A04_RFPConservetoppriorityrugs.pdf

Conserve Top Priority Historic Rugs in Museum

Collection at Edison’s Home, Glenmont

PMIS PROJECT 305038

Request for Proposal

April 20, 2023

1.0 BACKGROUND

2.0 SCOPE/RFP REQUIREMENTS AND EVALUATION CRITERIA

3.0 OBJECTIVES

4.0 TASKS

5.0 DELIVERY

6.0 GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED PROPERTY

7.0 SECURITY

8.0 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

9.0 DELIVERY/PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

10.0 PAYMENT SCHEDULE

1.0 BACKGROUND

The purpose of the contract is to conserve two top priority rugs in need of conservation, as identified in a 2023 rug conservation survey for Edison’s home, Glenmont. These include one oversized historic carpet (EDIS 102354) that is currently on exhibit in the second floor Family Living Room and one hooked rag rug with the image of a sailboat that is currently on exhibit in the second floor Edison Bedroom. This “Palmetto” style carpet in the Family Living Room is part of a set of two carpets that were used in this room for several decades during the historic period. The “Sailboat” hooked rug depicts a charming sea scene and was displayed in the Edison bedroom during the historic period.

Due to this objects’ direct association with the Edison family, as well as their association with the overall interior decorating scheme for the Edison home, these floor coverings play a key role in both the interpretation and the academic study of Glenmont. The carpet and the hooked rug, from the Glenmont museum collection, are part of the historic scene that is interpreted to the public and are also available for examination by researchers who study the history of interior decoration in the United States.

Thomas Edison National Historical Park is a National Park Service site located in West

Orange, New Jersey. The park consists of two separate sites, approximately one mile apart. Thomas Edison’s home, Glenmont, is located in a private residential community known as Llewellyn Park. Built in 1880, Glenmont is a 29 room Queen-Anne style mansion which remains intact, complete with interior furnishings and finishes that reflect the rich historic decorative period during the years when Thomas Edison and his family resided in the home.

The majority of the work will be performed off-site, in the conservator’s studio. This includes the conservation of the carpet and the hooked rug. A detailed condition and treatment report will also be produced by the selected vendor for each object, complete with before and after photographs of the work performed.

On-site work for the project will include: de-installing the oversized carpet and the hooked rug, located on the second floor of Glenmont in two fully furnished period rooms, and packing them for transport to the off-site conservation studio for conservation work, as well as delivering the carpet and hooked rug back to Glenmont after the conservation is complete and then unpacking them and re-installing them in their original locations and original configurations in the Family Living Room and the Edison Bedroom. Please note that the selected vendor is also responsible for the transport of the oversized carpet and the hooked rug to and from their conservation studio, as well as any associated costs. The selected vendor is also responsible for ordering the packing supplies associated with project tasks, as well as for the cost of the packing supplies.

In all instances, the selected contractor will be responsible for protecting-in-place adjacent artifacts, historic finishes and surfaces, historic architectural features, and historic floors in areas within Glenmont where they are performing work associated with this project. Protect-in-place measures that are the responsibility of the Contractor also include protecting-in-place historic areas and artifacts along the path of travel, as required, if deemed necessary to prevent damage to any aspect of the historic interior of

Glenmont, including its artifacts, during the course of the project. It is important to note that the mansion includes original historic architectural features, surface finishes, fully furnished period rooms, historic staircases, etc. with narrow spaces commonly found in

Victorian homes. The selected vendor will also be required to adhere to park safety and security policies which will be further detailed in this document.

1.1HISTORIC BACKGROUND

A set of two oversized carpets in the “Palmetto” style first appear in the historic inventories for the Family Living Room when this room was significantly enlarged and redecorated in 1905. This carpet, one of the set of two, can be described in appearance as beige, rust, green, brown, light mustard, light blue, light red, and indigo, in terms of its color pallette. The carpet also has 5 borders around 1 wider and 2 smaller surrounding bands. Early appraisals describe it as having a “European hand loomed loose floral pattern”. It is likely a wool warp and pile, possibly with a cellulosic weft and possibly hand tufted. The carpet measures approximately 16 feet 9 inches in length by 17 feet 4 inches in width (293 square feet).

Provenance from the Glenmont records describes the carpet as a European “Palmetto” design, or “Ispahan Palmette pattern”, originally used in the Glenmont conservatory, and also used in the Family Living Room during the historic period. The carpet, and its mate, are integral to the interior design of the Family Living Room, the room where

Thomas Edison would hammer out his inventing ideas before taking them down to the

Lab Complex and also the room where Mina Edison would perform her “Home

Executive” duties when overseeing the Glenmont household.

EDIS 103127 is a rectangular, hooked area rug with an image of a sailboat. The background is neutral and the image is depicted in pastel colors. The rug colors are blue, beige, pink, and brown with a brown border. There is a large sailboat on moving water with six or seven sails. The central one has a red cross image. There are two flags above the sails.

