Solicitation ref. 19FR6324Q0020 - Section B.pdf

UNCLASSIFIED

Solicitation ref. 19FR6324Q0020

SECTION B – STATEMENT OF WORK

STATEMENT OF WORK

CONSERVATION SERVICES

FY24

Conservation Treatment of Peale’s Washington at Princeton

Ambassador’s Residence, Paris

Project Location:

Paris, France

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 ADMINISTRATIVE

1.1 Project Overview (Title, Description and Objective)

1.2 Required Expertise (Qualifications and Quality Assurance)

1.3 Contracting Officer Representative (COR)

2.0 REQUIREMENTS

2.1 Administrative Requirements

2.2 Project Specific Requirements

3.0 TASKS, SCOPE, AND DELIVERABLES

3.1 Project Plans

3.2 Meetings (Site Visits)

3.3 Scope

3.4 Reports and Specifications

3.5 Proposals

4.0 SCHEDULE

5.0 ATTACHMENTS AND REFERENCES

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1.0 ADMINISTRATIVE

1.1 Project Overview

The United States Government (USG), Department of State (DOS), Bureau of

Overseas Building Operations (OBO) requires conservation services for the treatment of a heritage asset in Paris, France. OBO has developed a comprehensive and multi-step process to plan projects worldwide. This statement of work (SOW) defines the services to be performed by the consulting conservator, hereafter referred to as the Contractor.

1.1.1 Project Title, and Description

The project involves the conservation treatment of a painting by Charles Willson

Peale, George Washington at Princeton. The painting, dated to circa 1779, is an oil on canvas easel painting measuring 96.25 inches x 60 inches (244.5 cm x 152.5 cm), unframed. The painting shows the full-length figure of George Washington, his left hand resting on a cannon. On the proper left side of the painting is a group of a horse and groom and flags at the upper and lower corners. On the proper right of the figure, in the background, is a battlefield (Princeton) with figures and buildings.

The painting shows evidence of several past interventions as well as current condition issues. It has been lined on a canvas primed with lead-containing putty, mechanical damage repaired, losses filled, and overpainted (in some areas, quite extensively), and revarnished. Currently, it exhibits some distortion, lifting and flaking paint, and small losses. There are areas of extensive overpaint and localized varnish issues associated with past interventions.

The painting was the subject of a technical examination undertaken in 2022 to affirm its attribution as well as understand its materials, techniques, and condition in preparation for this treatment campaign. The results of this technical study and an allied connoisseurship study confirmed the painting’s attribution to celebrated American artist, Charles Willson Peale (1741 – 1831), and its identification as a prominent version of the subject of George Washington at Princeton. Due to the painting’s importance and unique circumstances of the painting, an American painting that permanently resides in France, subjective treatment decisions will be guided by an Advisory Committee composed of both French and American experts, that will act as the curatorial voice. In addition to conservation documentation, the painting’s treatment shall be documented with “action shots” and other “behind the scenes” images to be used for social media and other communications for a public audience.

The treatment will take place in the Center for Research and Restoration of Museums of France (C2RMF) facilities. The painting group of the C2RMF's Restoration department will make its workshops at Versailles (Petite Ecurie du Roi 2 avenue Rockefeller – CS50505, 78000 Versailles) available to the selected contractor(s), where the restoration work will be carried out. A description of the

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The goals of the treatment are to address the structural and surface issues to improve the painting’s long-term preservation, reverse earlier inappropriate interventions, reveal the original paint layers if present, and restore the painting to an appearance as close to the original as possible.

1.1.2 Project Objective

This project aims to stabilize, restore, and improve the painting’s long-term preservation through conservation treatment. The Contractor shall review the attached results of the technical study and condition survey, examine the painting in situ, devise a preliminary treatment proposal, perform a comprehensive conditions assessment and any additional paint analysis and/other analyses necessary to inform the treatment, present findings/treatment plans to the Advisory Committee at critical treatment steps (ex: beginning of project, prior to inpainting, etc.), execute treatment of the painting and frame, produce comprehensive conservation treatment documentation, and document the process for social media/public website content.

