SOW-Ship_Models_fabrication_May_2-2018.pdf

SOLICITATION NO. 693JF718Q000027

MUSEUM-QUALITY MODEL SHIPS FOR EDUCATIONAL DISPLAYS

I. PURPOSE/STATEMENT OF NEED

The American Merchant Marine Museum (AMMM) is seeking the services of a professional model shipwright who is familiar with federal curatorial standards and best practices in building museum-quality ship models, as well as knowledge of maritime history, to design/build/construct seven (7) museum quality waterline model ships. Models are for educational display at the American Merchant Marine Museum and campus buildings at the US Merchant Marine Academy for display to standards listed below.

II. BACKGROUND

The United States Merchant Marine Academy is located at Kings Point, New York, along the southern shore of Long Island Sound. Several of the academy’s buildings are converted private residences from the turn of the century. A 2005 cultural resources survey report concluded that the buildings that encircle the central quadrangle comprise a historic district that meets National Register Criterion A (historical association) and Criterion C (architectural values). The American Merchant Marine Museum (former William S. Barstow house) is individually listed in the National Register under Criterion C for its place among the early twentieth-century high-style estates of the region.

III. QUALIFICATIONS

Contractor must be a fully competent marine model repair specialist, have a vast knowledge of marine/maritime vessels and interworking’s, preferably over several centuries of shipping, and shall have the specialized equipment for every detail needing repair, be proficient in matching paint color, and possess a strong knowledge of electrical systems, wiring, motors, and all other means of powering models. Contractor must have suitable, efficient and safe and secure working space to perform the required tasks of this contract. Contractor must possess specialized knowledge of maritime history as it relates to coastal steamers and marine engines and sensitive to museum display needs. Contractor should possess strict attention to detail, and a portfolio of completed work with contactable references and provide photographic evidence of building models of American-flagged twentieth-century cargo vessels for display in maritime museums.

Contractor will be responsible for all transportation, oversight, security, materials, tools, equipment and labor to complete described task(s).

The proposal evaluators will score each proposal based on these criteria, and the highest-scoring proposal will be awarded the contract. Proposals shall be typed in a 12-point standard font, with a recommended 5-10 digital images to support the text. The ideal proposal will consist of five (5) to ten (10) pages including images, and shall specifically address the below four (4) criteria:

1. Quality of references. Contact information for three references from work completed in the last five years, including a phone number and e-mail address from curators at an

American maritime or naval museum are required. It is acceptable to provide references from retired curators as well.

2. Strength of Proposal: a written proposal shall be submitted detailing the approach to be used in building these models, including research, and subcontracting (of bases for example), anticipated issues, and imagination (which might include weathering, rust, cargo items, etc.). The proposal may be accompanied by illustrations such as photos or digital images.

3. Proposed timeline or schedule for completion is also a determining factor, to be scored in terms of viability and the needs outlined in this statement of work. An improved delivery schedule will be evaluated more favorably among offers. The contract period and line item setup is contingent on the delivery schedule in the awarded contract.

4. Offeror is to separately price each of the waterline models; any other materials and/or supplies necessary to complete the models; and include their planned delivery schedule for each of the models.

IV. STATEMENT OF WORK

Vendor will be required to accomplish the following duties:

A. Ship Models

• All research for plans or designs for the ship models are strictly the responsibility of the contractor

• Contractor will design, fabricate, and build all the pieces and parts for a fully accurate representation of each model in museum grade/quality materials.

• The model shall be built to represent a waterline ship model

• Contractor shall affix a wooden base to the model stained with a cherry finish on the edges, with the flat surface either similarly stained or painted deep blue.

• The model shall be built to the quality of a Boucher ship model and U.S. Navy ship model standards as found at http://www.navsea.navy.mil/Home/Warfare- Centers/NSWC-Carderock/Resources/Curator-of-Navy-Ship-Models/Specifications-for-Building-Exhibition-Ship-Models/, with the following exceptions:

1. Scale shall be 1/196 scale or 1” = 16 feet if possible, and it may be necessary to vary scale between 1/91 and 1/200 scale.

2. Model shall be a waterline model

3. No hull inspection required

• The model shall be built with parts and materials sourced from the United States, and all labor for this model must be done by American citizen(s) or aliens legally authorized to work within the United States.

• The model shall be painted with high quality specialized model paints to the historically correct color scheme.

• The model shall fly the following flags in appropriate scale: American Flag from era, house flag; and call sign pennants.

• The models shall display the name of each ship in lettering of appropriate scale on the ship's bows and/or stern as historically accurate.

