Attachment_1_-_SOW.pdf

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STATEMENT OF WORK

MUSEUM COLLECTION CONDITION SURVEY

JOHN MUIR NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE

I. CONFIDENTIALITY

The information developed under this Contract is the property of the United States government and shall be kept in strict confidence.

II. BACKGROUND

John Muir National Historic Site is composed of portions of the 2,600-acre ranch where John Muir lived, raised a family, farmed, wrote, advocated for environmental conservation, and was buried. Established in 1964, and expanded through subsequent legislation, the park today consists of the 9-acre Strentzel-Muir house estate which includes the Martinez Adobe, the 370-acre open space lands of Mount Wanda and West Hills Farm, and the Strentzel-Muir family gravesite where Muir was buried.

The main site contains the 1882 Italianate Victorian house where John Muir lived during the last 24 years of his life. On display in the house are objects owned by the Muir family and rotating exhibits allow visitors to see as much of the collection as possible.

Researchers can also access the collection for scholarly studies. The Strentzel-Muir house was listed as a National Historic Landmark in 1962 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1966.

Identified in the site’s foundation document as one of the fundamental resources and values, the John Muir National Historic Site museum collection is one of the world’s largest collection of artifacts, archives, and natural history specimens related to John Muir. The collection is critical in providing a tangible link to Muir’s life and work through educational programs, research opportunities, and through both virtual and onsite/offsite exhibition. Furthermore, the collection documents the founding of the park, documents the administrative operations to maintain the park, and improves the visitor experience through furnishing the Strentzel-Muir house.

The park’s museum collection includes park history and scholarly research archival documents, historic photographs, oral history audio/visual materials and printed transcripts, blueprints and maps, and historic artifacts of varying materials including metal, wood, glass, and natural fibers. Period pieces which have been used to furnish the Strentzel-Muir house in various configurations over the last 6 decades are part of the museum collection. The park also has collections of historic architecture samples and archaeological materials from both the Strentzel-Muir house and the Martinez Adobe.

The modern natural history museum collections includes plant, lepidoptera, ant, and bee specimens.

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Objects of notable significance include: ethnographic items collected by Muir in Alaska and Arizona; Muir’s saddle bells and binoculars; first editions of Muir’s published writings and books from his original library; Muir’s historic herbarium specimens and his original plant press; Muir’s suitcase; letters and legal documents associated with Muir and his descendants; sheet music which belonged to Muir’s wife, Louie; historic photographs of the Muir property and family; and scholarly research collections from collectors William and Maymie Kimes.

A formal Collection Condition Survey for the John Muir NHS collection was conducted in 2002, prior to the park retaining full-time curatorial staff. Since then, the park has rehoused much of the collection in acid-free materials and museum cabinetry. Active environmental monitoring, housekeeping, and IPM programs are in place. In 2017 and 2018, Muir’s historic herbarium of over 1,000 specimens was rehoused, remounted, and digitized in collaboration with the Jepson and University Herbaria at University of California, Berkeley. In 2022, a condition survey of the textiles in the collection was conducted and recommended treatments will be conducted in 2023 and 2024.

The purpose of this project is the completion of a formal collection condition survey resulting in a narrative report detailing general needed improvements, object condition reports with proposals for treatment, the labor hour estimates for conservation, and priorities for treatment. The survey shall also provide information on methods to slow the rate of deterioration by changes in storage techniques and conditions.

III. LOCATION

John Muir National Historic Site 4202 Alhambra Avenue Martinez, CA 94553

IV. STATEMENT OF WORK

The purpose of the work is to 1) conduct an on-site Collection Condition Survey (CCS) of 292 individual objects in the John Muir National Historic Site museum collection, as well as a group assessment and representative sampling of an additional 745 items (see Appendix for object type list); and 2) produce a report identifying the conservation and preservation needs of archival and historic objects within the museum collection.

The Collection Condition Survey is intended to:

1) Provide base-line information concerning the physical state of individual objects against which the rate and extent of future deterioration may be assessed and the success of conservation treatments and preventive care strategies may be evaluated.

2) Establish conservation priorities for use in program development and estimation of funding needed for conservation treatment.

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3) Identify levels of care and treatment responsibility to assist the park in arranging for those treatments requiring professional conservation services and scheduling preservation tasks that can be performed in-house by trained park staff.

Following the survey, park staff will be able to enter object-specific data into the park’s automated collections management system.

The contractor will conduct an introductory briefing upon arrival at the park with the COR and designated park staff (curatorial, maintenance). The purpose of the interview is to explain to the staff the contractor's methodology and to detail any local support that may be requested.

The contractor shall conduct a hands-on survey of the objects in the park museum collection. Individual assessments for 292 items will be completed. Group assessments for a further 745 items of the same or similar types will be completed through representative sampling, survey, or other appropriate methods. The contractor will discuss the method of conducting group assessments with park staff during the introductory briefing. Each artifact type grouping will have a general assessment with general recommendations. Within the assessment, the contractor will highlight individual items which need urgent attention. See Appendix for a breakdown of group types.

