A04_RFPre_exhibit_art_doc.pdf

Conserve Hanging Mechanisms on Historic Works of

Art to Re-Exhibit at Thomas Edison’s Home, Glenmont

PMIS PROJECT 320088

Request for Proposal

April 7, 2024

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 the failing hanging mechanisms and/or display mechanisms on 5 historic works of art. This project may also involve updating these mechanisms, in order to enable them to be safely re-exhibited on the first floor of Thomas

Edison’s Victorian mansion, Glenmont. Due to these objects’ direct association with the

Edisons, as well as their association with his family estate, Glenmont, these works of art play a key role in both the interpretation and the academic study of Glenmont. These decorative works 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 Thomas Edison and his notable contributions.

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 and upgrade of the hanging/display mechanisms for the 5 works of art from the Glenmont museum collection. A detailed condition and treatment report will also be produced by the selected vendor for each individual work of art, complete with before and after photographs of the work performed. Off-site work will also include producing a survey of these objects in the form of an Excel spreadsheet.

Details related to the survey are provided in section 4.0 of this document.

On-site work for the project will include: packing the five works of art (currently stored on the third floor of Glenmont) for transport to the off-site conservation studio for conservation work, as well as delivering the objects back to Glenmont after the conservation is complete, unpacking them, and re-installing them in their original locations and original configurations in the appropriate first floor rooms at Glenmont.

Please note that the selected vendor is also responsible for transport of the art objects 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. Additionally, if the hanging mechanisms for the 5 works, including their hanging wires, need to be updated and/or stabilized, the contractor is responsible for addressing this, prior to the objects being rehung/displayed in their historic locations on the first floor of Glenmont. Contractor shall incorporate the costs of any supplies and/or labor associated with these tasks into their fixed cost bid for this project. The contractor is also responsible for designing and producing a display stand for the object that is displayed in the Drawing Room. Details of this process are specified in other sections of this document.

In all instances, the selected contractor will be responsible for protecting-in-place adjacent artifacts, historic finishes and surfaces (including table top 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.

1.1 HISTORIC BACKGROUND

Thomas Edison resided at this family estate, Glenmont, for over fifty years. Glenmont is located in a private residential community known as Llewellyn Park and is administered by the National Park Service as part of Thomas Edison National Historical Park.

Glenmont’s fully furnished period interiors reflect the decorating tastes of the historic period, as well as the decorating tastes of the Edison family.

Two objects associated with this project reflect religious motifs. These motifs were popular during the Victorian and Edwardian periods. Devotional objects were closely associated with morality issues and how objects such as these, displayed in public areas of the home, were closely associated with the values of its owners. For many decades, the plaster relief of “Madonna and Child” hung on the east wall in the Reception Room. An imitation Della Robbia panel titled “The Anunciation” was also prominently displayed on top of a historic sheet music cabinet in the Drawing Room, which is adjacent to the

Reception Room. Additionally, 3 brass chargers, depicting classical motifs, were carefully arranged and exhibited over the historic sofa in the first floor library. In order to complete the interior decoration of these Pottier & Stymus interiors, these decorative arts objects need to be returned to exhibit in these three first floor room locations.

Existing Conditions:

The Italian plaster relief of “Madonna and Child” (EDIS 102635), that hung historically in the Reception Room (circa 1921-1947), was conserved in 2010. At this time, it was discovered that the hanging mechanisms on the back of the relief were unstable. There are loose hooks that need to be readhered. These mechanisms are used to suspend the work of art by picture wire for display on the historic wall (hooked to the picture rail).

Repairing these mechanisms was not within the scope of this past project, so this work was not completed. Consequently, the object was not returned to exhibit.

During the historic period, the imitation Della Robbia (EDIS102468), which is also identified as a Cartilage relief in park records, was displayed on top of a historic sheet music cabinet in the Drawing Room. The porcelain “Annunciation” panel was displayed in this room circa 1921 to 1947. The flat panel was resting against a sheet music stand in order to balance it. Room vibrations that occur when staff walk across the historic floor in this Drawing Room caused the “Anunciation” panel to rock back and forth.

