Attachment_A_Statement_of_Work_8_15_2021.pdf

ATTACHMENT A, STATEMENT OF WORK 8-15-2021

EXHIBIT FABRICATION AND INSTALLATION

CULTURAL DIVERSITY EXHIBIT

MOGAN CULTURAL CENTER, LOWELL NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK

1. PROJECT BACKGROUND

Lowell National Historical Park (LOWE) is located in Lowell, Massachusetts, 30 miles northwest of Boston. Lowell National Historical Park preserves and interprets the historic structures and stories of the Industrial Revolution and its legacies in Lowell, serving as a catalyst for revitalization of the city’s physical and economic environment and promoting cultural heritage and community programming.

This project shall enhance the visitor experience and provide greater accessibility by fabricating and installing a new cultural diversity exhibit for the Mogan Cultural Center. A new exhibit will tell the stories of diverse cultures and cultural changes that have found their place(s) in Lowell and give it its distinctive urban composition. This exhibit will highlight the park’s interpretive theme: "Lowell is a microcosm of the historical and contemporary shifting of cultural identities and tensions brought about by broader social changes such as industrialization, urbanization, and globalization.”

The exhibit area is 1,977 square feet of space on the first floor of the Mogan Cultural Center located in the rehabilitated shell of the remaining Boott Mill Boardinghouse. While the shell is historic, the interior was completely rehabilitated in the 1980s including ample electrical service and poured concrete floors. The exhibit spaces include a ramped entry hall, atrium, lobby, and gallery.

The new exhibit will be based on the comprehensive design documents produced by an exhibit design firm. The park plans to hire the design firm to provide production support for this project, in particular because the park continues to identify and develop original content (images, objects, videos, oral history interviews) that needs to be integrated into the project. There is a separate building preparation project that will be carried out by a general contractor parallel to the exhibit fabrication project. The project will address demolition, walls, flooring, ceiling, house lights, and a new accessible ramp

As evidenced in the exhibit design documents (Attachments 12-15) the park is still developing original content including images, objects, audio, and video for several exhibit components. The park intends to develop and execute this content in collaboration with local partners.

The exhibit will open no later than September 2023. Exhibit fabrication and installation will be complete no later than Friday, 4 August 2023 at 5:00 PM.

2. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

The project shall be the fabrication and installation of a new cultural diversity exhibit for the Mogan Cultural Center at Lowell National Historical Park (LOWE) in Lowell, Massachusetts. The project includes coordination with the Contracting Officer (CO), Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR), park staff, the park’s future A/E firm and/or general contractor, and the exhibit design firm providing production support.

The contractor shall provide all services including labor, materials, facilities, and travel necessary to detail, fabricate, transport to the site, and install all exhibit elements in accordance with the specifications as detailed in this contract and its attachments. The park is responsible for the removal of existing exhibits and preparation of the spaces per the exhibit design (Attachments 12-15).

All work under this contract shall be performed in accordance with the terms herein, including all attachments. The government shall furnish, as appropriate, required data, materials, and access to project information necessary to perform the production of work as required.

2.1. Point of Contact

The contractor’s Project Manager (PM) shall be the primary point of contact between the contractor and COR. The contractor’s PM shall have full authority to act for the contractor on all matters relating to this contract, and shall perform the following work:

1. Be available to take or respond to telephone calls or electronic mail messages during normal hours of operation (8:30 am–5:00 pm local time).

2. Establish office procedures to ensure that messages are relayed to the Project Manager when out of the office or because of time zone differences.

3. Respond to emergency messages from the COR on the same day they are received. All non-urgent messages from the COR shall be responded to in no more than two (2) business days.

2.2. Quality Control

The contractor shall provide quality control to ensure that all elements of project work meet the requirements of the contract specifications and that all modifications are implemented. The Project Manager shall provide routine inspections of in-house and subcontracted work to ensure it meets contract specifications and shall oversee the quality of work produced and implemented at all phases of the project. Any work found not acceptable or compliant with the specifications shall be corrected prior to inspection or review by the COR. The contractor shall oversee all work during installation to ensure that it adheres to contract specifications and schedule for completion. Ensure that all work not acceptable or compliant with the specifications is corrected prior to inspection or review by the COR.

2.3. Government Furnished Property

The contractor shall receive, inspect, and inventory all government-furnished materials and ensure that this material is forwarded to the appropriate unit or person within the contractor’s organization for use in the project. The Project Manager shall notify the COR via email within seven (7) days after receipt if government-furnished materials are not satisfactory for their intended purpose. The Project Manager shall notify the COR via email as soon as possible, but no later than three (3) business days, if government- furnished materials are lost or damaged while in the contractor’s possession. The contractor shall be responsible for the security and protection of government-furnished property or materials in connection with this contract. Following acceptance of all work by the government, the contractor shall return to the COR all government-furnished property.

The NPS will provide all exhibit design documents and files including CAD drawings created by the designer.

2.4. Schedule

The contractor shall schedule, coordinate, oversee, and manage work produced and installed under this contract. Track work progress to ensure that the project is completed according to the schedule.

