A04_Historic_Furnishings_Report_Southern_Christain_Leadership_Conference_Offices_MALU_HSR_SCLC___KFH_SOW_FINAL_20251231_1_B.docx

Statement of Work Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park Historic Furnishings Reports

SCOPE:

Under the terms and conditions outlined below, the Contractor will create two separate Historic Furnishings Reports (HFR): one for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) offices and one for the King Family Home (KFH). The HFRs will bring together the historic spaces, themes, objects, and experiences to make these areas as authentic and historically accurate as possible for the visitor. The Contractor will manage day-to-day operation of the HFR project; research oral histories, pictures, park archives and working files; research archives—not inclusive—at Atlanta History Center, Emory University Library, Duke University Library, Truman State University Pickler Memorial Library, Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library Archives Research Center, Roosevelt Institute for American Studies, Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture and History, King Library and Archives, Standford University Library Department of Special Collections and Archives, University of Georgia Peabody Archives, and review the 1968 CBS Special—60 Minutes Interview with Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Family at Christmas; schedule and conduct interviews with park staff; create and monitor schedules for completion of tasks; and reflect modern museum practices in preservation and exhibition ideas. The Contractor will include a section on historical data for the structure itself as well as each room and an implementation plan that presents the government with various recommendations and options along with cost estimates for technological components to fulfill the historical experience the park is trying to render. The Contractor will produce draft HFRs for each location (SCLC and KFH) for review by park staff and SMEs as well as a final HFR for each location. The Contractor will provide the drafts and final HFRs as both a digital copy—.pdf—and physical spiral bound copy.

CONFIDENTIALITY AND SECURITY:

The information developed under this task order is the property of the U.S. government and shall be kept in strict confidence.

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE:

The work shall be completed within the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park; at external repositories; and within the contractor facility.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:

The work shall begin following the issuance of the contract and will proceed by the schedule for submittals no more than 18 months after the contract award date.

INTRODUCTION:

Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park (MALU) recently acquired the family home of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Coretta Scott King, and their children located at 234 Sunset Ave. NE, Atlanta, Georgia along with material objects related to the dwelling and occupants. The park also incorporated the SCLC offices housed within the Prince Hall Masonic Building at 330 Auburn Ave. NE, Atlanta, Georgia into the park bounds at the time of the KFH acquisition, however, no material objects were transferred to the park at the time of the boundary expansion. MALU is in the design phase for the rehabilitation of the KFH as of Q1 FY2026. MALU intends to occupy the SCLC offices by early 2026 for interpretive purposes. The park has no documentation providing staff on planning for the furnishing of these structures or recommendations for an exhibition incorporating museum objects. An HFR for the KFH and the SCLC offices will provide MALU staff with a defined list of furnishings to be displayed, where they will be displayed, and how best to display them in order to meet the needs of the park and the visitor experience. Furnishings, for the purpose of this project, include the material furniture, period pieces, floor coverings, wall coverings, window treatments, reproduction pieces, and accessory items.

BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION

MALU was established on October 10, 1980, by Public Law 96-428 (PL 96-428) and its boundary was expanded in 2018 when the park was redesignated from a historic site to a historical park by way of Public Law 115-108 (PL 115-108). The park is responsible for interpreting and preserving for the benefit, inspiration, and education of present and future generations the places where Martin Luther King, Jr. was born, lived, worked, worshipped, and is buried. MALU increased its boundary to include the home where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was living with his family at the time of his tragic assassination and the same space where Coretta Scott King started the King Center before it moved outside of the home (1965-1972). The boundary increase also included the SCLC offices in the Prince Hall Masonic Lodge—the location where Dr. King was working as president of the organization on its first floor (1963-1968). To guide the acquisition, installation, and exhibition of furnishings in the historic interior, the government is requesting historical analysis, identification of objects, guidance for the care and maintenance of installed furnishings, as well as recommendations and cost estimates for alternative strategies of exhibiting a furnished interior without the physical museum objects (including technology through the senses—touch, sight, hearing, and smell).

A historic furnished interior tells a compelling story of its inhabitants. The people who lived and worked in, and who used the historic interior come alive when the real historical context is recreated. They are valuable for the information they provide about processes, events, and interactions among people and their environment. They support a park’s interpretive program and help visitors gain a better understanding of the events, activities, and people commemorated by the park. Historic furnished interiors, with the use of original furnishings, also advance the National Park Service’s (NPS) mission to preserve unimpaired the cultural resources for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations.