Evaluation, analysis, and conservation are all part of this SOW. The technical specifications herein are intended to serve as guidelines for project sequence and content, identifying project objectives and requirements. The Contractor’s assessment and analyses will determine an appropriate course of action, to be submitted electronically to CH at Embassy Paris and CH in Washington, DC for review and approval prior to carrying out the work.

The Contractor shall perform the work of this scope according to best practices accepted internationally by the professional conservation community. The Contractor shall provide a product consistent with the OBO mission to create safe, secure, functional, and resilient facilities which embrace project specific local and cultural influences, sustainable priorities, constructability, as well as diplomatic context, visibility, and scrutiny.

1.1.3 Work by Others

There may be conditions that require special consideration for cooperation between contractors. In such cases, the Contractor may rely on sub-contracted specialists for select operations that are part of the work of this scope. The Contractor is wholly responsible for the work carried out by others, and the Contractor shall mediate all communications between their sub-contractor and the Client. Sub-contractor credentials are subject to review and approval by the COR.

See following sections for additional information.

1.2 Required Expertise

The Contractor shall provide the following conservation and allied expertise as required for this project scope.

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1.2.1 Qualifications and Quality Assurance

This project requires specific expertise, skills, and experience in conservation of oil on canvas paintings and carved and gilded wooden frames. The selected Contractor shall have had professional training as well as demonstrable and relevant conservation expertise including professional experience examining paintings, conducting conditions assessments, developing treatment reports, conducting diagnostic analyses and microscopy, conservation treatment of painted surfaces, and artifact photography. The contractor(s) should be authorized to work on painting in French museums under the French Heritage Code (Book IV, Title 5, Chapter 2, Articles L452-1, R452-10, R 452-11, R 452-12), must provide proof of experience in restoring paintings. The Contractor shall have at least five years of professional experience, submit their credentials, three examples of previous projects of similar scope and scale, as well as an anticipated work plan with the proposal before award of this contract. The Contractor shall engage sub-consultant firm(s) as required to support the scope efforts identified in this SOW (see 1.1.6). Other Contractor and sub-contractor qualifications shall include:

a. Proficiency in English, particularly with respect to conservation-related and technical language.

b. Professional services including, either on staff or through contractual resources,

• Conservator/Restorer,

• Paint analyst,

• Photography expertise

c. Demonstrated prior experience with project(s) of comparable scope, scale, and quality of the required tasks

1.3 Contracting Officer Representative (COR)

The Contractor shall maintain contact with USG through the COR. All work shall be coordinated with the COR. The COR must approve of any Contractor-purposed changes or deviations to the SOW. When applicable, all hardcopy submissions shall be via courier, hand delivery, FedEx, DHL and addressed to the U.S. Embassy, Paris.

Submittal receipts shall be sent via email to the COR.

Submission Deliveries COR – Candice Nancel U.S. Embassy Paris 2 ave Gabriel 75382 Paris cedes 08 Phone: 01.43.12.22.92

2.0 REQUIREMENTS

The Contractor shall design this project in accordance with the technical requirements identified and referenced herein.

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2.1 Administrative Requirements

The Contractor shall utilize the administrative criteria requirements listed below.

2.1.1 Security Requirements and Clearances

This SOW requires that the Contractor perform unclassified work onsite and offsite.

Access approval will be coordinated and granted by the Regional Security Officer (RSO) at the Embassy in Paris. The RSO will review and clear all photo-documentation produced onsite for this project. Security requirements will be reviewed at the mandatory site visit. The Contractor shall comply with the Security Classification Guide.

2.2 Project Specific Requirements

The contractor will be working within the facilities of the C2RMF, details of which can be found in Attachment C. The Contractor shall provide all materials, supplies, equipment (subcontracted, rented, or otherwise), disposals, and professional personnel required to complete the work of this scope. The Contractor shall provide all requisite technical expertise, supervision, and logistic and administrative support.

The Contractor will be fully and exclusively responsible for any damage and/or loss of property or persons derived directly and indirectly from the project.

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3.0 TASKS / SCOPE / DELIVERABLES

The Contractor shall perform the following tasks listed below.

