A04_RFPTheodoresRoomCeiling_FINAL.pdf

Conserve Hand Painted Ceiling in Theodore’s Room in Edison’s Home, Glenmont

PMIS PROJECT 246238

Request for Quote

April 28, 2022

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 a circa 1900 historic ceiling mural with a floral and garland motif, and its corresponding cornice and picture rail, which are located in Thomas Edison’s home, Glenmont. The historic ceiling is a character defining feature located in a second floor guest bedroom, which is also referred to as Theodore’s Room. Due to its association with the significant

Queen-Anne style mansion, designed by noted architect Henry Hudson Holly, and also its association with the Edison family, the mural plays a key role in the interpretation of Glenmont and its architectural and decorative history. Visitors who tour the mansion view Theodore’s Room during public tours.

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 design of this ceiling mural helps us better understand the interiors that the family decorated and how the decorative arts in Glenmont, such as this ceiling mural, represent both the tastes of the Edison family and the artistic choices made by upper class individuals of the Edison era. Ensuring that this decorative feature is properly preserved guarantees that this part of the Edison story shall be shared with park visitors for generations to come.

The majority of the work shall be performed on-site, in-situ (mural remains on the ceiling in its original location), in Theodore’s Room, a period room located on the second floor of the historic mansion, Glenmont. The period room contains several historic light fixtures, including a nine-light ceiling chandelier. The walls of the rooms were recently restored to reflect their period appearance.

In all instances, the selected vendor shall be responsible for protecting-in-place adjacent artifacts, built-in features such as the historic nine-light ceiling chandelier and the fireplace overmantel, historic surfaces such as walls and floors, and modern carpeting, both in Theodore’s Room and also along the path of travel used for installation and de-installation of any equipment or supplies.

This is required in order to prevent damage to the artifacts, historic surfaces, built-in features, and modern carpeting. The selected vendor shall also be required to adhere to park safety and security policies which shall be further detailed in this document.

Documentation work for this project, which can be performed off-site, shall consist of producing a detailed treatment report which includes before and after photos of the work and a one page briefing report outlining the findings of the conservator’s solubility tests and their subsequent recommendations for proceeding with this work.

1.1 HISTORIC BACKGROUND

This second floor bedroom, which measures approximately 16 feet by 18 feet, has undergone several decorating campaigns during the historic period, mainly being used over the years as a bedroom for a variety of the Edison children. Its most noted resident, Thomas Edison’s son, Theodore, began occupying the room in 1913. When he was a boy, Theodore Edison lined the walls of this room with images of automobiles from popular magazines. These images were later removed by his mother, Mina Edison, and retained in a scrapbook. In the 1930 residence appraisal for Glenmont, this room was still referred to as “Mr. Theodore Edison’s Room” but records indicate that in later years the room was identified only as a guest bedroom.

An invoice from noted decorating firm Pottier & Stymus, dated May 7, 1882, outlines a project for decorating the ceiling in the “Room over Library”, which is believed to be this room. Little is known about the design of this circa 1882 ceiling. However, in 1892 all ceilings on the second floor of Glenmont, including the one in this room, were loosely described by acquaintances of the

Edisons as “painted with designs of flowers and cupids, after the joyous French fashion”.

This French style ceiling motif was then updated in the summer of 1900 when local artist E.W.

Peckham was hired to repaint it with an elaborate floral and garland mural on canvas, adhered to the plaster ceiling. This decorative ceiling is still in existence today. In Peckham’s bill for the painted ceiling he describes the work that was undertaken as “all cracks to be cut out and filled and necessary mason work attended to, ceiling to be lined with canvas, flower border painted on ceiling”. Madeleine, daughter of Thomas Edison, who was raised at Glenmont, had a special connection to the existing painted ceiling. In oral histories she indicated, “I felt a proprietary interest in the ceiling of this room because it is hand painted and I watched the man (Peckham) do it.”

Existing Conditions:

There is a center medallion surrounding the historic chandelier which most likely dates back to the

1890s. A circa 1891 nine-light historic electric chandelier is in the center of the medallion. The room also contains three matching historic wall-mounted sconces. These historic light fixtures, along with a Pottier & Stymus chest of drawers and a historic brass bed frame, will remain in the room during the course of the project. The NPS will place dollies under the historic bed frame and the chest of drawers so they can be rotated around the room in order to complete the work.

