A04_SOW.pdf

Restoration of 1870’s style United States Army Escort Wagon

August 2019

Objective –

Fort Larned National Historic Site desires to restore two wood 1870’s army wagons. The current Army Escort wagons on display (which has been in use for 20+years), they are no longer safe due to rotted wood throughout the wagons. The deterioration is so extensive that they can no longer be repaired with epoxy and requires an entire replacement. Throughout the years, the wheels have repaired and need extensive wood replacement or replacement of the entire wheels. The rest of the wagons body required complete wood replacement. The undercarriage may have some salvageable wood but most likely will need replacement. Each wagon is to be complete with 6 ash or oak bows. The wagon canvas cover will be supplied by Fort Larned N.H.S.

The purpose of this wagon is to interpret the parks 1868-1870’s fort, which during 1868- 1870 had around 60 wagons in use. Army wagons transported a substantial amount of food, ammunition, and other supplies during Fort Larned’s history. The wagons are put on display in front of the commissary and quartermaster buildings during the summer months, encouraging visitors to tour the Commissary and Quartermaster buildings make connections to the park’s history. This wagons must operate as an original (wheels that turn and front running gear that pivots) so that it can me moved when needed and occasionally hitched up to a team and used in interpretive programs.

PART 1: GENERAL

A. Description –

The work consists of providing all material, labor and equipment required to restore both wagons with white oak, and using original steel according the 1875-78 specs supplied by Fort Larned NHS to working condition and safe display at the Fort Larned National Historic Site.

Contractors shall advise the Contracting Officer of any proposed departures from those dimensions. The Contracting Officer must approve any modifications or changes to the wagon dimensions. The army wagons are described in, The Great Blue Army Wagon, by Thomas Lindmier. This book is available from Hansen Wheel and Wagon Shop.

Other references to this type of wagon can be found from the National Archives in Washington D.C.

B. Period of Performance –

The Contractor shall commence work within thirty (30) days after receipt of Notice to Proceed and shall complete all work under the contract within (180) calendar days after Receipt of Notice to Proceed.

C. Quality Assurance –

Standards: American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM); American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI); American Welding Society (AWS); and American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

D. Submittals –

In accordance with contract requirements, the manufacturer shall submit to the Contracting Officer the following:

Material Cut Sheets Shop drawings for acceptance prior to fabrication of the wagon.

E. Product Handling -

Wagons will be picked up at Fort Larned N.H.S. and completed wagons shall be packed for shipping in a manner to prevent damage during transit from the manufacturer to the point of acceptance at Fort Larned N.H.S. Manufacturer shall be responsible for all shipping costs.

PART 2: MATERIALS

A. Wood and Steel Components–

1. The contractor shall construct the wood parts of the wagon of white oak (Quercus albus) lumber. All wood shall be well seasoned with a moisture content of no more than 15% and the wood shall be free of rot, mold, and insect infestation, etc. All wood will be straight grained and free of knots, checks and voids.

2. All wood and metal surfaces shall be sanded smooth and be free of burrs, slivers, splinters and other imperfections.

3. No modern maker’s, manufacturer’s or vendor’s stamps, markings or medallions shall be placed or affixed to the wagons, unless approved by the receiving park office.

4. The contractor will treat all wood parts with a copper napthenate solution. Two coats of boiled linseed oil cut with turpentine cut at a ratio of 50/50 will be applied to all wood surfaces. The contractor will apply to all wood parts a minimum of one coat of 100 % acrylic bonding primer made by Porter Paint Co. of Louisville, Kentucky or equal prior to assembly and two finish coats of acrylic based paint (high gloss sheen) to all exterior wood surfaces.

5. All iron parts shall be painted with a minimum of one coat of red oxide rust primer paint prior to assembly.

6. All the running gear and wheels of the wagon to be painted Sherwin Williams SW 6342 Spicy Hue or equivalent (This color is to match Quarter Master Red and Vermilion color seen in page 114 in The Great Blue Army Wagon). The wagon body to be painted Sherwin Williams SW 6811 Honorable Blue (This color is to match Dark Laden Blue seen in page 115 in The Great Blue Army Wagon). The “US” on each side of the wagon body to be painted Sherwin Williams SW 7586 Stole Kiss (This color is to match Quartermaster Red color seen in page 114 in The Great Blue Army Wagon). The contractor shall remove and correct any paint dropping, smears and blemishes prior to the acceptance of the work. All three colors are to have high gloss sheen as the original paint would have been lead based giving it this effect. Apply paint primer and two finish coats of paint to all components prior to final assembly. See section, “Painting and Other Finishes.”

PART 3: Painting

A. Description – The work described in this section consists of all painting and finishing work, including surface preparation, priming, and finish coats for historically accurate 1870’s army wagon.

B. Submittals – Submit one 12-inch square sample board of each color in each paint type called for.

C. Surface Preparation – Remove dirt and grease with mineral spirits. Remove rust, using scraper, sandpaper, or wire brush.

D. Paint and Finish Products – Highest quality available standard brand, as distributed by a nationally known manufacturer. Paint products shall be fresh and well ground; shall not settle readily, cake, or thicken in the consistency; specifically described linseed oil, turpentine, mineral spirits, miscellaneous thinners, varnish, and shellac, etc., shall be the highest quality of an approved manufacturer. Brand name paint and finish products referenced herein shall be regarded as establishing a standard of quality and shall not be construed as limiting competition.

E. Material Finishes – Apply paint primer and two finish coats of paint to all components prior to final assembly. See section, “Painting and Other Finishes.”

F. Application – Apply material evenly without runs, sags, or other defects. Each coat shall be worked thoroughly into the material being coated at the average rate of coverage recommended. Cover all surfaces. Trim ornaments, edges, and millwork shall be left clean and true to details without undue amount of paint in corners or depressions. Make edges of paint adjoining other materials or colors sharp and clean, and without overlaps. All surface coating shall be applied by brush.

Application of primer and first finish coat shall be completed prior to final assemble.

Apply final finish coat after assembly is complete. Lightly sand between coats to insure that surface finish is smooth to the touch. Remove sanding residue prior to applying next coat.

G. Final Touches – No modern labels or manufacturers’ identification shall be affixed on the wagon. Historic type markings must be reproduced.

Ship one gallon of finish paint in quarter master red and dark laden blue and one quart in quartermaster red with the wagon. Paint shall be of same batch as mixed for contract painting.

Assemble all components to make a complete wagon. All parts shall fit properly with all joints tight. All fasteners shall be drawn up tight.

Protect wagon for shipping by covering all surfaces with adequate non-marring protective padding. Pack the wagon in a waterproof crate, anchoring it to prevent movement.

The contractor shall warrant all parts and labor for a period of two years from date of acceptance. The contractor shall replace without cost to the government any part of the wagon that fails due to manufacturing or material defect during that period. All costs of transportation of the wagon for repair covered by warranty will be at the expense of the contractor.

H. Finish Colors – Painting shall be in accordance with historic appearance of an 1870s army wagon

I. Environmental Requirements – Comply with manufacturer’s recommendations as to environmental conditions under which coating systems can be applied. Do not apply paint in areas where dust is being generated.

J. Protection – Cover or otherwise protect finished work and surfaces not being painted.

Part 4. Final Product –

The running gear must be functional. The wheels must be able to turn as an original wooden wagon wheel so it can be moved and used with a team. The running gear must be able to turn as the original wagons did.

Contractor is to deliver the wagon at no charge to the government.

Contractor to field verify all measurements.