The following factors shall be considered in determining the condition of an object and conservation treatment needs:

The nature of the environment in which collections are stored or exhibited including building construction, temperature, relative humidity, dust, natural and artificial light sources, pests, and other agents of deterioration.

Evidence of recent damage or deterioration, including failure of preservation treatments, damage to objects during their use for interpretation and study, effects of visitor handling or vandalism, and deterioration due to adverse environmental factors.

Exhibit cases, mounts and mounting techniques, lighting, environmental control, pest control, protection against handling by visitors, protective barriers (waxes, lacquers, etc.) applied to prevent deterioration, condition (harmful to objects or unsafe to visitors and staff), etc.

Any other general or specific issues concerning the collection's preservation, conservation, and/or treatment needs.

When examining objects, fragile objects must not be moved any more than is necessary to determine condition, state of preservation, and needed treatment(s).

Heavy, bulky, or unwieldy objects need be moved only to the extent necessary to fully comprehend their nature and condition.

Upon completion of the survey, the contractor will meet with COR to go over the results of the survey. The meeting should cover the same subjects and recommendations the contractor will include in his/her report. At this time, the contractor will gather any data or information not already obtained that will be required for production of the survey report.

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The contractor will prepare a written report of the survey just completed. The report shall include the following elements:

Brief description of the schedule, sequence, procedures, and methodology used in conducting the survey in the park; identification of person(s) conducting the survey, identification of park staff who were involved in the survey and how they were involved; a brief summary of the entrance and exit interviews.

Overview and assessment of the condition of the museum collection. Significant conservation needs should be presented.

Completed Conservation Survey Forms that include condition information on individual items or groups of items in an electronic format. The Contractor may use a form of his choice or design. The form may be narrative or checklist but must include the following categories of information:

Object catalog and/or accession number(s) and name Other assigned number(s) Date of survey Name of contractor Object location Material of object Narrative description of condition, including the following factors:

- Object specific condition

- Storage methods, media (supplies and equipment), and environment

Conservation treatment priority ranking (see below for ranking descriptions)

Treatment responsibility (Can treatment be completed inhouse by park staff or should be done by professional conservator?)

Estimated number of hours to complete recommended treatment Estimated treatment costs, if possible Treatment recommendations: Describe needed work in terms of results, expectations, or anticipated benefits. In all instances, needed work should be described in the following manner:

When an object is classified as conservation treatment Priority 1, Priority 2, or Priority 3, the work that is needed shall be described for each object individually, except that essentially identical objects with essentially identical needs may be grouped together for purposes of describing those needs.

Work needed on objects classified as Priority 4, Priority 5, or Priority 6 should be described for individual objects to the extent that it is necessary and practical to do so. It may be more practical and efficient to group together objects that are similar in nature or that are similar in materials of construction when they are found to require the same or essentially the same treatments.

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When simple preventative maintenance treatments are described, the materials to be used in those treatments also should be recommended. All recommended materials should be those normally used by contractors and selected for reversibility, stability, and ease of use. Materials should be described generically, though brand names also may be given for reference purposes. The park can use this information to program funds to accomplish the work.

When appropriate, note economies of cost or other benefits that might be realized by simultaneously treating similar objects, or objects with similar treatment needs.

At least one photograph of each item or group of items which documents the present condition (see image file requirements below, under “Deliverables”).

Additional photographs to capture extant damage or deterioration should also be includes where necessary. The following information shall be present within each photograph

Catalog number Scale bar Color control bar

Conservation treatment priority: As stated above, objects shall be prioritized into one of the following categories or into substantially similar categories devised by the contractor. (If the contractor elects to use his/her own prioritization system, it must be fully explained and any specialized terms must be defined.) For Priorities 1, 2, and 3, the degree of urgency should be expressed in terms of how soon the work should be done and in terms of the consequences to be anticipated should the work not be done within that time.

Priority 1: The object or group of objects requires urgent treatment by a professional contractor to prevent serious damage or loss, or requires immediate improvements in storage or exhibit conditions.

Priority 2: The object requires major treatment by a professional contractor or the object is unstable and short-term deterioration can be expected if nothing is done.

Priority 3: The object requires minor treatment by a professional contractor, or the object is somewhat unstable and long-term deterioration can be expected if nothing is done.

Priority 4: The object requires treatment, but the park curatorial staff can perform

it. The time frame for accomplishing the work should be recommended.

Priority 5: The object currently is stable, but requires preventive maintenance attention by the park curatorial staff in order to forestall the onset of deterioration.

(NOTE: It is possible for objects in Priorities 1-3 also to require preventive

6 | P a g e maintenance; should that be the case, the need for their maintenance should be mentioned, but the objects should be prioritized primarily according to the criteria mentioned above.)