Currently, MALU staff have information from a Historic Structure Report, Interior Finishes Analysis, Oral History Project, and Collection Condition Survey to supplement the information for the HFR for the KFH. There is also a Historic Structure Report and Oral History Project for the Prince Hall Masonic Building. Documentation exists through photos, oral histories, personal writings, and videos that can aid in the research for the historical analysis of each room and building, however, this information is not consolidated, and it would be most beneficial to the park to have this data combined into a single document along with an implementation plan. The HFRs for the KFH and the SCLC offices will play a critical role in developing a meaningful experience for the visitors as well as providing for the care of objects and historic furnishings.

The successful completion of this project will mean that by the end of the third quarter of 2027, MALU and park staff will have an HFR for the KFH and the SCLC offices that produces historical data and an implementation plan for each location that considers the acquisition, installation, and exhibition of furnishings in the historic interiors along with recommendations and cost estimates for alternative strategies of exhibiting a furnished interior without the physical museum objects.

REQUIRED CONTRACTOR QUALIFICATIONS:

The Contractor required for this work must have demonstrated experience in the successful completion of similar museum collection planning projects, exhibition projects, and historic furnishings projects from inception to completion. Experience working with the NPS is desirable but not required. Ideal candidates will also possess the following qualifications:

Experience managing museum collection planning projects.

Experience managing exhibition projects.

Experience managing historic furnishings projects.

Background knowledge of museum collection management.

Background knowledge of interpretive and exhibition methods.

Background knowledge of historic furnishings.

Background knowledge of National Park Service museum collection management policies.

Background knowledge of National Park Service museum collection management guidelines.

Familiarity with the National Park Service Museum Handbook.

Familiarity with various and updated technological components for use in museums.

Ability to work sensitively around historic objects.

Ability to work sensitively in and around historic structures.

Familiarity with NPS Museum Handbook, Part III, Chapter 8: Using Collections in Historic Structures.

Familiarity with NPS Museum Handbook, Part II, Appendix N: Reproductions, Period Pieces, Living History Items, Exhibit Props, and Outdoor Exhibits.

Working knowledge of the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) best practices.

Working knowledge of the National Association for Interpretation (NAI) best practices.

Working knowledge of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 regarding website accessibility for finished products.

Skill in using software to plan, monitor, and organize projects.

Skill in managing, leading, communicating, and collaborating with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders to accomplish project goals.

Skill in producing creative solutions.

Skill in incorporating technology into exhibits in museums and historic house museums.

Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Strong interpersonal skills.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

The goal of this project is to produce an HFR for the KFH and the SCLC offices in Atlanta that considers the material objects and technology needed to accurately furnish the historic interiors in order to represent a time and place for Dr. King, his family, and the Civil Rights movement. The period of significance for the KFH is 1965-1972 and the period of significance for the SCLC offices is 1963-1968. MALU currently has many of the original historic furnishings for the KFH, however, the park has very little material objects for the SCLC offices. While period pieces and reproductions are often used in lieu of original furnishings, MALU is requesting that recommendations through a creative use of technology be suggested to help furnish the interior as well. The Contractor will conduct online research, conduct research of park records including management records, manuscript files, and oral histories, and set-up and conduct research at repositories where collections are not available online or through digital files. The Contractor will conduct interviews with key park staff for inquiries on planning and interpretive goals. The Contractor shall conduct background research of the main historical structure in order to discuss occupancy and overall demographics of the neighborhood over time, conduct and put together a historical analysis of usage for each room within each building/location, and produce an implementation plan identifying each object or technological component needed for each room within each building/location that also considers a rotation schedule for sensitive original objects and for seasonal objects. The Contractor will provide options to incorporate technology in areas where it would be most suitable for preservation, innovation, and historical accuracy purposes along with cost estimates for the technological pieces. The Contractor will provide MALU park staff with digital and spiral bound draft copies of the HFRs for review and comment. The Contractor will provide two (2) archival quality spiral bound copies of each of the finalized HFRs for incorporation into the park archives as well as a digital copy in .pdf format for digital reference. All research notes made during the production of both HFRs will be turned over to the government for inclusion into the park’s archives. All rights to the notes and the HFR will be the property of the NPS.