Additionally, the walls, fireplace surround, and fireplace overmantel in this room were recently restored to their circa 1930s historic appearance. It is the contractor’s responsibility to protect in place all historic light fixtures (and the corresponding medallion), the fireplace surround and overmantel, and also the walls, window frames, floors, glass features, and doorways, to ensure that these features are not damaged during the course of the project.

Historic documents indicate that, during the historic period of Edison occupation at Glenmont, repairs were undertaken on this decorative ceiling mural. An invoice from 1909 indicates that painters Smith & Blatherwick were hired for “cleaning the ceiling and retinting & touching up decorations”. Estimates from the Mrs. McKey decorating firm, who worked extensively in the house in 1927, also suggest “restoring the frescoed ceiling” in Theodore’s Room during their 1927 decorating campaign. It is unclear as to whether or not this work was ever undertaken. In 1940, the firm of McBurney and Underwood submitted an estimate to “repair cracks and tint” in the ceiling but there is no evidence that they were hired to complete this work.

There is no known water damage to the ceiling that has occurred within the past 20 years.

Additionally, in 2017, a major roofing project at Glenmont upgraded the roofs and gutter systems which are adjacent to Theodore’s Room. No other information is known to exist which identifies more recent repairs or conservation to the painted ceiling. There are no known existing previous surveys or reports for this mural or its cornice/picture rail.

Contract Type

The government anticipates awarding a firm-fixed price contract.

SAM Registration

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

SITE VISIT

All offerors submitting a quote for this contract are strongly encouraged to visit Thomas Edison’s home, Glenmont, for the purpose of examining the ceiling mural, cornice, and picture rail in

Theodore’s Room and the room itself, as well as related site conditions. Contractor shall bring their own ladder (maximum of twelve feet) to inspect the ceiling mural on the second floor of the home.

Please ensure that the ladder shall be safely navigated through areas of the historic interior of

Glenmont in order to access Theodore’s Room. These areas contain built-in features, historic wall treatments, historic architectural features, historic artifacts, historic steps, narrow hallways, etc.

These spacial constraints, which are indicative of a fully furnished Queen-Anne style Victorian home, shall be safely navigated. Transport and use of ladder on park property during the site visit shall occur without damage to adjacent historic objects and/or surfaces/features as well as without damage to the modern carpeting that defines the path of travel throughout the home’s interior and also without damage to the home’s exterior.

Failure to visit the site in-person shall not relieve the Contractor from responsibility for having estimated properly the difficulty or cost of successfully performing the work.

Site visit can be scheduled by contacting Beth Miller (see contact information below).

Beth Miller

Museum Curator/Thomas Edison National Historical Park beth_miller@nps.gov

(973)-809-4360

2.0 SCOPE

mailto:beth_miller@nps.gov

Project shall include the conservation of a circa 1900 ceiling mural with floral and garland motif, located in Theodore’s Room on the second floor of Glenmont, as well as the conservation of its corresponding cornice and picture rail. The ceiling mural and its corresponding cornice and picture rail will be conserved in-situ. “In-situ” is defined as “in the natural or original position and place”. For the purposes of this project, no portion or part of the mural canvas, mural corners, mural edges, mural frame or structural border, mural trim, or any other related mural parts, frame parts, ceiling parts, mural backing, roof parts, cornice and picture rail parts, etc. shall be moved, lifted, shifted, tipped, pulled up, unadhered, adjusted, removed from the ceiling or walls, unscrewed, disassembled, or dismantled in any way, either fully or partially, in order to perform any of the associated work during the course of this project. This project requirement also applies to tasks completed during any investigative work or analysis the potential bidder receives permission to perform. Any proposal containing suggestions, approaches, options, or ideas that do not conform to this above stated requirement shall not be considered.