Coordinate and confirm the dates for all submittals and meetings with the COR.

2.4.1. Status Reports

Provide a monthly status report to the COR that includes the status of the project, issues that affect the schedule and budget, and an updated schedule based on the information at hand.

2.4.2. Project Schedule

The contractor shall produce a detailed, complete project schedule listing all required submittals and their review times. The project schedule shall include shop inspections, site visits, installation activities, and closeout submittals.

The contractor shall submit a preliminary project schedule to the COR for review and approval seven (7) working days prior to the post award meeting. The contractor shall update the approved schedule and resubmit to the COR three (3) working days prior to every project status meeting for the life of the project.

2.4.3. Installation Schedule

The contractor shall coordinate and confirm dates with the COR for shipment, delivery, and installation at the exhibit site. The park anticipates the general contractor will start to prepare the space in the first quarter of 2022. The completed exhibit will open no later than September 2023. Exhibit fabrication and installation will be complete no later than Friday, 4 August 2023 at 5:00 PM.

2.5. Meetings, Travel, and Presentations

Meet with the CO, COR, and park staff as specified below. The contractor shall document all issues discussed and decisions made relative to the project. The contractor shall prepare and distribute to the COR a trip report or meeting minutes of all telephone conversations, site visits, in-person meetings, or other discussions related to the project.

Meeting Purpose Location or Type

Required Contractor

Attendees

Duration/Days on site

Post-award meeting and site visit

At Park Project Manager Two, 8-hour days

Building Prep site visit

At Park Project Manager One, 8-hour day

Preliminary Shop Inspection

At contractor Facility

Project Manager Two, 8-hour days

Final Shop Inspection

At contractor Facility

Project Manager Two, 8-hour days

Installation At Park Project Manager, Installation Crew

(TBD)

To be proposed by contractor

Audio Description Installation & Testing

At Park Project Manager, Audio Describer

One, 8-hour day

2.6. Submittals

At any point in the exhibit fabrication process the COR may require informal submittals of the contractor’s work-in-progress to document the current status and level of production of the project.

The contractor shall coordinate all submittals and review them for legibility, accuracy, completeness, and compliance with contract requirements. Forward all submittals to the COR for review and approval. Receive all reviewed submittals and take appropriate action according to the approval or rejection by the COR, as follows:

2.6.1. Approvals and Rejections

1. Approved Submittals – The contractor shall ensure that all changes, revisions, or additions required by review comments are addressed and incorporated into future submittals.

2. Rejected Submittals - When submittals are rejected, the COR will notify the contractor, in writing, identifying the reasons for rejection. The contractor shall ensure that the submittal is completed and/or revised as required and resubmitted within the time scheduled by the COR. Reasons for rejection include:

Incomplete Submittals – Approval of the submittal is delayed because required elements are missing. The contractor shall submit all missing elements.

Unacceptable Submittals – The submittal is rejected due to poor quality of work or work that does not otherwise meet the established project goals. The contractor shall submit new material.

2.6.2. Submittal Format

1. One (1) electronic PDF copy of each document submittal is required.

2. Two (2) copies of graphic prints and material samples are required.

3. One (1) physical sample of models, mock-ups, and prototypes is required.

4. Submittals shall be sent via overnight delivery service unless otherwise specified in the scope of work below.

2.6.3. Transmittal Sheet

The contractor shall include a transmittal in the form of a printed letter, PDF document, e-mail, or fax cover sheet along with all samples, proofs, prints, reports, digital files, digital images, and multimedia files, sent from the contractor to the COR. This includes all copies sent to the park or other copied recipients.

The transmittal shall include the following information:

"From" (contractor's name and contact information);

"To" (COR's name);

Date submittal was shipped;

Project name and park name;

Itemized list of contents; and List of copied recipients who received the same submittals.

2.7. Accessibility

Exhibits fabricated for the National Park Service shall follow the latest published version of Attachment 4, Programmatic Accessibility Guidelines for National Park Service Interpretive Media.

These Guidelines are a combination of best practices, NPS and Department of the Interior directives, and federal laws. Federal laws include the Architectural Barriers Act, Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act as amended, and the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act.

2.7.1. Audiovisual Accessibility for Exhibits

Every audio, silent video, and audiovisual program in every exhibit is required to provide descriptive audio, hearing assistance, captions, and/or navigation buttons, as follows:

2.7.1.1. Audio-only Programs (note: there are only two of these and they are ambient sound programs)

Audio-only programs require hearing assist for the hard of hearing and captions for the deaf. The hearing assist requirement may be met using either sound wands with volume control and reset, or a FM transmitter and handheld receiver. If possible these modules should integrate with the assistive devices the park now has - Listen Technologies LP- 4VP-072 or equivalent. Captions for the deaf are displayed on a monitor synched with the audio. Please note that the two audio-only programs (located in scene 1 and scene

8) are ambient sounds. The hearing assist requirement may be met by adding a t-coil to the hallway and ceiling in scene 1 to amplify sound for those that are hard of hearing.

Small text panels will be added to interpret the sounds for the Deaf.

