B08_Attachment_1_SOW_Conserve_Lincrusta_Wall_Cover_EDIS.pdf

Conserve 1880 Lincrusta Walton Wall Covering in Reception

Hall of Edison’s Home, Glenmont

PMIS PROJECT 255532

Request for Proposal

May 24, 2024

1.0 BACKGROUND

2.0 SCOPE/RFP REQUIREMENTS AND EVALUATION

CRITERIA

3.0 OBJECTIVES

4.0 TASKS

5.0 DELIVERY

6.0 GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED PROPERTY

7.0 SECURITY

8.0 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

9.0 DELIVERY/PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

10.0 PAYMENT SCHEDULE

1.0 BACKGROUND

The purpose of the contract is to conserve the 1880 Lincrusta Walton wall covering in the Reception Hall of the Edison family home, Glenmont. A conservator will be tasked with conserving the c. 1880 Lincrusta Walton wall treatment in this 12 ft. by 24 ft. area. This includes curatorial cleaning to mitigate

130+ years of grime and pollutants, stabilization of flaking surfaces of the bronzed overcoat and base canvas, in-painting as needed, and re-adhering the canvas to the wall as required. Work will be completed as to retain the original character of all finishes using in-kind materials whenever possible. All in all, this preservation project will support the park’s goal of returning more period rooms within this nationally significant mansion to their historic appearance.

This current condition of this fully furnished period room, and its Lincrusta

Walton, does not reflect its historic appearance. Due to the room’s direct association with the Edison family, as well as its association with the overall interior decorating scheme for Thomas Edison’s home, period rooms such as this one, play a key role in both the interpretation and the academic study of

Glenmont. This primary entrance into Glenmont is part of the historic scene that is interpreted to the public and is also available for examination by researchers who study the history of interior decoration in the United States.

Thomas Edison National Historical Park is a National Park Service site located in

West Orange, New Jersey. The park consists of two separate sites, approximately one mile apart. Thomas Edison’s home, Glenmont, is located in a private residential community known as Llewellyn Park. Built in 1880, Glenmont is a 29 room Queen-Anne style mansion which remains intact, complete with interior furnishings and finishes that reflect the rich historic decorative period during the years when Thomas Edison and his family resided in the home.

The majority of the work will be performed on-site, in the front hall (Reception

Hall of Glenmont). This includes preparing the area for conservation work (de-installing and re-installing some key pieces of historic furniture and four works of art, as later described in this document), photographing the room, conducting a historic paint analysis, and performing the tasks/testing associated with the conservation work such as stabilization, consolidation, using the least invasive curatorial cleaning method to clean the wall treatment, readhering loose canvas, and in-painting, as required. Work also includes the installation and de-installation of any project equipment as well as the protect-in-place measures.

Details related to this work are provided in section 4.0 of this document.

Off-site work for the project will include producing a one page document outlining the findings of the historic paint analysis, producing an initial treatment proposal, and a final treatment report at the end of the project. This final treatment report shall include before and after photographs of the room and of the work undertaken for this project.

In all instances, the selected contractor will be responsible for protecting-in-place adjacent artifacts, historic finishes and surfaces in the Glenmont work areas associated with this project, as required, if deemed necessary to prevent damage to any aspect of the historic interior of Glenmont, including its artifacts and its modern carpet runners, during the course of the project. It is important to note that the mansion includes original historic architectural features and surface finishes, fully furnished period rooms, stained glass windows, historic light fixtures, historic staircases, etc. with narrow spaces commonly found in Victorian homes. The selected vendor will also be required to adhere to park safety and security policies which will be further detailed in this document.

1.1 HISTORIC BACKGROUND

The nationally significant home of America’s most prominent inventor was created by famed architect Henry Hudson Holly in the year 1880. A prime example of Holly’s work in the Queen-Anne style in the United States, the preserved Victorian mansion includes original Eastlake style and Aesthetic

Movement style interiors installed by the renowned firm of Pottier & Stymus.

Updates to the room’s interior were also made over the years during the long span of time that the Edison family resided in Glenmont.

The impressive interior wall treatments inside of the Reception Hall at Glenmont, which date back to the 1880s, include wainscotting that is made of “high” oak and a wall area above that is covered with Lincrusta Walton. In Glenmont’s

Historic Structure Report (1998), Lincrusta Walton is defined as a “composite of oxidized Linseed oil and of celluloid materials such as ground cork. The composite is compressed into decorative patterns and bonded in a heavy canvas base.” Lincrusta was developed in 1877 as a less expensive and more sanitary alternative to pressed leather and carved wood wall treatments. In the case of the

Glenmont Reception Hall, the Lincrusta Walton is finished off with a metallic bronzing powder. In the Historic Structure Report for Glenmont (1998), the finish is noted as being “original to the room” and “having never been altered.”

