Attachment_0001_-_SOW.pdf

SOW CHRI Conservation Metal Objects Page 1

STATEMENT OF WORK

CONSERVATION TREATMENT FOR COLLECTIONS AFFECTED BY

HURRICANES IRMA AND MARIA

PMIS 244695

CHRISTIANSTED NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE

OBJECTIVE

This project shall result in the cleaning and conservation of several metal objects and architectural features negatively affected by Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017.

These collections were surveyed, and treatment proposals submitted in FY2020 by Fran Ritchie, Objects Conservator at Harpers Ferry Center.

Those treatment proposals are the basis for this contract, portions are included herein. The full survey report is attached.

SCOPE

In accordance with the terms and conditions of the Contract, the Contractor shall perform the work as described below for the National Park Service (NPS).

CONFIDENTIALITY

The information developed under this Contract is the property of the U. S. Government and shall be kept in strict confidence.

The Contractor shall not share photos or information about this project on social media.

The Contractor may share photos of the park from areas accessible to the public on social media.

INTRODUCTION AND PARK INFORMATION

It is preferable for any project work to begin as soon as possible.

About the Location:

The U.S. Virgin Islands are in the Atlantic Time Zone

Christiansted National Historic Site www.nps.gov/chri Park mailing address:

2100 Church St. #100 Christiansted, VI 00820

The park is located on the island of St. Croix, in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Recommend obtaining lodging as close as possible to the park as traffic can be difficult.

NOTE: Travel to St. Croix requires proof of a negative COVID-19 test. Please check requirements before travel as they may change.

http://www.nps.gov/chri

SOW CHRI Conservation Metal Objects Page 2

USVI | COVID-19 Traveler Screening Tool (usvitravelportal.com)

SCOPE OF WORK

Contractor shall provide all travel, personnel, and professional services required for the following:

• The conservator must comply with the Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Practice of the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC) in all work performed.

• Work on site shall be coordinated with the NPS. Travel to CHRI for the project.

• Conduct an entrance interview with the Superintendent, COR, and/or designated park staff upon arrival at the park. The purpose of the interview is to explain to the staff the conservator's methodology and anticipated survey schedule and to detail any local support that may be needed.

• Supply all specialized equipment, PPE, and supplies necessary to complete the work.

• Based on the Conservation Survey for Post-Hurricane Recommendations for Metal

Objects from December 2019, begin conservation work on the collections (reference attachment 0002.

CHRI shall provide:

• Suitable workspace.

• Workspace that is cordoned off from visitors.

• A locked area to store tools and equipment for the duration of the work at the park.

• Assistance with pick up/delivery of any chemicals or equipment that may have to be sent via boat prior to the conservators being at the park.

• Assistance with local businesses who do rigging and lifting.

• Access to objects listed in this SOW.

• Answers to questions about preventive care, cyclic care, of the objects.

• Other information as needed.

List of Options for Bid o Iron Crown located over Fort Sally Port Gate – the iron feature is actively corroding and has areas of loss. Given its location directly over visitors and staff, the crown should be deinstalled and treated to stabilize and prevent further deterioration.

During treatment, a more thorough examination can determine whether the crown feature should be reproduced and replaced (and the original then placed in environmentally controlled storage). The treatment process would be similar to the treatment of the lantern and could be carried out by a professional conservator (see below). Recommend a professional conservator.

https://usvitravelportal.com/

SOW CHRI Conservation Metal Objects Page 3 o Historic Scale, located inside the Scale House (sea level, open-walled) – comparison to photographs from 2008 shows a continued corrosion of metal surfaces, some of which are thin sheet metal that shall eventually rust to nothing (i.e. complete loss) if no action is taken. Recommended steps:

Recommend exploring the options for an environmentally controlled storage space first, then reaching out to professional architectural conservators for removal and treatment of the scale, followed by having a reproduction made.

1. Secure an environmentally controlled storage space.

2. Remove the original scale from the Scale House to the controlled storage space and perform conservation treatment to halt corrosion. Treated scale can also be displayed in an exhibit space that is environmentally controlled in the future.