2.7.1.2. Silent Video Programs

Silent videos require descriptive audio for people who are blind or have low vision (via an app/Bluetooth beacons), and notification, via on-screen caption or label adjacent to the monitor, for the deaf or hard of hearing that the video is silent. Delivery of descriptive audio is provided in the exhibit through a headset jack, a sound wand, or via Wi-Fi streaming / Bluetooth in conjunction with the Exhibit Audio Description app, hand held devices, headphones (if desired), and Bluetooth beacons. When descriptive audio is delivered via headset jack, a label with the raised AD symbol and headset icon is required.

2.7.1.3. Audiovisual Programs

Audiovisual programs in exhibits require descriptive audio for people who are blind or have low vision, hearing assist for the hard of hearing, and open captions for the deaf.

Any of the delivery methods for audio-only programs and silent video programs may be used to meet these requirements, although he intention for this project is as follows:

The Exhibit Audio Description app and Bluetooth beacons will be used for those who are blind or have low vision, volume controls will be embedded into the monitor controls for those that are hard of hearing, and open captions will be displayed on the monitor for the Deaf. Appropriate icons will appear where needed. Additionally, for Spanish speaking visitors, additional Spanish translated open captions should appear in conjunction with the English open captions.

2.7.1.4. Navigation Buttons

Some of the touch screen user interfaces require external control navigation buttons for people low or limited vision (scene 6 and scene 11). Some touch screens work in conjunction with a bluetooth beacon and are made accessible through the Exhibit Audio Description app.

3. FABRICATION AND INSTALLATION SERVICES

3.1. General

The contractor shall provide all technical, professional, non-personal services, including all labor, materials, equipment, supplies, facilities, travel, management, and supervision necessary to provide LOWE with exhibit fabrication and installation services for the cultural diversity exhibit at the Mogan Cultural Center. Work includes production of exhibits (including Pre-Fabrication submittals, and Fabrication); Shop Inspections (Preliminary and Final); Installation (including Primary Installation, Punch List, and Audio Description); and Closeout. Work includes travel to the park to meet with the park staff, inspect sites, assess or recommend rehabilitation plans and/or scope of work, prepare cost estimates, provide or confirm measurements, and fabricate and install exhibits.

As evidenced in the exhibit design documents (Attachments 12-15) the park is still developing original content including images, objects, audio, and video for several exhibit components. The park intends to develop and execute this content in collaboration with local partners.

3.2. Specifications

The contractor shall perform all services required hereunder in accordance with this Statement of Work (SOW) and all attachments.

3.3. Design Control

In fabricating exhibitions hereunder, the contractor shall take into account as essential design and production considerations the following: life safety, barrier-free design, accessibility/universal design, sustainability, energy conservation, artifact conservation including daylight modulation from skylights and windows, if applicable, control of sound-spill from AV programs, security provisions, integration and compliance with existing architecture where relevant, lamping, functionality, maintenance, conservation, and durability restrictions.

3.4. Codes and Standards

All exhibits shall be produced and installed in accordance with applicable codes, standards, parameters or regulations noted in this or other sections of this contract, and in the location in which the exhibit shall be installed. In case of conflict between codes, standards, or regulations, the most stringent requirement shall apply.

3.4.1. Reference to standard specifications of any technical society, organization, or association, or to codes, manuals, or regulations of Federal or local authorities shall mean the latest standard, code manual, regulation, specification, or tentative specification adopted and published at least thirty (30) days prior to submittal of proposals, unless specifically stated otherwise.

3.4.2. Any code, standard, regulation, or specification listed below, in the attachments or otherwise referenced herein, that references the “authority having jurisdiction”, “local authority”, or “governmental authority” shall be interpreted to refer to the Contracting Officer as being this authority for purposes of interpreting/clarifying codes, standards, regulations, and specifications.

3.5. Post-award Conference Call

Upon award, the contractor shall participate in a project kick-off conference call to review contracting requirements and procedures with the project CO and COR.

3.6. Production Support

Production support from the Planning and Design contractor is not part of this contract. The NPS will provide production support under a separate contract meaning the design firm may review Fabrication Drawings, mock-ups, prototypes, samples, and other submittals and make suggestions or request changes (through the COR), and may attend shop inspections.

3.7. Production

Work in this phase shall include production of all exhibit elements in accordance with the design intent as described in Attachment 12, LOWE Drawings Work in this phase is organized into two (2) sub-phases: Pre-Fabrication Submittals and Fabrication. Pre-Fabrication includes the development of project documents that must be approved before production can occur. Fabrication includes all tasks required to complete the production of exhibit elements.

3.7.1. Pre-Fabrication Submittals

During this phase, the contractor shall:

1. Attend a post-award meeting as follows:

a. Submit a meeting agenda to the COR for review and approval not later than seven (7) days prior to the post award meeting.

b. Travel to LOWE in Lowell, MA, to attend a post award meeting with the COR and park personnel. The meeting shall be two (2) eight-hour working days. The date of the meeting shall be determined within three (3) weeks of the Contract award.

c. Orient to the site and review existing site conditions and construction documents.

d. Conduct general project review, including the exhibit design drawings and work requirements.

e. Receive, review, inspect, document, and secure all government-furnished material, including drawings, planning documents, reference and source materials, and other project-related material.

f. Inspect, measure, and document accessioned and non-accessioned objects to be used in the exhibits, verifying final dimensions in accordance with Attachment 15, LOWE Database Reports.