Existing Conditions:

An 1891 publication described the hall’s Lincrusta Walton wall covering as

“covered with a metallic paint…in darkly shaded hues… too subdued to give a glaring effect”. The finish was also described in a 1980 paint analysis as

“aluminum applied to a glue size and protected with a layer of varnish to achieve a dull gold finish.” Until recently, the park assumed that the existing dull and shadowy finish that is currently present on the Lincrusta reflected its original appearance. However, during a 2017 PMIS project involving the conservation of the c. 1880 caribou trophy mounted on the wall in the Reception Hall, a significant finish difference was noted behind the animal head when the caribou was removed for treatment. The Lincrusta Walton in this hidden area, that had remained unexposed to the elements since the 1880s, was different in appearance to what is exhibited today to the public on the rest of the walls. The unexposed area was significantly lighter and brighter.

The stark contrast between the unexposed wall treatment and the exposed wall treatment illustrates that the Lincrusta Walton had been adversely affected by the elements, becoming discolored and stained during the 130+ years of exposure.

This conclusion is supported by the findings of an earlier conservation project in a room that is adjacent to the hall, completed in 2006. During this project, it was discovered that decades of use of malfunctioning fireplaces during the historic period resulted in significant discoloration to the wall treatments and ceiling in the Pedder Library. Minimally invasive conservation cleaning techniques revealed patterns and colors in this room that had been hidden by layers of soot and dirt. During this 2006 project, the NPS conservators also performed some minimal testing on the Lincrusta in the Reception Hall, determining that a similar condition of soot and debris had also affected the appearance of the Lincrusta. All in all, the key to the success for this project will be to clean the Lincrusta, using minimally invasive conservation grade methods in order to remove the dirt and soot, without overcleaning the wall treatment, in order to return it to its original appearance.

Further inspection of the Lincrusta in 2006 also noted areas of deterioration which are resulting in isolated areas of loss. These minimal areas of loss will also be addressed during this project.

1.2 SOLICITATION PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS AND EVALUATION

FACTORS:

A. To facilitate consistent review and comparison of responses, proposal submissions must correspond in format to the heading sequence, and content of the following outline. Respondents to the Request for Proposals (RFP) must include, at a minimum, the following:

Relevant Past Performance (Required):

Submit evidence of comparable past work including a minimum of five years of experience conserving historic period interiors from the representative historic period (c. 1880-1947), demonstrating at least two examples of the restoration of an interior period room’s historic painted finish. Two examples of past work must also include conservation grade cleaning of a historic wall treatment, using industry standard conservation methods. One of these projects must also demonstrate work with historic paint analysis. One of these projects must also demonstrate successfully conducting test samples to determine the least invasive method of curatorially cleaning a historic wall surface or wall treatment.

Please note that all cited examples of comparable past work performance must have taken place in a building that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Please note that this listing is only available for historic properties within the United

States. Furthermore, cited examples for past work performance cannot be represented by work undertaken for a private residence but, instead, must have taken place in an AAM accredited museum or comparable equivalent. One cited example must have taken place in a historic house museum from the identified historic time period (c. 1880-1947). Please note that bidding proposals that do not meet all of the identified criteria for past work performance shall not be considered.

Submit evidence of a minimum of three years of conservation training obtained through a degree program or a comparable period of apprenticeship with a reputable conservation services provider, and experience successfully executing two or more projects conserving historic interiors with decorative paint finishes within properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which are projects of similar scope, complexity, and historic resource value to that required by this solicitation.

Additionally, this qualified conservator must be considered the key personnel for this contract. This qualified conservator shall also have conservation experience in conformance with the American Institute for Conservation (AIC) Code of Ethics and

Guidelines for Practice (website address - http://www.conservation-us.org/docs/default-source/governance/code-of-ethics-and-guidelines-for-practice.pdf ).

Applicant must also demonstrate familiarity with the NPS conservation and preservation standards and the Secretary of the Interior Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties (See NPS Museum Handbook at https://www.doi.gov/museum/npshandbooks and https://www.nps.gov/tps/standards.htm for more information).

Please include:

*Point of Contact (with verifiable telephone number and email address)

*Company Name and Address

*Company Telephone Number and Email Address (verifiable)

*Identification of Historic Resource Treated

*Brief Description of the Project with Illustrations which demonstrates similarity in scope and complexity to this project

*Dates Work Was Performed

Cost proposal:

Provide an all-inclusive, itemized cost proposal for the project.

B. Pre-Proposal meeting:

All Proposers are strongly encouraged to visit the site in preparation for submitting a proposal. The Contractor must arrange a site visit at a date and time to be determined. Please contact Beth Miller should you plan to attend a site visit. Please bring your own ladder to inspect the room. Please note that the ladder, which cannot be taller than 12 feet, must be safely navigated through areas of the historic interior of Glenmont in order to access the Reception Hall. These areas contain built-in features, historic wall treatments, historic architectural features, historic artifacts, historic steps, narrow hallways and doorways, etc. These spacial constraints, which are indicative of a fully furnished Queen-Anne style Victorian home, must be safely navigated. Transport and use of ladder on park property during the site visit must occur without damage to adjacent historic objects and/or surfaces as well as without damage to the modern carpeting that defines the path of travel throughout the home’s interior. Any questions that a Proposer has regarding the project must be submitted in writing to the Contracting Officer assigned to this project no later than five days prior to the closing date for this solicitation.

