A04-SARA_Cannon_Carriage_SOW_(FY2026).docx

STATEMENT OF WORK

Replace Two Cannon Carriages for use with reproduction cannon barrels at Saratoga NHP (SARA)

Saratoga National Historical Park National Park Service August 14, 2025

SECTION 1—STATEMENT OF WORK INTRODUCTION

1.1. Project Location and Identification. The location of this project for which supplies are contracted is Saratoga NHP in Stillwater, NY.

1.2. Site Background.

Saratoga NHP is nationally significant because it is the site where decisive, world-renown battles took place in the American Revolutionary War. The British surrender which followed (also within Saratoga NHP boundaries) has traditionally been acknowledged as the turning point of the war. The event also marked the first time in world history that a British Army had ever surrendered. This surrender was a major component of convincing the French that the time was right to form the famed, war-winning Franco-American alliance of February 1778. Saratoga NHP tells that story and interprets the importance of these events.

1.3. Required Services. The purpose of this contract is to provide the supplies and assembly work necessary for the complete reproduction of TWO (2) light 6-pounder cannon carriages, which will be exhibited at Bemus Heights (tour road stop 3) on the Saratoga NHP tour road.

The contractor will build, complete, both carriages and deliver them to Saratoga NHP. Saratoga NHP will supply two replica iron light 6-pounders for each of the two carriages, mount the guns on the carriages, and deploy each to their destination site (tour road stop 3).

Upon delivery of each of the two carriages to Saratoga NHP (648 Rte. 32, Stillwater, NY 12170), the contractor will ensure and guarantee the fitting and compatibility of each cannon barrel onto each respective carriage, per measurements of said barrels acquired ahead of time by the contractor.

Base supplies are detailed later in this SOW.

The Contractor shall provide all project management, labor, tools, equipment, shipping, transport, and materials required to execute the work as described in this SOW. The work area and work requirements for this contract are described herein.

1.4. Project Background. In early 1777, the Salisbury Furnace in Salisbury, Connecticut, cast several iron cannon barrels for the state, many of which were delivered to upstate New York for the purpose of defending the Ticonderoga peninsula, Mount Independence, and vessels intended for construction on Lake George. After the manifestation of the British invasion from Canada in early summer, only some of the cannons located at Lake George could be saved. These were yet unmounted and thus travelling carriages for them were built in July – September 1777 by Continental Army artificer blacksmiths, carpenters, wheelwrights, and nailors in Saratoga and Albany. By the time of the First Battle of Saratoga (mid-September), three Salisbury-cast iron light 6-pounders (and others) had been mounted and deployed with the American Northern Army at Bemus Heights. Research demonstrates that the Continental Army artificers were at least broadly guided by the descriptions, measurements, and plans laid forth in John Muller’s A Treatise of Artillery (London: J Millan, 1757, 2d. ed. 1768). These carriages (commonly today called “Muller” carriages), which were new American-made and mounted new American-made cannons, were both modelled after British designs.

This SOW calls for TWO (2) of the three carriages of the type which were built in 1777.

These cannons are not used for firing demonstrations. The cannons help to set an accurate scene for visitors, depicting the munitions that existed on the battlefield in 1777.

1.5. Situation Analysis as of 2025

Travelling Carriage The two previous cannon carriages were constructed of wood with steel mountings. The wood has since deteriorated and both have been removed from service. The cannon tubes are currently stored in the Saratoga NHP maintenance area. The original carriages were constructed of solid hardwood (white oak) pieces. All metal parts were custom fabricated and treated prior to painting. Replacement reproduction carriages will require similar quality and attention to detail.

1.6. Terms

Saratoga National Historical Park (Saratoga NHP; SARA) Contracting Officer (CO) Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR)

1.7. Attachments.

A. ATTACHMENT A. SPECIFICATIONS

B. ATTACHMENT B. CANNON DRAWINGS

1.8. Contractor Responsibilities:

A. Contractor shall provide, in writing, documentation of expertise and success in reproducing historic wooden artillery carriages with steel or iron mountings.

B. Contractor shall provide necessary project management, labor, tools, equipment, shipping, transport, and materials and insurance, to perform work to reproduce and deliver the cannon carriages.

C. Contractor will be responsible for the assembly of new carriages at their own facility, although some minor adjustment work may be necessary upon delivery at SARA.

D. Contractor should conduct an onsite visit to inspect cannon barrels and take accurate measurements, notes, photos, etc. of the existing replica light 6-pounder cannon tubes in order to accurately reproduce the carriages. Also, the contractor will have access to carriages of the type to be built which are currently in use at the park.