MALU staff will assist in providing access to the collections storage areas, collection management system program, park archives, and historic structures. Visitation to park buildings will occur during regular operating hours, 9 AM-5 PM. MALU staff and interns will also assist in conducting preliminary research within park holdings for documentation of furnished interiors for KFH and SCLC offices during the periods of significance.

The Contractor’s principal duties will include collaborating on day-to-day aspects of MALU’s interpretive goals for each furnished interior space, preventative maintenance and care for furnishings on exhibit, facilitating park involvement in reviews and project meetings and communication, and leading the development of internal project updates. The Contractor must have the ability to travel to Atlanta, Georgia. The visual inspection of the KFH and SCLC offices must be conducted on-site by the Contractor as a way to better understand the spatial layout while there is an option to conduct interviews via phone or zoom if park employees’ and other individual interviewee schedule(s) necessitate such terms.

Specific Tasks

· The Contractor shall work with NPS to design the project-work plan with enough detail to show the relationship between the objectives, tasks, and milestones. The work plan must be clear, suitable, and feasible.

· The Contractor will participate in a kick-off and close-out meeting at the initiation and closing of the project.

· The Contractor will travel to Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park at 450 Auburn Ave. Atlanta, Ga. 30312 to:

· Investigate historic structures and exhibit spaces at the King Family Home (234 Sunset Avenue NE) and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference offices (330 Auburn Avenue NE).

· Conduct interviews with key park staff to determine interpretive and exhibition goals.

· Research park archives and collections from the Records Management Collection, active curatorial records (including catalog and accession records), collection management system records, employee working files, and manuscript collections.

· The HFRs will:

· Include two sections: (1) Historical Data Analysis, (2) Furnishings Implementation Plan and a Glossary, List of Illustrations, Appendix, and Bibliography.

· Historical Data will include:

· Table of Contents

· Acknowledgments

· Management Summary

· Administrative Information--This section explains the management background of the structure and provides the context for the current planning effort. It should briefly address: the establishment of the site (may be limited to citing the legislation); the status of the structure(s) on the National Register and its preservation history; the history of use by the NPS (including administrative and/or interpretive use) and any previous furnishings or other media installations; and list other research and planning documents pertaining to the structure. If the structure(s) was operating as a museum prior to NPS involvement, that history should also be included here.

· Interpretive Objectives--Address the interpretive objectives of the furnished space(s), referencing if applicable the overall interpretive objectives of the site. This section explains what furnishings are intended to convey to the viewer, and why they are needed. Explain exactly which spaces are to be furnished. Include guidelines for personal services interpretation, with recommendations for specific interpretive messages that can be conveyed in the furnished spaces

· Operating Plan-Cite hours and seasons of operation, how visitors access the site (i.e., through self-guided, guided, fixed point interpretation or other), staffing needs for interpretation and maintenance, and a visitor circulation pattern. Also identify any barrier needs in this section. This section should be prepared in close collaboration with park staff.

· Accessibility Strategy--Furnishings plans shall follow the latest published version of the Programmatic Accessibility Guidelines for National Park Service Interpretive Media (version 2.4, October 2019). Describe how visitor circulation patterns, the layout of the physical space, and proposed exhibit elements support accessible interpretation. Describe features of the furnishings’ installation accessible to visitors with mobility, visual, hearing, and learning impairments.

· Prior Planning Documents-- List NPS research and planning documents pertaining to the structure. Include these documents in the bibliography as well.

· Historical Information--This section contains the complete history of the interior spaces, their appearance, and how they were used over time. It forms the documentary basis for the furnishings plan, and provides a resource manual for personal services interpretation, as well as for developing other kinds of interpretive media, exhibitions, and collections management planning.

· Summary of Sources--Succinctly describe primary sources of information, including important collections, repositories, and interviews.

· History of the Structure—If structural history is contained in another document (typically the Historic Structures Report), reference work and include only a summary of its contents here.

· Analysis of Historical Occupancy-- Treat the building's occupants, including household or other staff, as fully as possible, including biographical information, dates of occupancy, and information about people's lives and activities in the structure. A subsection on room use may be appropriate, particularly if it changed frequently over time.

· Evidence of Room Use and Furnishings--Describe the interior appearance over time as fully as possible, including the contents of each space and their arrangement, when and where items were acquired and dispensed of, where produced, and any known repairs or other kinds of work to the furnishings. Include interior finishes and lighting fixtures. If that information is contained in an HSR, reference the HSR here. Organize this section by room, addressing all rooms on the first floor, all rooms on the second floor, and so on. Depending on the site, it may be helpful to separate the room analysis into “Room Use,” “Physical Evidence,” and “Furnishings” for each room.

