Jewish Digital Cultural Recovery Project (JDCRP) Public Tender

Front-End Usability and System Accessibility Enhancements for the JDCRP Digital Platform

1. Background

The Jewish Digital Cultural Recovery Project (JDCRP) is a non-profit foundation based in Germany, dedicated to documenting and reconstructing the history of Nazi-looted cultural property. The JDCRP is developing a centralized digital platform to aggregate archival data, link provenance research, and provide users with comprehensive insights into the history of looted art and cultural heritage.

The platform serves a dual audience:

  • Expert users, such as provenance researchers, art historians, and cultural heritage professionals.
  • Non-expert users, including students, Holocaust survivors’ families, and the general public interested in the history of looted art.

Currently, JDCRP is working on an MVP (Minimum Viable Product) that has been developed but requires refinement and improvement based on emerging user needs. This tender seeks a vendor to enhance the front-end usability, navigation, and content accessibility for all users.

This work is part of two parallel projects funded by:

  • The European Union (EU) and the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference)
  • The German Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media (BKM) and the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference)

As these projects have distinct financial and reporting requirements, vendors must ensure proper alignment in invoicing and documentation.

2. Scope of Work

JDCRP is inviting proposals from vendors to refine and improve the usability, accessibility, and user-friendliness of the platform’s front-end, ensuring an efficient and intuitive experience for all types of users.

2.1. Front-End Usability & System Accessibility Enhancements

  • Optimize the user interface (UI) to improve intuitive navigation and interaction with archival content.
  • Enhance the search experience, making it easier for users to locate and cross-reference archival materials.
  • Improve content accessibility, ensuring information is clearly structured and easily discoverable for both expert and non-expert users.

2.2. Enhancements to Sanity CMS Content Management

  • The JDCRP platform already integrates Sanity CMS for content management. The vendor must:
    • Improve CMS usability to facilitate JDCRP staff in efficiently managing and updating content.
    • Optimize content structuring within Sanity CMS to better support search and navigation.
    • Provide recommendations for enhancing editorial workflows and ease of use.

2.3. User Testing & Iterative Improvements

  • Conduct usability testing to gather insights on how both expert and non-expert users interact with the platform.
  • Integrate feedback-based improvements through an iterative development process.
  • Collaborate closely with JDCRP stakeholders to align changes with platform goals.

2.4. Integration with Existing Backend Systems

  • Ensure seamless compatibility with the existing backend infrastructure and data sources.
  • Optimize front-end components for faster load times and improved performance.

2.5. Multi-Language Support

  • Ensure the UI supports English and German, with potential expansion for additional languages.
  • Maintain the original archival languages for primary source materials.

3. Vendor Requirements & Qualifications

Vendors should demonstrate:

  • Experience in front-end development for digital archives, research platforms, or cultural heritage projects.
  • Familiarity with Sanity CMS and proven experience in enhancing CMS usability.
  • Strong expertise in UI/UX design focused on improving information discovery and navigation.
  • Experience in user testing and iterative development methodologies.
  • Ability to collaborate closely with the JDCRP team and adapt to evolving project needs.

Advantageous qualifications:

  • Experience in digitization of archival materials and understanding of historical documentation workflows.
  • Familiarity with Holocaust-related archival materials and their historical sensitivity.

4. Project Timeline & Deliverables

  • Start Date: As soon as possible (rolling applications accepted)
  • End Date: December 2025 (with potential for continued collaboration)

Deliverables include:

  1. Refined front-end design with improved navigation and content accessibility.
  2. Enhanced CMS usability within Sanity CMS, with documentation for JDCRP staff.
  3. User testing reports detailing findings and recommended improvements.
  4. Iterative refinements based on real-world user behavior and stakeholder feedback.
  5. Final deployment of improved front-end and CMS enhancements.

5. Budget & Financing

This tender includes activities under two separately funded projects:

  1. The European Union (EU) and the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference)
  2. The German Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media (BKM) and the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference)

Vendors must ensure:

  • Separate invoicing for work conducted under each funding stream.
  • Compliance with financial reporting requirements outlined by JDCRP and funding bodies.

A summary report explaining challenges, solutions, and outcomes will be required at the end of the project.

6. Bidding Process & Submission Guidelines

Interested vendors should submit a proposal that includes:

  1. Approach & Methodology – Explanation of how the vendor will enhance the platform’s usability and accessibility.
  2. CMS Expertise – Demonstrated experience with Sanity CMS and content management improvements.
  3. Budget Breakdown – Estimated costs per work package, including hours and personnel.
  4. Project Timeline – Estimated completion time for each deliverable.
  5. Quality Management Strategy – How the vendor ensures continuous improvement.
  6. Relevant Experience – Track record of similar projects, particularly in digital archives or research platforms.
  7. Team Composition – Profiles and qualifications of team members.
  8. Maintenance & Sustainability Plan – Strategy for ensuring long-term usability and scalability (draft agreement).

Submission Details:

  • Deadline: Rolling applications accepted (as soon as possible).
  • Send proposals to: info@jdcrp.org

7. Additional Information

  • Questions & Clarifications: Vendors may request additional details by contacting JDCRP at info@jdcrp.org.
  • Evaluation Criteria: Proposals will be assessed based on technical expertise, CMS experience, cost-effectiveness, and alignment with JDCRP’s mission.

We welcome collaborative, pragmatic, and solutions-oriented vendors to submit their proposals as soon as possible.