• The contractor shall provide a small plaque displaying the ship’s name, its tonnage, date of sinking, and name of the model builder and the year the model was built.

http://www.navsea.navy.mil/Home/Warfare-Centers/NSWC-Carderock/Resources/Curator-of-Navy-Ship-Models/Specifications-for-Building-Exhibition-Ship-Models/ http://www.navsea.navy.mil/Home/Warfare-Centers/NSWC-Carderock/Resources/Curator-of-Navy-Ship-Models/Specifications-for-Building-Exhibition-Ship-Models/ http://www.navsea.navy.mil/Home/Warfare-Centers/NSWC-Carderock/Resources/Curator-of-Navy-Ship-Models/Specifications-for-Building-Exhibition-Ship-Models/

B. BASES AND CASES

• The contractor shall provide a base for each model to resemble existing bases at the

Museum. In general terms, the bases shall consist of a framework supporting a base of MDF or similar material painted in a shade of blue similar to existing bases at the Museum. The bases shall be 36” high, of proportionate width to safely display the model, and provided with feet or slides at the bottom corners.

• The model shall be provided with a wooden base painted or varnished with the model securely affixed to it. The base shall be stained or otherwise treated to resemble as closely as possible the cherry stain on existing model bases as per the attached images.

• The model shall be provided with a glass or plexiglass case or vitrine provided with a small ventilation hole at the front and back, each appropriately screen to keep insects out. Alternatively, small vents may be scribed into the wooden base with to provide ventilation, also to be fitted with pest screens.

• The glass or plexiglass shall be no less than 1/4 inch thick, with a UV filter rating of at least 90%blockage of UV radiation.

• The case or vitrine shall fit snugly into the wooden base affixed to the top of the MDF stand. Please see attached images for further information.

• Display cases or vitrines shall allow for no less than one (1) inch of space between the extreme dimensions of the ship model and the display case.

C. General

• The contractor shall provide detailed digital images of the model to the Contracting

Officer for approval by the Museum’s Director prior to delivery to the American Merchant Marine Museum.

• The model, bases, and cases shall be delivered to the American Merchant Marine Museum, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy 300 Steamboat Road, Kings Point, NY, 11024 and installed by the contractor. The cases may be delivered separately from the models themselves, and the models may be delivered singly, in batches, or all at once. Arrangements for the receipt of the models should be made with the Contracting Officer for the Museum’s Director via e-mail at Alfredia.rich-murphy@dot.gov and copy Museum@usmma.edu or by calling the CO at (202) 366-0020.

• Contractor is responsible for all transportation, installation, oversight, security, materials, tools, equipment labor and be fully insured to complete the above described task(s).

V. MODELS REQUIRED

The following waterline models are sought:

1. SS Leviathan, a troopship and ocean liner. This model must be completed before May 1, 2019, when it will be the centerpiece of an exhibit on the history of United States Lines. This model shall portray its appearance during its career as USS Leviathan, a circa 1918 troopship with complex dazzle pant patterns on its port side, while its starboard side shall display it in civilian U.S. Lines livery circa 1929.

mailto:Alfredia.rich-murphy@dot.gov mailto:Alfredia.rich-murphy@dot.gov mailto:Museum@usmma.edu

2. SS Cynthia Olsen, a cargo ship sunk by a Japanese submarine just hours before the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Waterline model to display appearance of this ship as it was in December, 1941.

3. SS President Harrison, in Dollar Lines livery as it would appear in the late 1920s.

4. SS El Faro, as it would have appeared in September, 2015, shortly before its loss, complete with containerized cargo.

5. SS James B. Colgate, a Great Lakes “whaleback” bulk carrier. To be depicted fully loaded with minimal freeboard, as it would have appeared shortly before its loss in 1915.

6. SS Marine Electric, to be depicted fully loaded as it appeared at the time it foundered, 12 February 1983.

7. SS Mayaguez, to be portrayed as it would have appeared in early 1975, when Cambodian rebels briefly seized it before the US Navy rescued the ship.

Containerized cargo to be displayed on deck.

VI. TIMELINE

All models are to be completed within four years. The first model to be completed must be the SS/USS Leviathan model, to be delivered complete with base and case no later than May 1, 2019. Other models may be delivered singly or in batches, with the last model to be delivered no later than June 1, 2022. If necessary, the bases and/or cases could be delivered prior to delivery of the models and stored in the Museum building.

VII: PAYMENT

A payment of 1/7 of the total award shall be made after the delivery and acceptance of each model and its base and case.

VIII. IMAGES

Image #1: Sideview of desired appearance of base and case

Image #2: Desired appearance of corner legs

Image #3: Desired appearance of corner where base and case meet.