Beth Miller

Curator of Thomas Edison’s Home, Glenmont

973-809-4360

C. Limitations of Liability:

The Government assumes no responsibility and no liability for costs incurred by

Proposers in responding to this solicitation.

D. Evaluation of Solicitation Proposals (Selection criteria):

Award of the contract to complete this project will be made on the basis of technical qualifications of the Proposer and on the basis of the Proposal offering the best value to the government with technical and price factor being approximately equal.

Proposals will be evaluated based on the following Factors and Sub-factors:

Factor 1: Experience

Submit evidence of a minimum of three years of conservation training obtained through a degree program or a comparable period of apprenticeship with a reputable conservation services provider, and experience successfully executing two or more projects conserving historic interiors with decorative paint finishes within properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which are projects of similar scope, complexity, and historic resource value to that required by this solicitation.

Additionally, this qualified conservator must be considered the key personnel for this contract. This qualified conservator shall also have conservation experience in conformance with the American Institute for Conservation (AIC) Code of Ethics and

Guidelines for Practice (website address - http://www.conservation-us.org/docs/default-source/governance/code-of-ethics-and-guidelines-for-practice.pdf ).

Factor 2: Relevant Past Performance

Relevant Past Performance (Required):

Submit evidence of comparable past work including a minimum of five years of experience conserving historic period interiors from the representative historic period (c. 1880-1947), demonstrating at least two examples of the restoration of an interior period room’s historic painted finish. Two examples of past work must also include conservation grade cleaning of a historic wall treatment, using industry standard conservation methods. One of these projects must also demonstrate work with historic paint analysis. One of these projects must also demonstrate successfully conducting test samples to determine the least invasive method of curatorially cleaning a historic wall surface or wall treatment.

Please note that all cited examples of comparable past work performance must have taken place in a building that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Please note that this listing is only available for historic properties within the United

States. Furthermore, cited examples for past work performance cannot be represented by work undertaken for a private residence but, instead, must have taken place in an AAM accredited museum or comparable equivalent. One cited example must have taken place in a historic house museum from the identified historic time period (c. 1880-1947). Please note that bidding proposals that do not meet all of the identified criteria for past work performance shall not be considered.

Applicant must also demonstrate familiarity with the NPS conservation and preservation standards and the Secretary of the Interior Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties (See NPS Museum Handbook at https://www.doi.gov/museum/npshandbooks and https://www.nps.gov/tps/standards.htm for more information). Any proposal containing suggestions, approaches, options, or ideas that do not conform with

National Park Service, Secretary of Interior, and AIC conservation and preservation standards will not be considered.

Please include:

*Point of Contact (with verifiable telephone number and email address)

*Company Name and Address

*Company Telephone Number and Email Address (verifiable)

*Identification of Historic Resource Treated

*Brief Description of the Project with Illustrations which demonstrates similarity in scope and complexity to this project

*Dates Work Was Performed

Factor 3: Price

Provide an all-inclusive, itemized cost proposal for the project. A price evaluation will be performed to determine the reasonableness of the proposed price.

Reasonableness will be determined considering other competitive prices received and comparison to the Independent Government Estimate.

Background materials attached to the scope of work include a copy of Rules for

Contractors in Historic Buildings (Attachment B) which identifies specific guidelines that must be followed by contractors when they work on-site. In general, no food, drink, or smoking is permitted within site work areas. Contractor must protect-in-place adjacent artifacts in immediate work areas and along the interior and exterior path of travel to and from the Reception Hall (including historic floors, modern carpeting, historic mirrors, historic light fixtures, stained glass windows, historic built-in features, etc.), refrain from storing project equipment on-site during the course of the project and is responsible for purchasing all supplies related to the project. Please note that although the Reception Hall is located on the first floor of

Glenmont, there are historic steps which must be undertaken in order to access the

Reception Hall. Contractor shall also be responsible for removal of all trash debris on a daily basis.

Cost proposal:

Contract Type

The government anticipates awarding a firm-fixed price contract.

SAM Registration

Contractor shall be registered in SAM.gov prior to contract award.

Please note that on-site hot work, including use of heat guns, tack irons, hair dryers, or other heat generating equipment or welding, is by advanced approval and by advanced appointment only. Please see Appendix C of this document for more details about the park’s hot work policies. If hot work is included in the bidder’s approach to the project, please specify this in the bidding proposal.

2.0 SCOPE

On-site work for the project, will take place inside of Glenmont, in the period room known as the Reception Hall, located on the first floor of Glenmont.