3. Provide pricing as an optional bid item to fabricate a replica scale to install outside in the Scale House in the original location.

o Historic Steeple bell (copper alloy) and wooden support beam, located in

Historic Steeple Building Clock Tower (top of cupola) – although stainless steel braces were added to the wooden support beam in 2016, the beam continues to deteriorate due to water penetration and should be replaced; the bell is exhibiting green and white corrosion products (beyond a protective cupric oxide layer) and requires further analysis to determine presence of bronze disease on the interior. Need to remove bell for thorough conservation treatment and replace wooden support beam. Recommend a professional conservator.

o Cast Iron Lantern, located at the southeast side of the Danish Customs House (in a cement base, at sea level) – considerable rust and delamination of metal surface, especially on the interior western-facing surfaces, as well as crevices and joins that collect water. Need to perform conservation treatment and apply a coating, similar to the treatment performed recently (2019) on the cannons inside the Fort. Recommend contacting a professional (and possibly group the work with the iron crown mentioned in the previous point).

o Exterior Copper Clad Door, located at Fort Christiansvaern Gun Powder

Magazine – the door was jammed into its frame by strong winds sustained during the hurricane, which cracked the wooden substrate and bent the copper cap on the exterior, now misaligned and subject to easier water penetration. One original copper bolt is also missing. Needs treatment and a reproduction bolt. Recommend a professional conservator.

• Provide the park with treatment reports, including before/after photos, to cover all the work.

SOW CHRI Conservation Metal Objects Page 4

Editing and Production for Treatment Reports and Surveys:

Using the most recent editions of the Harpers Ferry Center Editorial Guide, the Denver Service Center Editorial Style Guide, the Chicago Manual of Style, edit and format the text per the following:

• Standardization within the document of:

• Grammar and spelling

• Fonts and format

• Table of contents

• Forms, charts, and tables

• Section introductions and headings

• Headers, footers, photo caption and footnotes

Inclusion of photographs:

• The document shall include color photographs inserted into the text at appropriate sizes for descriptive purposes.

• They shall be provided in digital format with a size of 4x6 at 150dpi.

• All cover art shall be provided in digital format in a size of 8.5x11 at 300 dpi.

• The front cover shall be a color photograph or artwork with title and standard NPS identifier.

The conservator shall provide the following via a secure file transfer site provided by the

NPS:

• Digital files with full color images of each object in an uncompressed TIFF format and

JPEGS with Dublin Core metadata provided for each image. The images shall be filename with the catalog number associated with the original list. If there is more than one object per original number they shall be labeled as “a, .b, .c” accordingly. This number shall also appear in the image. This can either be on a card during image capture or added as a layer in Adobe Photoshop after the images are taken.

• A signed release form granting copyrights of all photographs to the park. (See NPS Museum Handbook, Part III, Figure 3.4, p. 3:78, Assignment of Copyright by Contractor.). The Conservator may keep a copy of each image for private or educational use. Images kept by the Conservator shall not be used in for-profit publications, for, for commercial distribution, or for exhibitions by the surveyor or any other individual or institution without written permission from the Superintendent or Park Curator. The credit line shall include the following information: "Courtesy of the National Park Service," Park Name, Object Name, Object Date, Catalog Number.

• Photographs included in the final document shall also be provided to the park in digital format with a size of at least 300dpi.

https://www.nps.gov/museum/publications/MHIII/mh3ch3.pdf https://www.nps.gov/museum/publications/MHIII/mh3ch3.pdf https://www.nps.gov/museum/publications/MHIII/mh3ch3.pdf

SOW CHRI Conservation Metal Objects Page 5

• The final report and all photos shall be submitted via a secure file share link through the

NPS.

Production of the document – Deliverable shall be in Digital Format:

As applicable:

• All cover art shall be provided in digital format in a size of at least 300 dpi.

• The front cover shall be a (full bleed/no bleed) color photograph or artwork with title and identifiers

• The back cover shall be a (full bleed/no bleed), (color), photograph or artwork

• Covers shall be approved by the COR via secure file sharing.

• The Contractor shall provide the CHRI with a draft digital file of the final document in

MS Word for review via secure file sharing.

If necessary, the COR shall send the draft to interested parties for peer review and comment.