3.1 Project Plans

The Contractor shall establish and maintain the following set of Project Plans and, in consultation with the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR), provide regular updates.

3.1.1 Project Management Plan (PMP)

The Contractor shall establish and maintain a project specific PMP. This plan identifies key team members and consultants participating in the project. The Contractor shall provide names, job titles, and contact information for each team member. The Contractor shall develop, in coordination with the COR, a comprehensive task outline identifying project milestones, meetings, submissions, and reviews with specific calendar dates in accordance with the Notice to Proceed (NTP) schedule. The PMP shall include a description of project phases and operations, the specifications and safety data sheets for the products anticipated for use or testing, and specifications for subcontracted services. The following constraints should be taken into consideration in the PMP:

The service provider(s) must take into account the following constraints:

- throughout the conservation-restoration work, additional sampling, analyses and examinations will be carried out by the C2RMF

- the size of the painting will necessitate assistance in handling

- regular follow-up meetings with the advisory group, which meets during the major stages of the project (results of analyses, results of cleaning tests, choice of stabilization products, etc.).

- Occasional participation in communication campaigns or visits by VIPs as the restoration work progresses.

- The need to comply with the rules governing the use of the C2RMF's restoration workshops

3.2 Meetings

The Contractor shall participate in the following meetings, conference calls, site visits, presentations, and workshops either in-person or virtually. For virtual meetings, the Contractor shall verify with the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) which virtual platforms are acceptable for the specific project and meeting scope.

3.2.1 Site Visits

Site visits are required under this scope. The assessment and treatment work are to be carried out in situ. Site visits shall be coordinated with the COR. The following site visits are required:

1. Assessment - Contractor shall make an initial site visit to the Ambassador’s Residence in order to devise a work plan for heritage object assessment, analysis, U. S. Department of State Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations FY 24 Conservation Services

Conservation Services, Paris, France Page 7 of 13 and conservation. The Contractor should also evaluate the space to inform care and maintenance instructions.

2. Workshop visit – Contractor shall make a site visit to the C2RMF workshops to familiarize themselves with the facilities where the restoration will take place and view radiography and additional scientific analysis of the painting taken previously.

The Contractor shall compile the following personnel information for security approval and submit to the Embassy Cultural Heritage Manager a minimum of seven days prior to accessing the compound. Information submitted by the Contractor for background check will not be disclosed beyond the Embassy.

a. Name: John Doe

b. Title and Company: Project Manager – XZY Inc.

c. Vehicle Make:

d. Vehicle Model:

e. Vehicle Color:

f. Vehicle License Plate:

3.2.1 Monitoring Meetings

Routine (monthly) monitoring meetings will be organized to keep all parties informed on the status of the project, discuss findings, determine next steps, and if a meeting of the Advisory Committee is needed. They will bring together: the selected contractor(s), the C2RMF team responsible for monitoring the restoration, and representative(s) of CH. CH and C2RMF reserve the right to invite members of the Advisory Committee or any other scientific figure to the monitoring meetings.

The Advisory Committee is consulted at each major stage of the project (results of analyses, results of cleaning tests, choice of stabilization products, etc.).

3.3 Scope

The Contractor shall complete the following scope of services.

3.3.1 Review of Existing Documents

The Contractor shall search for and utilize Project Specific Background Reports, Data, and Surveys for this SOW. The Contractor shall review project specific background reports, photographs, data, and surveys provided by the Embassy as attachments (Attachment B), C2RMF during the site visit, or discovered through archival research.

Additionally, the Contractor shall conduct a cursory study of comparanda for further contextual reference. Relevant existing documentation shall inform research, assessment, analysis, treatment, and installation as appropriate.