The rug was used in the Edison Bedroom on the second floor of Glenmont for many decades. The rug was also used in the South Bedroom and the West Bedroom on the third floor of Glenmont during the historic period. The approximate measurements of the rug are 71.5 inches in length and 41 inches in width. There is bast fiber substrate visible on its reverse around the edges. The loops are presumed to be mixed fiber strips.

Existing Conditions:

This Family Living Room carpet is part of a period room in a museum that is actively used. Park staff must walk across this carpet to turn lights off and on in the room for viewing by public tours and also to adjust the lighting, shades, and curtains. In several places, staff members have tripped over loose threads and failing edge areas of the carpet which has intensified the wear on the perimeter of this rug. The survey conservator noted that there were areas of low pile, exposing warp and foundation weft. This abrasion may be caused by staff use, as they are most prominent in the main path of travel, moving across the room.

Also, historically, the carpet was used in the Edisons’ conservatory for many years, a very sunny porch attached to the side of Glenmont. This location, and its associated light conditions, likely also increased the wear and brittleness of this carpet.

Conditions noted for carpet in Family Living Room EDIS 102354:

X Selvedges

Many breaks on both sides. Appears to have been rebound in the past.

X Fringe ends

No fringes, all wrapped end finishes, likely not original. Numerous big and small vertical breaks from fringe sides. See notes below

X Pile

More consistent than its companion, EDIS 102355

Long depression about 54” long in carpet parallel to back window (possibly from previous furniture – also near ripple) - 49” from back window edge

Possibly from placement of furniture

X Foundation weave (or substrate)

Torn in various locations (see selvedges, holes, tears etc.)

X Holes, tears, cuts, missing areas- Many of various sizes:

1. In green border near window, 62” from far L corner vertical tear 3” x ¾” Multiple splits and tears along far window side of blue border

2. Small hole/ tear R border (33 ½” from far edge, 18” from side – might be more seen only from top) may be from lamp.

3. Multiple tears and splits in R window side of blue border

a. 91 ½” from back end to 102” (11” long)

b. 71” from back end, approx. 9 “in from side, 2 ½” x 1”

c. 33 ½- 35” from back edge, 16 ½” from window side. Positioned near lamp leg appears smaller than it is.

4. Multiple mini splits on Left side, side border, one near group #5 (75 ½” from back window end, 2” in from L side, 3” long tear). Edge unravelling in many places.

5. Multiple small splits on near horizontal border, note discoloration in pile. a.

Larger tear 65 ½” from R wall (side window) 5 ½” vertically (into pattern of carpet, 1 ½” width. 1” tear at 60” from R wall edge, ½” tear at 52 ½” in from R wall.

b. Measured from L wall side 67” in, 1” W, 1 ¼” deep.

c. 51 ½” from L wall side ½” with binding yarn unravelling

6. Major two groups of tears/disruption to carpet under legged furniture between 2 armchairs on L side near bookcases From 93 ½” from back end to 106 ½”, with six inches between them.

Runs from 8 ½ “- 12” from L wall toward right wall, 3 ½” length

7. Sizeable tear under foot stool on back R corner 42 ½” from back end, 41 ¼” from window (L) side, tear 2” vertical

8. Tear 66” from back end, approx. 120” from L window edge, 1” hole

9. A few other tears in the body

X Previous restorations/ alterations

Possible repiling in outer borders – based on color variations along borders (see fading etc. below)

X Stains, surface dirt-debris on surface

X Fading, yellowing, color changes

Various locations in the green (reweave from past insect loss?)

X Pest damage

Past damage - not active - far L corner evidence of grazing

X Current padding underneath

X Distinguishing labels/ stamps

No Acc.# found on carpet other than

Near corner, L wall ---224

X Other

Carpet rippling from chair leg into center and under furniture between chairs.

The “Sailboat” hooked area rug is faded.

Additional condition issues are identified below.

Conditions noted for Hooked Rug EDIS 103127:

x Foundation weave (or substrate)

Multiple splits/tears in bast substrate, not all recognizable from front. Note loss at bottom edges including brown border.

x Hook/Loop components

Some ends visible on surface, unravelling at splits x Brittleness (see foundation)

Substrate splits as evidence of brittle condition.

x Previous restorations/alterations

Large stitches used to stabilize split/tears approx.

8-8 ½” in from each side.

x Loose, detached parts

Unravelling at splits x Stains, surface dirt

Topical debris, dust, possible paint x Fading, yellowing, color changes

Brighter on reverse x Distinguishing labels/stamps.

Acc.# typed on fabric tape on reverse

1.2 SOLICITATION PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS AND EVALUATION

FACTORS:

A. To facilitate consistent review and comparison of responses, proposal submissions must correspond in format to the heading sequence, and content of the following outline.

Respondents to the Request for Proposals (RFP) must include, at a minimum, the following:

Relevant Past Performance (Required):

Submit evidence of comparable past work including a minimum of five year’s experience conserving historic rugs, tapestries, and/or carpets from the historic period (c. 1880-1947) of which one project is an example of conservation of a historic carpet, rug, or tapestry that is used for exhibit in a period room setting or for display in a historic structure.