· Furnishings Implementation Plan will include:

· Floor Plan--Include an accurate floor plan of areas to be furnished, with directional sign. The park will often be able to provide this plan.

· List of Recommended Furnishings--The furnishings list should include object name, documentation or basis for inclusion, park catalog number or, if the object is not in the park collection, a recommendation as to whether a reproduction or period piece is needed. Include a brief description, and date or date span for each recommended object. (Example: Desk, small, oak, c. 1910-1930.) In general, recommend original objects, then period pieces, and reproductions as a last resort. However, if the object is fragile (such as a textile, or paper), extremely rare, or prohibitively expensive to acquire, recommend reproductions. The list of furnishings should begin with recommendations for appropriate period lighting fixtures, floor coverings, window treatments, and wall and ceiling treatments. The list shall include a complete, item-by-item account of every object to be placed in a room, starting at the entrance and working clockwise around the room. Objects to be placed on a table or other piece of furniture should immediately follow the piece in the furnishings list. All items should be enumerated; i.e., entries such as "desk accessories" or "mantel garniture" will not be accepted.

· Related Media + Technology—Include recommendations for accompanying media and technology, such as exhibit panels, interior waysides, podcasts, holographic media, and sound bites. Provide suggestions for illustrations, text, and closed captions.

· Written, developed, edited and formatted using style, usage, and grammar as identified in the most recent edition of The Chicago Manual of Style, making sure to include the following requirements as part of the general criteria:

· Single, active voice.

· Simple and to the point sentence structure.

· Avoid multiple clauses or thoughts in the same sentence.

· Set margins as follows: top and bottom- 1 inch; right- 1 inch; left- 1 ½ inches.

· Align paragraphs to be left.

· Single space lines and use an extra line between paragraphs.

· Single spaces between words and after punctuation at end of a sentence.

· Standardize fonts and format throughout the document.

· Standardize grammar, spelling, and acronyms.

· Standardize forms, charts, and tables.

· Standardize table of contents, chapter/section headings, and appendices.

· Standardize all headers, footers, footnotes, page numbers, and image captions.

· Standardize binder covers and spine.

· Follow printing and binding requirements defined under each phase of the project.

· Written, developed, edited and formatted the structure and content of the HFRs making sure to include the following requirements as part of the general criteria:

· All drafts shall be paginated and include numbered lines along left margin for easy reference by reviewers

· Final will include preface material (signed signature page, table of contents, list of figures, figure credits, acknowledgements, foreword, management summary), narrative text, graphics integrated into the text (not at the end of chapters), appendices as needed, complete reference list, and front and back cover.

· The project will include working around historic fabric and historic furnishings in an historic structure. The Contractor will adhere to National Park Service Director’s Order 28: Cultural Resource Management Director's Order #28: Cultural Resource Management as well as follow the guidelines set out in Part III, Chapter 8 of the National Park Service Museum Handbook, “Using Museum Collections in Historic Furnished Structures,” CHAPTER.

· The project will include working around museum objects, archives, and manuscript collections. The Contractor will adhere to National Park Service Director’s Order 28: Cultural Resource Management Director's Order #28: Cultural Resource Management as well as follow the guidelines set out in Part I of the National Park Service Museum Handbook Museum Handbook Part I: Museum Collections - Museums & Collections (U.S. National Park Service).

· The project will include working with NPS specific policies and guidelines. The Contractor will adhere to National Park Service Director’s Order 28: Cultural Resource Management Director's Order #28: Cultural Resource Management as well as follow the guidelines set out in Part I, II, and III of the National Park Service Museum Handbook Museum Handbook - Museums & Collections (U.S. National Park Service).

· Files should be delivered in a .pdf format and physical copies should be delivered via courier service or equivalent to the park. If the physical copies cannot be delivered in person, it should be shipped securely with a verified receipt.

· The Contractor will produce all final deliverables for this project to include the HFR for the KFH and SCLC offices and all related appendices.

· The Contractor will conduct on-site photography that will be included in the HFRs.

· The Contractor will produce both digital and physical copies of the HFRs. The digital copy will be in .pdf format. The Contract will print two (2) physical spiral-bound copies to be in paper format, using archival quality paper for use in the park’s archives.