The selected vendor will also be responsible for protecting in place adjacent artifacts, adjacent historic finishes and built-in features, modern carpeting, the historic lighting fixtures (with corresponding ceiling medallion), the historic mantel/overmantel/fireplace surround, the historic floor and walls/window frames, and the stained glass/plain glass windows located inside of the room. Selected vendor shall complete a treatment report for the project and also a one page report detailing the findings of their solubility testing with subsequent recommendations (described in section 5.3 below). Selected vendor shall 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 result in altering the appearance of the ceiling mural in Theodore’s Room or its corresponding cornice/picture rail. Applicant shall 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).

Inspection and Acceptance Processes:

During work progress, the Contractor shall furnish upon request: a daily report detailing work attempted or accomplished. At the conclusion of the contract the Contractor shall provide a treatment report detailing the work executed which outlines its process and also the materials (with product specs) used to complete the work and also a one page report detailing the findings of their solubility testing with subsequent recommendations. Vendor shall also be responsible for obtaining pre-approval by NPS staff for selected methods of solubility testing and selected methods for conservation. Vendor shall also be responsible for gaining pre-approval from the NPS for any associated plans identified in this document, such as the Protect-in-Place plan and the health and safety work plan. Please note that any plan that does not adhere to the guidelines set forth in this statement of work shall not be approved. Please review these guidelines carefully.

Evaluation Methodology:

The Government anticipates awarding a firm-fixed price contract to the responsible offeror whose quote conforms to the solicitation and represents the best value to the Government based upon an integrated assessment of the evaluation factors listed below. The Government will consider:

Technical Capability, Personnel, Past Performance, and Price. The factors listed below are in descending order of importance.

When combined, all other evaluation factors are significantly more important than price.

However, price will contribute substantially to the selection decision. The evaluated price will not https://www.doi.gov/museum/nps-handbooks https://www.nps.gov/tps/standards.htm be rated or scored but will be a consideration for reasonableness in the final source selection decision. The government reserves the right to award this action to other than the lowest priced offer.

1. Factor 1- Technical Capability (limited to 2 pages)

Offeror shall submit a written description that demonstrates they have the required technical knowledge and necessary equipment to successfully complete this project. Said description shall specify what techniques, equipment, and labor will be employed to complete this project as well as methods that protect and meet preservation concerns for this original decorative mural ceiling and its related cornice and picture rail.

2. Factor 2- Personnel (limited to 4 pages)

Offeror shall demonstrate skills and training of personnel involved in this project, showing minimum required skills are met. The personnel team shall include a conservator who is accredited by the American Institute of Conservation. Please note that proof of accreditation may be requested.

Their past work must demonstrate a minimum of experience conserving one circa 1880-1905 decorative ceiling mural on canvas while it was permanently affixed to the ceiling, in-situ in its original location, in a historic residence (ie home) that is listed on the National Register of Historic

Places, and is a project of similar scope, complexity, and historic resource value to that required by this solicitation and is also work which has been executed within the past ten years. Please note that the National Register of Historic Places identifies historic properties of significance within the

United States. Please also note that the term “in-situ” refers to conserving the mural in its historic location in-situ (In-situ” is defined as “in the natural or original position and place”), without its full or partial removal of the painting or its canvas from the ceiling (including no removal of the canvas frame/border or peeling back of canvas corners).

In addition, the offeror’s work must also demonstrate a minimum of 5 years of experience in conserving decorative painted finishes and decorative plaster work (as an architectural feature) including work in two historic interiors of properties listed on the National Register of Historic

Places from the Thomas Edison period of occupancy at Glenmont (circa 1880 to circa 1931). This past work must have been performed within the past fifteen years and must include two additional interior decorative murals in properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The offeror’s work must also demonstrate the execution of conservation solubility tests for two historic features or objects that are dated pre-1935.

Due to the nature of this work, with its related safety and security issues, sub-contracting is prohibited for this project.

Please include this information to identify the completed projects:

• 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

The offeror shall have a qualified conservator with a minimum of three years of conservation training obtained through a degree program or a comparable period of apprenticeship with a reputable conservation services provider. This qualified conservator shall also have 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 ) and conform to AIC standards. Applicant shall 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) and conform to these standards. Any proposal containing suggestions, approaches, options, or ideas that do not conform with National Park Service and AIC conservation and preservation standards will be automatically disqualified from the bidding process.