Comparable past work must also include three examples of wet cleaning for a historic carpet or rug (circa 1880-1947) as well as completion of conservation work related to addressing tears or losses. Conservator must also demonstrate general knowledge of rolling, packing, de-installing, and re-installing oversized textiles (in excess of six feet in length). All comparable past work examples must demonstrate conservation work that was performed in AAM accredited museums or in collections within properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places/or equivalent, and are also projects of similar scope, complexity, and historic resource value to that required by this solicitation.

Bids will also be evaluated on the bidder’s knowledge and use of in-kind materials and techniques to complete project work and their emphasis on using the least invasive approach to accomplish the work while adhering to NPS preservation and safety standards.

The lead conservator overseeing this project must have a minimum of three years of textile conservation training obtained through a degree program or a comparable period of apprenticeship with a reputable conservation services provider. This lead conservator shall be considered the key personnel for this contract and is responsible for performing the associated conservation work. This qualified conservator shall have conservation or restoration experience in conformance with the American Institute for Conservation

(AIC) Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Practice (website address -http://www.conservation-us.org/docs/default-source/governance/code-of-ethics-and-guidelines-for-practice.pdf). Applicant must also demonstrate familiarity with the NPS conservation and preservation standards and the Secretary of the Interior Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties (See NPS Museum Handbook at http://www.conservation-us.org/docs/default-source/governance/code-of-ethics-and-guidelines-for-practice.pdf http://www.conservation-us.org/docs/default-source/governance/code-of-ethics-and-guidelines-for-practice.pdf https://www.doi.gov/museum/npshandbooks and https://www.nps.gov/tps/standards.htm for more information).

Please include:

*Point of Contact (with verifiable telephone number and email address)

*Company Name and Address

*Company Telephone Number and Email Address (verifiable)

*Identification of Historic Resource Treated

*Brief Description of the Project with Illustrations which demonstrates similarity in scope and complexity to this project

*Dates Work Was Performed

Cost proposal:

Contract Type

The government anticipates awarding a firm-fixed price contract.

SAM Registration

Contractor shall be registered in SAM.gov prior to contract award.

B. Pre-Proposal meeting:

All Proposers are strongly encouraged to visit the site in preparation for submitting a proposal to view the oversized carpet and the hooked rug and to assess the spacial constraints/furniture constraints that must be safely navigated in order to pack, transport, de-install and install the historic carpet and hooked rug, currently on display in two fully furnished period rooms, the Family Living Room and the Edison Bedroom, located on the second floor of Glenmont. Failure to do so shall not relieve the Contractor from responsibility for having estimated properly the difficulty or cost of successfully performing the work.

The Contractor must arrange a site visit at a date and time to be determined. Please contact Beth Miller should you plan to attend a site visit. Any questions that a Proposer has regarding the project must be submitted in writing to the Contracting Officer assigned to this project no later than five days prior to the closing date for this solicitation.

Beth Miller

Curator of Thomas Edison’s Home, Glenmont

973-809-4360 beth_miller@nps.gov

C. Limitations of Liability:

https://www.nps.gov/tps/standards.htm

The Government assumes no responsibility and no liability for costs incurred by

Proposers in responding to this RFP.

D. Evaluation of Solicitation Proposals (Selection criteria):

Award of the contract to complete this project will be made on the basis of technical qualifications of the Proposer and on the basis of the Proposal offering the best value to the government with technical and price factor being approximately equal.

Proposals will be evaluated based on the following Factors and Sub-factors:

Factor 1: Experience

The lead conservator overseeing this project must have a minimum of three years of textile conservation training obtained through a degree program or a comparable period of apprenticeship with a reputable conservation services provider. This lead conservator shall be considered the key personnel for this contract and is responsible for performing the associated conservation work. The lead conservator must demonstrate textile object conservation experience in conformance with the American Institute for Conservation

(AIC) Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Practice (website address -http://www.conservation-us.org/docs/default-source/governance/code-of-ethics-and-guidelines-for-practice.pdf). Applicant must also demonstrate familiarity with the NPS conservation and preservation standards and the Secretary of the Interior Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties (See NPS Museum Handbook at https://www.doi.gov/museum/nps-handbooks and https://www.nps.gov/tps/standards.htm for more information).

Factor 2: Relevant Past Performance

Submit evidence of comparable past work including a minimum of five year’s experience conserving historic rugs, tapestries, and/or carpets from the historic period (c. 1880-1947) of which one project is an example of conservation of a historic carpet, rug, or tapestry that is used for exhibit in a period room setting or for display in a historic structure.