Contractor is responsible for safely navigating through historic spaces in order to complete tasks associated with this project (including during times of transporting supplies to and from the Reception Hall and during times of equipment delivery).

Contractor must protect in place the architectural features, historic finishes, adjacent artifacts, surfaces, historic mirrors, historic light fixtures, stained glass, floor coverings, etc. when completing this work in the Glenmont interior, to the extent required to prevent damage to any of these components during the course of the project. All stated in the statement above is the responsibility of the

Contractor. Contractor is responsible for any damage that occurs to these historic areas, buildings, artifacts, and features during the course of their work.

Off-site work for this project includes completion of the associated one page

Historic Paint Analysis Report, the Treatment Proposal, and the Final Treatment

Report for the project.

Selected vendor must comply with National Park Service standards, the Secretary of the Interior standards, and AIC standards for preservation and conservation which govern this project, including hot work procedures. Any proposal containing suggestions, approaches, options, or ideas that do not conform with

National Park Service, the Secretary of the Interior, and AIC conservation and preservation standards will not be considered.

3.0 OBJECTIVES

The goal is to conserve the dirty and sooty circa 1880 Lincrusta Walton wall covering in the Reception Hall of Glenmont. Results of the project will assist the park in preserving the interiors of Glenmont, a goal which is identified in the park’s enabling legislation and is further emphasized in the park’s current

Foundation document. Project will contribute to improving the overall stability, appearance, and preservation of this significant decorative interior, enabling the park to continue to accurately represent the original interior of Thomas Edison’s home, Glenmont, for study by scholars and for viewing by the visiting public.

The end products, namely the one page Historic Paint Analysis Report, the

Treatment Proposal, and the Final Treatment Report, will enable the park to improve the documentation of this room as well as help the park prepare for future related conservation projects.

4.0 TASKS

4.1 Conservator will be tasked with conserving the c. 1880 Lincrusta Walton wall treatment in the Reception Hall of Glenmont (approximately 12 ft. by 24 ft. area).

This includes conservation-grade cleaning to mitigate 130+ years of grime and pollutants, stabilization of flaking surfaces of the bronzed overcoat and base canvas, in-painting as needed, and re-adhering the canvas to the wall as required.

Work will be completed as to retain the original character of all finishes using in-kind materials whenever possible.

Tasks will also include historic paint analysis. This paint analysis will match selected paint layers to a standardized color-notation system for the period of interpretive interest. It will ensure that selected colors are matched in a historically accurate fashion and that the bronzed metallic finish is an accurate representation of the original finish that was applied during the historic period.

Tasks will also include completing testing to select an appropriate cleaning method for the surface of the wall treatment. The selected method of conservation-grade curatorial cleaning of the surface of the Lincrusta Walton must be the least invasive method which will remove the soot and dirt on the surface of the wall treatment without overcleaning it to the extent that it alters the original finish or original appearance of the Lincrusta’s surface. The conservator also must ensure that the selected method does not cause any additional damage to the finish or the base structure of the Lincrusta Walton wall covering. NPS pre-approval of the selected cleaning method is required, prior to this work commencing.

Off-site work shall consist of producing the Historic Paint Analysis Report, the

Treatment Proposal (which identifies and explains the selected cleaning method), and the Final Treatment Report, which will include before and after photographs of all of the room’s areas which were conserved for this project.

Conservator will use industry standard museum techniques and NPS approved materials, adhering to appropriate safety, preservation, artifact handling, museum packing, and park security guidelines, in order to perform this work. On-site work shall include photographing the Reception Hall, the conservation of the Reception

Hall’s Lincrusta Walton, as per the specific tasks outlined in this document, installation and de-installation of any project equipment and the NPS approved protect-in-place measures, and the completion of the historic paint analysis/testing of cleaning methods.

This project enables the park to continue the work of actively preserving and maintaining the park’s museum collections while maintaining and improving exhibit areas. The end products, namely the treatment report and the historic paint analysis, will improve the documentation for this period room and assist in the development of conservation projects for similar period rooms.

The Reception Hall is located on the first floor of Glenmont. Selected contractor will be required to successfully navigate historic pathways, doorways, steps, etc.

The contractor is strongly encouraged to make an appointment for an on-site viewing of the property and to see the location of the Reception Hall prior to bidding.

4.2 Please note that two historic tables, one historic brass umbrella stand, a fireplace fender, one historic log bin, one historic oversized chair, and one historic settle must be de-installed and re-installed by the contractor in order to perform this project work. These select pieces of furniture will be stored in an area which is adjacent to the Reception Hall. Additionally, the Contractor will be responsible for de-installing and re-installing four historic works of art (framed oil paintings) that are currently hanging by a picture rail in this room. When the project is complete, these objects must be re-installed back in the Reception Hall by the contractor, in their original locations and configurations. This includes the four oil paintings which are suspended from hooks attached to a picture rail.

Contractor is responsible for practicing safe de-installation and installation techniques when completing these artifact moves and is also responsible for providing enough personnel to safely perform this work.