E. Contractor will have full access to SARA’s architectural and design blueprints for the carriages. These are housed in the park’s archives (located onsite), and include scaled, measured drawings of the carriages intended for construction. These comprise two oversized schematics, titled Cheeks, Trail Box, Axle Tree Details and Wheel (RG 01; Acc #: SARA-00380; CAT #: SARA 5549). Design and/or construction drawings for the carriages made by the contractor should be submitted for NPS review and acceptance prior to the commencement of carriage construction. As-built design drawings will be submitted at the completion of work.

1.9. PROJECT TASKS FOR BASE SUPPLIES: Necessary base supplies are divided into three primary tasks that are noted below and detailed in Section 2.1 of this document. Contractor shall successfully complete each task to the satisfaction of NPS SARA COR.

1.9.1. PROJECT TASKS FOR BASE SUPPLIES—Manufacture and deliver TWO (2) light 6-pounder travelling carriages of the “Muller” pattern for SARA.

Task 1: Site visit to assess work/safety conditions. Take measurements of existing cannon barrels shown by NPS staff which will be mounted on the carriages after delivery. Take measurements of other replica cannon carriages shown by NPS staff. Take photos, make copies, etc., of SARA archival schematics for the said carriages located in the park’s archives.

Task 2: Reproduce light field cannon and carriages. SARA staff will be available via email to answer questions regarding historical details related to the carriages.

Task 3: Deliver completed reproduction carriages to SARA.

Task 4: SARA staff will mount both barrels on the carriages upon delivery. The contractor’s final task will be to secure the barrels to the carriages via the carriage’s steel or iron hardware, thus confirming a correct fit per the measurements made in Task 1.

1.10. Government Furnished Property, Materials & Supplies. The Government shall provide:

A. Access to SARA, Monday through Friday, 9:00am to 4:30pm, barring Federal Holidays. Meetings between contractor and SARA must be arranged in advance.

B. Full access to the park’s replica 6-pounders, extant cannon carriages of the same pattern to be replicated, and architectural schematics of the same, including access to park staff as necessary to ensure accurate reproduction carriages.

1.11. Work Restrictions.

A. WORK HOURS: Construction of carriages must take place off-site.

B. TERM OF CONTRACT: The term of this contract is for 275 calendar days (9 months) from the date of the award.

1.12. Management.

The Contractor shall manage the total work effort in accordance with effective and efficient management principles and safe working practices to ensure on-time completion of this contract.

1.13. Safety & Environmental Compliance.

A. The Contractor shall comply with pertinent provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), state, and local safety laws and regulations.

B. The Contractor shall comply with pertinent local, state, and federal environmental protection laws and regulations.

C. The Contracting Officer has the authority to issue restraint or cease-and-desist orders to the Contractor when violations or unsafe acts are present and threaten Government and Contractor employees or damage to Government property D. The Contractor shall immediately report to the COR all accidents resulting in employee injury or death or damage to property while performing this contract.

1.14. Insurance.

The Contractor shall be insured and insurance will be valid for work provided. The Government is not responsible for damage to Contractor’s equipment, vehicles, tools or materials or their employees and the personal property brought on-site. The government will not accept any liability due to contractor employee negligence.

A. Workers Compensation: The Contractor shall furnish proof of workers compensation insurance to the Contracting Officer for those employees performing work related to this contract and shall comply with the Workman’s Compensation Laws.

B. Liability: The Contractor shall maintain a level of insurance that will protect the Contractor and the Government from any claims because of bodily injury (including death) and/or property damage which may arise from and during the performance of this contract and shall submit proof of insurance to the Contracting Officer.

1.15. Field Verification.

The cannon/carriages conditions (situation analysis) are approximate and provided for information only. The Contractor shall verify work conditions and design specifications to reproduce the cannon carriages.

1.16. Replacement of Contractor Employee for Security Reasons.

The Government retains the right to request removal of the Contractor’s employee(s), regardless of prior clearances.

1.17. Inspection.

The government representative will conduct inspections periodically (via electronic communication, pictures, drawings, or visit to contractor site) and upon completion of the required supplies. Final payment will be processed upon confirming that all noted contractor performance deficiencies have been satisfactorily corrected.

1.18. Contractor’s documentation deliverables.

The following deliverables are to be submitted upon acceptance of the offer:

A. Description of work plan activities, schedule of values, and schedule to perform required delivery and assembly.

B. Contractor safety plan/accident prevention plan.

SECTION 2 - SUMMARY OF WORK (SOW) Details

2.0. SUMMARY

This Section includes the following:

· Work covered by the Contract Documents

· Contractor use of premises

· Public use of site

· Work Schedule

· Deliverables

2.1. WORK COVERED BY CONTRACT DOCUMENTS

PROJECT TASKS FOR BASE SUPPLIES — Manufacture and delivery of TWO (2) travelling carriages for two replica light 6-pounder cannons for display on battlefield at SARA.