Comparable past work must also include three examples of wet cleaning for a historic carpet or rug (circa 1880-1947) as well as completion of conservation work related to addressing tears or losses. Conservator must also demonstrate general knowledge of rolling, packing, de-installing, and re-installing oversized textiles (in excess of six feet in length). All comparable past work examples must demonstrate conservation work that was performed in AAM accredited museums or in collections within properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places/or equivalent, and are also projects of similar scope, complexity, and historic resource value to that required by this solicitation.

http://www.conservation-us.org/docs/default-source/governance/code-of-ethics-and-guidelines-for-practice.pdf http://www.conservation-us.org/docs/default-source/governance/code-of-ethics-and-guidelines-for-practice.pdf https://www.doi.gov/museum/nps-handbooks https://www.nps.gov/tps/standards.htm

Bids will also be evaluated on the bidder’s knowledge and use of in-kind materials and techniques to complete project work and their emphasis on using the least invasive approach to accomplish the work while adhering to NPS preservation and safety standards.

Factor 3: Price

A price evaluation will be performed to determine the reasonableness of the proposed price. Reasonableness will be determined considering other competitive prices received and comparison to the Independent Government Estimate.

Any proposal containing suggestions, approaches, options, or ideas that do not conform with National Park Service, the Secretary of the Interior, and AIC conservation and preservation standards will not be considered.

Background materials attached to the scope of work include a copy of Rules for

Contractors in Historic Buildings (Attachment B) which identifies specific guidelines that must be followed by Contractors when they work on-site. In general, no food, drink, or smoking is permitted within site work areas. Contractor must protect-in-place adjacent artifacts in immediate work areas and areas required for transport, installation, and de-installation, as needed to prevent damage to the resource and its artifacts (such as historic floors, plaster walls and ceilings, historic light fixtures, historic staircases and steps, etc.), and refrain from storing project equipment on-site during the course of the project. The

Contractor is responsible for the cost of all supplies related to the project, including the required archival grade museum textile roll and acid free tissue paper/Tyvek/etc. that will be used by the vendor to pack and transport the carpet and the hooked rug.

When working on-site, Contractor shall be responsible for removal of all trash debris on a daily basis. Please note that on-site hot work, including use of heat guns, tack irons, or other heat generating equipment or welding, is prohibited for this project. Any bidding proposals that include on-site hot work shall not be considered.

2.0 SCOPE

On-site work for the project, will take place inside of Glenmont, in the fully furnished period room on the second floor of the Edison home. Contractor is responsible for safely navigating through historic spaces in order to complete tasks associated with this project

(including the packing of the carpet and hooked rug, moving the carpet/hooked rug within the mansion, de-installing the carpet/hooked rug from the floor in the period rooms, and re-installing the carpet/hooked rug back on the floor/padding in the Family

Living Room and the Edison Bedroom, in their original locations and configurations -when the conservation work is complete). Contractor must protect in place the architectural features, historic finishes, adjacent artifacts, surfaces, and floors when completing this work in the second floor period rooms and also along the path of travel to and from the Family Living Room/Edison Bedroom, to the extent required to prevent damage to any of these components during the course of the project.

Conservation of the oversized carpet for this project as well as the hooked rug for this project, which will be performed off-site, likely will consist of tasks associated with minimizing surface particulates and soiling; testing for dye fastness and the efficacy of wet cleaning; wet cleaning; overall stabilization of the objects; addressing rips, tears, topical debris, and failing repairs, as well as other condition issues identified for these two objects as noted in their corresponding condition charts in the Existing Conditions section of this document.

When packing these objects for transport, the contractor must use a museum grade archival textile roll with acid free tissue paper/Tyvek/etc. and other museum grade packing supplies, to prevent damage during the safe transport of these items to and from the contractor’s studio.

Bidder must include the cost of the packing supplies for transport of the carpet and the hooked rug as well as any cost of supplies and include the funding required to purchase all materials and supplies related to completing the identified tasks for this project.

Selected vendor is responsible for the preservation of and the protection-in-place of adjacent artifacts, adjacent historic finishes, historic surfaces, walls, and ceilings as well as other built-in features, such as historic floors and steps and architectural components like historic staircases and light fixtures, modern carpeting, etc. to the extent required to prevent damage to any aspect of the interior of Glenmont and its artifact collection. This includes along the path of travel used to enter and exit the mansion which will be used during the course of any on-site work. All stated in the statement above is the responsibility of the Contractor. Contractor is responsible for any damage that occurs to these historic areas, buildings, artifacts, and features during the course of their work.

Selected vendor will complete a condition report and a treatment report for the carpet

(described as deliverables in section 5.3 below).

Selected vendor will also be responsible for obtaining pre-approval by NPS staff for selected repair techniques and for anticipated results of any finish work associated with the project that could alter the appearance, functionality, or stability of the historic carpet and the hooked rug. The intent is for these two items to be displayed in their historic locations in the Family Living Room and the Edison Bedroom. This will include staff members routinely walking over the Family Living Room carpet, as required for opening and closing standard operating procedures for Glenmont and also for housekeeping.

Selected vendor must comply with National Park Service standards, the Secretary of the

Interior standards, and AIC standards for preservation and conservation which govern this project. Any proposal containing suggestions, approaches, options, or ideas that do not conform with National Park Service, the Secretary of the Interior, and AIC conservation and preservation standards will not be considered.