Additionally, please note that the bronze bust situated on the windowsill in this room will remain in-situ (in its original location) during the course of this project and must be protected in place by the contractor when this project work is being undertaken.

Contractor must protect-in-place adjacent artifacts in immediate work areas and refrain from storing project equipment on-site during the course of the project and is responsible for purchasing all supplies related to the project.

Contractor is responsible for any damage that occurs during the course of their work while working on site, including but not limited to, architectural elements such as stairwells and wall treatments, historic light fixtures and mirrors, decorative finishes, floors, doors, stained glass, artifacts, historic steps, modern carpeting, etc. This includes during the time of any on-site work, including the installation, and de-installation of any project equipment.

Vendor must familiarize themselves with NPS guidelines in order to ensure compliance to these guidelines. Please note, as part of these guidelines, the use of ball point pens or markers is prohibited in historic areas within the mansion.

During any on-site work or pre-bid meeting the vendor is expected to use pencil to take notes when working in these historic areas. Additionally, no food, drink, or smoking is permitted inside of the mansion.

4.3 Selected vendor must ensure that they provide sufficient labor (ie number of individuals required) to safely complete all aspects of this work.

4.4 Selected vendor must comply with National Park Service standards, the

Secretary of the Interior standards, and AIC standards for preservation and conservation which govern this project. Any proposal containing suggestions, approaches, options, or ideas that do not conform to National Park Service, the

Secretary of the Interior, and AIC conservation and preservation standards will not be considered. Conservator will use appropriate museum techniques and approved materials, adhering to appropriate safety, preservation, and security guidelines, as identified in this document, in order to perform this work.

4.5 The contractor is required to present a certificate of insurance in the coverage amount of one million dollars, including coverage for when the Contractor is working at the Glenmont estate to complete the on-site work for the project. This includes during times of equipment delivery, equipment installation, and equipment de-installation. This proof of liability insurance must meet these requirements: insurance in the amount of $1 million dollars as well as standard insurance and bonding which covers the company and its employees against neglect, accident, theft and damage with proof of insurance that shall be provided to the Contracting Officer. Contractor shall carry insurance to cover injuries to his workmen and damage caused by the workmen. The contractor must provide this certificate of insurance within ten days of the contract award. Contractor shall be responsible for all damages to persons or property that occurs as a result of

Contractor’s fault or negligence. The contractor shall take proper safety and health precautions to protect work, workers, the public, and property of others.

4.6 Selected vendor is responsible for any damage that occurs during the course of their work while working on site, including during times of equipment de-installation and installation, as well as during times of delivery and transport of items within the mansion. This includes but is not limited to, damage to historic finishes and features, damage to historic staircases and steps, damage to stained glass, damage to mirrors, damage to historic walls and ceilings, damage to historic floors and historic light fixtures, damage to any historic artifacts, or to any building systems or estate areas, such as the landscaped grounds. This includes, but is not limited to, during the time of transport of supplies/equipment, and during any other aspect of on-site work.

Contractor is strongly encouraged to make an appointment for an on-site viewing of the interior of Glenmont and the Reception Hall.

4.7 Hot work is defined as the use of any heat generating equipment such as a heat gun, blow dryer, or a tack iron to complete the project tasks. This includes welding. Hot work requires NPS approval and is by advanced appointment only.

Contractor must adhere to park hot work policies which are identified in attachment C of this document. If on-site hot work is part of the bidder’s approach, this information must be included in the bidder’s proposal.

4.8 Contractor must refrain from storing project equipment on-site during the course of the project. Contractor must be present for any associated project deliveries which will be arranged by advanced appointment only.

4.9 Background materials attached to the scope of work include a copy of Rules for Contractors in Historic Buildings (Attachment B) which identifies specific guidelines that must be followed by Contractors when they work on-site. In general, no food, drink, or smoking is permitted within site work areas.

Contractor shall be responsible for removal of all trash debris on a daily basis when working on-site.

Please note that, on some days, the grounds of Glenmont and the interior of the home may be open to the public. On the days that the grounds are open to the public, the Contractor must take appropriate safety measures to ensure the safety of the visitors. This includes not blocking the main paths of travel or foot traffic areas, using barriers to delineate work areas so the public cannot access them, and refraining from driving vehicles on the grounds when they are open to visitors and volunteers.

5.0 DELIVERY

5.1 The work of this section consists of submittal requirements before start of work.

A. Within ten days of the award and prior to the commencement of on-site work, a Certificate of Insurance must be provided to the NPS.

Contractor must provide proof of liability insurance in the amount of $1 million dollars as well as standard insurance and bonding which covers the company and its employees against neglect, accident, theft and damage shall be provided to CO. Contractor should carry insurance to cover injuries to his workmen and damage caused by the workmen. The vendor must provide a certificate of insurance within ten days of the contract award.

• Pre-start meeting – Within 30 days of award, selected vendor will contact

COR to discuss project and work schedule.

