within the Department of the Interior, is seeking interpretive exhibit services for C--Martime National Wildlife Refuge. Interpretive exhibit services under NAICS 541850 typically involve the design, fabrication, and installation of educational displays, signage, and interactive elements that help visitors understand wildlife, habitats, conservation efforts, and the ecological significance of refuge lands. These exhibits may include indoor visitor center displays, outdoor trail signage, digital or multimedia components, and tactile or accessible features for diverse audiences. The scope of work could cover concept development, graphic design, content research in coordination with refuge staff, prototype development, production, delivery, and installation. See the solicitation for specific exhibit requirements, locations, and deliverables.
Key facts
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Agency | Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Contracting Activity |
| Notice type | Combined Synopsis/Solicitation |
| Solicitation number | 140FF027Q0002 |
| NAICS | 541850 — Display Advertising and Other Outdoor Advertising Services |
| Set-aside | Small Business Set Aside — Total |
| Response deadline | November 9, 2026, 8:00 AM ET |
| Place of performance | Not specified in metadata; see the solicitation |
Who can bid
This opportunity is set aside exclusively for small business concerns under the Small Business Set Aside — Total program. To qualify, your business must:
- Be certified as small under NAICS 541850, which carries a size standard tied to average annual receipts (typically $16.5 million for this code, though bidders should verify current SBA standards)
- Be registered and active in SAM.gov with current representations and certifications
- Have the relevant capability to perform interpretive exhibit services, which may include design, fabrication, content development, or installation work
- Demonstrate past performance on comparable federal, state, museum, or nature center exhibit projects (strongly expected in this competitive field)
Joint ventures and mentor-protégé arrangements may bid if the entity qualifies as small and meets SBA affiliation rules. Non-small businesses are ineligible for award but may subcontract to a small business prime.
How to put together a competitive bid
Understand the interpretive mission: FWS refuges prioritize accurate, accessible conservation messaging. Research C--Martime NWR's specific wildlife, habitats, and visitor demographics. Align your proposed exhibits with FWS interpretive standards and accessibility requirements (Section 508, ADA compliance).
Demonstrate proven exhibit fabrication capability: Include a portfolio of completed projects with similar scope, scale, and natural-resource themes. Highlight any experience with federal agencies, especially Interior Department bureaus.
Address life-cycle requirements: Competitive bids typically cover design, materials durability for outdoor/marine coastal conditions (given the "Martime" spelling suggesting maritime environment), maintenance considerations, and installation logistics.
Price realistically for small business operations: As a total small business set-aside, pricing pressure may be intense. Ensure your cost build includes site visits, stakeholder coordination with refuge biologists and educators, prototype review cycles, and travel if the place of performance requires it.
Submit complete technical and past performance documentation: Combined synopsis/solicitation notices often require proposal narratives, pricing, and proof of small business status. Follow the exact submission format, page limits, and file naming conventions specified in the full solicitation.
Next steps
- Access the full solicitation on SAM.gov using solicitation number 140FF027Q0002 to obtain the statement of work, proposal instructions, evaluation criteria, and any amendments
- Confirm your SAM registration is active and your entity's size status is current
- Note the firm deadline: Proposals are due November 9, 2026, at 8:00 AM Eastern Time — late submissions are typically not accepted
- Submit questions through the channels provided in the solicitation if any requirements are unclear
Government contact information and submission methods are contained in the full solicitation document on SAM.gov.
View the official notice on SAM.gov →