Consequently, the object was moved off of exhibit until this matter could be resolved. In order to prevent the panel from falling over and breaking, a support mount, in the form of a stand, must be custom made for the panel so its base is stable and the piece can again be exhibited safely in its original location. The panel, now located in storage on the third floor of Glenmont, was conserved in 2010. The historic sheet music stand/cabinet in the

Drawing Room was conserved circa 2016.

Historically, a set of three heavy decorative chargers were displayed over the sofa in the first floor library. These 3 chargers, two circular, one oval, are identified as being made of brass in the park records (EDIS 102701-703). They hung in this room from 1886 through 1947. The plaques were made in Nuremberg. Several years ago, a construction project resulted in the chargers being removed from the wall. Upon further examination, it was determined that the hanging mechanisms that enabled the chargers to be hung by picture wire on the wall (hooked to the picture rail), may require stabilization. Upgrade of the inadequate hanging mechanisms will likely require upgrade of the hooks on the back of the plaques. Additionally, it was determined that the gauge of wire connected to the chargers was inadequate to safely support the weight of the objects. With the exception of the hanging mechanisms, these chargers were conserved in 2010/2011.

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 two dimensional works of art from the historic period (c. 1870-

1947) including one example of an object which is made of a plaster material and one example of an object which is made of a metal material. These examples can be decorative arts objects.

Comparable past work must also include two examples of addressing inadequate or unstable hanging brackets for works of art that are designed to be exhibited on a wall.

Please note that making these types of updates to a painting, photographs, prints or works on paper do not meet his requirement. Comparable past performance must also include one example of a project to design/produce a plexi or wood museum-grade display stand for a freestanding two dimensional museum object which will be exhibited. Conservation work that is identified as comparable past performance for this solicitation, must have been performed in AAM accredited museums or in collections within properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and are also for projects of similar scope, complexity, and historic resource value to that required by this solicitation. This criteria cannot be met by using past performance work associated with private collections, interior decorating, commercial framing, photographs, and/or print work (for example, work performed in a frame shop or a gallery), work associated with crafts or artist’s guilds, or completing such work for local institutions such as churches and local historical societies.

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 decorative arts object 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 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-http://www.conservation-us.org/docs/default-source/governance/code-of-ethics-and-guidelines-for-practice.pdf 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/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 5 works of art which are currently stored on-site on the third floor of

Glenmont. This visit will also enable potential vendors to assess the spacial constraints that must be safely navigated in order to pack, transport, and re-install these decorative arts objects in their original locations and configurations in the fully furnished period rooms on the first 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 http://www.conservation-us.org/docs/default-source/governance/code-of-ethics-and-guidelines-for-practice.pdf https://www.nps.gov/tps/standards.htm

973-809-4360 beth_miller@nps.gov

C. Limitations of Liability:

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

Lead conservator on the contractor’s team must possess a minimum of three years of decorative arts object conservation training obtained through a degree program or a comparable period of apprenticeship with a reputable conservation service, demonstrating 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 two dimensional works of art from the historic period (c. 1870-

1947) including one example of an object which is made of a plaster material and one example of an object which is made of a metal material.

Comparable past work must also include two examples of addressing inadequate or unstable hanging brackets for works of art that are designed to be exhibited on a wall.

Please note that making these types of updates to a painting, photographs, prints or works on paper do not meet his requirement. Comparable past performance must also include one example of a project to design/produce a plexi or wood museum-grade display stand for a freestanding two dimensional object which will be exhibited. Conservation work that is identified as comparable past performance for this solicitation, must have been 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 performed in AAM accredited museums or in collections within properties listed on the

National Register of Historic Places, and are also for projects of similar scope, complexity, and historic resource value to that required by this solicitation. This criteria cannot be met by using past performance work associated with private collections, interior decorating, commercial framing, photographs, and/or print work (for example, work performed in a frame shop or a gallery), work associated with crafts or artist’s guilds, or completing such work for local institutions such as churches and local historical societies.

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 de-installation of the objects from a storage area, packing, transport, and the installation of the objects in the period exhibit rooms on the first floor, 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, such as archival boxes and/or blue board, acid free tissue paper, picture hanging wire, hanging mechanisms, etc. that will be used by the vendor to complete this project work.