· The Contractor shall provide proof of general liability insurance coverage at an amount to be agreed upon by the NPS and the Contractor.

· The Contractor will provide monthly progress reports to the NPS to provide timely updates.

GOVERNMENT PROVIDED RESOURCES

The government will provide the following to the Contractor:

· Furnish access to the history of all applicable sites and museum collections.

· Copies of planning, survey, and reporting documentation pertaining to the museum collection and historic structures, inclusive of, but not limited to, the following (when available):

· Scope of Collection Statement (SOCS)

· Museum Property Inventory, particularly the furnishings associated with the KFH

· General Management Plan (GMP)

· Historic Structure Reports (HSR)

· Long Range Interpretive Plan (LRIP)

· Collection Management Plan (CMP)

· Collection Condition Survey (CCS)

· Interior Finishes Analysis

· Any other plans, surveys, or reports that may assist the Contractor in understanding the history, use, management, planning, and of coordination the park’s interpretive goals and museum collection.

· Staffing/organization of all applicable sites and of the museum collections.

· The HFRs must be consistent with those developed for other NPS park units. Samples can be provided, upon request.

· The NPS requires the use of specific graphics, images, and proprietary fonts which can be provided, upon request. Images will be provided at a minimum of 300 dpi.

· NPS Standard Typefaces: NPS Rawlinson and Adobe Frutiger

· A sample of a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet to document requested action items during government review periods can be provided, upon request.

The government will provide the following to the Contractor on-site:

· A suitable workspace at each NPS facility with museum collections.

· A suitable workspace at each NPS facility that will be a historically furnished interior.

· Supervised access to storage, exhibits, and any other areas with museum collections.

· Opening and closing of storage cabinets or other containers that may be locked.

· Assistance with moving heavy or unwieldy objects.

· Furnish access to all applicable hard copy and electronic collection management records (accession, catalog, deaccession, conservation, loan, etc.).

· Information about existing environmental, security and fire protection and detection systems, as well as any plans for future acquisition.

· Information about museum collections preventive care and the park's pest management program, current and planned uses of objects, and plans for future acquisition and disposition of items.

· Other information required to complete the HFRs, as requested.

PROJECT SCHEDULE AND SUBMISSION OF DELIVERABLES

The Contractor will submit a proposed timeline, which will be approved by NPS. The following schedule is a suggested timeline. The schedule may change due to external factors, including the ability to travel and access historic structures and exhibit spaces at MALU. All work will be completed no later than eighteen months from the kick-off meeting. The NPS shall provide consolidated comments within the stated review period of any submissions.

STIPULATIONS

· All documentation (metadata, photographs, care & instructions) produced in connection with this project are to become the property of NPS. All documentation shall be delivered to the NPS during the lifecycle of the project based upon the mutually agreed schedule. Restricted access materials will be marked. The completed documentation may be used and reproduced in any fashion that the NPS chooses, with appropriate consideration given to confidential information and credit given to the necessary entity.

· The Contractor's quality control efforts shall ensure that all draft and final deliverables are completed documents, as specified, that have been reviewed for academic excellence, professional and copy quality, and technical accuracy. Documents not displaying such efforts will not be accepted.

· The Contractor will not subcontract any portion of this project without prior NPS approval.

· As part of the contract, the 95% draft will be professionally copy edited, with resulting comments consolidated with NPS final comments to be addressed in the 100% draft copy.

· The 100% draft copy will be submitted to the park Superintendent for approval. Upon final review and approval, the NPS will provide the executed signature pages to the Contractor for inclusion into the final digital and print documents.

REQUIRED CONTENTS OF PROPOSAL

1. Statement of the proposal / Project approach

2. Project team: Identify the assigned key personnel, with brief resumes confirming that relevant disciplines are part of the team and that key personnel.

3. Cost Proposal: Project fees must include the entire scope of work and final deliverables, in a matrix format with hourly rates for assigned staff, noting tasks and subtasks.

Fee and Payment:

Progress payments to the Contractors shall be made based on proper and acceptable invoices submitted consistent with the quality requirements described in the Special Considerations below.

POINTS OF CONTACT:

Christina Kirby, 404-596-3282, christina_kirby@nps.gov Ash Phillips, 404-550-7858, ashley_phillips@nps.gov image1.jpg