• Vendor will be required to submit an NPS approved health and safety work plan within 30 days after the award. In this plan the Contractor must address how they will adhere to any relevant CDC guidance related to

COVID-19 in the work place while working on-site at the Glenmont estate.

The manual “Guidance on Preparing Work Places for COVID-19” (OSHA

3990-03 2020) is attached to this solicitation for the bidder’s reference. The goal of the health and safety work plan is to ensure work is being performed safely, both for the resource and the personnel involved in the project. The health and safety work plan must be NPS reviewed and approved, to ensure its methods and materials are in accordance with the

NPS and the Secretary of Interior for conservation, preservation, and safety. On-site work shall not commence until the approved plan is executed. This includes on-site meetings to discuss the project, to examine the resource, or to conduct any project related testing or photography.

• Within 30 days after the award, Vendor will also be required to submit an

NPS approved Protect-In-Place plan detailing how walkways, carpeting, built-in features such as steps, floors, doors, adjacent furniture and light fixtures, historic mirrors, historic staircases and stained glass windows, as well as adjacent plaster/wood walls and ceilings, architectural features, adjacent artifacts, etc. will be protected in place by the Contractor, identifying specific techniques and materials to be used to avoid damage to these elements during their on-site work. The protect-in-place plan must be

NPS reviewed and approved, to ensure its methods and materials are in accordance with the NPS and the Secretary of Interior for conservation, preservation, and storage standards. Work shall not proceed until the approved plan is executed.

5.2 During work progress the selected vendor shall furnish upon request:

A. Daily report detailing work attempted or accomplished

5.3 At the conclusion of the contract the selected vendor shall provide the following:

A. The selected vendor must produce a one page Historic Paint Analysis

Report, a Treatment Proposal, and a Final Treatment Report. The

Contractor will provide the following to the COR:

1. three paper copies of the completed one page Historic Paint

Analysis Report, the Treatment Proposal, and the Final Treatment

Report on 8 1/2 x 11 paper with color photographs

2. one electronic copy of the completed Historic Paint Analysis

Report, the Treatment Proposal, and the Final Treatment Report in PDF format on a flash drive.

5.4 Submit all delivery requirements to the Contracting Officer’s Representative

(COR).

6.0 GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED PROPERTY

6.1 The Contractor is responsible for the cost and acquisition of all project related materials, labor, and services necessary to complete the work of this contract. The government will not provide any materials, labor, and services necessary to complete the work of this contract. Project related expenses of any kind are the responsibility of the Contractor.

6.2 Background materials attached to the scope of work include a copy of Rules for Contractors in Historic Buildings (Attachment B) which identifies specific guidelines that shall be followed by contractors when they work on-site. In general, no food, drink, or smoking is permitted within site work areas.

Contractor shall protect-in-place adjacent artifacts in immediate work areas as outlined in their NPS approved plan (including historic floors, staircase components, walls, artifacts, light fixtures, mirrors, etc. as required), and refrain from storing project equipment on-site during the course of the project.

7.0 SECURITY AND SAFETY

Contractors and their team shall be escorted at all times by a National Park

Service staff member while they are working on-site. This means that contractors shall not be left unattended, even for short periods of time, and an NPS staff member shall be continually monitoring them as they work, in the immediate vicinity. Please note that there should be no expectation of a contractor working independently, without staff monitoring or staff supervision, in any NPS facility.

For more details, please refer to the Contractor Monitoring SOP that is attached to this solicitation.

Backpacks and bags are subject to inspection. Contractor team members may be required to wear an identification badge while on-site and use a sign in sheet to log their on-site hours. Selected vendor shall be required to submit a roster supplying the names of participating team members prior to the start of any on-site work. Parking location is subject to security issues and shall be handled on a case by case basis.

Contractor will be required to submit an NPS approved health and safety work plan. Plan will detail steps taken by the Contractor to avoid damage to Glenmont artifacts and historic features/finishes as well as steps taken to reduce the incident of accident or injury during the course of the project. Plan must outline all equipment and materials used for the project and their related safety features or properties as well as any special safety requirements identified on their Safety

Data Sheets (SDS sheets will also be submitted by the contractor with the plan).

Please note that the park strictly adheres to guidelines specified in Safety Data

Sheets for on-site work as part of the park’s safety protocol. Any required PPE must have up-to-date certification and an up-to-date fit test if required for on-site work.

In the health and safety work plan, the Contractor must also address how they will adhere to any relevant CDC guidance related to COVID-19 in the work place while working on-site at the Glenmont estate. The manual “Guidance on

Preparing Work Places for COVID-19” (OSHA 3990-03 2020) is attached to this solicitation for the bidder’s reference. Please note that the contracting team may be required to wear appropriate PPE, (ie mask and gloves that meet the current

CDC recommendations for reducing the risk of COVID-19 disease transmission), to execute appropriate disposal of PPE, to sanitize their work equipment and work areas (ie scaffolding, etc.), to adhere to current social distancing guidelines, to adhere to current COVID-19 reporting requirements to initiate contact tracing, to adhere to current quarantine guidelines, etc. in order to reduce the risk of disease transmission while working on site, if so dictated by New Jersey state guidelines and/or CDC guidelines for managing COVID-19 in the workplace.