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 three of the fully furnished period rooms, on the first floor of the Edison home, as well as in the third floor storage area. Contractor is responsible for safely navigating through historic spaces in order to complete tasks associated with this project (including the packing of the works of art, moving the objects within the mansion, de-installing the objects works from their storage locations, and re-installing the works of art in their original locations and configurations on the first floor of Glenmont when the conservation work is complete).

Please note that four of the objects must be re-installed for display on a historic wall. This will involve moving historic furniture. More details related to this process are identified in Section Four of this document.

Contractor must protect in place the architectural features, historic finishes, adjacent artifacts, surfaces, and floors when completing this work in the associated first floor rooms, as well as in third floor storage, and also along the path of travel to and from these locations, to the extent required to prevent damage to any of these components during the course of the project.

Conservation of the hanging mechanisms/display mechanisms for the 5 works of art for this project, which will be performed by the contractor off-site, will mainly consist of stabilizing and/or replacing in-kind existing hanging mechanisms, as required, in order to safely hang the object back on the historic walls in their original locations without damage or incident (Reception Room/Pedder Library). This may involve addressing any related cracking, fragmented, or flaking of areas where the mechanisms are attached, if this work is required in order to safely rehang the object in its original location. This may also involve readhering loose parts of hanging mechanisms and/or replacement in-kind of fragmented parts or pieces of hanging mechanisms and/or the hanging mechanisms in total, if deemed necessary in order to safely rehang the objects without incident. If an upgrade of the hanging mechanism itself is deemed necessary, for safety and stabilization purposes, contractor will replace the mechanism in-kind with a suitable and effective replacement. Any new hanging mechanism or a significant alteration to the old hanging mechanism requires NPS approval.

The project will also consist of designing and producing a custom-made display stand for a two dimensional work of art, to cradle it, so it can be displayed in the Drawing Room, as if resting on a stand, while in its original location on top of the historic sheet music cabinet situated in the corner of the room. The museum grade display stand should be designed as to not detract from the historic scene nor obscure the ability to view the work of art (“The Anunciation” panel) while it is being displayed. The museum grade stand/mount, designed as per industry standards and NPS museum standards, must be made of either plexi or wood.

Additionally, as deemed necessary, the contractor is required to update all hanging mechanisms/display mechanisms and picture wires to ensure that the objects will be stable and hang safely on the historic wall/sheet music stand associated with their exhibit.

This includes selecting materials that are of the correct, gauge, strength, and material.

These wires and mechanisms must not detract from the historic scene. This also includes designing and producing a museum grade stand for the “Anunciation” panel that is stable and is capable of supporting the weight of the panel without movement or shifting. This includes at a time when persons are walking across the room, creating vibrations in this area, where the panel will be displayed. Please note that this new display stand must be freestanding and non-invasive. The display stand cannot be adhered or attached to any surface or object.

Please note that any historic materials that need to be replaced must be replaced with in-kind materials and not alter the historic appearance of these works of art. Please note that four of these works will be returned to exhibit by hanging them on the walls in the Pedder

Library and the Reception Room, using picture wire to hang them from the historic picture rail in their original configuration.

When packing all of the objects for transport, the contractor must use museum grade archival boxes with acid free tissue paper, 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 these works of art, the cost of upgrading any required hanging mechanisms/picture wire, as well as the cost of designing and producing the custom display stand for the panel in the

Drawing Room, in their bidding proposal. It is the Contractor’s responsibility to fund and 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 each of the 5 works of art (described as deliverables in section 5.3 below).

Selected vendor will also be responsible for obtaining pre-approval by NPS staff for selected repair and conservation techniques, including replacement of any materials that could alter the appearance, functionality, or stability of these historic works of art. The intent is for these decorative works of art to be displayed in the first floor period rooms at

Glenmont in their original locations, as they were during the historic period.

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 these historic works of art that were owned and displayed by the Edison family. Vendor must use in-kind materials and methods with an emphasis on retaining as much original historic material as is possible.

3.0 OBJECTIVES

The goal is to successfully upgrade the hanging/display mechanisms for 5 historic works of art and then return them to exhibit in the first floor Pedder Library, the Reception

Room, and the Drawing Room in Glenmont.

