Documentation Consultant RFP: Linked Archival Metadata: A Guidebook

Description

Proposals are due by 4pm on May 6, 2013

Overview

The Linked Archival Metadata planning project (LiAM), led by the Digital Collections and Archives at Tufts University and funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), is requesting proposals for the creation of Linked Archival Metadata: A Guidebook. The LiAM planning project anticipates contracting with the individual or firm who, in the LiAM planning project’s sole opinion, is best qualified to create the Guidebook.

The Guidebook will provide archivists with an overview of the current linked data landscape, define basic concepts, identify practical strategies for adoption, and emphasize the tangible payoffs for archives implementing linked data. It will focus on clarifying why archives and archival users can benefit from linked data and will identify a graduated approach to applying linked data methods to archival description. The Guidebook will serve as a roadmap for efforts in adopting linked data as well as implementing and developing new linked data tools and projects.

The selected consultant will be responsible for drafting and editing the Guidebook, and, in consultation with LiAM project staff, coordinating the process of creating the Guidebook. Coordination activities will include working with experts designated by project staff and members of the broader archival and linked data communities to gather input as well as working with project staff to ensure that the Guidebook is completed on time. Therefore, it is important that the consultant allows sufficient time for public comment on draft of the Guidebook. The consultant responsibilities and deliverables listed below provide more detailed information on this project.

The LiAM planning project intends this contract to commence on or about May 20, 2013.

The final deliverables must be submitted to the LiAM planning project staff by January 31, 2014.

Draft Scope of Work (to be finalized with selected consultant)

Public Involvement Plan
The consultant will develop a public involvement plan for public input and involvement in the Guidebook creation, including outreach to archivist and linked data mailing lists, including possible sessions at annual conferences. While members of the LiAM planning project will be responsible for sending any actual e-mail communication on mailing lists and facilitating sessions at conferences, the consultant will create a schedule for public involvement which will allow for meaningful feedback from the community and time to integrate that feedback into the final product.
 
Guidebook
A brief outline and structure of the Guidebook is included the Prospectus for Linked Archival Metadata: A Guidebook. The consultant will create the Guidebook in accordance with that prospectus, modified only in consultation with the LiAM planning project staff. The LiAM planning project staff will provide the consultant with subject expertise and referrals to places where there is more information; the consultant is not expected to do all of the research on his or her own. However, where appropriate, the consultant is expected to follow up on leads to see if there is more information than that provided by the LiAM planning project. That being said, the consultant’s primary role is to create a guidebook which is useful to all of the intended audiences.
As described in the Prospectus, there are three intended audiences for the Guidebook:

• Archivists new to linked data
• Archivists familiar with linked data
• Technologists working in archives or with archivists

While these are the primary audiences for the Guidebook, we will also include an executive summary with the core objectives, anticipated outcomes, and implications that will provide administrators or other senior leaders with the information that they will need in order to understand the benefits and potential costs of this path.

Application Instructions

Application materials will be reviewed by the members of the LiAM planning project. Proposals should include a “Statement of Qualifications” outlining pertinent experience along with current references and a brief writing sample.

Any questions should be submitted via e-mail to Anne Sauer, Director of the Tufts University Digital Collections and Archives, at anne.sauer@tufts.edu. The LiAM planning project reserves the right under applicable law to reject or waive procedural irregularities, to reject any and all proposals and to terminate the selection process at anytime if, at its sole discretion, it determines such action would be in the best interests of the LiAM planning project. The LiAM planning project reserves the right to make a selection directly from the proposal, or to require an interview of the top applicants. The LiAM planning project reserves the right to negotiate the final contract, scope of work and fee with the selected applicant.

Submit proposals with the subject line “RFP for Linked Archival Metadata Guidebook” to Anne.Sauer@Tufts.edu. Proposals will be accepted until 4 PM Eastern on May 6, 2013.

Your proposal should include:

• Contact information
• Three projects and references that reflect similar experience, including contact information
• A writing sample
• Information on the consultants’ costs and/or fee structure, or an estimate for completion of the project as described.

Disadvantaged, disabled, minority, and woman-owned firms are encouraged to apply.

A copy of Tufts University’s standard engagement contract and statement of work is available on request by contacting anne.sauer@tufts.edu.