2. Prepare and submit an Exhibit Production Plan, as follows:

a. Establish key project milestones and timeframes for review for 25%, 40%, 80%, and 95% completion.

b. At each milestone, the contractor shall provide a revised exhibit production plan that reflects the current status of production.

c. The Exhibit Production Plan shall include the AV Production Plan.

3. Provide Fabrication Shop Drawings. NPS will provide CAD drawings created by exhibit designer.

a. Modifications. The general design requirements shown in Attachment 12, LOWE Drawings are intended to establish basic dimensions of units or modules, profiles, and sight lines of members. Within these limitations, the contractor shall be responsible for any modifications or additions as required to meet accessibility, durability, and safety standards as outlined in Attachment 1, Exhibit Planning, Design, and Fabrication Specifications. The contractor shall submit proposed modifications to the COR for review and approval prior to implementing changes. The contractor shall maintain the visual design concept and operational features as shown, including members’ sizes, profiles, and alignment of components.

b. Electrical. The contractor shall provide equipment specifications, and a lighting and wiring diagram for all exhibit lighting as designed and specified in Attachment 12, LOWE Drawings. Building wiring and power shall be completed by the park. The contractor shall be responsible for acquiring and installing new track and fixtures, and for connecting fixtures to park-provided power throughout the exhibits. The contractor shall ensure that all physical loads are supported by adequate equipment and/or mounting devices as dictated by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

c. Object Cases. The requirements in Attachment 1, Exhibit Planning, Design, and Fabrication Specifications—Section 18, Object Preservation and Protection shall take precedence over design and production notes shown in Attachment 12, LOWE Drawings. The contractor shall propose, for review and approval by the COR, any modifications to case design, dimensions, materials, finishes, mechanisms, object layouts, and case furniture that are required to meet NPS specifications.

d. Object Mounts. The contractor shall include drawings of proposed object mounts and exhibit case layouts, submitted in the form of shop drawings.

4. Provide Electronic Equipment submittals including plan drawings, wiring diagrams, and catalog cuts.

5. Provide two (2) physical copies of Material Sample Boards.

3.7.2. Fabrication

Each fabrication task may require a sub-series of steps to complete, and the contractor is not required to complete tasks in the order outlined below. All tasks shall be completed in accordance with Attachment 1, Exhibit Planning, Design, and Fabrication Specifications— Section 27, Quality and Safety Standards for Fabrication. Fabrication tasks include the following:

3.7.2.1. Content Specialties

Content Specialty under this contract includes electronic programs.

A. Electronic Programs. As part of the Exhibit Production Plan, the contractor shall submit an AV Production Plan that describes the production process required to produce each Electronic Program for review and approval by the COR. Specific details and a full list of Electronic Programs can be found in Attachment 14, LOWE Database Reports.

The contractor shall follow all processes for AV Production as outlined in Attachment 5, National Park Service Standard Specifications for Planning, Design, Production, and Installation of Electronic Programs, and as follows:

a. Pre-Production

i. Review themes, goals, objectives, program content, and accessibility requirements for each program.

ii. Review park resources and materials for possible inclusion in program. Identify additional sources for research and materials for each program.

iii. Submit a Treatment, draft script, proposed performers or talent, and/or an inventory of park-furnished footage and/or an inventory of proposed still images for video programs; and submit a list of proposed audio recordings for sound programs.

All Treatments, draft scripts, performers, inventories, and Conceptual Design shall be in accordance with program description in Attachment 15, LOWE Database Reports

iv. All deliverables for Electronic Programs shall be submitted electronically for review and approval. Multiple submissions may be required until approved by the COR.

b. Production

i. Provide a shooting script and filming schedule for video programs to the COR for review and approval, for all original footage that needs to be acquired by the contractor.

ii. Acquire principal photography for video and live recording for audio programs, including principal performers or talent, and submit all recordings and recording logs to the COR for review and approval.

iii. Submit an edited assembly (string-out) of park-furnished footage for video programs to the COR for review and approval.

The result may necessitate the acquisition of additional footage from the park or other sources.

iv. Submit inventory of images for video programs that incorporate all required changes and substitutions from pre-production reviews to the COR for review and approval.

v. Submit proposed stock audio recordings for video and audio programs to the COR for review and approval. Each recording shall identify the sound in the file name structure.

vi. Submit a Work-In-Progress 1: storyboards, graphic layouts, modeling, and sample demonstrations illustrating movement to the COR for review and approval. These shall be approved by the COR prior to the final execution.

c. Post Production

i. Submit Rough Cut Edits and edit scripts for video and audio programs to the COR for review and approval. Multiple rough cuts and edit scripts may be required until approved by the COR.