The goal of the NPS is to maintain the original appearance of the historic textiles using in-kind materials and methods with an emphasis on retaining as much original historic fabric as is possible.

3.0 OBJECTIVES

The goal is to clean, stabilize and prepare the carpet and the hooked rug for return to exhibition in the Family Living Room and the Edison Bedroom on the second floor of

Thomas Edison’s home, Glenmont. Then the Vendor will re-install the carpet and the hooked rug for exhibit.

This project enables the park to continue the work of actively preserving and maintaining the park’s museum collections while maintaining and improving exhibit areas such as the period rooms. The end products, namely the condition reports and the treatment reports will improve the documentation for this collection and assist in the development of conservation projects for similar collections.

4.0 TASKS

4.1 A qualified conservator will complete the conservation of one historic oversized carpet (EDIS 102354) and one hooked rug with a Sailboat scene (EDIS 103127). Work will use appropriate NPS approved museum techniques and NPS approved materials. The majority of the work will be performed off-site (the conservation work will occur in the contractor’s off-site studio).

Off-site work for the project will also include producing a condition and treatment report for each object (including before and after photos) and a one page conservation briefing document at the midway point of this project.

Conservation of the oversized carpet and the hooked rug for this project, which will be performed off-site, likely will consist of tasks associated with minimizing surface particulates and soiling; testing for dye fastness and the efficacy of wet cleaning; wet cleaning; overall stabilization of the items; addressing rips, tears, and failing repairs as well as other condition issues identified in the charts in the Existing Conditions section of this document for each of these objects (two charts in total).

When packing the objects for transport, the contractor must use a museum grade archival textile roll with acid free tissue paper/Tyvek/etc. and other museum grade packing supplies, to prevent damage during the safe transport of these items to and from the contractor’s studio.

The project will involve making any necessary stabilization repairs that are deemed necessary in order to safely return the objects to exhibit on the floor in the Family Living

Room and in the Edison Bedroom at Glenmont. Please note that these are period rooms and, in the case of the Family Living Room carpet, it is the intention that historic furniture will sit on top of this carpet including such objects as desks, floor lamps, chairs, etc. Staff regularly walk over the carpet to perform their routine duties.

Please note that conservation approaches that significantly alter the appearance of this carpet in any way and/or recommend replacing a significant portion of the objects with new materials (more than ten percent) shall not be considered. Any proposal that does not adhere to this guideline shall not be considered.

Any replacement in kind materials used on this carpet/hooked rug as part of this project must not detract from the historic scene (i.e. appear contemporary or be made of sub-standard materials or ones that appear mismatched to the interior decorating motif in the room). Suggested upgrades, such as these, require NPS review and approval.

On-site work for the project will take place inside of Glenmont, in the fully furnished period rooms on the second floor of the Edison home. Contractor is responsible for safely navigating through historic spaces in order to complete tasks associated with this project

(including the safe and successful packing of the oversized carpet/hooked rug, moving the oversized carpet/hooked rug within the mansion, de-installing the oversized carpet/hooked rug from the historic floors in the Family Living Room and the Edison

Bedroom, and re-installing the oversized carpet and the hooked rug in their original locations and configurations. (Family Living Room carpet in the back half of the Family

Living Room, parallel to carpet EDIS 102355, when the conservation work is complete;

Hooked Sailboat rug on the floor in the center of the Edison Bedroom).

Contractor must protect in place the architectural features, historic finishes, adjacent artifacts, surfaces, and floors when completing this work in the Family Living

Room/Edison Bedroom and also along the path of travel to and from these rooms, to the extent required to prevent damage to any of these components during the course of the project.

When packing the objects for transport, the contractor must use a museum grade archival textile roll with acid free tissue paper/Tyvek/etc., to ensure safe transport of this item to and from the contractor’s studio and during transport within Glenmont. The contractor is responsible for ordering and purchasing the packing supplies for this project and should consider this when preparing their fixed cost estimate. As an associated task for this project, the contractor is also responsible for transporting the carpet and the hooked rug to and from their off-site studio for conservation work. The contractor is responsible for any associated costs related to this transport.

Selected vendor will also be responsible for obtaining pre-approval by NPS staff for selected repair techniques and for anticipated results of any finish work associated with the project that could alter the appearance of the carpet/hooked rug which will be conserved as part of this project. In these circumstances, the park advocates using the least invasive method to complete the work while maintaining preservation standards. In these circumstances the park advocates using in-kind materials and methods to complete the work while retaining as much of the original materials as possible. Any proposal containing suggestions, approaches, options, or ideas that do not conform with the above stated information, regarding the required use of in-kind materials or techniques, will not be considered.

4.2 Selected vendor must ensure that they provide sufficient labor (ie number of individuals required) to safely complete all aspects of this work.