Comments and edits shall be tracked via track changes in MS Word and shall be returned to the COR. Any pages containing changes required in the final draft shall be returned to the Contractor within 30 calendar days.

The Contractor shall make the requested changes and provide the COR with a digital final review draft and signature page within 30 calendar days. The “signature draft” copy shall be in the final digital production format, including covers for separate printing and binding. Any hard copies shall be printed by the NPS.

The final document review shall be completed by the COR and the park. Signatures shall be electronic (pdf). The signature page shall be returned to the Contractor within 30 calendar days.

There should be no substantial changes in text at this time, however some pages with minor errors may be returned to the Contractor for corrections at this time.

Within 30 calendar days the Contractor shall provide the COR with the final documents in digital format in MS Word format.

Final deliverables become property of the NPS once the reports are submitted.

Final on-site inspection of the work shall be coordinated through the COR.

Work Coordination

The Contractor shall coordinate the site visit through the CO

Work shall be reviewed and approved by the COR.

PROJECT SCHEDULE

Task Date Award Contract TBD Work Schedule and Park Orientation Meeting (conference call) Within 14 calendar days of Contract Award

SOW CHRI Conservation Metal Objects Page 6

On site work As soon as possible Work begins When on site Review/comments if necessary, Within 30 calendar days of receipt of draft of the final report NPS Review of Consultant Responses Within 10 calendar days of completion The final review Within 30 calendar days of receipt Final Acceptance Upon acceptance of project completion

Conservation Options Conservation procedures completed as described in the Conservation Survey for Post-Hurricane Recommendations for Metal Objects (complete document provided separately):

Iron Crown, located over Fort Sally Port Gate – Condition: The iron feature is actively corroding and has areas of loss. Given its location directly over visitors and staff, the crown should be deinstalled and treated to stabilize and prevent further deterioration. During treatment, a more thorough examination can determine whether the crown feature should be reproduced and replaced (and the original then placed in environmentally controlled storage).

Recommendation: The treatment process would be similar to the treatment of the lantern and could be carried out by a professional conservator during the same trip. Ideally the feature would be removed during treatment for easier accessibility.

SOW for conservation treatment:

1. Photographic and written documentation throughout project.

2. Remove current coating that is failing.

3. Remove corrosion and assess to ensure core iron is still structurally sound.

4. Apply new protective coating. Material submittal for coating shall be reviewed and approved by the COR.

Historic Scale, located inside the Scale House (sea level, open-walled) – Condition: Comparison to photographs from 2008 shows a continued corrosion of metal surfaces, some of which are thin sheet metal that will eventually rust to nothing (i.e. complete loss) if no action is taken.

The park must identify and secure an environmentally controlled storage space. The scale shall not be removed and placed in an uncontrolled environment. When the corrosion mechanisms are not addressed, the threat of complete loss remains.

After an appropriate storage space is secured, remove the original scale, and perform conservation treatment on the components. It may be possible to replicate the original without much handling of the original components, but if they must be handled extensively, it cannot be completed until the original is conserved and more structurally stable.

The park will produce a temporary information panel/wayside to explain why the scale has been removed. The panel shall be installed on exhibit in the Scale House in the current location.

SOW CHRI Conservation Metal Objects Page 7

SOW for conservation treatment:

1. Photographic and written documentation throughout project and especially before removal.

2. Removal of scale from Customs House.

3. Cleaning and stabilization of wooden components.

4. Desalination of metal components as deemed necessary after testing for chlorides.

5. Reduce corrosion.

6. Apply protective coating. Material submittal for coating shall be reviewed and approved by the COR.

Historic Steeple bell (copper alloy), striker, and wooden support beam, located in Historic Steeple Building Clock Tower (top of cupola) – Condition: Although stainless steel braces were added to the wooden support beam in 2016 (see attachment ), it continues to deteriorate due to water penetration and shall be replaced; the bell is exhibiting green and white corrosion products (beyond a protective cupric oxide layer). The Contractor shall analyze to determine presence of bronze disease on the interior.

Recommendation: *Remove bell and striker for thorough conservation treatment and replace wooden support beam.