TASK 1: Site visit to assess work/safety conditions. Take measurements of existing carriages, canon tubes, and architectural schematics to develop design / manufacture drawings and plan for delivery.

Contractor shall conduct onsite visit(s) to inspect extant replica cannon carriages of the same type to be built under this contract, replica iron 6-pounder barrels which will be mounted on the carriages to be built under this contact, and SARA’s architectural drawings of said carriages, in order to gather any and all necessary measurements and documentation to develop design / construction drawings for the replica carriages to be built under this contract. SARA staff will be on hand for guidance during these visits, as needed, to assist with and clarify any questions. Drawings will be submitted to NPS for review and acceptance prior to commencement of manufacture.

TASK 2: Reproduce TWO (2) light 6-pounder travelling carriages of the “Muller” pattern for display at SARA.

Contractor shall submit documentation of material specifications of high quality and long-lasting materials as part of this task. Carriages are displayed outdoors in a variety of weather conditions and UV exposure. Material and specifications will include measured drawings / schematics, types, and treatments of wood and metal components. Wood components must be made of white oak. Wood components will be neither painted nor stained but will be treated with [some sort of non-gloss preservation treatment] to reflect the concept that the carriages built in summer 1777 were left unpainted.

All metalwork may be made of either iron or steel and may be forged or cast (historically, all metalwork was forged iron). All metal will receive a minimum of three coats of paint (one primer and two overcoats). The first coat shall be a white-colored rust-inhibiting primer. This will allow us to see when the topcoat has worn through, and we can recoat before we experience rust formation on the metal. The second and third coat shall be semi-gloss black-colored rust inhibitive topcoats for all metal components. These priming and paint layers may be applied by brush or sprayed.

TASK 3: Deliver completed reproduction carriages to SARA.

Contractor shall deliver both cannon carriages to SARA in their fully completed forms, but small adjustments may be made after delivery in the park’s maintenance area. Upon delivery, SARA staff will mount the replica both light 6-pounders (seen and measured by the contractor in Task 1) on their respective carriages. Contractor will then ensure proper fitting and securing of said barrels after mounting on the carriages, thus ensuring the accuracy of their measurements.

Contractor shall deliver enough black paint to touch up any scratches that occur during cannon tube placement. Such paint must be black semi-gloss appliable via brush (not spray).

Safety requirements are to be included in contractor safety plan.

CONTRACTOR USE OF SITE

General: Contractor shall have full use of the areas designated for assembly operations. Contractor's use of the areas designated for assembly are limited only by the Government's right to perform work or to retain other contractors on portions of Project. For this project, on-site activities are only permitted during installation of cannon carriages.

Storage of Materials: Confine storage of materials to areas designated by the CO and approved by COR at meeting. The National Park Service is not responsible for safety of stored materials or tools. The park will be open to the public during project. For this project, on-site storage is only permitted during installation of cannon carriages.

PUBLIC USE OF SITE

Contractor shall always conduct operations to ensure the least inconvenience to the visiting public. SARA may be open to the public during carriage installation, therefore appropriate safety measures must be taken during hours of operation.

Partial Government Occupancy: The government may access the designated areas to retrieve necessary supplies and equipment, for security purposes, and to inspect work, and the government will have access to SARA during the period of assembly, NPS staff offices and public viewing.

WORK SCHEDULE

The contractor shall complete all on-site assembly work within nine months of contract award. A schedule will be established during the first meeting.

All work shall be completed and final deliverables submitted within 275 days after the award document is distributed.

On-Site Work Hours: work shall be generally performed during normal business working hours from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except when otherwise indicated.

Evening and weekend hours: No on-site work will occur during evenings and weekends, unless approved by the park representative.

Holidays: No on-site work will occur on Federal Holidays.

This site-work is for initial cannon research / fact gathering and final carriage delivery only. Manufacture of carriages must take place off-site.

DELIVERABLES

· Delivery and confirmation of barrel fitting of cannon carriages for base supplies and additional options (if applicable).

· As-built drawings for carriages based on accepted quote.

ATTACHMENT A. SPECIFICATIONS

ATTACHMENT B. 1757 “Muller” schematic and photo of replica naval carriage coin (this attachment supplements onsite measurements and views of schematic drawings to be made during onsite visit).

ATTACHMENT C American 6-pounder description document image1.png