Please note that the qualified conservator for the project is considered to be essential personnel and must be present for all on-site work executed during this project, without substitution. Sub-contracting is prohibited for this project.

3. Factor 3- Past Performance (limited to 4 pages)

a. An evaluation of offeror’s past performance information will be conducted subsequent to the technical evaluation. The offeror must have demonstrated successful completion of projects similar in quality, technique, and complexity. Preference will be given to quotes that demonstrate past performance of similar projects of similar historic significance.

b. The evaluation will be based on information obtained from the written proposal, photographs, other relevant past performance information obtained from sources known to the Government, and any other information supplied by the offeror, to include problems encountered on the identified contracts and corrective action taken.

c. The Government will assess the relative risks associated with each offeror. Performance risks are those associated with an offeror’s likelihood of success in performing the acquisition requirements as indicated by that offeror’s record of past performance.

d. The assessment of performance risk is not intended to be the product of a mechanical or mathematical analysis of an offeror’s performance on a list of contracts, but rather the product of subjective judgement by the Government after it considers all available and relevant information.

e. When assessing performance risks, the Government will focus on the past performance of the offeror as it relates to all acquisition requirements, such as: 1) the offeror’s record of performing according to specifications, including standards of good workmanship; 2) the offeror’s record of controlling and forecasting costs; 3) the offeror’s adherence to contract schedules including the administrative aspects of performance; 4) the offeror’s reputation for reasonable and cooperative behavior and commitment to customer satisfaction; and 5) the offeror’s business-like concern for the interest of the customer.

f. The Government will consider the currency and relevance of the information, sources of the information, context of the data and general trends in the offeror’s performance.

The lack of a relevant performance record may result in an unknown performance risk assessment, which will neither be used to the advantage nor disadvantage of the offeror.

Note: Contractors submitting offers without past performance will receive a neutral rating.

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

Offerors shall provide evidence of comparable past work. Their past work must demonstrate a minimum of experience conserving one circa 1880-1905 decorative ceiling mural on canvas while it was permanently affixed to the ceiling, in-situ in its original location, in a historic residence (ie home) that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and is a project of similar scope, complexity, and historic resource value to that required by this solicitation and is also work which has been executed within the past ten years. Please note that the National Register of Historic

Places identifies historic properties of significance within the United States. Please also note that the term “in-situ” refers to conserving the mural in its historic location in-situ (In-situ” is defined as “in the natural or original position and place”), without its full or partial removal of the painting or its canvas from the ceiling (including no removal of the canvas frame/border or peeling back of canvas corners).

Lastly, please note that this requirement is not met by performing conservation on works of art that are directly painted on plaster, a wooden back board, or any other material not identified as canvas.

This requirement is also not met if the work of art is only temporarily mounted or affixed to a wall or ceiling, or a framed work of art hanging on a wall, as these projects are not similar in scope to the ceiling mural identified for this project.

In addition, the offeror’s work must also demonstrate a minimum of 5 years of experience in conserving decorative painted finishes and decorative plaster work (as an architectural feature) including work in two historic interiors of properties listed on the National Register of Historic

Places from the Thomas Edison period of occupancy at Glenmont (circa 1880 to circa 1931). This past work must have been performed within the past fifteen years and must include two additional interior decorative murals in properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The offeror’s work must also demonstrate the execution of conservation solubility tests for two historic features or objects that are dated pre-1935. A narrative that articulates past experience and a description of successful completion of deliveries shall be provided by the bidder to meet this requirement.

Note: Listing completed projects does not address this criterion. A narrative that articulates past experience and description of successful completion of deliveries should be discussed.

Price

a. Offeror’s price quote will not be point scored or adjectively scored but will be evaluated on price reasonableness. The price quote will also be used as an aid to determine that the

Offeror understands the requirements of the solicitation, price reasonableness and to assess the validity of the offeror’s approach to managing and performing the work.

b. The offeror shall submit a price quote separate from all other volumes; any pricing information found in the technical or past performance volumes will be removed prior to evaluation.

c. The Government will evaluate the price quote for reasonableness. Reasonableness shall be determined considering other competitive prices received and comparison to the

Independent Government Estimate. The Government will also evaluate price with regards to the ability of the offeror to meet requirements in terms of skills required, complexity of disciplines and job difficulty, if the Government deems such analysis necessary.