These guidelines are continually being updated and shall change over time.

Contractor must ensure that they provide sufficient labor (ie number of individuals required) to safely complete all aspects of this work as per OSHA guidelines.

The offeror’s equipment, tools, and supplies must be of a size and configuration capable of safely accommodating such work and must be equipped with the necessary fire and safety capabilities. Selected vendor must provide a form of egress (empty aisleway as a path of travel to exit) in the event of fire during the course of the project.

For safety, security, and preservation reasons, family, friends, or pets are not permitted to accompany the contractor’s staff to the job site at Thomas Edison’s home, Glenmont. This includes, but is not limited to, underage children. The park reserves the right to request that the Contractor produce documentation for any person on-site which provides evidence that they are legitimate and approved project personnel assigned to work on the project.

Please note that on-site hot work, including use of heat guns, tack irons, blow dryers, or other heat generating equipment or welding is considered hot work and the contractor must adhere to park hot work requirements and guidelines which are identified in Attachment C of this document.

8.0 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

8.1 LOCATION

A. On-site work will be completed at the following location inside Thomas

Edison National Historical Park:

1. Pick up, delivery, and on-site work will be completed at Glenmont, Thomas Edison National Historical Park, Llewellyn Park, 12

Honeysuckle Avenue, West Orange, New Jersey. Contractor must be present for any associated deliveries related to supplies for the on-site project work. Please note that navigating steps in narrow halls with historic staircases and plaster walls and ceilings is required to complete any transport process as well as key tasks related to the project. Potential bidders should take notice of the spacial restrictions of the confined work space where the work takes place and the historic nature of the path of travel for transport of objects, equipment, and supplies and plan accordingly, notating how these restrictions will be handled in their bidding proposal.

2. Special attention must also be paid to not damage historic objects adjacent to the work site in the historic rooms as well as navigating narrow corridors that feature historic finishes, historic light fixtures and windows, historic mirrors, built-in glass cabinets, historic floors and staircases, historic walls, other historic built-in features, and historic artifacts, not only in the period rooms but along the path of transport leading to and from these spaces, all of which contain artifacts and are historic in nature.

On-site work/pick up/drop off/packing may only be done between the hours of

9:00 am and 3:30 pm, Monday through Thursday, excluding holidays. On-site work is subject to weather conditions, other state of emergency conditions, or government shutdown. Access is by advanced appointment only. Please note that on-site work hours are non-negotiable and the contractor must consider the hours of availability of the resource when formulating their fixed cost estimate for this project.

9.0 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The Contractor shall be required to commence work under this contract within 10 calendar days after the date of the award to the Contractor, execute the work diligently and complete the entire project within a ten month timeframe which begins on the date of award. Please note, that due to the public tour schedule of this operating historic house museum, on-site conservation work in the Reception

Hall, including installing protect-in-place measures, cannot commence prior to

January 29, 2025. If on-site work continues beyond March 30, 2025, contractor is responsible for ensuring that this main hall area in the home (Reception Hall) can be accessed by public tours every Friday-Sunday. This means that the contractor must put stanchions back in place prior to leaving every Thursday with no project equipment or furniture staged in the hall/green carpet areas. Any protect in place measures that are installed in the green carpet areas must be removed every

Thursday by the contractor, prior to tours commencing for the weekend, as part of the contractor’s weekly routine, if on-site work continues past March 30, 2025.

Potential bidders should consider these constraints when formulating their fixed cost estimate for this project.

Within 10 calendar days after award, submit Certificate of Liability Insurance for the project.

Within 30 days after the award, Contractor will also be required to submit an NPS approved Protect-In-Place plan detailing how historic light fixtures and artifacts such as adjacent furniture, architectural features, historic steps and staircases, plaster/wood walls, ceilings, historic doors, historic mirrors, stained glass windows, decorative finishes, etc. will be protected in place by the Contractor, to the extent deemed necessary to protect the estate and its historic features and artifacts from damage. Contractor must identify the specific techniques and materials to be used for this purpose. Within 30 calendar days after date of award, contact COR to discuss project and schedule for on-site work. Within 30 days after award, Contractor will be required to submit an NPS approved health and safety work plan.

Upon completion of contract, the lead conservator shall submit three final paper copies and one electronic copy of the Historic Paint Analysis Report, the

Treatment Proposal, and the Final Treatment Report with all photo documentation for the project to the COR, as per the criteria identified in other sections of this document. Contractor must also have removed all associated supplies, tools, and equipment from on-site locations.

