A04 SOW ROVA Conservation.docx

Evaluate Description/Specifications/Statement of Work Conservation Services for Museum Collections

I. Introduction This contract is for the procurement of conservation services for the National Park Service. As specified, the contractor shall provide recommended treatments for five objects in the park’s museum collection:

· Pair of Large Gothic Book Cabinets (Cat. No. VAMA 6873, 6874). Clear finished oak, each with three bays, carved pilasters, glass doors for the upper portion, and paneled wooden doors for the lower cabinets. Dimensions: 9’4” tall; 5’2” wide; 1’2” deep.

· Pair of Grand Orreries (Cat. No. VAMA 698, 699). Mahogany, glass, and brass mounted casing housing brass (silvered) mechanical hemispheres (one a planetarium, the other a tellurium, both with planets and central brass sun ball). Dimensions: 69cm tall; 85cm wide.

· Mechanical Clockworks from a Dutch Longcase Clock (Cat. No. HOFR 537). Eighteenth-century Dutch burr walnut veneer and inlaid musical longcase clock. Dimensions: 10ft high; 19in wide; 10in deep.

The contractor shall (1) evaluate and perform the recommended treatments; (2) prepare treatment plans and completion reports with photographic documentation of the work performed; (3) submit all photo documentation of the treatment for retention in the object catalog files. The work of this contract is to be performed in compliance with treatment recommendations specified in an earlier condition assessments (attached). Contract services must be directed and overseen by a professional conservator. The Contractor shall provide all labor and materials.

II. Project Background The National Park Service requires conservation treatment for objects in the museum collection from two parks located in Hyde Park, NY.

Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site was the former home of Frederick and Louise Vanderbilt from 1898-1938. Historically named Hyde Park, the property entered the National Park Service in 1940 and has since been open to the public as a historic house museum.

The Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site was the former home of Franklin D. Roosevelt, 32nd President of the United States. Roosevelt was born at this place, raised his own family here, and lies buried with Eleanor Roosevelt on the property. FDR and the family bequeathed the house and original furnishings to the National Park Service. The park opened to the public in 1946.

Pair of Gothic Book Cabinets, Cat. No. VAMA 6873, 6874

The book cabinets are among the original furnishings of the Pavilion (today the Pavilion serves as the park Visitor Center) and were removed from exhibit at some undetermined date (probably in the 1970s-1980s). The cabinets suffered from water damage (overhead pipe leak) and harsh environmental conditions while stored in the Vanderbilt Coach house. This project addresses the critical conditions documented in the attached 2015 conservation condition survey and treatment proposal. The cabinets have many loose and detached elements. There is extensive coatings loss, the result of a former water leak, and the surface is generally soiled overall. Limited on-site treatment was carried out in 2015 by a conservator to stabilize the cabinets and relocate them in a stable storage environment. Remaining treatment needs include structural conservation, coating removal, surface cleaning and coating integration. Treatment will enable the park to place the book cabinets on permanent exhibit in their historic location.

Pair of Grand Orreries, Cat. No. VAMA 698, 699

The architect Stanford White acquired these orreries for Frederick and Louise Vanderbilt as part of the original decorations for Hyde Park. They were manufactured in the 18th century by noted scientific instrument-maker George Adams of London. Long regarded as the ultimate in astronomical demonstration devices, the Vanderbilt pair of grand orreries are rare (few grand orreries survive) and their survival together as a pair is exceptional (only one other complete pair is known in Brussels). This project addresses the conditions documented in a survey and treatment proposal prepared in 2005. Work includes preparation of pedestal bases to support structural integrity, stabilization of all structural components and complete cleaning of internal and external parts, replace or re-install missing glass, brass planets, gilt brass zodiac mounts, fabricate and patch losses to wood components, removed overcoats of grime, apply microcrystalline paste wax, and optionally fabricate dust covers to prevent future damage from accumulation of dust and stabilize relative humidity.

The cylindrical pedestal bases originally used to display the orreries have stressed the case platforms due to weight load. This in turn has caused the panels to warp and bend the brass mechanism inside and stress the joints of the case frames. Seasonal shrinkage (from extreme fluctuations in humidity—the mansion is not air conditioned) has compounded conditions, including delamination of veneer, splitting, separating glue joints, and loosening glazing. Glass panels and cast metal zodiac ornaments that have completely separated are currently in storage. The wood finish has darkened, even black in some areas, and lost its translucency. VAMA 698 has suffered far less in terms of case platform stability, but VAMA 699 damage is compromising the structural integrity of the entire unit to a great degree.