3.0 OBJECTIVES

The goal is to conserve a circa 1900 ceiling mural with floral and garland motif, located in

Theodore’s Room on the second floor of Glenmont, as well as the ceiling’s corresponding cornice and picture rail. Results of the project shall improve the appearance, stability, and preservation of one significant decorative arts ceiling on exhibit and its related components, enabling the park to accurately depict this original historic interior in Glenmont for study by scholars and for viewing by the visiting public. The end products, namely the treatment report and the solubility testing report, shall enable the park to improve the documentation for this historic room and its repair history.

4.0 TASKS

• 4.1 A qualified conservator shall complete the conservation of the circa 1900 ceiling mural in Theodore’s Room, a mural which is painted on canvas and adhered to a plaster ceiling, and also the conservation of its corresponding plaster cornice and picture rail. Work shall use appropriate approved NPS museum techniques and NPS approved conservation grade materials, in accordance with NPS and Department of Interior Preservation

Standards.

Based upon the bidder’s approach and methodology, the project may include: cleaning of the ceiling mural and/or cornice/picture rail, stabilization of cracks in the ceiling and in the cornice/picture rail which will also improve their appearance, other plaster repairs required for the cornice and picture rail to improve their appearance and stability, stabilization of original painted surfaces and failed in-painted surfaces from previous painting campaigns, new in-painting (as required) in order to return the mural, cornice, and picture rail to their historic appearance, upgrade of previous repairs and painting campaigns which have resulted in surface discoloration, uneven surface texture, or other forms of degradation or loss, and the successful installation and de-installation of project equipment. In all cases, the project will include conducting the identified solubility tests and producing the related one page briefing report as well as the final treatment report.

Approach, methodology, and materials for this project shall be outlined in detail in the bidder’s proposal, and executed with no deviation.

Documentation work for this project, which can be performed off-site, shall consist of producing a detailed treatment report which includes before and after photos of the work and also a one page briefing report which details the findings of the conservator’s solubility tests and their subsequent recommendations for approaching the conservation. The vendor shall be required to conduct solubility tests on both the ceiling and cornice finishes (both on the original painted surfaces and the later in-painted surfaces) and to report their findings/recommendations in their one page briefing report.

• 4.2 Mold treatments or structural repairs to the ceiling structure itself, or to the plaster field underneath the mural canvas, or re-adhering the mural canvas to the ceiling, are not included in the scope of this work. Any proposal containing suggestions, approaches, options, or ideas that do not conform to this above stated requirement shall not be considered.

• 4.3 The circa 1891 nine-light ceiling chandelier and its corresponding wall sconces will remain in the room, as hard-wired features, during the course of the project. An oversized chest of drawers and a historic brass bed frame shall remain in this room during the course of this project. Stained glass transom windows that date from the historic period as well as a fireplace with a glass front overmantel and historic parquet flooring are also located within the immediate vicinity of the ceiling. The historic walls in the room were also recently restored. Selected vendor is responsible for protecting-in-place adjacent artifacts, restored and historic features/surfaces, built-in features, lighting fixtures/ceiling medallion, structural elements such as floors, window frames, and walls, stained glass windows/plain glass windows, fireplace mantel/overmantel/surround, and modern carpeting for the duration of the on-site work to avoid damage to any of these elements. These elements must be protected in place in Theodore’s Room by the Contractor and also along the path of travel used for installation and de-installation of any equipment or supplies. Please note that as per Section 5.0 of this document, the protect-in-place plan must be NPS approved to ensure its methods and materials are in accordance with the NPS and the Secretary of

Interior conservation, preservation, and storage standards. Work shall not proceed until the approved plan is executed.

The selected vendor shall also be required to adhere to park safety and security policies which are further detailed in this document. Safety precautions taken to prevent loss or damage to Glenmont artifacts and to minimize risk of accident or injury should be included in the bidder’s proposal.