3.3.2 Assessment and Documentation

Contractor shall conduct an assessment of the painting at the Ambassador’s residence, to supplement the information available from the attached technical study (Attachment B). The survey will include a visual and tactile examination of the objects’ materials, structure, surface, condition, and modifications over time as well as an evaluation of the

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3.3.3 Analysis

Analysis may include investigation, sampling, solubility tests, and optical microscopy of the paint surface, ground layers, support, and frame. The objective of this analysis is to understand the original and restoration materials present on the painting, determine the reversibility of previous interventions, identify the extent of remaining original paint layers, and determine the correct course of treatment. The Contractor’s proposed interventions shall be informed by these tests and analytical findings. The conservator and/or staff at C2RMF may carry out the following:

The Contractor shall:

1. Review existing report detailing the technical study and condition of the painting.

2. Suggest additional paint investigations, as needed, to identifying full paint layer structure and the extent of original paint layers that remain intact. Investigation could include sampling and analysis to be carried out by C2RMF staff in addition to discrete stratigraphic or cleaning tests (exposure windows).

3. Provide a report documenting analytical findings by location and by sample with a layer-by-layer description, including substrate and various applied finishes, with scaled photomicrographs in reflected visible and UV light. Each of the parties will provide any reports generated to the other two. Reports to be in English or bilingual.

4. Identify adhesive(s) and other materials associated with the lining method and support.

5. Present findings to the Client to discuss potential impacts treatment may have on the painting’s appearance, stability, and long-term preservation.

3.3.4 Treatment

Upon Client approval of the proposed intervention, the Contractor shall treat the painting according to the accepted treatment recommendations informed by their completed assessment, analysis, and proposal. The Client and Advisory Committee should be consulted at critical junctures during treatment (such as extent of retouching, etc.) to inform treatment decisions.

The treatment plan should consider the following constraints:

- throughout the conservation-restoration work, additional sampling, analyses and examinations will be carried out by the C2RMF

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- the size of the painting will necessitate assistance in handling

- routine (monthly) status update meetings with the contractor, C2RMF, and CH staff as well as follow-up meetings with the Advisory Committee as needed. The Advisory Committee meets during the major stages of the project (results of analyses, results of cleaning tests, choice of stabilization products, etc.).

- Occasional participation in media campaigns or visits by VIPs as the restoration work progresses.

- The need to comply with the rules governing the use of the C2RMF's restoration workshops (Attachment C)

Treatment shall include but may not be limited to:

1. Additional sampling and analysis of the painting by C2RMF, as needed.

2. Stabilization of the painting structure, including the stretcher, as needed. This could include re-keying the stretcher, evaluation of the suitability of the current lining, reversing the current lining and relining the painting with more appropriate and stable materials, if necessary, locally addressing deformations and other planarity issues, repairing holes and tears, as needed.

3. Lead abatement, in the event the painting needs to be removed from its current lining, which includes lead containing putty, the proper lead abatement procedures need to be followed in handling and disposing of the lead-containing materials.

4. Consolidation of ground layers as needed.

5. Cleaning and stabilization of the surface including stabilization of flaking or unstable paint. .

6. Reduction/removal of restoration varnish and inpainting from previous interventions to expose the original paint layers.

7. Retouching areas of loss to restore the painting to its original intended appearance. This step should be done in consultation with the Advisory Committee and informed by a review of the other extant versions of this composition.

8. Varnish the painting with an appropriate material to achieve a finish as close to the original as possible (or one typical of this type of painting).

Treatment shall address any issues with stability, inappropriate previous restorations, and restore the painting’s original appearance. All interventions shall comply with accepted best practices (the American Institute for Conservation’s Code of Ethics or similar standard in host country) and subjective decisions should be made in consultation with the Advisory Committee and the Embassy. Contractor shall coordinate all onsite work and scheduling with Embassy staff.

3.4 Reports and Specifications

The project shall be comprehensively documented in an analysis and conservation treatment report. All reports and findings generated by the parties (contractor, C2RMF, U. S. Department of State Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations FY 24 Conservation Services

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CH) will be provided to each party. All parties mutually and reciprocally recognize a right of free access and free non-commercial use of the results of the study for their own needs, each party’s (Contractor, C2RMF, CH) participation in the project must be acknowledged. All parties must be informed before any use of the results. Any publication of the results must receive written permission from all parties. Any commercial use of the results shall be subject to a written agreement between the parties.