4.3 Selected vendor must comply with National Park Service standards, the Secretary of the Interior standards, and AIC standards for preservation and conservation which govern this project. Any proposal containing suggestions, approaches, options, or ideas that do not conform to National Park Service, the Secretary of the Interior, and AIC conservation and preservation standards will not be considered. Conservator will use appropriate museum techniques and approved materials, adhering to appropriate safety, preservation, and security guidelines, as identified in this document, in order to perform this work.

4.4 The selected vendor is required to present a certificate of insurance in the coverage amount of $500,000 dollars including coverage for when the contractor is completing installation and de-installation of equipment and supplies on-site and while performing on-site work for this project. Coverage must cover damages accrued during the course of the project either to the carpet or the hooked rug or to any other historic or non-historic features of Glenmont. Insurance coverage in the same amount must be provided when the carpet and the hooked rug are being transported to and from Glenmont for off-site conservation work and also during the time when the carpet and the hooked rug are being conserved in an off-site conservation studio or conservation facility.

The selected vendor shall present a certificate of insurance in the coverage amount of

$500,000 dollars for work performed during on-site tasks which include, but are not limited to, coverage for when the contractor is completing the de-installation/re-installation of the carpet and the hooked rug, the installation and de-installation of project equipment and supplies, and to cover any damages accrued to the carpet and/or the hooked rug or to any other historic or non-historic elements of Glenmont that occurred during the course of the project work.

Contractor must provide proof of liability insurance in the amount of $500,000 dollars as well as standard insurance and bonding which covers the company and its employees against neglect, accident, theft and damage. This shall be provided to the CO. Contractor will also carry insurance to cover injuries to his workmen and damage caused by the workmen. The Vendor must provide a certificate of insurance within ten days of the contract award for the full amount of insurance requested. Contractor shall be responsible for all damages to persons or property that occurs as a result of Contractor’s fault or negligence. The contractor shall take proper safety and health precautions to protect work, workers, the public, and property of others. Selected contractor must be present on-site for these activities as well as for all on-site deliveries.

4.5 Selected vendor is responsible for any damage that occurs during the course of their work while working on site, while working off-site, and during packing and transport.

This includes but is not limited to, damage to historic finishes and features, damage to historic staircases and steps, damage to historic walls and ceilings, damage to historic floors and historic light fixtures, damage to any historic artifacts, or to any building systems or estate areas, such as the landscaped grounds. This includes, but is not limited to, during the time of transport, during installation of project equipment or supplies, and during the time of de-installation of any project equipment or supplies, or during the on-site work taking place in the Family Living Room and the Edison Bedroom, as well as along the path of travel inside of Glenmont.

Contractor is strongly encouraged to make an appointment for an on-site viewing of the interior of Glenmont and the artifacts in-situ (displayed on the floors in the fully furnished historic Family Living Room and Edison Bedroom).

4.6 Hot work is defined as the use of any heat generating equipment such as a heat gun, blow dryer, or a tack iron to complete the project tasks. This includes welding. No on-site hot work is permitted for this project. If any proposed on-site hot work is included in the bidder’s proposal, the proposal will not be considered.

4.7 Contractor must refrain from storing project equipment on-site during the course of the project and is responsible for funding and purchasing all supplies related to the project, including the museum grade packing supplies that are required for transport of the objects. Contractor must be present for any associated project deliveries which will be arranged by advanced appointment only.

4.8 Background materials attached to the scope of work include a copy of Rules for

Contractors in Historic Buildings (Attachment B) which identifies specific guidelines that must be followed by Contractors when they work on-site. In general, no food, drink, or smoking is permitted within site work areas. Contractor shall be responsible for removal of all trash debris on a daily basis when working on-site.

Please note that, on some days, the grounds of Glenmont and the interior of the home may be open to the public. On the days that the grounds are open to the public, the

Contractor must take appropriate safety measures to ensure the safety of the visitors. This includes not blocking the main paths of travel or foot traffic areas, using barriers to delineate work areas so the public cannot access them, and refraining from driving vehicles on the grounds when they are open to visitors and volunteers.

5.0 DELIVERY

5.1 The work of this section consists of submittal requirements before start of work.

A. Within ten days of the award and prior to the commencement of on-site work, a

Certificate of Insurance must be provided to the NPS.

• Pre-start meeting – Within 30 days of award, selected vendor will contact COR to discuss project and work schedule.

• Vendor will be required to submit an NPS approved health and safety work plan within 30 days after the award. In this plan the Contractor must address how they will adhere to relevant CDC guidance related to COVID-19 in the work place while working on-site at the Glenmont estate. The manual “Guidance on Preparing

Work Places for COVID-19” (OSHA 3990-03 2020) is attached to this solicitation for the bidder’s reference. The goal of the health and safety work plan is to ensure work is being performed safely, both for the resource and the personnel involved in the project. The health and safety work plan must be NPS reviewed and approved, to ensure its methods and materials are in accordance with the NPS and the

Secretary of Interior for conservation, preservation, and safety. On-site work shall not commence until the approved plan is executed. This includes on-site meetings to discuss the project, to examine the resource, or to conduct any project related testing or photography.