• 4.4 The majority of the work shall be performed on-site (at the ceiling and cornice/picture rail location), in Theodore’s Room on the second floor of Glenmont. Project shall conserve a circa 1900 floral ceiling mural, and its corresponding cornice/picture rail, in their current location (without deviation) in Theodore’s Room. All conservation work shall be performed on-site in Theodore’s Room at Glenmont. The circa 1900 ceiling mural, and its related cornice, picture rail, and canvas, shall not be removed from their original locations on the ceiling/walls, either in part or in full, during the course of the project, for the purpose of completing this work (this includes during testing or any pre-work leading up to conservation). In short, the circa 1900 ceiling mural and its corresponding cornice/picture rail/canvas/border/frame/or trim shall not be removed from its current location on this ceiling at Glenmont, either in part or full, during the course of this project for any reason.

Any proposal containing suggestions, approaches, options, or ideas that do not conform to this above stated requirement shall not be considered.

• 4.5 Selected vendor is responsible for the conservation of the ceiling mural and the cornice/picture rail using methods and materials in accordance with the NPS and the

Secretary of Interior conservation, preservation, and storage standards that meet industry identified curatorial standards. It is important to note that the NPS advocates replacing historic materials in-kind and using the least invasive approach to conserving original finishes. This criteria should be considered when formulating a bidding proposal. Selected vendor shall ensure that the ceiling, its canvas, it cornice, its picture rail, and other adjacent artifacts, finishes, or architectural features, as well as the modern carpeting, within the mansion are not damaged during the project.

Any proposal containing suggestions, approaches, options, or ideas that do not conform with NPS conservation, preservation, and storage 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) shall not be considered. Please note that in these circumstances, the park advocates using the least invasive method to complete the work while maintaining safety and preservation standards.

• 4.6 Hot work, which includes the performance of work with any heat generating equipment including tack irons, heat guns, blow dryers, welding equipment, etc. must be pre-approved and adhere to park hot work and fire watch procedures which are detailed in

Addendum C of this solicitation.

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

$100,000 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. Selected contractor must be present on-site for these activities as well as for all on-site deliveries.

• 4.8 Selected vendor is responsible for any damage that occurs during the course of their work while working on site, including but not limited to, damage to the circa 1900 floral ceiling mural, the ceiling and canvas under the mural, the room’s cornice/picture rail and walls or damage to other historic artifacts, damage to historic finishes/surfaces or architectural features such as stained glass and plain glass windows, light fixtures, ceiling medallions, floors, fireplace overmantels/surrounds or walls, damage to modern carpeting, or to any building systems or estate areas. This includes during the time of transport, installation, and de-installation of the scaffolding or any other related equipment, during supply delivery, and also during pre-testing (solubility tests, etc.) which will be used to prepare for the conservation work.

• 4.9 If scaffolding or similar equipment is chosen for this project, contractor shall verify that the scaffold is the correct type for the loads, materials, and employees required for this project (ie designed to accommodate the weight of the workers, supplies, etc.) Footings shall be sound and capable of supporting loads. Equipment components shall be free of bends, cracks, rust, holes, broken welds, or any other damage that could affect the effectiveness of the equipment. These determinations shall be made by a competent person.

A competent person is defined as “one who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions, which are unsanitary, hazardous to employees, and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them”. Contractor is responsible for following the OSHA scaffold regulations

(such as 1926.451) for said equipment and is responsible for proper assembly of equipment used for this project.

5.0 DELIVERY

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

Within ten days of the award and prior to the commencement of on-site work, a Certificate of Insurance shall be provided to the NPS.

• Pre-start meeting – Within 30 days of award, contractor shall contact COR to discuss project and work schedule. Conservation team shall be required to submit an NPS approved health and safety work plan within 10 days after the award. In this plan the contractor shall address how they shall adhere to CDC guidance related to COVID-19 in the work place. The manual “Guidance on Preparing Work Places for COVID-19” (OSHA

3990-03 2020) is attached to this solicitation for the bidder’s reference. On-site work shall not proceed until the health and safety work plan is approved. This includes any set up, preliminary investigation, testing, or equipment delivery. Selected contractor must review the statement of work carefully in order to ensure that their submitted plan adheres to the guidelines set forth in the statement of work.