Mechanical Clockworks; Cat. No. HOFR 537

This is a component part of an eighteenth-century Dutch burr walnut veneer and inlaid musical longcase clock purchased by FDR’s father in Amsterdam in 1881. It is among the original furnishings of the Roosevelt home. The clock case was stabilized, repaired and cleaned in 2007. This project addresses the needs of the clock mechanism based on a survey by horological conservator Jim Moss conducted in 2007. At that time, the condition of the clock mechanism was poor. Airborne particulates and the environmental fluctuations in temperature and humidity have caused significant damage to the mechanism over time. The clock’s historic location, directly opposite the main entrance to the house, only exacerbates these conditions. The entire movement is covered with particulate. Previous repairs undertaken during the Roosevelt and NPS ownership are inadequate and have contributed to significant damage. Exposure to previous chemical cleaners will eventually result in stress corrosion cracking on brass components even if the clock is not maintained in functional condition. This treatment will provide preventive maintenance and stabilization to preserve the clock in a non-functioning status.

III. Location of Services

Conservation work will be carried out at the contractor’s conservation facility. The Contractor will be responsible for transportation and delivery of the objects with qualified oversight to ensure appropriate protection from damage. The National Park Service may make site visits to the contractor’s facility to inspect the progress of work as coordinated with the contractor. Proof of insurance with a fine arts insurance company will be required.

IV. Scope of Services The contractor shall provide all labor and materials to perform the work. The contract work shall address the conditions necessary to stabilize and minimally restore the objects permitting permanent exhibition in their historic locations. Work to be performed includes:

A. The project will provide conservation services for five objects by a professional conservator with demonstrable experience in this specialization of conservation. Experience will be demonstrated by successful completion of similar conservation projects.

B. The contractor shall furnish all labor, materials and supplies necessary to complete all aspects of the contract in accordance with established American Institute for Conservation (AIC) guidelines for the treatment of museum objects.

C. The contractor shall survey the existing conditions, review prior surveys, evaluate previous treatment recommendations, and submit report outlining the proposed treatments, all supplies and materials to be used, and resumes or qualifications of all technicians who will be performing the work.

D. All work completed, while approved by the park, must meet the standards and current best practices of professional conservation societies (AIC). Contracting Officer Representative and park designated representative must approve treatments and products prior to purchase and application.

E. Contractor must respect the historical integrity of the artworks and take all reasonable precautions to protect the historic fabric. The contractor shall inform the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) of any damage to the fabric immediately; and will be responsible for in-kind repairs of any and all damage.

F. The contractor shall inform the COR and the park before any work is performed that could disturb the historic fabric of the structure.

G. Should damage occur during the conservation process, the COR shall be notified immediately. Contractor is responsible for all costs to repair or replace historic fabric damaged by the work of this project. COR and designated park representative will coordinate in-kind replacement materials and all work necessary to restore the original appearance of any damaged historic fabric.

H. The contractor shall prepare individual treatment reports for each object with photo documentation and deliver all digital photo documentation files for retention at the park.

V. Deliverables & Period of Performance All work specified shall be completed no later than six (6) months after the awardhas been issued.

VI. Minimum Qualifications and Criteria

· The contractor must have at least 10 years of experience as a professional paper conservator.

· The contractor must be a Professional Associate of the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC). Professional Associates of the AIC are approved by a panel of their peers for meeting the highest professional standards for conservation.

· The contractor must maintain personal liability insurance for their business.

The contractor shall utilize the key personnel named in their proposal to perform the services required under this contract.

In the event that any of the personnel named in the proposal are unable to perform because of death, Illness, resignation from the contractor's employ, or any other reasons, the contractor shall promptly submit to the contracting officer, in writing the following:

(1) a detailed explanation of the circumstances necessitating the proposed substitution;

(2) a complete resume for the proposed substitute; and

(3) any other Information needed to approve or disapprove the proposed substitution.

Any substitution of personnel will occur without any increase in the price and without any delay in the performance or delivery of services to the government. The CO shall have the right to require replacement of any contractor or sub-contractor employee assigned to work on this Task Order, if the employee is determined not to possess the experience or ability required under the Task Order, or if said employee is for any other reason found to be unsuitable to perform the work required by the Task Order.

VII. Preparation of Proposal, Technical Approach, and Evaluation

Evaluation for Award

Details of conditions from previous assessments and treatment recommendations are included in the descriptions in Section II and more details are attached. However, it is strongly recommended that proposals also be based on an on-site examination of the objects by the offeror.

Proposals will be evaluated as to the offeror’s ability to perform and satisfy all contractual requirements of the solicitation. Responses to this factor must address the offeror’s technical understanding of the project work requirements, and the commitment to accomplish all work in accordance with the solicitation requirements, and all project schedule requirements. The submitted proposal must clearly describe, demonstrate, and address the offeror’s capabilities and approach to:

A. Conserving the book cabinets B. Conserving the orreries C. Conserving the clockworks D. Proposed staffing for the project E. Technical understanding of the specific project work requirements, including the park’s treatment philosophy F. Commitment to accomplish all of the work in accordance with the solicitation requirements and schedule.

Basis of Award

Based on evaluation of the proposed price and technical factors, the offeror submitting a proposal considered most advantageous to the government will be selected to receive the award. Technical factors (60%) outweigh price (40%) slightly.

VIII. Images

1. VAMA 698

2. VAMA 699

3. HOFR 537

4. VAMA 6873, VAMA 6874

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