Each rough cut shall be submitted with a revised script that corresponds to the most current edited version of the program.

ii. Submit three narrator or principal performer samples to the COR for review and approval.

iii. Submit sample of any thematic or background music, professional film score composers, or library music sources to the COR for review and approval.

iv. Submit samples of the proposed font and design style for all on-screen text, lower thirds, and Subtitles for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (SDH) to the COR for review and approval.

v. Submit Fine Cut Edits and edit scripts for video and audio programs prior to the final online edits and sound mixes, to the COR for review and approval. Fine Cuts shall include a selection of approved composer’s music, sound effects, best resolution images or footage, highest quality audio, and all on-screen text and graphics (excluding credits). Multiple fine cuts and edit scripts may be required until approved by the COR. Each fine cut shall be submitted with a revised script that corresponds to the most current edited version of the program. The Fine Cuts shall be revised until ready for the online edit.

vi. Submit final assembly of images for digital slideshows to the COR for review and approval.

vii. Rights Package: The contractor shall submit a spreadsheet that accounts for the copyright sources of all audiovisual elements proposed for use in each program—including public domain materials, purchased stock materials, and government-furnished materials—before the final programs are mastered. For those materials that are restricted, license agreements shall be submitted. Upon review and approval of the license agreements by the COR, any license that fails to meet the requirements shall be returned to the contractor for revisions. If the specified rights cannot be obtained, the contractor shall replace the element. The contractor shall submit scanned copies of all NPS Release Forms for talent, and scanned copies of all license agreements acquired by the contractor for copyrights and restricted materials being used in the production concurrent with the submission of Fine Cut Edits.

viii. Accessibility:

Submit scripts in both English and Spanish for Audio Description (AD) and Subtitles for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing scripts to the COR for review and approval.

Submit a transcript describing each sound clip used in audio programs, for use by visitors who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, to the COR for review and approval.

For programs without audio, there shall be an icon or text indicating the program has no audio, placed either on-screen or in proximity to the program monitor. Submit proposed icon or text to the COR for review and approval.

ix. Online Edit, Sound Design and Mix, and Color Correction: The contractor shall submit the final edited versions with final sound design, mix, and color correction, as required by program type, to the COR for review and approval.

x. Final Deliverables: Upon completion of the project, all elements shall be submitted to the COR along with an AV Completion Report (Attachment 8, AV Completion Report).

3.7.2.2. Mock-ups and Prototypes

Mock-ups refer to working models that are fabricated simply, quickly, and at minimal cost in order to test a concept. They are full-scale representations of portions of an exhibit for the purpose of review, testing, and evaluation. Mock-ups are for review only and shall not be incorporated into the final exhibit.

Prototypes are more refined than mock-ups, and closer to the final product in material, fabrication, and operation. Prototypes are portions of an exhibit such as an artifact case or an interactive mechanism that has a particular need to be reviewed and tested prior to fabrication of more elements of the same design.

The contractor shall provide the following:

1. Mock-ups:

a. CE-05.01-100, Components of Community Tree – 3 rounds of review

b. GL-06.03-000, Story Booth Background – 2 rounds of review; print full-size graphic to test as background for making videos

c. CE-07.03-100, Typical acrylic dispenser for buttons using park-selected button/pin style – 2 rounds of review

d. Scene 10, Mill Girl Window with silhouette, mullions, and light – 2 rounds of review

The contractor shall submit mock-ups to the COR for testing, review, and approval. Mock-ups that are approved, or approved with comments, shall be fabricated in final materials or finishes, and shall incorporate all corrections, changes, and modifications identified by the COR. Mock-ups that are found to be deficient, shall be revised and resubmitted for testing, review, and approval.

2. Prototypes:

a. 01.03 Typical Flip Door with Gravity-Fed Closure

b. Typical Artifact Case

c. Typical Element: Window and HVAC Accommodation including Upper Removable Panel and Removable Slat Rail & Lower Panel

d. CE-02.05-210, Food Scents Interactive

Prior to the Preliminary Shop Inspection, the contractor shall provide the COR a report, with photo documentation, of the performance of the prototypes. All prototypes shall be available at the Preliminary Shop Inspection for review and testing.

All prototypes shall be corrected in accordance with the review and approval by the COR before being incorporated into the final exhibit.

3.7.2.3. Exhibit Structures and Cabinetry

The contractor shall provide adequate personnel and facilities to fabricate all structures and exhibit elements as required under this contract. The contractor’s Project Manager shall ensure the safety of staff and the quality of fabricated elements and shall facilitate reviews of work throughout fabrication.

All exhibit structures and cabinetry shall adhere to the highest safety, environmental, and quality standards set under the law, and in accordance with Attachment 1, National Park Service Exhibit Planning, Design, and Fabrication Specifications.

All finishes, and particularly high-touch surfaces, shall be finishes than can be cleaned and sanitized with an alcohol-based cleaning solution. In additional, finishes shall be durable enough to withstand thousands of uses by visitors.

All exhibit structures and cabinetry shall be in accordance with Attachment 12, LOWE Drawings, and with Attachment 2, National Park Service Conservation Guidelines.