The Contractor shall prepare the following reports and specifications listed below.

Report and specification format shall include:

The report shall include:

• The preliminary assessment report and proposal detailing existing condition of the painting and frame and proposed interventions.

• The finding and interpretations of any additional paint analysis with photomicrographs, etc. of each sample.

• In depth condition evaluation and proposal, informed by detailed examination and any additional analysis.

• Before, during, and after treatment photographs of the objects.

Photographs shall be in accordance with the American Institute for Conservation’s Digital Photo Documentation Guidelines (Attachment A).

• “Action shot” records of the process and progress taken for dissemination to a public audience.

• Recommendations for future maintenance and preventive care.

The report and all other documentation will be submitted electronically either via email or government FAN account to the client within 90 days of the NTP, or in accordance with the schedule agreed upon with the COR.

1. Include a Cover with title block which include the Project Name, Location, and AE Firm in 16-point font consistent with OBO Branding Guidelines.

2. Reports and Specifications shall be prepared in 8 ½ inch x 11 inch Portrait format with 11” x17” foldouts as required,

3. Each Report and Specification shall include a Table of Contents (TOC) page

4. Each page of the Report and Specification shall identify the project name, location number and date of issue in the header and the section number and page in the footer. (e.g., 224105-3 for the third page in the specification section 224105)

5. Start new sections and Calculations on the right side and include a blank page when section include an odd number of pages.

6. Preliminary Calculations shall be initialed by the Architect or Engineer of Record

7. Hard Copies shall be printed in double sided format.

8. Identify Sequence if multiple volumes are required (e.g., Volume 1 of 3)

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3.5 Proposals

The Contractor shall provide a proposal with the following information.

3.5.1 Proposal content

The Contractor will provide a detailed and itemized proposal inclusive of all items within this scope. Proposals will include an itemized cost breakdown for each scope section in this SOW. Proposals will clearly identify inclusions, exclusions, and assumptions.

Proposals will include:

1. Personnel: Provide in the proposal the names and responsibilities of the proposed team members. Provide resumes and organization chart for key project staff and consultants including project manager (point of contact) and team members.

2. Specialists: Provide in the proposal the names and credentials of those specialists responsible for assessment, analysis, or treatment. Said professionals shall be specialists in their respective areas of expertise with demonstrable directly relevant work experience and examples of previous similar projects. Specialists’ credentials will be reviewed and approved by the COR and OBO.

3. Examples of work: Provide in the proposal three to five examples of previous similar work and examples of work completed for comparable objects and scopes.

4.0 SCHEDULE

The Contractor shall deliver the scope tasks and items in accordance with the following schedule milestones.

The overall project is estimated to span approximately 8 months or 240 days after the notice to proceed (NTP). The treatment should be carried out between September 2024

– May 2025. The Contractor should include a timeframe with their proposal. The Contractor shall schedule their Site Visit within 15 calendar days of the NTP. The Contractor shall provide an overall project schedule with the Project Management Plan (PMP) within 15 calendar days of the Site Visit.

Documents and photographs shall be submitted to the COR electronically, either by email of via one of OBO’s approved digital platform systems (ProjNet or FAN). The Contractor is required to submit electronically the final reports to the COR within 150 days of the NTP.

The contractor shall adhere to the schedule and terms agreed upon with the COR and in accordance with the Consulate’s standards and rules. Any Contractor-purposed changes or variations to the schedule during the course of the work shall be made in writing and shall be coordinated with and approved by the COR.

5.0 ATTACHMENTS AND REFERENCES

The following attached documents and photographs are included with this SOW for the

Contractor’s reference and use.

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5.1 Attachments

Description

A. American Institute for Conservation’s Digital Photo Documentation Guidelines (3rd edition, 2017)

B. Excerpt from the Technical Study report by Longevity Art Conservation (February 9, 2023)

C. Description of C2RMF facilities and requirements.

5.2 Reference Photographs

Photographs courtesy of Longevity Art Conservation and Candice Nancel.

Painting, framed (c. 2018)

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1.3 Contracting Officer Representative (COR)

2.2 Project Specific Requirements