B08_-_Solicitation_Attachment_1_-_SOW.pdf

SCOPE OF WORK

PMIS 225118A

IMPLEMENT TREATMENT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR WATERCOLOR PAINTINGS

AT

MARSH – BILLINGS – ROCKEFELLER NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK

54 Elm Street

Woodstock, VT 05091

Background:1

The Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park (MABI) is the only national park to tell the story of conservation history and the evolving nature of land stewardship in America. The boyhood home of George Perkins Marsh, one of America's first conservationists, and later the home of Frederick Billings, the property was given to the American people by its most recent owners, Laurance S. and Mary F. Rockefeller. The park was created by an Act of Congress and signed into law by President George Bush on August 26, 1992. A broad and substantial collection of cultural resources related to the three stewards of home is stored almost entirely on site.

Included in this collection is a group of historic watercolors, which are an important part of the

Park’s art collection. 29 watercolors were identified in a 2018 survey as needing immediate intervention. This project will address approximately half of that number; a second component of this project will address the remaining watercolors at a later point.

The MABI watercolors are critical components of the Park’s collection. Many show damage from light, dust, mold, pests, foxing, and rips/tears. The pieces require conservation treatment and, in some instances, digital reproduction so that they may be properly preserved and protected for future generations.

Scope:

This project follows PMIS 207393 "Survey & Assess Condition of MABI’s Collection of

Watercolor Paintings" 29 watercolors require immediate intervention to improve their condition and prevent further damage. Treatment will focus on 15 high visibility/high need works of art and result in stabilized pieces in good condition. The treated works may be reframed in conservation-grade housing, which will include 100% cotton rag mat board, and UV-filtering in the frame package, or placed in storage while a reproduction of the watercolor is returned to the original frame. Treatment and conservation will ensure that these valuable cultural resources remain accessible to future generations visiting the site.

Objectives:

The goal of this project is to conserve 15 historically significant watercolor paintings from the

Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historic Park and digitally reproduce a selection of the artifacts so that they and the information within the images may be accessed by the general public as well as historians and other stakeholders.

Tasks:

The Contractor shall:

1. Work closely with the COR and insure clear and accurate communication.

2. Verify the unframing/rehousing requirements prior to beginning treatment on the artifacts.

3. Submit conservation proposals prior to beginning treatment on the artifacts.

4. Conserve watercolors as approved by COR.

5. If necessary, reproduce the images at a sufficiently high resolution (minimum 600 dpi) and print with archival-grade pigment-based inks on a semi-matte conservation-grade paper comprised of at least 20% cotton fiber (the paper will closely match the appearance, texture and weight of the wallpaper currently in-situ).

6. Once reproduced, the new images shall be placed into the original frame packages, with new mats, if necessary for aesthetic cohesion.

7. All conserved, rehoused and reproduced material will be delivered to Marsh-Billings-

Rockefeller National Historic Park prior to 3/15/2023

The Contractor shall be paid upon delivery of the material. All deliverables will be completed by 3/15/2023.

Delivery:

The Contractor must deliver the rehoused collection, digitized images, and reproduced prints to

Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historic Park by March 15, 2023. Delivery will be made at mutually agreed upon time and place prior to March 15, 2023.

Government-Furnished Property:

15 watercolors, with or without framing material from Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National

Historic Site. (Watercolors may be unframed on site prior to artifact pickup).

Place of Performance:

The project shall be accomplished at the contractor’s facility.

Period of Performance:

The Contractor shall begin work upon contract award and shall return the treated and reproduced material to Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historic Site no later than March 15, 2023.