3.7.2.4. Exhibit Graphics

The contractor shall provide fabrication of all two-dimensional exhibit graphics.

Graphic source material shall be government-furnished to the fabrication contractor in a digital format.

All mounted graphics, and particularly high-touch surfaces, shall be of materials than can be cleaned and sanitized with an alcohol-based cleaning solution.

The government through the production support contractor shall be responsible for the following:

1. Development of exhibit graphics will continue after exhibit design is complete. This work will be completed by the exhibit designer as part of production support.

2. Review all government-furnished materials and notify the COR if the materials are inadequate for production.

3. Prepare digital files for specified output.

4. Scan high resolution images as needed to meet the print dimensions at 200ppi resolution.

5. Link image and vector files to graphic layout files.

6. Provide creative graphic design services to incorporate any government-provided illustrations, artwork, and new photography into graphic layout files for production.

The contractor shall be responsible for the following:

1. Adjust digital files for color corrections and bleed as needed.

2. Produce two (2) copies of full-sized unlaminated graphic proofs, samples, and layouts for review and approval by the COR prior to the Preliminary Shop Inspection; at the Preliminary Shop Inspection, provide full-sized unlaminated graphic proofs of all revisions requested during review.

3. Provide two (2) material production samples of each type of graphic substrate (e.g., dry erase wall, dry erase card, birch ply, HPL, acrylic) for review and approval by the COR.

4. Provide final, corrected graphic layouts.

3.7.2.5. Electronic Programs and Equipment

All Electronic Programs and associated Electronic Equipment shall be in compliance with the Information and Communication Standards of the Rehabilitation Act (see Section508.gov). Equipment and software components need to be carefully coordinated to ensure an effective presentation. Equipment compatibility relative to the designer’s vision is a critical element.

The contractor shall follow the pre-production, production, and post-production process for Electronic Programs described above in Section 3.7.2.1.A. of this contract, and in accordance with Attachment 5, National Park Service Standard Specifications for Planning, Design, Production, and Installation of Electronic Programs.

The contractor shall be responsible for testing of all electronic equipment, and for the successful installation of all electronic programs that are part of the exhibits, including those that are government-provided.

3.7.2.6. Audio Description

Audio description shall include all exhibit elements. Exhibit elements include text, graphics, tactiles, interactives, scenic elements, electronic programs (audio and video), and navigational and operational instruction.

During Fabrication, the contractor shall provide the following:

1. Audio Description Production Plan, including Table of Contents with AD segment titles and submenus congruent with Scenes, Content Groups, and individual exhibit elements.

2. Audio Description diagram indicating power sources, styles, and locations of AD triggering hardware.

3. Audio Description draft script based on approved Table of Contents, triggers locations, exhibit drawings, exhibit elements, and production-ready graphics, which shall be available for testing during Installation.

3.8. Shop Inspections

Work in this phase shall include the facilitation of visits by the COR to the contractor’s facility to view and inspect work on all exhibit elements. The contractor shall facilitate two (2) shop inspections by the COR.

3.8.1. Preliminary Shop Inspection

The contractor shall facilitate review of exhibits at the 40% completion milestone, and at a date to be determined in consultation with the COR. The Preliminary Shop Inspection shall be two (2) eight-hour days.

The contractor shall provide the following at the Preliminary Shop Inspection:

1. Primary exhibit structures without final finishes

2. Full-sized, unlaminated graphic proofs of any graphic layouts requiring revision during the previous graphic sample review.

3. Prototypes of

a) 01.03 Typical Flip Door with Gravity-Fed Closure

b) Typical Artifact Case

c) Typical Element: Window and HVAC Accommodation including Upper Removable Panel and Removable Slat Rail & Lower Panel

d) CE-02.05-210, Food Scents Interactive

3.8.2. Final Shop Inspection

All remaining exhibit structures, graphics, and content specialties shall be complete and fully operational for the final inspection, prior to Installation, and at a date to be determined in consultation with the COR. The Final Shop Inspection shall be two (2) eight-hour days.

The contractor shall provide the following:

1. To the greatest extent possible, all exhibit units shall be configured in a dimensioned area similar to that into which they shall be installed.

2. All operations of each Custom Element, Electronic Program, and Electronic Equipment shall be demonstrated to be fully functional in accordance with the design intent and applicable fabrication techniques.

3. All exhibit units with built-in lighting, electrical, mechanical, and electronic equipment shall be connected to power sources and demonstrated to be fully functional.

4. Document all shop inspection review comments and provide a shop inspection punch list to the COR. All punch list items identified at the Final Shop Inspection shall be corrected by the contractor prior to shipping exhibits to the installation site.

5. While at the Final Shop Inspection, conduct the Pre-Installation meeting.

3.9. Building Prep

A separate building prep site visit is required under this contract. The contractor shall verify site conditions during a site visit to be scheduled in consultation with the COR and based on the building construction schedule (see Attachment 11, LOWE Mogan Cultural Center Construction Timeline).

The site visit shall be one (1) eight-hour day.