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 perform work on-site work for the project, which will take place inside of Glenmont, in three of the fully furnished period rooms, on the first floor of the Edison home, as well as in the third floor storage area. Contractor is responsible for safely navigating through historic spaces in order to complete tasks associated with this project (including the packing of the works of art, moving the objects within the mansion, de-installing the objects works from their storage locations, and re-installing the works of art in their original locations and configurations on the first floor of Glenmont when the conservation work is complete). Please note that four of the objects must be re-installed for display on a historic wall. This will involve moving historic furniture, which is the responsibility of the contractor. More details related to this process are identified in Section Four of this document.

Contractor must protect in place the architectural features, historic finishes, adjacent artifacts, surfaces, and floors when completing this work in the associated first floor rooms, as well as in third floor storage, and also along the path of travel to and from these locations, to the extent required to prevent damage to any of these components during the course of the project.

Conservation of the hanging mechanisms/display mechanisms for the 5 works of art for this project, which will be performed by the contractor off-site, will mainly consist of stabilizing and/or replacing in-kind existing hanging mechanisms, as required, in order to safely hang the objects back on the historic walls in their original locations without damage or incident (Reception Room/Pedder Library). This may involve addressing any related cracking, fragmented, or flaking of areas where the mechanisms are attached, if this work is required in order to safely rehang the object in its original location. This may also involve readhering loose parts of hanging mechanisms and/or replacement in-kind of fragmented parts or pieces of hanging mechanisms and/or the hanging mechanisms in total, if deemed necessary in order to safely rehang the objects without incident. If an upgrade of the hanging mechanism itself is deemed necessary, for safety and stabilization purposes, contractor will replace the mechanism in-kind with a suitable and effective replacement. Any new hanging mechanism or a significant alteration to the old hanging mechanism requires NPS approval.

The project will also consist of designing and producing a custom-made display stand for a two dimensional work of art, to display it safely in the Drawing Room. “The

Anunciation” panel will be displayed, as if resting on a stand, while in its original location on top of the historic sheet music cabinet situated in the corner of the room. The museum grade display stand should be designed as to not detract from the historic scene nor obscure the ability to view the work of art (“The Anunciation” panel) while it is being displayed.

This custom-made display stand for this two dimensional work of art, is designed to cradle it, so it can be displayed in the Drawing Room, as if resting on a stand, while in its original location on top of the historic sheet music cabinet situated in the corner of the room. The museum grade stand/mount, designed as per industry standards and NPS museum standards, must be made of either plexi or wood.

Additionally, as deemed necessary, the contractor is required to update all hanging mechanisms/display mechanisms and picture wires to ensure that the objects will be stable and hang safely on the historic wall/sheet music stand associated with their exhibit.

This includes selecting materials that are of the correct, gauge, strength, and material.

These wires and mechanisms must not detract from the historic scene. Project work also includes designing and producing this museum grade stand for the “Anunciation” panel that is stable and is capable of supporting the weight of the panel without movement or shifting. This includes remaining stable at a time when persons are walking across the room, creating vibrations in this area where the panel will be displayed. The display stand must also be freestanding and cannot be physically attached to any object or surface in the room, including the historic sheet music stand.

Please note that any historic materials that need to be replaced must be replaced with in-kind materials and not alter the historic appearance of these works of art. Please note that four of these works will be returned to exhibit by hanging them on the walls in the Pedder

Library and the Reception Room, using picture wire to hang them from the historic picture rail in their original configuration.

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

Selected vendor will complete a condition report and a treatment report for each of the 5 works of art as well as a design plan for the display stand for the “The Anunciation” panel which must be NPS approved prior to the stand being produced. The design plan must include a drawing with measurements that details the dimensions, form, and materials of the proposed display stand. The contractor is also responsible for producing an object survey of the five works of art in the form of an Excel spread sheet. The survey must include the catalog number for each object, its exhibition location, its materials, and identify any condition issues related to the object or its current hanging mechanisms.

Please note that each work of art must be installed in their original configuration, including maintaining the original pattern of the picture wire that is used to hang the objects that hang on a wall. Contractor must protect in place the architectural features, historic finishes, adjacent artifacts, surfaces, and floors when completing this work in the

Pedder Library, Reception Room, Drawing Room, and third floor storage and also along the path of travel to and from these areas, to the extent required to prevent damage to any of these components during the course of the project.