• Within 30 days after the award, conservator shall also be required to submit an NPS approved Protect-In-Place plan detailing how walls and walkways, carpeting, built-in cabinets/fireplace, floors, historic light fixtures/ceiling medallion, windows/window frames/doorways, adjacent furniture, architectural features, etc. shall be protected in place by the contractor, identifying specific techniques and materials to be used. 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 conservation, preservation, and storage standards. The plan must also meet the requirements set forth in this document.

Work shall not proceed until the approved plan is executed.

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

Daily report detailing work attempted or accomplished.

• 5.3 Within fifteen days of the commencement of on-site work, contractor must submit a one page briefing report outlining the findings of their solubility tests on the mural and the associated cornice/picture rail. The one page briefing report shall also include recommendations regarding how to proceed with the conservation work, based upon the findings of the solubility tests.

Additionally, at the conclusion of the on-site work the selected vendor shall provide the following: The selected vendor shall produce a treatment report for this project detailing the work executed which outlines its process and also the materials (with product specs) used to complete the work. It shall include before and after color photos of the work as it progresses as well as when it is completed. The contractor shall provide these reports to the COR in the following format:

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

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 Contractor’s Additional Responsibility

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/doorways, stained glass and plain glass windows/window frames, fireplace, light fixtures, etc.), and refrain from storing project equipment on-site during the course of the project with the exception of scaffolding, and is responsible for purchasing all supplies related to the project.

Contractor shall be responsible for removal of all trash debris on a daily basis. Contractor is responsible for trash disposal. No trash can be deposited in park’s dumpster. Due to the historic nature of this work, and its associated safety and security risks, sub-contracting for this project is prohibited.

6.0 GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED PROPERTY

• 6.1 The government shall not provide any supplies, materials, equipment (including scaffolding or transport of scaffolding), or labor for this project. Please take note that the government shall not provide a ladder or a light source for this project which includes during any on-site visits for potential bidders. The government shall not provide any tools to complete the work. A power source shall be provided on-site by the NPS during scheduled work hours.

• 6.2 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. All related project expenses are the responsibility of the contractor.

• 6.3 The selected vendor is responsible for the cost and acquisition of all project related materials, labor, and services necessary to complete the work of this contract. Project related expenses of any kind are the responsibility of the contractor.

• 6.4 The government shall provide a water source during 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 (Refer to

Attachment C of this document for more details). Backpacks, boxes, 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 shall be required to submit an NPS approved health and safety work plan. Plan shall detail steps taken by the contractor to avoid damage to Glenmont artifacts and historic features as well as steps taken to reduce the incident of accident or injury during the course of the project to protect personnel as well as well as steps taken to reduce the incident of accident or injury during the course of the project for park staff and volunteers, the contracting team, and the visiting public.

Plan shall 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 shall 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. It is important to note that there is limited ventilation inside of Glenmont. Also, any required PPE shall have up-to-date certification and an up-to-date fit test if required for on-site work. Please note that any materials (including dirty rinsing water) used by the contractor cannot be disposed of in the historic sinks inside of Glenmont.

Please note that the materials used by the contractor for this project (including materials used for protecting in place, testing, and conservation work) will also be reviewed in order to ensure that they meet NPS standards for preservation and conservation projects and that the materials are considered to be professional museum grade, in-kind materials (to the greatest extent possible), and are reversible.

In the NPS approved health and safety work plan, the contractor shall also address how they shall adhere to CDC guidance related to COVID-19 in the work place. The manual “Guidance on

Preparing Work Places for COVID-19” (OSHA 3990-03 2020) is attached to this solicitation for the contractor’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 workplace and/or current guidelines dictated for federal NPS facilities.

These guidelines are continually being updated and shall change over time.

Scaffolding shall be equipped with toerails, midrails, and guardrails, adhering to OSHA standards.

Additional safety requirements for equipment are outlined in Section 4.8 of this document.