The contractor shall perform the following work:

1. Travel to LOWE, Lowell, MA.

2. Verify whether exhibits, as approved for production, require any adjustments ahead of Installation.

3. Prepare and submit documentation of any changes or updates to the installation site that impact the as-designed exhibits.

3.10. Installation

Exhibit elements shall be delivered to the installation site in as complete a state as possible to minimize the amount of on-site work to be done. Work in this phase shall include installation of all exhibit elements on site, and installation of all audio description equipment. Work is organized into the following sub-phases: Primary Installation, Installation Punch List, and Audio Description Installation.

3.10.1. Primary Installation

Installation shall be scheduled in consultation with the COR, such that it is complete by Friday, 4 August 2023 at 5:00 PM. Installation shall take place on weekdays between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM unless the contractor requests other arrangements at least 4 weeks in advance. Installation shall not take place on Federal holidays.

The contractor shall perform the following work:

1. Crate and ship exhibit elements to the installation site

2. Travel to LOWE, Lowell, MA with the installation crew.

3. Install exhibit elements in accordance with the design intent, the approved shop drawings, approved revisions and modifications made during Fabrication, and in consultation with the COR.

4. The contractor shall be responsible for exhibit lighting fixtures and accessories; for completing connections of exhibit lighting and exhibit electronic equipment to existing electrical junctions; for the installation of exhibit lighting on site; and for the final placement and aiming of both building and exhibit lighting fixtures after exhibit elements have been installed.

5. Clean worksite of all debris and dust.

6. Clean artifact cases, install artifacts, perform all conservation requirements, and seal and secure cases.

7. Test and verify audio description draft script against installed exhibits and install audio description trigger hardware.

8. Conduct a walk-through inspection of completed and installed exhibits and provide operational training to park staff.

9. Supply a draft Maintenance Manual.

10. Provide the park with a maintenance kit containing specialized keys, tools, and maintenance supplies required for access to and upkeep of the exhibits as installed.

11. Photograph the completed exhibit. Photographs are used as record in the final Maintenance Manual, as well as for NPS and contractor portfolios of completed work; therefore, photographs shall be production or print quality.

3.10.2. Installation Punch List

To the greatest extent possible, the contractor shall complete punch list items while on site for Primary Installation. If punch list items cannot be completed during the Primary Installation phase during which they are scheduled to be completed, an additional trip to the installation site shall be required.

1. Prepare and submit an installation punch list to the COR.

2. After each phase of installation, and prior to acceptance, if deficiencies or corrections are noticed in the exhibits, the contractor shall be required to return to LOWE installation site and complete or correct punch list items at no cost to the government.

3.10.3. Audio Description Installation

Initial testing of the audio description script and placement of the audio description triggers shall occur during Primary Installation. The contractor shall provide the following work after Primary Installation:

1. Provide audio description script revisions based on draft script review during Installation. Multiple submissions may be required until approved by the COR.

2. Convert final script to text format and remove any special characters.

3. Input final, approved script into audio description Spreadsheets 1, 2, and 3.

Spreadsheet samples shall be provided by the COR.

4. Following COR verification, download the app and perform testing.

5. Travel to LOWE, Lowell, MA installation site.

6. Install, test, and demonstrate the audio description content and system to be fully functional. Hardware, software, listening equipment, and accessories shall be in accordance with Attachment 1, Exhibit Planning, Design, and Fabrication Specifications, Chapter 31, Audio Description and Attachment 10, Descriptive Exhibit Tour Installation and Equipment Guide.

3.11. Closeout

Work in this phase shall include the preparation and organization of all final exhibit materials and documentation.

3.11.1. Exhibit Maintenance Manual

Prepare Exhibit Maintenance Manual, including the following:

1. Contract information.

2. Product list and catalog cuts.

3. Warranties.

4. Color and finish samples.

5. As-built lighting plan.

6. As-built exhibit plan and drawings.

7. Final Graphic Layout files, including all revisions and corrections made during production.

8. Instructions for maintenance (cleaning, repair, and handling) of exhibits.

9. Instructions for operation (access, and electrical and mechanical instructions) of exhibits.

10. Production-quality photography of installed exhibits.

3.11.2. AV Operation and Maintenance Manual

Prepare an Audiovisual Operations and Maintenance Manual, including the following:

1. Systems block diagrams.

2. Systems overview descriptions.

3. Instructions for operation (access, system startup, shutdown, and seasonal programming procedures; system adjustments; troubleshooting guide).

4. Instructions for maintenance (intervals for maintenance, service contract).

5. As-built wiring diagrams.

6. Final Electronic Program files, including all revisions and corrections made during production, with completion report, Attachment 8, AV Completion Report, for each program.

7. Manufacturer manuals and warranties.

8. Audio Description manual as part of the AV Operations Manual, to include:

a. AD trigger placements within exhibits;

b. Maintenance instructions and replacement schedule for all AD hardware, listening equipment, and accessories;

c. “Hot-spot” zones for AD triggers and Wi-Fi router for synchronous audio streaming of any audiovisual programs;

d. Cut-sheets or specifications for all AD hardware, listening equipment, and accessories.

3.11.3. Samples

Provide all samples produced under this contract.