• Within 30 days after the award, Vendor will also be required to submit an NPS approved Protect-In-Place plan detailing how walkways, modern and historic carpeting, built-in features such as steps, floors, adjacent furniture and light fixtures, historic staircases and stained glass windows, as well as adjacent plaster walls and ceilings, architectural features, adjacent artifacts, etc. will be protected in place by the Contractor, identifying specific techniques and materials to be used to avoid damage to these elements during their on-site work. The protect-in-place plan must be NPS reviewed and approved, to ensure its methods and materials are in accordance with the NPS and the Secretary of Interior for conservation, preservation, and storage standards. Work shall not proceed until the approved plan is executed.

5.2 During work progress the selected vendor shall furnish upon request:

A. Daily report detailing work attempted or accomplished

5.2 At the mid waypoint of the contract the selected vendor shall provide the following:

The condition report for the carpet and the hooked rug (total of two reports), as detailed in other sections of this document, as well as the one page briefing paper identifying the conservation work performed, to date, at the midway point of the project.

1. two paper copies of each report on 8 1/2 x 11 paper, and

2. one electronic copy of each report in PDF format on a flash drive.

5.3 At the conclusion of the contract the selected vendor shall provide the following:

B. The selected vendor must produce a treatment report for the carpet and for the hooked rug (total of 2 reports) detailing the work executed, including before and after color photos of the work as it progresses as well as when it is completed. The Contractor will provide the following condition and treatment reports to the COR:

1. two paper copies of each report on 8 1/2 x 11 paper with color photographs

2. one electronic copy of each report in PDF format on a flash drive.

5.4 Submit all delivery requirements to the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR).

6.0 GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED PROPERTY

6.1 The Contractor is responsible for the cost and acquisition of all project related materials, labor, and services necessary to complete the work of this contract. The government will not provide any materials, labor, and services necessary to complete the work of this contract. Project related expenses of any kind are the responsibility of the

Contractor.

6.2 Background materials attached to the scope of work include a copy of Rules for

Contractors in Historic Buildings (Attachment B) which identifies specific guidelines that shall be followed by contractors when they work on-site. In general, no food, drink, or smoking is permitted within site work areas. Contractor shall protect-in-place adjacent artifacts in immediate work areas as outlined in their NPS approved plan (including historic floors, staircase components, walls, stained glass windows, light fixtures, etc. as required), and refrain from storing project equipment on-site during the course of the project.

7.0 SECURITY AND SAFETY

Contractors and their team shall be escorted at all times by a National Park Service staff member while they are working on-site. This means that contractors shall not be left unattended, even for short periods of time, and an NPS staff member shall be continually monitoring them as they work, in the immediate vicinity. Please note that there should be no expectation of a contractor working independently, without staff monitoring or staff supervision, in any NPS facility. For more details, please refer to the Contractor

Monitoring SOP that is attached to this solicitation.

Backpacks and bags are subject to inspection. Contractor team members may be required to wear an identification badge while on-site and use a sign in sheet to log their on-site hours. Selected vendor shall be required to submit a roster supplying the names of participating team members prior to the start of any on-site work. Parking location is subject to security issues and shall be handled on a case by case basis.

Contractor will be required to submit an NPS approved health and safety work plan. Plan will detail steps taken by the Contractor to avoid damage to Glenmont artifacts and historic features/finishes as well as steps taken to reduce the incident of accident or injury during the course of the project. Plan must outline all equipment and materials used for the project and their related safety features or properties as well as any special safety requirements identified on their Safety Data Sheets (SDS sheets will also be submitted by the contractor with the plan). Please note that the park strictly adheres to guidelines specified in Safety Data Sheets for on-site work as part of the park’s safety protocol. Any required PPE must have up-to-date certification and an up-to-date fit test if required for on-site work.

In the health and safety work plan, the Contractor must also address how they will adhere to any relevant CDC guidance related to COVID-19 in the work place while working on-site at the Glenmont estate. The manual “Guidance on Preparing Work Places for

COVID-19” (OSHA 3990-03 2020) is attached to this solicitation for the bidder’s reference. Please note that the contracting team may be required to wear appropriate PPE, (ie mask and gloves that meet the current CDC recommendations for reducing the risk of

COVID-19 disease transmission), to execute appropriate disposal of PPE, to sanitize their work equipment and work areas (ie scaffolding, etc.), to adhere to current social distancing guidelines, to adhere to current COVID-19 reporting requirements to initiate contact tracing, to adhere to current quarantine guidelines, etc. in order to reduce the risk of disease transmission while working on site, if so dictated by New Jersey state guidelines and/or CDC guidelines for managing COVID-19 in the work place. These guidelines are continually being updated and shall change over time.

Contractor must ensure that they provide sufficient labor (ie number of individuals required) to safely complete all aspects of this work as per OSHA guidelines.