Priority 6: Preventive maintenance is being done or is not needed, and the object is stable and requires only eventual improvements in storage or exhibition conditions. The maximum time to allow for making the improvements should be indicated.

Priority 7: Preventive maintenance is being done or is not needed. The object is stable and no additional actions are required to improve its storage or exhibition.

V. GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Prior to the visit the park will provide, if they exist:

Copy of the Scope of Collection Statement (SOCS) Environmental monitoring records Fire protection or security surveys Emergency Operation Plan (EOP) Structural Fire Plan Integrated Pest Management data

Except as may be additionally approved in advance by the COR, the park staff will provide on-site:

A suitable work space (Note: work space is within a historic structure. Wi-Fi is not available, and lighting is dim.)

Access to collection exhibit locations of museum objects, A staff person assigned to be with the contractor at all times when they are in limited access museum areas, Assistance with moving heavy or unwieldy objects, Access to museum property accountability (catalog and accession) and conservation (treatment and survey) records when required, Answers to questions about such matters as existing environmental monitoring and control, preventive care of objects, uses of objects, plans for future acquisition and disposition of objects, and the park's pest management program, Other information as reasonably may be needed.

The government is responsible for monitoring contract work and ensuring that historic fabric and museum collections are protected and secure during project work.

The COR will communicate with the contractor to find mutually convenient dates for the site survey.

A list of objects or groups of objects will be provided to the contractor (See Appendix).

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The Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) is empowered to inspect and evaluate all work of this Contract for compliance with terms of this Scope of Work. The JOMU Supervisory Museum Curator will serve as the COR for this project.

VI. CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBILITIES

The contractor 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.

The contractor shall adhere to all facility operating procedures and park specific rules.

Since the John Muir National Historic Site must be physically opened and secured by park staff, all work in the facilities must occur between the hours of 9:00 AM and 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday (NOT Saturday or Sunday). Work performed at other times must first be arranged through the Contracting Officer’s Representative.

The contractor shall take care not to damage or impact historic fabric within at John Muir NHS, especially in historic Muir House including walls, woodwork and floors; or any museum collections located in spaces where work is being conducted. Should damage occur the COR shall be notified immediately. Contractor is responsible for all costs to repair or replace historic fabric or artifacts damaged by the work of this project. COR will coordinate in-kind replacement materials and all work necessary to restore to the original appearance to any damaged historic fabric or artifacts.

The contractor may choose to bring additional lighting and/or a Wi-Fi hotspot if desired.

Work of the contractor will be performed in accordance with all applicable Occupational and Safety Health Administration (OSHA) regulations.

Acceptance of the work of this contract and any changes to the terms of this contract shall be made in writing only by the Contracting Officer.

VII. PROJECT ELEMENTS AND DELIVERABLES

Project Elements:

The following sequential elements shall be completed:

The Contractor is responsible for contacting the park COR to coordinate the onsite inspection dates. The on-site assessment shall be scheduled at a time agreeable to the Contractor and the COR. During the onsite assessment, the Contractor will be responsible for all photographs and measurements necessary to document his/her work and recommendations.

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The Contractor shall provide the COR with the draft report in digital format. The report shall include all supporting documentation, photographs, illustrations and any accompanying drawings. The NPS will review the draft and provide feedback.

The Contractor will incorporate NPS feedback and provide the COR with the final report in digital and printed formats as described below.

All work shall be completed and final deliverables submitted within 180 days of the date of award.

Deliverables:

The final report shall be §508 compliant and delivered in both Microsoft Word (.docx) and Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) file formats, which shall be compatible with Microsoft Word for Microsoft 365 and Adobe Acrobat DC. The report will be printed on 8½ x 11 white, 20#, bond paper (if applicable, 8½” x 14” or 11” x 17” paper shall be fan-folded), single-spaced, and may be double-sided. Preferred typeface is Times New Roman, 12 point.

Final reports are to be coil bound with cover page, numbered pages, using cover-stock for cover and back page. Cover page with photograph will include the project title, date submitted, name and address including phone number of contractor.

Submit the final report in electronic format in Word on a flash drive.

1. Submit a draft report to the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). Reports will be reviewed and returned with comments. Contractor will be expected to incorporate each comment into the report or be prepared to explain why doing so is not appropriate.

2. Submit final report with 3 bound copies, 1 unbound copy printed on archival paper and electronic copies of report on flash drive in both Microsoft Word (.docx) and Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) file formats.

3. All digital photo imaging documentation shall be submitted with the final report on the flash drive. The images shall be captured to create preservation-quality Archival Master Images as 300 ppi TIFF files. Factors such as sharpness, color accuracy, and dynamic range shall be considered to obtain the best quality images. Technical metadata shall be embedded in each image. A copy of each image captured shall also be created as a Use/Access Image. These shall be saved as 72 ppi JPEG files at 2400 (in width) pixels with an appropriate corresponding length. All photo labels shall include the object catalog number(s) or, for uncatalogued objects, the accession number.