3.11.4. Government-furnished Property

Return any government-furnished property.

3.11.5. Component Inventory Schedule

Prepare a component inventory schedule, Attachment 6, Component Inventory Form.

3.11.6. Warranty

The contractor shall guarantee the workmanship against defects in work and material that might appear under extremely high visitor use and variable weather and climate conditions for a minimum of one year. The warranty period shall commence with final acceptance of work. This shall include all labor and parts at no additional cost to the government.

If during this warranty period, defective workmanship, materials, or equipment are identified by the government, the contractor will be notified, in writing, as to liability and responsibility for corrective action at no cost to the government.

Action may include but is not limited to:

1. Placing all work into satisfactory condition;

2. Making good all damages to equipment, the site, the building, or contents thereof, that have resulted from such unsatisfactory work; and

3. Making good any work, materials, or equipment that are disturbed in fulfilling the guarantee including any work, materials, or equipment that may have been guaranteed under another contract.

Should the contractor fail to proceed with work in accordance with the guarantee within seven calendar days from the notice of corrective action(s), the government will have such work performed at the expense of the contractor.

In no event will the government be responsible for any extension or delays in the scheduled deliverables or periods of performance under this contract as a result of the contractor’s obligations to correct defects, nor shall there be any adjustment of the delivery schedule or period of performance as a result of the correction of defects unless provided by a supplemental agreement with adequate consideration.

If the government returns any work to the contractor for correction or replacement under this contract, the contractor shall be liable for transportation charges up to an amount equal to the cost of transportation by the usual commercial method of shipment from the place of delivery specified in the contract (irrespective of the F.O.B. point or the point of acceptance) to the contractor’s plant and return to the place of delivery specified in the contract. The contractor shall also bear the responsibility for the work while in transit.

The contractor shall be liable for the reasonable costs, including travel of personnel, and disassembly and reassembly of larger items when it is necessary to remove the work to be inspected and returned for correction or replacement.

4. PACKAGING AND DELIVERY

4.1. Deliverables and Destination Point

All deliverables shall be shipped Free On Board (FOB) destination, within consignee’s premises, with all shipping and transportation costs prepaid, unless otherwise specified. Deliverables shall be shipped by either registered or certified mail to ensure that shipments can be traced, if lost.

4.2. Deliverables Shall Include the Following

1. Project schedule and exhibit production plan (may be emailed to COR as a PDF).

2. Meeting minutes from each project meeting or conference call (may be emailed to COR as a PDF).

3. Fabrication shop drawings, including all addendums.

4. Electronic equipment submittals.

5. Material, finish, and color samples.

6. Content Specialties submissions and samples.

7. Graphic proofs and graphic production samples.

8. Exhibit elements at Preliminary and Final Shop Inspections.

9. Shop inspection punch lists.

10. Delivery and installation of final exhibit elements, structures, and cases.

11. Installation punch list.

12. Delivery and installation of all audio description components.

13. Closeout package.

4.3. Deliverables Shall Be Sent To The Following:

4.3.1. COR Deliverables:

Kevin Coffee, Chief of Interpretation and Education Lowell National Historical Park 67 Kirk Street Lowell, MA 01852

4.3.2. Exhibit Delivery and Installations:

Kevin Coffee, Chief of Interpretation and Education Lowell National Historical Park 40 French Street Lowell, MA 01852

4.4. Deliverable Schedule

Upon completion and acceptance of the following deliverables, the contractor shall be paid a firm-fixed-price as shown below:

A. Completion and acceptance of Post Award meeting minutes and Exhibit Production Plan.

B. Completion and acceptance of fabrication drawings, electronic equipment submittals, and material color and finish samples.

C. Completion and acceptance of material finish samples. $ ***

D. Completion and acceptance of 25% milestone for Content Specialties submissions and samples.

E. Completion and acceptance of preliminary Graphic Proofs and Graphic Production Samples.

E. Completion and acceptance of Preliminary Shop Inspection including Mock-Ups and Prototypes (40% milestone for Content Specialties).

F. Completion and acceptance of Final Shop Inspection (95% milestone for Content Specialties).

G. Completion and acceptance of Exhibit Installation and Punch List.

H. Completion and acceptance of all Audio Description deliverables.

I. Completion and acceptance of Closeout Package. $ ***

***The contractor shall propose as part of their quote. All deliverables shall be reviewed and approved by the COR prior to payment.

TOTAL FIXED PRICE: $______________

TRAVEL COSTS (FFP) $______________

PROJECT TOTAL: $______________

5. TRAVEL

In accordance with Public Law 99-234, "Federal Civilian Employee and Contractor Travel Expense Act of 1985", travel-related expenditures for contractor's personnel are restricted to the limits established for federal employees. This includes mileage for company-owned vehicles.

The contractor shall travel as required to support program tasks. All travel arrangements are to be made by the contractor. Payment for transportation, per diem, mileage, parking, and other fair and reasonable travel expenses will be paid in accordance with the effective Federal Travel Regulations as amended and supplemented by the Department of the Interior travel regulations where applicable. No Federal travel authorizations are to be issued.