Due to the historic nature of the estate and fire safety concerns, please note that hot work, including use of heat guns, tacking irons, welding, or use of other heat generating equipment, shall adhere to park Hot Work and Fire Watch requirements outlined in the addendum of this statement of work. Hot work requires advanced NPS approval.

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.

8.0 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

8.1 LOCATIONS

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

National Historical Park:

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

National Historical Park, Llewellyn Park, 12 Honeysuckle Avenue, West Orange, New Jersey. Selected vendor shall deliver (or be present for any supply delivery), install, and de-install any scaffolding or associated equipment used for the project by advanced appointment only. Work shall take place on location inside of

Glenmont in Theodore’s Room on the second floor of Glenmont. Please note that navigating steps 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 plan accordingly, notating how these restrictions shall be handled in their bidding proposal.

2. Special attention shall also be paid to not damage historic objects adjacent to the work site in the fully furnished exhibit rooms as well as navigating narrow corridors and historic stairwells that feature historic finishes and furniture.

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 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.

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

9.0 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The contractor shall be required to commence work under this contract within 30 calendar days after the date of the award to the Contractor, execute the work diligently and complete the entire project within a six month timeframe which begins on the date of award.

Within 10 calendar days after award, submit Certificate of Liability Insurance for on-site conservation work as well as the NPS approved health and safety plan. Within 30 days after the award, conservator shall also be required to submit an NPS approved Protect-In-Place plan detailing how walkways, carpeting, built-in cabinets, floors, adjacent furniture, fireplace/overmantel, walls/doorways, historic light fixtures/ceiling medallion, window frames/windows, architectural features, etc. shall be protected in place by the contractor, identifying specific curatorially appropriate techniques and conservation-grade materials to be used, which must meet NPS and Department of Interior preservation, conservation, and storage standards. Within 15 calendar days of the commencement of on-site work, submit a one page briefing report outlining the findings of their solubility tests on the mural and the associated cornice/picture rail which includes testing on both original surfaces and later in-painted surfaces.

Within 30 calendar days after date of award, contact COR to discuss project and schedule for on-site work.

Upon completion of contract, the selected vendor shall submit two final paper copies and one electronic copy of the treatment report with all photo documentation for the project, to the COR and shall have removed all associated supplies and equipment from on-site locations. Upon completion of the project the contractor shall also submit two final paper copies and one electronic copy of their solubility testing one page briefing report, with associated recommendations for conservation, to the COR.

DELIVERABLES: DUE:

Provide Certificate of Liability Insurance for on-site conservation work, NPS approved health and safety plan

Within 10 calendar days of award

Provide an NPS approved Protect-in-Place plan Within 30 days of award

Contact COR to schedule on-site work/conduct pre-project meeting

Within 30 calendar days of award

Submit solubility testing one page briefing report with subsequent recommendations

Within 15 days of the commencement of on-site work

Complete on-site work at Glenmont Within 160 calendar days of award

Submit final treatment report to NPS staff Within 165 calendar days of award

NPS review and final approval of project work Within 180 calendar days of award

10.0 PAYMENT SCHEDULE

A. Upon completion of fifty percent of the on-site conservation work for the floral ceiling mural and its corresponding cornice/picture rail in Theodore’s Room and the submission and approval of the one page solubility testing briefing report with its associated recommendations (50 %).

B. Upon completion of all on-site conservation work, removal of all associated project equipment and materials from Glenmont, and upon submission and acceptance of the final treatment report (50%).

Attachment A

Contemporary photos of Theodore’s Room on the second floor of Glenmont

Modern photos of damaged floral ceiling mural in Theodore’s Room

Additional modern photos illustrating damage to the decorative ceiling and cornice/picture rail in Theodore’s Room at Thomas Edison’s home, Glenmont

Attachment B/RULES FOR CONTRACTORS IN HISTORIC BUILDINGS

Food, drink, or gum chewing are not permitted in the historic buildings. Debris and staining left behind can permanently damage museum objects. Smoking is not permitted. Do not attempt to move or touch anything in the museum. Museum objects are too weak for functional use. We do not use historic sinks, bathrooms, ladders, chairs, or tables. Alternate work hours are subject to approval. Please review your daily work plans at your morning meeting with the assigned NPS staff member.

Any…