SOW for conservation treatment:

1. Photographic and written documentation throughout project.

2. Remove corrosion.

3. Apply protective coating. Material submittal for coating shall be reviewed and approved by the COR.

Cast Iron Lantern, located at the southeast side of the Danish Customs House (in cement base, at sea level) – Condition: Considerable rust and delamination of metal surface, especially on the interior western-facing surfaces, as well as crevices and joints that collect water.

Recommendation: The treatment process shall be similar to the treatment of the iron crown.

SOW for conservation treatment:

1. Photographic and written documentation throughout project.

2. Remove current coating that is failing.

3. Remove corrosion and assess to ensure core iron is still structurally sound.

4. Apply new protective coating. Material submittal for coating shall be reviewed and approved by the COR.

Exterior Copper Clad Door, located at Fort Christiansvaern Gun Powder Magazine – Condition: The door was jammed into its frame by strong winds sustained during the hurricane, which cracked the wooden substrate and bent the copper cap on the exterior, which is now misaligned and subject to easier water penetration. One original copper bolt also missing.

Recommendation: Apply caps/wood filler and re-align the door as much as possible, unless it would cause further damage. Discuss re-alignment with the COR prior to commencing re-alignment. Replace missing copper bolt with a replica.

SOW CHRI Conservation Metal Objects Page 8

SOW for conservation treatment:

1. Photographic and written documentation throughout project.

2. Re-align door using mechanical manipulation.

3. Fill gaps that remain with gap filler, if necessary. Gap filler material submittal shall be reviewed and approved by the COR.

4. Cap top of door to prevent water penetration.

5. Replace missing copper bolt with a replica.

The Contractor is responsible for including the cost of a local company/riggers to lift and move objects like the bell and the scale, and return them to the original location, or ensure they are moved to secure storage in the park when conservation work is complete.

PERFORMANCE PERIOD

The work shall begin following the contract award, proceed in accordance with the schedule for submittals, and be completed no later than 365 calendar days after issuance of the Notice to Proceed.

CONDITIONS

The Contractor shall coordinate with the designated point of contact at CHRI and the COR as necessary to complete the work as and when required. This may include participating in conference calls and product review meetings.

PROGRESS PAYMENTS ARE AUTHORIZED

POINTS OF CONTACT:

Contracting Officer Scott Achin, Contracting Officer DeSoto Major Acquisition Buying Office 8300 DeSoto Memorial Hwy Bradenton, FL 34209

Qualifications

A conservator performing or supervising the conservation of works of art, objects, or architectural features should have as a minimum the qualifications as laid out in the American Institute for Conservation’s (AIC) definition of Professional Associate and have achieved Professional Associate status with AIC or compatible status in a similar conservation organization:

EDUCATION: an undergraduate university degree in conservation or historic preservation with an emphasis on conservation, or the international equivalent [or the equivalent in work experience under a qualified conservator, in addition to the training and experience noted below]:

TRAINING: The applicant is required to have:

SOW CHRI Conservation Metal Objects Page 9 o two (2) years of full-time formal education or related supervised training in conservation method and theory OR o two (2) years of full-time formal education or related supervised training in a field appropriate to other professional involvement in conservation (e.g., chemistry for conservation scientists, library science for library preservation administrators, art history for museum conservation administrators, business management for administrators).

EXPERIENCE: The applicant is required to have three (3) years of full-time work or its part-time equivalent in conservation or in a conservation related profession after training. Program training internships may not be counted toward this requirement.

PROFESSIONAL ETHICS: Applicants must demonstrate ability to adhere to the AIC Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Practice. [See Appendix Two] Evidence may include: recent examination forms; proposed and completed treatment forms; reports of scientific investigations;

lecture materials; planning documents; survey reports, etc.

Conservator/Conservation:

The conservator should have a proven record of education and hands-on experience. Much of the review is for museum storage, exhibits, environmental monitoring, recommendations for improving museum storage, issues with exhibits (lighting, pests, temperature, etc.). Conservators are responsible for the long- term preservation of artistic and cultural artifacts. They do this by analyzing and assessing the condition of cultural property, understanding processes and evidence of deterioration, planning collections care or site management strategies that prevent damage, carrying out conservation treatments, and conducting research in all of the areas previously indicated. Conservation is an interdisciplinary field involving studio practices, sciences, and the humanities.

END OF DOCUMENT