Contractor will also be required to safely move a select few pieces of historic furniture that are exhibited under and adjacent to the areas where the hanging works of art are situated. These include a Victorian sofa, an onyx top table, and two upholstered chairs.

This may also entail removing two oversized framed works of art with glass fronts, which are currently hanging on the wall in the Pedder Library, and also a table lamp and an oval occasional table in the Pedder Library, if deemed necessary to rehang the 3 chargers.

After the 5 works of art for this project are re-installed, the contractor is responsible for moving these furniture objects back into place, in their original locations in the first floor rooms. This includes rehanging any de-installed art in its original location and configuration. Contractor must practice safe museum handling techniques and wear gloves when moving the furniture/lamps/art in order to avoid damaging these historic objects. Contractor is responsible for all costs and labor associated with de-installing and re-installing these furniture objects and shall include these costs in their fixed-cost price.

Contractor must exercise caution when re-installing the works of art in the period rooms, in order to avoid damage to these artifacts, the historic furniture, or other historic components that are part of these period room interiors.

When packing the objects for transport, the contractor must use museum grade archival supplies with acid free tissue paper, to ensure safe transport of these items to and from the contractor’s studio and during transport within Glenmont. If it is deemed necessary to update any of the works’ hanging mechanisms or picture wire, these supplies must be of the correct weight and gauge to safely rehang the works of art back on the wall.

Any mechanism upgrades or display stands must also 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 for any hanging mechanisms and their related materials, require NPS review and approval.

The contractor is responsible for ordering and purchasing any supplies or equipment for this project that are associated with project tasks and should consider this when preparing their fixed-cost bid. As an associated task for this project, the contractor is also responsible for transporting the 5 works of art to and from their off-site studio for conservation work. The contractor is responsible for any associated costs related to this transport, including supplies.

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 these works of art 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. Also, please note that any proposals that suggest significantly altering the historic appearance of any of these works of art shall 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 all on-site work for this project. Coverage must cover damages accrued during the course of the project either to the 5 works of art or any other historic or non-historic features/objects at Glenmont. Insurance coverage in the same amount must be provided when the 5 works of art are being transported to and from Glenmont for off-site conservation work and also during the time when the 5 works of art 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 works of art, moving the historic furniture associated with the project, the installation and de-installation of project equipment and supplies, and to cover any damages accrued to the 5 works of art 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.

Please note that this insurance must be currently active and in use at the time the contractor’s bid is submitted, and the contractor must provide the required amount of coverage, applied to this specific project for the complete duration of the project. No additional riders or subsequent additional costs for insurance shall be considered after the vendor submits their firm-fixed price bid for this project. Please note that, as per NPS policy, the park cannot provide an appraisal value of any kind for objects that are related to this project.

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 on the first floor of Glenmont/third floor storage and 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 period rooms, staircases, storage areas, etc. in order to review site conditions in this historic mansion.

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 five 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 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. 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, 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.

• The contractor is required to update all hanging mechanisms, picture wires, etc. for the four hanging works of art to ensure that these works of art will be stable enough to hang safely on the historic walls in their original locations on the first floor of Glenmont at the conclusion of this project. The contractor is required to produce a freestanding display stand for “The Anunciation” panel in the Drawing

Room to ensure that this work of art will be stable and secure enough to be safely displayed on top of its original location on the historic sheet music cabinet in the

Drawing Room. Cost of the supplies and labor associated with project tasks is the responsibility of the contractor and must be incorporated into the contractor’s bid for this project. Please note that this includes the cost of moving any furniture associated with this project.

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

A. Daily report detailing work attempted or accomplished

5.2 At the midway point of the contract the selected vendor shall provide the following:

A. An NPS approved design plan for the display stand for “The Anunciation” panel and an NPS approved object survey for all 5 objects in the form of an

Excel spreadsheet.

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

A. The selected vendor must produce an individual condition report and an individual treatment report for each conserved work of art detailing the work executed, including before and after color photos of the work as it progresses as well as when it is completed. Contractor must also produce an object survey and a design plan, as is outlined in this document. The Contractor will provide the following condition reports, treatment reports, design plan, and object survey to the COR:

1. three 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 current CDC guidance related to COVID-19 in the work place…