The offeror’s equipment, tools, and supplies must be of a size and configuration capable of safely accommodating such work and must be equipped with the necessary fire and safety capabilities. Selected vendor must provide a form of egress in the event of fire during the course of the project.

For safety, security, and preservation reasons, family, friends, or pets are not permitted to accompany the contractor’s staff to the job site at Thomas Edison’s home, Glenmont.

This includes, but is not limited to, underage children. The park reserves the right to request that the Contractor produce documentation for any person on-site which provides evidence that they are legitimate and approved project personnel assigned to work on the project.

Please note that on-site hot work, including use of heat guns, tack irons, blow dryers, or other heat generating equipment or welding is not permitted for this project.

8.0 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

8.1 LOCATIONS

A. On-site work will be completed at the following location inside Thomas Edison

National Historical Park:

1. Pick up, delivery, and on-site work will be completed at Glenmont, Thomas

Edison National Historical Park, Llewellyn Park, 12 Honeysuckle Avenue, West Orange, New Jersey. Contractor must be present for any associated deliveries related to supplies for the on-site project work. Please note that navigating steps in narrow halls with historic staircases and plaster walls and ceilings is required to complete any transport process as well as key tasks related to the project. Potential bidders should take notice of the spacial restrictions of the confined work space where the work takes place and the historic nature of the path of travel for transport of objects, equipment, and supplies and plan accordingly, notating how these restrictions will be handled in their bidding proposal.

2. Special attention must also be paid to not damage historic objects adjacent to the work site in the historic rooms as well as navigating narrow corridors that feature historic finishes, historic light fixtures and windows, historic floors and staircases, and historic walls and historic artifacts, not only in the second floor period rooms but along the path of transport leading to and from this second floor period rooms, all of which contain artifacts and are historic in nature.

On-site work/pick up/drop off/packing may only be done between the hours of 9:00 am and 3:30 pm, Monday through Thursday, excluding holidays. On-site work is subject to weather conditions, other state of emergency conditions, or government shutdown.

Access is by advanced appointment only. Please note that on-site work hours are non-negotiable and the contractor must consider the hours of availability of the resource when formulating their fixed cost estimate for this project.

9.0 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The Contractor shall be required to commence work under this contract within 10 calendar days after the date of the award to the Contractor, execute the work diligently and complete the entire project within a ten month timeframe which begins on the date of award.

Within 10 calendar days after award, submit Certificate of Liability Insurance for the project.

Within 30 days after the award, Contractor will also be required to submit an NPS approved Protect-In-Place plan detailing how walkways, modern and historic carpeting, built-in features such as historic light fixtures and stained glass windows, historic floors, adjacent furniture, architectural features, historic steps and staircases, plaster walls and ceilings, etc. will be protected in place by the Contractor, identifying specific techniques and materials to be used. Within 30 calendar days after date of award, contact COR to discuss project and schedule for on-site work. Within 30 days after award, Contractor will be required to submit an NPS approved health and safety work plan.

Midway during the project, the Contractor must produce a condition report for each of the two objects, as it is detailed in other sections of this document. This report must be reviewed and approved by the NPS team. The Contractor must also produce their one page briefing report, detailing the conservation work to date, at this time.

Upon completion of contract, the lead conservator shall submit two final paper copies and one electronic copy of the conservation treatment report for this carpet and for the hooked rug with all photo documentation for the project to the COR, and must have completed the conservation of the carpet and the hooked rug, re-installing the carpet and the hooked rug in their original locations and original configurations in the Family Living Room and the Edison Bedroom at Glenmont, and also must have removed all associated supplies, tools, and equipment from on-site locations.

DELIVERABLES: DUE:

Provide Certificate of Liability Insurance for project

Within 10 calendar days of award

Contact COR to schedule on-site work/conduct pre-project meeting, provide NPS approved Protect-In-Place plan and NPS approved health and safety work plan

Within 30 calendar days of award

Produce the condition report for the historic carpet for the Family Living Room and the condition report for the hooked rug for the Edison Bedroom/one page briefing report of conservation work to date

Within 150 calendar days of award

Complete on-site work at Glenmont, including the reinstallation of the historic carpet and the historic hooked rug in their original locations and configurations in the second floor Family Living Room and the Edison Bedroom

Within 250 calendar days of award

Submit treatment report to NPS staff Within 280 calendar days of award

NPS review and final approval of project work and final approval of treatment reports and condition reports, all supplies used to execute the project are removed from the Glenmont estate, carpet and hooked rug successfully and safely re-installed inside of Glenmont, rolled out and flat, in their original locations and configurations in the Family Living Room and Edison Bedroom – Note that the Family Living Room rug must be installed over its padding

Within 300 calendar days of award

10.0 PAYMENT SCHEDULE

PAYMENT SCHEDULE:

A. Upon completion and NPS approval of the carpet’s condition report and the hooked rug’s condition report, the packing and removal of the historic carpet and the hooked rug from Glenmont, transporting the carpet and the hooked rug to the conservator’s…