DELIVERABLES: DUE:

Provide Certificate of Liability Insurance for project

Within 10 calendar days of award

Contact COR to schedule on-site work/conduct pre-project meeting, provide NPS approved Protect-In-Place plan and NPS approved health and safety work plan

Within 30 calendar days of award

Submit NPS approved Historic Paint Analysis Report

Within 90 calendar days of award

Submit NPS approved Treatment Proposal Within 140 calendar days of award

Commence on-site conservation work in the Reception Hall at Glenmont

Within 170 calendar days of award

Complete on-site conservation work in the Reception Hall at Glenmont

Within 275 calendar days of the award

Submit NPS approved Final Treatment Report

Within 300 calendar days of the award

10.0 PAYMENT SCHEDULE

PAYMENT SCHEDULE:

A. Upon NPS approval of the Historic Paint Analysis Report and the

Treatment Proposal and completion of half of the on-site conservation work (50 %)

B. Upon submission and approval of the Final Treatment Report, completion of the on-site conservation work, and the removal of any supplies or equipment used on-site at the Glenmont estate (50%)

Attachment A

Modern photo of Thomas Edison’s 1880 residence, Glenmont

Modern photo of the Reception Hall at Glenmont

Modern photos of the Reception Hall at Glenmont

Modern photo demonstrating some of the condition issues for the Lincrusta Walton

Circa 2006 photo of NPS Conservator testing the surface of the Lincrusta Walton (no report exists to document this introductory testing)

Attachment B: RULES FOR CONTRACTORS IN HISTORIC BUILDINGS

Food, drink, or gum chewing are not permitted in the historic buildings. Debris and staining left behind can permanently damage museum objects. Smoking is not permitted.

Do not attempt to move or touch anything in the museum. Museum objects are too weak for functional use. We do not use historic sinks, bathrooms, ladders, chairs, or tables.

Alternate work hours are subject to approval. Please review your daily work plans at your morning meeting with the assigned NPS staff member.

Any alteration to a historic structure such as a hole, insertion of a nail or bracket, an alteration of a trim or surface must first be approved by the NPS to ensure compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act.

Protective barriers must be used between your equipment and museum surfaces. Clean blankets and plastic must protect the historic interiors from scratching, dents, and liquid spills. Surfaces of museum objects should not be used for storing tools. Protective barriers in doorways and on floor surfaces must be used to protect plaster or dust from entering into non-work areas. Tours and museum staff may be entering into your work area. Do not block doorways or emergency exits with your equipment or supplies. Do not set up equipment near fragile objects.

No open flames are permitted in any of the buildings or on the grounds. If you plan to use any equipment that emits heat or creates a spark, you must receive ADVANCED

PERMISSION from the NPS. These include use of heat guns, stripping guns, electrical drying tools, heaters, and welding torches. Procedures for hot work are strictly enforced.

Work occurring in close proximity to a fire detector or sprinkler pipe that generates heat, dust or debris requires advanced notice in order to prevent accidental activation.

Chemicals and other flammable materials, such as those containing butane or alcohol, cannot be left overnight in the historic buildings and must be stored in a designated safety zone during work hours. MSDS sheets are required for on-site chemicals. Rags must be stored in regulation non-combustible fire canisters. Unless advanced arrangements are made, trash must be removed at the end of each work day.

Electrical service is limited in historic buildings. Arrangements must be made in advance to use electrical equipment. Electrical equipment must be in satisfactory shape, including no use of frayed or damaged extension cords. Do not leave construction lights or equipment on or plugged in while unattended.

A National Park Service employee must escort you at all times when in the buildings.

This is a standard policy that applies to all guests and visitors at the site. Please notify the

NPS of any injuries or safety issues that arise during your work day.

Have your fire extinguisher handy and know your emergency exits in case of an emergency. Follow instructions from NPS staff when an alarm sounds.

Parking is limited. Consult the NPS for guidelines.

Attachment C

Thomas Edison NHP

Hot Work/Fire Watch Procedures

Hot Work - The use of an open flame, welding torch, or significant heat producing equipment anywhere in or near a building for repair or conservation projects

Fire Watch:

Welding equipment - The 2 hour time frame after the welding process has concluded.

Open Flame- The 1 hour time frame after the flame has been extinguished.

Heat producing equipment- The 30 minute time frame after the heat-producing device has been turned off and unplugged

Prior to any flame, welding torch, or heat producing equipment being turned on/used, be certain:

o A hot work/open flame permit form is completed and signed by NPS and contractor.

o NPS will temporarily disable the fire alarm/sprinkler system as needed for the area.

o Contractor will provide at least 2 fully charged portable fire extinguishers.

o Contractor will protect surrounding area with fire blankets or other non-flammable material as needed.

o Both NPS and Contractor will provide at least one person each as a designated Fire

Watch Person.

During Hot Work:

o Confirm that all permit conditions have been met.

o NPS staff should have a park radio.

o Advise VRP division Hot Work has commenced o Know where the next available fire extinguisher is located.

o Confirm that the Contractor designated Fire Watch individual is in place.

o If…